AMD Betting Everything on OpenCL

[Skurge]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/05/30/amd-betting-everything-on-opencl/1

Wasn't sure where to post this, but since an APU is CPU 1st and GPU 2nd, I put it here.

 

[podspi]

Maybe we need a new subforum for APUs now? :biggrin:

Likely what is going to happen is APUs will be rolled into the CPU forum, and the GPU forum will be discrete-only, as it is now. Don't ask me where OpenCL stuff should go...


In a lot of ways, GPGPU is huge. OpenCL might at one point allow people to do light photo and video editing on netbooks (think the C-50). Provided the software is in place, Llano could outperform Sandy Bridge in things that many people actually care about, especially in the mobile arena. Accelerated photo and video editing is a must, along with transcoding.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how Powerpoint is accelerated, though...


Of course, the big question is can AMD maintain its competitiveness in GPU/GPU compute against Intel? With their higher transistor budget, and likely more advanced packaging as well, they're going to have an even larger advantage in building IGPs than they are in CPUs (since you can just double the thing and get ~ 2x the performance).

 

[manimal]

I think vc&g should be rolled into Love and Relationships since teams green and red have such rabid followings...

Cool article OP. Reading now.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I think vc&g should be rolled into Love and Relationships since teams green and red have such rabid followings...

This!

How is it possible for a person to be so passionately devoted to someone who doesn't even know they exist? A mystery of human nature...

 

[Idontcare]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/05/30/amd-betting-everything-on-opencl/1

Wasn't sure where to post this, but since an APU is CPU 1st and GPU 2nd, I put it here.

Maybe we need a new subforum for APUs now? :biggrin:

Markfw900 and I discussed this with the rest of the moderators some time ago and the conclusion/agreement was that we trust in the judgement of the thread's OP that they created their thread in the sub-forum which gave their thread exposure to the specific community they wanted to engage.

You put your thread in CPU, fine with us. Put it in VC&G, also fine with us. Just don't cross-post, try and keep the number of parallel threads to a minimum for the sake of the members in the community who do frequent both subforums.

I think vc&g should be rolled into Love and Relationships since teams green and red have such rabid followings...

You do know the irony of this is that I am the mod for both VC&G and L&R, right?

Idontcare
Super Mod

 

[Soulkeeper]

I like the idea of opencl
atleast as far as supporting/liking it more than the closed api's like cuda or direct compute

opencl isn't just limited to GPU's either, intel has an implementation that'll use their cpu's

 

[drizek]

Opencl on a CPU is just a band aid. Intelnneeds to get it running on their igps.

It makes sense that amd is devoting more resources to llano than bulldozer. It really does give them a tangible benefit over intel whereas bd would have just been merely competitive.

Also, now we know why llano is based on stars.

 

[dac7nco]

I'd like to see it, but have my doubts. OpenCL will do well if it's as accepted on the deaktop as Cuda is. What else could we do (in time) with the Sandy Bridge IGP's SPs? Programming is HARD [H].

Daimon

 

[wahdangun]

Maybe we need a new subforum for APUs now? :biggrin:

Likely what is going to happen is APUs will be rolled into the CPU forum, and the GPU forum will be discrete-only, as it is now. Don't ask me where OpenCL stuff should go...


In a lot of ways, GPGPU is huge. OpenCL might at one point allow people to do light photo and video editing on netbooks (think the C-50). Provided the software is in place, Llano could outperform Sandy Bridge in things that many people actually care about, especially in the mobile arena. Accelerated photo and video editing is a must, along with transcoding.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how Powerpoint is accelerated, though...


Of course, the big question is can AMD maintain its competitiveness in GPU/GPU compute against Intel? With their higher transistor budget, and likely more advanced packaging as well, they're going to have an even larger advantage in building IGPs than they are in CPUs (since you can just double the thing and get ~ 2x the performance).

no its not all about budget, remember intel tried to enter graphic card market twice and failed!!
Graphic card market is very hard to penetrate, you need a very extensive ip, and expertise. Maybe after intel get nvdia ip, but I doubt it, because they even trying to out source their driver

 

[Soulkeeper]

Opencl on a CPU is just a band aid. Intelnneeds to get it running on their igps.

It makes sense that amd is devoting more resources to llano than bulldozer. It really does give them a tangible benefit over intel whereas bd would have just been merely competitive.

Also, now we know why llano is based on stars.

band aid ... maybe
but the idea is all devices will eventually be seen from opencl implementation/s
ie: the same program could run on gpu, cpu, and potentially any other ocl capable hardware at the same time. Kinda like pthreads with more/less cores
I believe the term is "device agnostic"
Makes it easier from a programming perspective, and appeals to a wider audience
we aren't there yet on the software side

 

[Nemesis 1]

Opencl on a CPU is just a band aid. Intelnneeds to get it running on their igps.

It makes sense that amd is devoting more resources to llano than bulldozer. It really does give them a tangible benefit over intel whereas bd would have just been merely competitive.

Also, now we know why llano is based on stars.

Its not a bandaid . Intel on IB will have open cl for both cpu and IGP. Intel worked it in the the cpu first. Whats that pyhsics company intel bought. Than if you go back a few years befor Intel bought havoc or what ever the name is. AMD was working with them . But AMD didn't want physics(software) for the cpu. they was interested in physics(software) havoc for the GPU.

That said lets see what havoc has when IB arrives. A cpu with cl and IGP with cl. Intel has alot of resources at hand. Yes their playing catchup. But if intels IGP keeps improving as it has in last 3 years its all good. Intel really doesn't have to worry about driver support for lots and lots of older games alot of baggage just like X86 . Intels driver package is alot leaner they just need to make it meaner.

 

[Vesku]

Definitely not a band-aid, but would have been nice if they implemented on IGP first. Understandable they'd go with what they know first. Really, consumers will benefit the most if we see OpenCL go how AMD would like. It's another step towards smooth heterogeneous computing.

I for one am happy to include OpenCL on my personal shopping checklist.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Well intel owns havoc and many many game companies use this software . It was wise of intel to work it into CPU first IB is only 6 months out and it has open cl on IGP .

So I think intel tried to work it in on SB IGP but ran out of time. So IB got it. I think everyone is going to be surprized how well Intel will do with C++ cl. Intel loves C++ its like their baby (MS). Apple and Intel been together along time now and we all know who introduced open cl as a standard. I personnally believe intel put Apple up to wanting open cl as a standard .6 months and will all know.

C99 is the standard and Intels C++ compiler is mostly supported same with AMD64 compiler its mostly supported Amds is = only to GCC compiler . Of course AMD cpus can do open cl also as does all other cpus . I not sure about arm cpus but I would hope so Now that intel only has to put a notice on their compilers that other hardware than intels may not work as well on anything other than Intel hardware, Intel won't help AMD at all. The 2 will not work equally on Intel compilers . Intel can do what ever they desire with their compilers thanks to recent settlements. Other than sabatoga , but intel will make sure that amds and intels code paths are differant and legeally so.

 

[Arkadrel]

AMD Betting Everything on OpenCL

And why not?

Apple = goes with OpenCL
Intel = goes with OpenCL
AMD = goes with OpenCL
IMB = goes with OpenCL
ARM = goes with OpenCL

...
..
.

Even Nvidia is supporting it.


Why wouldnt they(amd) bet it all on OpenCL?
Everyone in the tech world is behinde it.

 

[Nemesis 1]

This!

How is it possible for a person to be so passionately devoted to someone who doesn't even know they exist? A mystery of human nature...

Food for thought . The world is an ugly place , The one thing that could change all that (Humanly) is tech , I see Intel as the driver of tech they have the resources and the engineers and thats why I am a INTELer type , Intels 3-D tri-gate tech is here after 10 years of research . SO what you say . If its as good as intel says which remains to be seen . Than everyone in the industry is hussling as of that announcement ,Tho I sure they new befor we new. But now its out in the open . I really thought it was going to show up at 32nm but I see now what intel did. That was a smart move. This helps drive innovation for everyone involved in the industry.

I was surprized IBM and AMD didn't say well ya we have that to Just like they said at intels 45nm gate last metal gates.