AMD MOVES TOWARD 64-BIT COMPUTING.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) has outlined its strategy: a processor code named Sledgehammer that company officials said will be able to run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

AMD has also noted the architectural specifications for the 64-bit technology on its Web site. The publication of the technical details will let developers begin creating compilers, applications and other software products that will support the Sledgehammer chip when it's ready for shipment early next year.

Intel Corp. indicated the specifications for its new Itanium 64-bit processor via the Internet in May. However, Intel designed Itanium as a dedicated 64-bit device and is leaving progress in 32-bit computing to next-generation versions of its Pentium processor.

However, AMD's decision to mix 32-bit and 64-bit functionality has drawn criticism from Intel and analysts alike who feel there's little reason to keep one foot in the 32-bit world while making the jump to 64-bit technology.

Initially, the primary use of 64-bit computing is expected to be in running large enterprise-level applications that require more than 4GB of memory -- applications most commonly found in large databases.