AMD, ATI promise unified architecture in 2008 - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 24th Jul 2006, 15:33

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/07...itecture_2008/

rupbert · 24th Jul 2006, 15:41

I assume this is similar to the Xbox 360 with it's unified IBM cpu and ATI gpu, except that you will be able to upgrade it?

Sounds promising. Although surely it will broaden the seperation between Intel and AMD even further, which may not be good for the market?

Tim S · 24th Jul 2006, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupbert

I assume this is similar to the Xbox 360 with it's unified IBM cpu and ATI gpu, except that you will be able to upgrade it?

Sounds promising. Although surely it will broaden the seperation between Intel and AMD even further, which may not be good for the market?

Personally, I'm not sure - my head is screwed up over the whole deal because the industry has been thrown wide open overnight. I think that Wil is writing some more opinion on the whole thing though - it's a hot topic and it has implications for us as well as you guys.

woodshop · 24th Jul 2006, 16:04

I read it as grapics will be Mobo based but the power from it will come from a second AMD chip.. AKA you buy 2x AM2's one will be graphics one CPU..

GuardianStorm · 24th Jul 2006, 16:28

but if my GPU and CPU are on the same chip, what happens if i wish to just upgrade the GPU say?

id end up buying a new processor too, which would undoubtably cost more money

Da Dego · 24th Jul 2006, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuardianStorm

id end up buying a new processor too, which would undoubtably cost more money

This is a point Tim and I have been discussing for a little while now...and one thing you have to consider is the lack of redundant things like RAM and circuitry. It could lower the cost of the GPU down sufficiently enough that a CPU with built in GPU might be less than a graphics card on its own.

Of course, the key here is that nobody is sure yet, it's all our guesses from here on out.

RotoSequence · 24th Jul 2006, 17:05

GPU and CPU wont be unified on the high end for a long time yet IMHO. The silicon is too big, its too complicated, and too expensive as of yet. In 2008, Im betting we'll be lucky to see integrated low end. High end will still probably be discrete.

Cheap Mod Wannabe · 24th Jul 2006, 17:07

Ha ha ha innovation! How sweet.

Oh man you sometimes really have to grab someone by their... in order to make them think, and then this leads to innovation. =)

This is amazing though. Not only will we see little cheapo all in one PC's... CPU/GPU/Mobo all almost in one. But we will also see so much more.

I so can imagine "AMTi" little $200 office PC's conquering office cubicles... Library networks and schools.

I think the gap will widen between differently oriented PC's. I think differences between Office, Graphic/video Design and gaming computers will become very prominent.

I think this is awesome.

Fr4nk · 24th Jul 2006, 19:47

I totally agree with Cheap Mod Wannabe, this looks liek it will get AMD back in the game but it seems intel will hold the crown from next 1.5 years. It is indeed a hot-topic, and there looks a whole range of idea's and possiblities. I can't wait

valium · 24th Jul 2006, 22:21

I don't like this at all, yes the innovation is cool but being forced to use a certain GPU because of the brand of processor I bought is just f'in stupid. If this forces things to go down that path then I'd much rather use the other brand that isn't forcing a certain brand of GPU (which I've never really liked) on me. I've been an AMD fan for quite some time now, but honestly I think at first this move will turn people off to AMD and give Intel back the marketshare they lost, especially if Intel can come up with a way to offer the performance benefits of this "Torrenza" plan without buying into extra sockets, GPU on CPU, or whatever god awful incarnation that the AMD/ATi camp is brewing up.

IMO this merger sucks.

DXR_13KE · 24th Jul 2006, 22:47

Quote:

Now, AMD and ATI have announced their intentions for unified development by 2008 - this is quite forward thinking, considering that AMD and ATI are not one until ATI's share holders approve the deal.

imagine that they dont aprove.......

Cheap Mod Wannabe · 24th Jul 2006, 23:11

Hey valium, I really think that AMD would in no way limit nvidia/amd systems at least for good 3, 4 years. And I am sure nVidia will work hard to keep up with AMD/Ati.

specofdust · 24th Jul 2006, 23:24

This concerns me. I think we might end up with better performance at the expense of flexibility, and I like flexibility I does, and frankly I wouldn't care if the PC market slowed down by half tomorrow, it's moving too fast for my liking anyway. I juist can't see this working out well for the vast majority of consumers.

mattthegamer463 · 24th Jul 2006, 23:33

I'm for and against this merger. Not that AMD and ATi want to get together, but that they want to unify things too much. It takes the choices, and TBH, the fun, out of building a PC that is unique to you. I don't really care if they integrate things more so there is no graphics "card" per se, but that I can still select what processor and graphics card I want without having to make any sacrifices or be forced to buy one thing just to get another. I hope ATi and AMD see that. Plus, I don't want them the change the ATi name, I love that name, its an icon to me.

PumpAction · 25th Jul 2006, 18:33

My theory:
I think this means future low end systems have graphics integrated to cpu instead of integrated to the chipset.
Allowing for cheaper and alot faster low end graphics.

My guess is that the future sempron will get the GPU while the future a64 and fx will still be CPU only. It will stay that way for a long long time.

They dont want to sell alot of gpu-silicon that wont be used by the majority of the users when they could use that silicon to make a better or cheaper cpu.

Torrenza platform will make sure the future high-end graphics suffer no disadvantage compared to the integrated shared cache cpu\gpu combo and the market for mid and high end gaming remains.

24th Jul 2006, 15:33	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	AMD, ATI promise unified architecture in 2008 http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/07...itecture_2008/ __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

24th Jul 2006, 16:28	#5
GuardianStorm Ultramodder Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 1,464	but if my GPU and CPU are on the same chip, what happens if i wish to just upgrade the GPU say? id end up buying a new processor too, which would undoubtably cost more money __________________ Sites: My Site :: My blog Tools: Project Log Previewer Curent Projects: Dark Vortex Finished Projects: Yarrrbox :: Laptop Stand :: Bench PSU MK2 :: FS2 Guides: How To Bend Metal

24th Jul 2006, 17:05	#7
RotoSequence Lazy Lurker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 'States Posts: 4,527	GPU and CPU wont be unified on the high end for a long time yet IMHO. The silicon is too big, its too complicated, and too expensive as of yet. In 2008, Im betting we'll be lucky to see integrated low end. High end will still probably be discrete. __________________ Technology Schmecnology

24th Jul 2006, 19:47	#9
Fr4nk Tyrannosaurus Alan ! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Uk, Essex Posts: 2,367	I totally agree with Cheap Mod Wannabe, this looks liek it will get AMD back in the game but it seems intel will hold the crown from next 1.5 years. It is indeed a hot-topic, and there looks a whole range of idea's and possiblities. I can't wait __________________ {Macbook Pro + Dell 2407 WFP - Canon 3000V + Canon 350D + BG-E3 + Sigma 10-20mm + 50mm f1.8 + kit 28-90mm EF - Rolleiflex 2.8 TLR} *Flickr ~Flickriver ^ My Behance Art Folio

24th Jul 2006, 22:21	#10
valium Supermodder Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: USA, TX Posts: 288	I don't like this at all, yes the innovation is cool but being forced to use a certain GPU because of the brand of processor I bought is just f'in stupid. If this forces things to go down that path then I'd much rather use the other brand that isn't forcing a certain brand of GPU (which I've never really liked) on me. I've been an AMD fan for quite some time now, but honestly I think at first this move will turn people off to AMD and give Intel back the marketshare they lost, especially if Intel can come up with a way to offer the performance benefits of this "Torrenza" plan without buying into extra sockets, GPU on CPU, or whatever god awful incarnation that the AMD/ATi camp is brewing up. IMO this merger sucks. __________________ V2 - AMD 4400+ x2, Geforce 7800 GTX, 2x512 Corsair PC3200XL, 2x74gb Raptors (Raid 0)

24th Jul 2006, 15:41	#2
rupbert Hypermodder Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 799	I assume this is similar to the Xbox 360 with it's unified IBM cpu and ATI gpu, except that you will be able to upgrade it? Sounds promising. Although surely it will broaden the seperation between Intel and AMD even further, which may not be good for the market?

24th Jul 2006, 16:04	#4
woodshop UnSeenly Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Depths Of Hades Posts: 1,379	I read it as grapics will be Mobo based but the power from it will come from a second AMD chip.. AKA you buy 2x AM2's one will be graphics one CPU..

24th Jul 2006, 17:07	#8
Cheap Mod Wannabe Ultramodder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Glen Cove, NY Posts: 1,215	Ha ha ha innovation! How sweet. Oh man you sometimes really have to grab someone by their... in order to make them think, and then this leads to innovation. =) This is amazing though. Not only will we see little cheapo all in one PC's... CPU/GPU/Mobo all almost in one. But we will also see so much more. I so can imagine "AMTi" little $200 office PC's conquering office cubicles... Library networks and schools. I think the gap will widen between differently oriented PC's. I think differences between Office, Graphic/video Design and gaming computers will become very prominent. I think this is awesome.

24th Jul 2006, 23:11	#12
Cheap Mod Wannabe Ultramodder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Glen Cove, NY Posts: 1,215	Hey valium, I really think that AMD would in no way limit nvidia/amd systems at least for good 3, 4 years. And I am sure nVidia will work hard to keep up with AMD/Ati.

24th Jul 2006, 23:24	#13
specofdust Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aberdeen, UK, EU Posts: 7,607	This concerns me. I think we might end up with better performance at the expense of flexibility, and I like flexibility I does, and frankly I wouldn't care if the PC market slowed down by half tomorrow, it's moving too fast for my liking anyway. I juist can't see this working out well for the vast majority of consumers. __________________ Like marmite, only no-one hates it Mmm bop!

24th Jul 2006, 23:33	#14
mattthegamer463 Mod Master Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,805	I'm for and against this merger. Not that AMD and ATi want to get together, but that they want to unify things too much. It takes the choices, and TBH, the fun, out of building a PC that is unique to you. I don't really care if they integrate things more so there is no graphics "card" per se, but that I can still select what processor and graphics card I want without having to make any sacrifices or be forced to buy one thing just to get another. I hope ATi and AMD see that. Plus, I don't want them the change the ATi name, I love that name, its an icon to me. __________________ Latest Work: Boombox Build Project PCB- Complete Digital Picture Frame 2.0- Complete RumbleMouse - Complete Latest Project: TestPC- Complete Lian-Li PC7: C2D E6600, XFX 8800GTS 640MB, Corsair 2GB PC6400, 320GB Seagate Barracuda, EVGA 680i SLi, OCZ 850W

25th Jul 2006, 18:33	#15
PumpAction What's a Dremel? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 5	My theory: I think this means future low end systems have graphics integrated to cpu instead of integrated to the chipset. Allowing for cheaper and alot faster low end graphics. My guess is that the future sempron will get the GPU while the future a64 and fx will still be CPU only. It will stay that way for a long long time. They dont want to sell alot of gpu-silicon that wont be used by the majority of the users when they could use that silicon to make a better or cheaper cpu. Torrenza platform will make sure the future high-end graphics suffer no disadvantage compared to the integrated shared cache cpu\gpu combo and the market for mid and high end gaming remains.