This work describes in detail the microarchitecture of a high-performance microprocessor, giving an integrated treatment of platform and systems issues relating to the design and implementation of microprocessor-based systems. Unique in content and approach, the accompanying interactive CD-ROM provides multiple books and a wide variety of materials: complete data books, articles from journals and conference proceedings, manuscripts of important historical interest, IEEE and industry standards, VHDL and Verilog simulators, numerous video and audio clips, complete text of the book, including figures and tables. Shriver and Smith use AMD's K6 3D microprocessor as a "case study" basis for discussions on microarchitecture issues and they use increasingly important industry specifications and standards for platforms and systems issues. This book is an important reference for individuals building systems using microprocessors and readers looking for significant insights into fundamental design guidelines that transcend the design, implementation and use of a specific microprocessor. Practitioners, academia and technical product managers alike should benefit from this detailed overview of microprocessors, platforms and systems for years in the future.