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Of course, your CPU could become obsolete tomorrow, given technology's constant push for something better. There is no doubt that the state-of-the-art, ultrafast microprocessor that came with your new computer system will be surpassed by something faster.
But don't let that stop you from buying. Such new technology always comes at a premium, and it always takes time before software, peripherals and other supporting technologies catch up and fully exploit the newest, strongest link in the chain. Today's CPUs are incredibly powerful, especially for the needs of the average home or small-office user. Waiting for the next best thing is no good, because there will always be something better coming out next month.
Given that, a quick peek into the CPU crystal ball shows that:
The RISC-CISC controversy will fade as the two technologies converge. Chips will have dual identities that take advantage of both designs. Chips will also be designed with features that improve performance with sound, graphics, video and data transmission.
Machines are already being built for the mainstream market that have multiple processors. As chips get faster, the biggest problem engineers face is handling the heat created by ultrafast processors. Manufacturers will add multiple processors to solve the heat problem while still improving performance. Parallel processing, as the design is called, will become mainstream. |