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Xbox 360 GPU A Vector Co-Processor?

Posted by Zonk on from the number-crunching dept.

Anyone Seen Thomas? writes "While Beyond3D's article on the ATI C1 (XENOS) graphics processor in the XBOX 360 gives you all you need to know about ATI's next generation hardware in terms of generating screen pixels, it also gives a big clue as to how it'll be useful for general purpose vector programming. XENOS is able to write data out of its unified memory architecture into system memory, and read it back again later. So with a large pool of powerful vector hardware available, does anyone fancy the idea of having a generalised , high-performance vector processor in their PC?. Read about that and the rest of XENOS." From the article: "Since XBOX 360's announcement and ATI's unleashing from the non disclosure agreements we've had the chance to not just chat with Robert Feldstein, VP of Engineering, but also Joe Cox, Director of Engineering overseeing the XBOX graphics design team, and two lead architects of the graphics processor, Clay Taylor and Mark Fowler. Here we hope to accurately impart a slightly deeper understanding of the XBOX 360 graphics processor, how it sits within the system, understand more about its operation as well as give some insights into the capabilities of the processor."

4 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Now this is how you sell a console by cassidyc · · Score: 0, Troll

    Not like Sony's current stance of producing nothing of substance, whilst slagging off the competition.

    1. Re:Now this is how you sell a console by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Remember, Microsoft wants to fuck your ass. Bend over, spread those cheeks.

    2. Re:Now this is how you sell a console by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: -1, Troll

      I was saying this over a month ago, after talking with assorted developers. Developers are so put off by the Xbox 360 that they are moving to not support it in droves (and snag nice loot from Sony for "exclusive" PS3 development announcements even though they had no intention of supporting Xbox 360 anyhow.)

      The costs of producing games as MS wants (Native HD, no slowdown, full AA) as well as the long development timeframes means a ton of money into development, less titles, and headaches to boot. The Xbox better function well as a media center, as that is about all it is heading for. That and Halo, which is not enough to carry another failed console.

      --
      http://teasphere.wordpress.com - A little spot of tea
  2. Re:Interesting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    In other words the 360 is one big hack.

    Sorry, no one with any real world hardware experien ce can look at the 360 hardware layout and have any other reaction.

    It is exactly what you would expect from a company with basically no hardware experience, no the first xbox doesn't count, trying to rush something to market and not lose billions on the hardware.