Understanding the capabilities of the specific processors and the underlying architecture on which your application will run is key to optimization. Intel® distributes many hardware and software development resources that can help better understand how to optimize application source code for specific architectures.
You can find detailed information about processor numbers, capabilities, and technical specifications, along with documentation, from the following web sites:
The architecture manuals provide specific details about the basic architecture, supported instruction sets, programming guidelines for specific operating systems, and performance monitoring.
The optimization manuals provide insight for developing high-performance applications for IntelŪ architectures.
Manuals: http://www.intel.com/products/processor/manuals/index.htm
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Optimization Reference Manual
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual, Volume 1: Basic Architecture
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual, Volume 2A: Instruction Set Reference, A-M
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual, Volume 2B: Instruction Set Reference, N-Z
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3A: System Programming Guide
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3B: System Programming Guide
Manuals: http://www.intel.com/products/processor/itanium2/index.htm
ItaniumŪ 2 Processor Reference Manual for Software Development and Optimization
Manuals: http://www.intel.com/design/itanium/manuals/iiasdmanual.htm
IntelŪ ItaniumŪ Architecture Software Developer's Manual - Volume 1: Application Architecture, Revision 2.2
IntelŪ ItaniumŪ Architecture Software Developer's Manual - Volume 2: System Architecture, Revision 2.2
IntelŪ ItaniumŪ Architecture Software Developer's Manual - Volume 3: Instruction Set Reference, Revision 2.2
For more information on advanced or specialized optimization strategies, refer to the Developer Centers, which can be accessed from www.intel.com. Refer to the articles, community forums, and links to additional resources in the listed areas of the following Developer Centers:
Tools and Technologies:
Threading/Multi-core
Intel® Software Products
Intel® Processors:
IntelŪ 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manuals
Itanium® Processor Family
Pentium® 4 Processor
Intel® Xeon® Processor
Environments:
High Performance Computing