The code name for a new 64-bit microprocessor being developed jointly by Intel and Hewlett-Packard. Although Merced will be able to run software written for the x86 architecture, it will utilize a new architecture, officially known as Intel Architecture-64 (IA-64). IA-64 will employ many cutting-edge microprocessor techniques, including long instruction words (LIW), instruction predication, branch elimination, and speculative loading.
Merced chips will be manufactured with a new 0.18-micron process technology and will contain tens of millions of transistors. It is designed primarily for use in servers and workstations.
