AMD today announced a new extension (PDF) to the X86 instruction set. SSE5 is "designed to allow software developers to simplify code and achieve greater efficiency." Features worth noting are FP16 and new instructions to move values within an XMM register.

Chip advancements and software improvements go hand-in-hand, to the benefit of consumers and enterprises alike," said Phil Hester, senior vice president and chief technology officer, AMD. "The impact of our designs are best realized when AMD-based servers, PCs and devices enable software to more effectively solve every-day problems and enhance every-day experiences. By announcing our plans to add SSE5 instructions to the x86 instruction set - and by making the specification available today - we are enabling open and collaborative software innovation that will bring AMD's advancements to life for our customers and end-users.