Originally posted by: Viditor
Originally posted by: jones377
I should add that it has also been reported that Intel is planning to integrate a GPU in some of their Nehalem line of products. If Intel again uses the MCM approach it could be possible that they again beat AMD to market. Fusion is planned for 2009 while Nehalem is coming out in 2H08. It is not entirely impossible that Nehalem+GPU comes out before Fusion but it is too early to say anything for certain.
Well, a few comments...
1. I believe the model AMD has for Fusion is to put several GPUs on each chip, so high-end may be closer than you think...I don't know, but it certainly is possible.
2. I personally don't think Intel is going to introduce graphics OR MCMs to Nehalem in it's first year...it's a radically different architecture compared to Core, and as you said, "before you learn to walk you need to learn to crawl".
3. While Intel is the largest graphics manufacturer (from their on-board graphics), they have never had success with discrete high-end graphics. Their only real stab at it was a dismal failure...and while I have heard of their new upcoming attempt, I can't say I'm very optimistic.
The same can't be said for ATI/AMD however, and while your point on integration is well taken, it's apparent that discussion of this project began well before the buyout occured.
1. It simply isn't possible to get the kind of bandwidth a high-end GPU needs into a single detachable socket processor. Not to mention the power requirement of running both a high-end CPU and GPU under the same cooler. It would have to be soldered right to the motherboard and have a 512-bit memory controller with the RAM soldered to the board as well. That is the only way to get the high frequencies the graphics RAM operates at. GPUs need huge amounts of bandwidth and that won't change until the programming model for graphics changes to something radically different (like raytracing possibly, I believe it is much more friendly to caches)
2. I never said we should expect Nehalem+GPU in 2008. Just that there may be sufficient time between the release of the first Nehalem (probably a straight quadcore with integrated memory controller for the high-end desktop) and the release of Fusion, for Intel to come out with their own integrated CPU-GPU device. Even if it comes out around the same time it could still be considered a win for Intel considering how much AMD has trumpeted it's Fusion project. Intel could come in totally under the radar here (although I suspect we'll hear more about it once it gets closer to release.)
3. We'll see how Larrabee pans out. I have my doubts as well.
 
				
		 
			 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		
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