Yesterday we discusses on “Innovation Socket” and saw how amd is aiming to improve the technology.Digging for more on amd gave me more terminology coined by AMD.This one is called as Fusion.

AMD Fusion is a future vision or code name for a better next generation of microprocessors. Its more like an umbrella term i.e a broader term which talks about on how to make next generation microprocessors faster in terms of speed and low power consumption.Now lets get on it!!!

Overview: Multicore processors talked about adding more number of chips into a single die.It solves the problem of both achieving high speed and lower power consumption.But we forgot one major aspect.The GPU or graphical processing unit which takes care of all your Vista graphics and high-end graphics in games.We face the smae setup performance problem when we come to graphical unit.

The Fusion Inside :

AMD had always mastered when it comes to graphics.The best in the industry but the major proble was to integrate CPU and GPU together.Then they joined hands with ATI integration specialist on hand held devices and mobiles.They plan to combine general processor execution as well as 3D geometry processing and other functions of today’s GPUs into a single package.Thus giving you something which looks like as below:

Ok thats really cool but GPU are made only for graphics or games ?

Well NO! Days are gone when GPU were just used for games or processing high end imaging processing. ATI has discussed how GPU can be used for load balancing i.e when your CPU is busy GPU can help it out.These days GPU are being used for calculations such as physics processing.

Thus you get 2 benefits out of it.GPU can now process both graphics and complicated physics problem or any numerical problems ( I am not talking about 1 + 1!!)

Stream Computing Concept:

With this integration ATI says we will be able to make use of enormous floating point which can be useful to increase the accuracy in solving astronomical and gaming problem

Summary and my views:

Its really great to see this technology emerging which can set a new trend of microprocessor architecture.Its not only effective but practical to get more things done rather than just bragging the more processor on single dye.

However my questions How much is the the floating point calculations required.The other of the tech industry aren’t looking for just a load balancing GPU which has more accurate floating point calculation.The industry might look for something more this CPU-GPU integration can benefit the IT industry.

It talked about making debuggers and compliers but is it the only thing programmers looking for.The innovation socket we talked about gave the capability of integrating other Processing units can that be made possible ? Can GPU take care of cryptography and other high end needs.

So I would conclude there can be 2 types of people who can look towards this fusion concept. Gamers and IT. Gamers would definitely like it as it’s floating point calculations are more accurate resulting in better computation on making games and on that load balancing can help CPU when hogged with other programs running in background.

Tags: graphical processing unit, lower power consumption, stream computing