Nvidia Looking Into Unification of GPUs and CPUs

Vikingod · Aug 14, 2006, 02:19 PM

Source: X-bit labs
__________
Nvidia Corp., one of the world’s largest supplier of graphics processors, said during a conference call with financial analysts that the company could imagine a chip that combines general-purpose processing features and graphics processing capabilities. Such devices will be eventually available from Advanced Micro Devices and ATI, however, Nvidia does see value in the approach as well.

“In some segments, we could imagine GPUs integrating with CPUs, or CPUs integrating with GPUs. But we’ll approach those segments as it makes sense. Because often times it’s not necessarily one CPU. It could be x86. It could be ASICs, it could be PowerPC. It could be Cell. It could be ARM. It could be something else,” said Nvidia’s chief executive and president Jen-Hsun Huang.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Aug 14, 2006, 02:41 PM

LOL it called oh crap, they can do something we can't so look like we are doing it too
(and pray the opertuinty arise) as to keep those investor dallors going.

Anyways such a device wold be for the value market I would assume, but would allow
even smaller PCs...

CDsDontBurn · Aug 14, 2006, 02:50 PM

if intel won't buy out nVidia, then maybe nVidia will buy out somebody smaller?

Matth · Aug 14, 2006, 03:58 PM

Nvidia do seem to be a little left out...

Intel: CPU, Chipset and Graphics (and I'd definitely put them in that order)

AMD: CPU (and now with ATI, Graphics & chipset).

VIA: Chipset, Graphics and CPU (on mini-ITX)

Nvidia: Graphics & chipset

Sis: Chipset & low-grade graphics

Seems logical for Nvidia want CPU capability in their lineup, maybe a merger with VIA ?

Shaga · Aug 14, 2006, 04:21 PM

Or perhaps they just start to make CPUs on their own? Would be interesting to see.

SFOSOK · Aug 15, 2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

LOL it called oh crap, they can do something we can't so look like we are doing it too
(and pray the opertuinty arise) as to keep those investor dallors going.

Anyways such a device wold be for the value market I would assume, but would allow
even smaller PCs...

At least Nvidia is smart enough to admit that its a good idea.

Unlike ATI with SLI and Crossfire

Matth · Aug 15, 2006, 03:24 PM

Currently, the main target of the triple-play of CPU, chipset & graphics would be an X86 or x86-64 CPU in a desktop or laptop PC... which means either cleanroom developing one from scratch, or licencing/acquiring appropriate patents.

For devices other than PC, the CPU could be something else, such as Cell or Risc.

Aug 14, 2006, 02:19 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Nvidia Looking Into Unification of GPUs and CPUs Source: X-bit labs __________ Nvidia Corp., one of the world’s largest supplier of graphics processors, said during a conference call with financial analysts that the company could imagine a chip that combines general-purpose processing features and graphics processing capabilities. Such devices will be eventually available from Advanced Micro Devices and ATI, however, Nvidia does see value in the approach as well. “In some segments, we could imagine GPUs integrating with CPUs, or CPUs integrating with GPUs. But we’ll approach those segments as it makes sense. Because often times it’s not necessarily one CPU. It could be x86. It could be ASICs, it could be PowerPC. It could be Cell. It could be ARM. It could be something else,” said Nvidia’s chief executive and president Jen-Hsun Huang.

Aug 14, 2006, 02:41 PM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	LOL it called oh crap, they can do something we can't so look like we are doing it too (and pray the opertuinty arise) as to keep those investor dallors going. Anyways such a device wold be for the value market I would assume, but would allow even smaller PCs... __________________

Aug 14, 2006, 02:50 PM	#3
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,802 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	if intel won't buy out nVidia, then maybe nVidia will buy out somebody smaller? __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Aug 14, 2006, 03:58 PM	#4
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Nvidia do seem to be a little left out... Intel: CPU, Chipset and Graphics (and I'd definitely put them in that order) AMD: CPU (and now with ATI, Graphics & chipset). VIA: Chipset, Graphics and CPU (on mini-ITX) Nvidia: Graphics & chipset Sis: Chipset & low-grade graphics Seems logical for Nvidia want CPU capability in their lineup, maybe a merger with VIA ? __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Aug 14, 2006, 04:21 PM	#5
Shaga Intelligent Life Form Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nordic Region Posts: 383 Rep Power: 48 System Specs	Or perhaps they just start to make CPUs on their own? Would be interesting to see. __________________ Server: Currently Offline

Aug 15, 2006, 03:24 PM	#7
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Currently, the main target of the triple-play of CPU, chipset & graphics would be an X86 or x86-64 CPU in a desktop or laptop PC... which means either cleanroom developing one from scratch, or licencing/acquiring appropriate patents. For devices other than PC, the CPU could be something else, such as Cell or Risc. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread