Arm sets a new standard for PCs to compete with x86

Arm has published the PC Base System Architecture (PC-BSA) specification to set the standard for PC design based on Arm processors. The document establishes hardware and firmware requirements that will make Arm systems more predictable for operating systems, hypervisors and other software.

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PC-BSA Level 1 requires a 64-bit processor on Armv8.1 or later architecture, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 integration for security features, System Memory Management Unit (SMMU) support for virtualization functionality, and support for PCI Express standards for ensuring device compatibility. These measures are intended to reduce the number of incidents that interfere with Arm compatibility in areas where the x86 architecture has traditionally held sway – they provide secure boot processes and compatibility with modern out-of-the-box software.

There’s been a lot of focus on virtualization, and it seems like the Arm PC ecosystem is shaping up to meet current needs that involve separating and managing workloads using virtual machines and containers. The presence of TPM 2.0, included in the list of Windows 11 system requirements, is designed to make Arm machines no less reliable than x86 systems. Compliance with PCIe standards will ensure compatibility with current components, including video cards and fast solid-state drives.

The Level 1 specification lays the groundwork, but it doesn’t stop there. Additional documents will follow, including Memory Tagging to simplify debugging and comprehensive encryption support. The success of PC-BSA will depend on how the requirements are met – hardware manufacturers and software developers will have to decide whether they want to participate in the Arm revolution in the Windows ecosystem.