AMD Dual Graphics

[mysticjbyrd]

Why can't this technology work with better GPUs? Are the CPUs with iGPUs just too weak? Could this change with Zen APU?

 

[3DVagabond]

It could change with DX12. instead of having each GPU render alternate frames (AFR) they could use the iGPU for some graphics functions. Similar to what they can do with PhysX now.

 

[LTC8K6]

Why can't this technology work with better GPUs? Are the CPUs with iGPUs just too weak? Could this change with Zen APU?

Better GPUs have XFIRE.

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Better GPUs have XFIRE.

But purchasing a second video card is very expensive. If you could use the igpu + gpu to a positive effect, it would be a great option for more budget oriented consumers.

 

[LTC8K6]

But the igp currently is using ddr3 ram.

Not sure how much that's going to help a good video card.

There was an example of a NV card being "helped" by an intel igp under DX12 Multiadapter function:

McMullen showcased the benefits for a hybrid configuration using the Unreal Engine 4 Elemental demo. Splitting the workload between unnamed Nvidia discrete and Intel integrated GPUs raised the frame rate from 35.9 FPS to 39.7 FPS versus only targeting the Nvidia chip. In that example, the integrated GPU was relegated to handling some of the post-processing effects.

http://techreport.com/news/28196/di...-shares-work-between-discrete-integrated-gpus

 

[RussianSensation]

But purchasing a second video card is very expensive. If you could use the igpu + gpu to a positive effect, it would be a great option for more budget oriented consumers.

True but this hasn't worked well in practice for a couple of reasons. #1 AMD's lower end CPUs haven't been competitive which means by going with AMD APU + separate GPU you are struck with a slower CPU, one that limits all future mid to end dGPU upgrade options. That means it actually costs more $ over time buying an AMD APU + GPU because then you have to replace the entire platform due to the CPU bottleneck.

Second reason is that the GPU inside the APU is memory bandwidth, power consumption and die size limited. Essentially that means you'll have to cross-fire 2 low end GPUs for this to even work but in modern times, the low end GPUs usually offer really bad price/performance against mid-range and higher end cards.

Third reason is that someone on a budget and who wants serious bang for the buck should be looking for used graphics cards. This is because a used AMD graphics card even for $100 (HD7950/7970) paired with a stand-alone CPU, not APU, will always provide better price/performance and overall gaming experience.

Forth reason is that the slower the cross-fire chain, the more micro-stutters there are because multi-GPU suffers the most from lower frame rates vs. single GPU that's as fast. That means to start with multi-GPU with lower end cards is far more prone to an inferior user experience. This is why a single HD4890 > 4850 CF, HD5870 > HD5770 CF, HD6970 > HD6850 CF, HD7970Ghz > HD7850 CF, R9 290X > R9 280 CF, Fury X > R9 380X CF.

The reason AMD thought APUs could work was because they envisioned the iGPU augmenting CPU-related tasks in Windows. Thus far very few normal applications benefit from GPU acceleration. The ones that do are often professional applications and such users have $$$ to spend on FirePro cards.

 

[AMDisTheBEST]

http://www.fudzilla.com/news/processors/37588-amd-x86-16-core-zen-apu-to-fight-core-i7

AMD is gonna released a 16 Zen core APU that will also contain AMD's next gen "Greenland" iGPU. AMD promised its Graphic performance will equal to that of current gen console. This is GREAT news. Finally, we can build a small factor, pseudo console pc that we can use in our living room. Pretty sure gamers can also slap in a r7 260x or whatever is equivalent in crossfire if they want more firepower.

 

[Techhog]

http://www.fudzilla.com/news/processors/37588-amd-x86-16-core-zen-apu-to-fight-core-i7

AMD is gonna released a 16 Zen core APU that will also contain AMD's next gen "Greenland" iGPU. AMD promised its Graphic performance will equal to that of current gen console. This is GREAT news. Finally, we can build a small factor, pseudo console pc that we can use in our living room. Pretty sure gamers can also slap in a r7 260x or whatever is equivalent in crossfire if they want more firepower.

Can you post a worthwhile source please?