# Itanium

> discontinued family of 64-bit microprocessors developed by HP and Intel

**Wikidata**: [Q390389](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q390389)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itanium)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/itanium

## Summary
Itanium is a discontinued family of 64-bit microprocessors developed by Intel and Hewlett-Packard. It was designed for high-performance computing and enterprise servers, featuring the IA-64 instruction set architecture. The processor line was notable for its ambitious design but ultimately failed to gain widespread adoption.

## Key Facts
- Developed jointly by Intel and Hewlett-Packard as a 64-bit microprocessor architecture
- Based on the IA-64 instruction set, a completely new architecture distinct from x86
- Part of the Intel microprocessor family and classified as a computing platform
- Used by HPE Integrity Servers for enterprise computing applications
- Includes various versions such as Tukwila and Itanium 2, with the Itanium 9500 series being a notable processor series
- Manufactured by Intel as the primary producer of the processors
- Discontinued family, indicating the end of production and development
- Has official documentation available on Intel's website at http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/itanium/itanium-processor.html

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Itanium processor designed for?
A: Itanium was designed for high-performance computing and enterprise server applications, offering 64-bit processing capabilities for demanding workloads that required significant computational power.

### Q: Why did Itanium fail to gain widespread adoption?
A: While not explicitly stated in the source, Itanium's failure to gain widespread adoption is implied by its discontinued status and limited use primarily to HPE Integrity Servers, suggesting it couldn't compete effectively with other processor architectures.

### Q: What makes Itanium different from other Intel processors?
A: Itanium uses the IA-64 instruction set architecture, which is completely different from Intel's more common x86 architecture, representing a distinct and incompatible processor family.

## Why It Matters
Itanium represents a significant chapter in microprocessor history as Intel's ambitious attempt to create a new 64-bit architecture for the future of computing. The processor family showcased Intel's willingness to innovate beyond their established x86 architecture and collaborate with major partners like Hewlett-Packard to address the growing demands of enterprise computing. Although ultimately discontinued, Itanium pushed the boundaries of processor design and influenced the development of high-performance computing platforms. Its existence demonstrates the competitive nature of the semiconductor industry and the risks companies take when developing entirely new architectures. The lessons learned from Itanium's development and market performance likely informed Intel's later processor strategies and highlighted the challenges of introducing radical architectural changes in a market dominated by established standards.

## Notable For
- Being a joint development project between Intel and Hewlett-Packard, representing major industry collaboration
- Introducing the IA-64 instruction set architecture, a completely new approach to 64-bit computing
- Limited but significant use in HPE Integrity Servers, providing enterprise-class computing solutions
- Representing Intel's most ambitious departure from x86 architecture in their product history
- Having multiple notable versions including Itanium 2 and the Tukwila processor

## Body
### Development and Architecture
Itanium was developed as a 64-bit microprocessor family through a partnership between Intel and Hewlett-Packard. The processors utilize the IA-64 instruction set architecture, which represents a clean break from Intel's traditional x86 architecture. This new architecture was designed to provide enhanced performance for high-end computing applications and enterprise workloads.

### Product Line and Versions
The Itanium family includes multiple processor versions and series. Notable variants include the Itanium 2 processor and the Tukwila version of the Intel Itanium processor. The Itanium 9500 series represents a specific processor series within the family, while the Itanium 9015 denotes a particular processor model. This range of versions indicates ongoing development and refinement throughout the product line's lifecycle.

### Applications and Usage
Itanium processors were primarily used in enterprise computing environments, particularly with HPE Integrity Servers. This specialized usage suggests the processors were targeted at high-performance computing scenarios where their 64-bit capabilities and architectural advantages could be fully utilized. The processors were positioned as computing platforms rather than general-purpose consumer processors.

### Technical Classification
The Itanium family is classified as a brand and is considered a subclass of both Intel microprocessors and computing platforms. This classification reflects its position within Intel's broader product ecosystem while acknowledging its distinct architectural identity. The processors are also associated with the IA-64 processor architecture, further emphasizing their specialized nature.

### Documentation and Support
Official documentation for Itanium processors is available through Intel's website, providing technical specifications and support information. The processors have been documented across multiple Wikipedia language editions and have associated categories in Wikimedia Commons, indicating their significance in computing history despite their discontinued status.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. Quora
4. National Library of Israel
5. KBpedia