AMD Developing Hybrid CPU/GPU

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In addition to the snazzy new website launched by AMD/ATI today, the chipmaker announced that they are developing a hybrid CPU/GPU system dubbed 'Fusion' for release in late 2008/early 2009:

"AMD intends to design Fusion processors to provide step-function increases in performance-per-watt relative to today’s CPU-only architectures, and to provide the best customer experience in a world increasingly reliant upon 3D graphics, digital media and high-performance computing. With Fusion processors, AMD will continue to promote an open platform and encourage companies throughout the ecosystem to create innovative new co-processing solutions aimed at further optimizing specific workloads. AMD-powered Fusion platforms will continue to fully support high-end discrete graphics, physics accelerators, and other PCI Express-based solutions to meet the ever-increasing needs of the most demanding enthusiast end-users."

AMD also announced that 'integrated platforms with ATI chipsets' will be coming sometime in 2007

View: DailyTech

#1 +Nicholas-C on 25 Oct 2006 - 15:29

oooo fancy name :p AMD "fusion" processor, has that certain feeling too it

#2 Fubar on 25 Oct 2006 - 15:39

Quote -

In addition to the snazzy new website launched by AMD/ATI today, the chipmaker announced that they are developing a hybrid CPU/GPU system dubbed 'Fusion' for release in late 2008/early 2009:

id hardly call the site snazzy :s more like butt ugly :s

(4 replies) #3 Joey L on 25 Oct 2006 - 15:43

I think the GPU and CPU should be seperate but both fitting into Motherboard sockets, then theres an upgrade path, or even a Gaming and Business market to sell different spec'd GPU's and not an all in one gamer chip for all.

#3.1 ikyouCrow on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:00

that's not a bad idea.

the cpu and gpu could flank the memory on both sides... you could buy your own gpu and a third-party heatsink much like what is done today with cpus.

you could even upgrade gpu and memory a-la-carte!!

#3.2 TRC on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:06

You'd still have to have seperate video memory too. System memory just isn't fast enough. I like that idea though.

#3.3 wtaag on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:47

Quote - TRC said @ #3.2

You'd still have to have separate video memory too. System memory just isn't fast enough. I like that idea though.

Yeah but they are able to put memory directly on the die nowadays. Not 1GB worth but they are making some nice breakthroughs with nanomemory.

#3.4 Hitman2000 on 25 Oct 2006 - 22:58

Guys all the things your are discussing, are probably being discussed by AMD engineers at this moment. Come on seriously these guys arent some idiots who done and I.T course there are many scientist and engineers who probably have PhD's in nanotechnology etc..

#4 RAID 0 on 25 Oct 2006 - 15:47

This is great. Gotta love this news!

#5 +guylaroche on 25 Oct 2006 - 15:50

Intriguing..... Hope it is worth buying.

#6 Jugalator on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:31

This should be interesting!

(2 replies) #7 Slugbait on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:39

After reading the article, where this tech would especially get traction is on origami devices, or NT-embedded devices. In the future, when they solve heat and die size issues, it would probably be a good solution for the pocket video players. Otherwise, it appears this is a low-end solution for cheap desktops and laptops.

I believe Joey L's suggestion was a topic once at Anand's many years ago, and if I remember correctly, it was pretty-much agreed that a mobo-based Voodoo5 would barely be able to compete with a dedicated S3 Virge due to the speed of the system bus. Of course, back then the bus ran at 66, but still...even at 1066, I don't believe it would ever be as fast as one of today's (or tomorrow's) dedicated cards. Edit: Just to be clear, I am primarily talking about GPU interaction with memory here.

Last edited by Slugbait on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:52

#7.1 Coolme on 26 Oct 2006 - 02:47

Indeed, also tablets would also benefit greatly from this.

#7.2 Joey L on 26 Oct 2006 - 07:50

My main problem with Dual Purpose chips is that they would be wasted on business only machines, i would hate to see an unused gpu due to it being on a business machine. but then again with Vista you require a top notch graphics setup just to wobble windows around.

#8 rIaHc3 on 25 Oct 2006 - 16:43

CPUs/GPUs should always be separate. They take up too much bandwidth to be on the same "socket".

(6 replies) #9 miniM3 on 25 Oct 2006 - 17:09

wow, even I saw that coming after the take over.
They will try and they will fail. unless ddr4 or whoknows what next type of ram is so blazing fast. Otherwise gfx needs dedicated ram (gddr3 etc).

#9.1 phun8890 on 25 Oct 2006 - 18:17

"They will try and they will fail." Your comment has flunk you back to pre-k.

#9.2 badazzEVO8 on 25 Oct 2006 - 21:53

and your spelling has 'flunked' you back further than pre-k

Last edited by badazzEVO8 on 25 Oct 2006 - 22:03

#9.3 MrCobra on 26 Oct 2006 - 04:29

Someone doesn't agree and has a different outlook on it and as the Neowin usual way of doing things he's flamed for it.

#9.4 phun8890 on 26 Oct 2006 - 05:11

Quote - badazzEVO8 said @ #9.2

and your spelling has 'flunked' you back further than pre-k

That comment made you a pre-k dropout. It was not a spelling error, but instead a grammar error. Oh, you are not supposed to start with "and."

#9.5 miniM3 on 26 Oct 2006 - 16:06

lol, I got a red card from the grammar police.
I'll return to my pre-k now!

#9.6 phun8890 on 26 Oct 2006 - 16:20

Quote - miniM3 said @ #9.5

You, all of Neowins, and I need to go back to pre-pre-k.

#10 ir0nw0lf on 25 Oct 2006 - 18:20

Sounds like the same thing the Cyrix Media GX processor was, it was a CPU/GPU all on one chip. At least that's what I can remember of that chip, only messed with a few of them.

#11 qdave on 25 Oct 2006 - 19:17

hm, if its done properly it could work very well!

#12 Fourjays on 25 Oct 2006 - 19:53

I actually can't see this taking off too well for PCs - laptops and other small devices, yea. The main reason being is that it limits the ability to configure your own computer to your specific needs (meaning you pay for bits you don't want/need).

#13 +Kushan on 25 Oct 2006 - 20:10

I heard nVidia is up to the same thing. 2008/9 is going to be interesting.

#14 eilegz on 25 Oct 2006 - 21:00

best thing that they could develop for a laptop user that wants less heat, more power and faster speed.

lets hope that they come out with something cool

#15 gadean on 25 Oct 2006 - 21:04

awesome idea, AMD! I'm looking forward to this!

(1 reply) #16 Tom Servo on 25 Oct 2006 - 21:16

The only reason for this to exist would be physics acceleration.

#16.1 +Lexcyn on 25 Oct 2006 - 21:18

Wouldn't it also reduce bus speed bottlenecking? Remember now you're directly integrated within the CPU.

#17 Magallanes on 25 Oct 2006 - 23:24

double the power at cost to double the heat.... in the same place

#18 linuxamp on 26 Oct 2006 - 04:02

Sounds like VIA core fusion

#19 ahhell on 26 Oct 2006 - 10:34

Wow what a sweet deal...for AMD.

Now when you want to upgrade your vid card, you have to do your CPU too.

EVERYBODY wins!! Oh wait..only AMD wins.

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