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Intel Demos Kaby Lake 7th Gen Core Series Running Overwatch At IDF (hothardware.com)

Posted by msmash on from the overwatch dept.

Reader MojoKid writes: Intel unveiled a number of new product innovations out at IDF last week, but the company also stuck to its core product march by teasing its next gen Core series processor. Kaby Lake is the follow-up product to current, 6th Generation Skylake-based Core processors. With Kaby Lake, Intel is adding native support for USB 3.1 Gen 2, along with a more powerful graphics architecture for improved 3D performance and 4K video processing. Kaby Lake will also bring with it native HDCP 2.2 support and hardware acceleration for HEVC Main10/10-bit and VP9 10-bit video decoding. To drive some of those points home, Intel showed off Overwatch running on a next-gen Dell XPS 13 built around a 7th Gen ULV Core i5 processor, in addition to a HP notebook smoothly playing back 4K HDR video. Kaby Lake 7th Generation Core-based products should start arriving to market in the fall.

56 comments

  1. 4K HDR video by Joce640k · · Score: 1

    "HP notebook smoothly playing back 4K HDR video"

    Is this not possible at the moment?

    --
    No sig today...
    1. Re:4K HDR video by CajunArson · · Score: 4, Insightful

      HDR HEVC video on 4K is not trivial to process on a very low power CPU. That's where the hardware acceleration comes in as being important.

      As a point of reference, my desktop 4770K that's overclocked to 4.7GHz can have problems with playback of 60 Hz 4K HEVC video when in software mode, and that's with a software decoder that's using all available cores too.

      With mpv setup properly, my GTX-1080 can show the same videos perfectly smoothly with single-digit CPU usage and the GPU doesn't even really heat up that much either since only a relatively small part of the GPU actually does the video acceleration. The hardware accelerated paths for video decoding are quite important.

      --
      AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
    2. Re:4K HDR video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Would you have some links for free 4k HVEC content, originally produced at 60Hz? I'd like to test my machine's might. ;)

    3. Re:4K HDR video by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      You know, I never have problems running 1080 or 4k content in a browser (Netflix or Youtube) with my Intel i7-3770 with / GeForce G2X 275 desktop. However, CPU usage goes up and frames start dropping the moment I rent an HD movie from iTunes. Why, for the love of all that's holy, is iTunes still the biggest pile-o-shit on a PC??!!

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    4. Re:4K HDR video by darkain · · Score: 1

      The bitrate is probably exponentially higher. Netflix and Youtube isn't quite known for having stellar bitrates on their videos...

    5. Re:4K HDR video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      also audio

    6. Re:4K HDR video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      haha, apple fans come up with any excuse. Apple just hasn't gotten around to implementing your hardware acceleration in their video output layer.

  2. Diminishing Returns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seems to me that the improvements are pretty slim...I'm wondering if this next generation will have any effect other than slightly smaller system manufacturing costs.

    1. Re:Diminishing Returns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      According to the wikipedia article, Windows10 will be the only version of Windows supported on this processor. I'm not sure what that means precisely, but it does screw those who have applications that only run on older versions of Windows but who want to buy newer hardware systems.

    2. Re:Diminishing Returns by timritzer · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately that is basically the case with Skylake as well. Welcome to forced upgrades for all!

    3. Re:Diminishing Returns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unfortunately that is basically the case with Skylake as well. Welcome to forced upgrades for all!

      They actually just retracked that for Skylake.

      http://www.forbes.com/sites/antonyleather/2016/08/12/microsoft-massive-backtrack-extends-windows-7-and-8-1-intel-skylake-support/#38aa066a7781

  3. Nice but... by 110010001000 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    ....the digital revolution is coming to and end. Moores Law has ended already and as a corollary the processing power of digital computers will be incremental. This is a big deal, because it throws future developments into doubt. Will we ever be able to handle the ever increasing processor needs of applications? A lot of people are depending on seemingly infinite processing power to get real AI. Is this ever going to be possible? It seems unlikely since we are seeing only processor improvements of 30% per generation at this point. Eventually those improvements are going to be even less as we hit the physical limitations of producing digital logic gates at ever smaller sizes. Too bad, but it was nice while it lasted!

    1. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous+CowWord · · Score: 1

      We may be reaching the limits of current design, but there is a path forward to continue with performance leaps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      --


      Disclaimer: My opinions are my own and do not, in any way, reflect the opinions of my employer or university.
    2. Re:Nice but... by fustakrakich · · Score: 2

      ....the digital revolution is coming to and end.

      So Intel's next processor will be 'Swan Lake'?

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    3. Re:Nice but... by Z80a · · Score: 1

      I think one of the possible ways they will go is following that HBM memory idea.
      The idea would be to manufacture the CPUs/GPUs etc into physically separate parts, and then assemble em into this "megazord" into a single package. This allows you to get around the yield problems of manufacturing "giant" chips, and even get more fine grained prices/performance setups.
      Of course, this idea brings its own problems like coolling the thing, having precise machines to get a good yield on the chip aligning, the reduced overall number of connections per part etc etc etc..

    4. Re:Nice but... by Z80a · · Score: 1

      To be more specific, as it didn't got very clear, those parts are not just "cores and GPUs", but caches, integer/FPU pipelines, branch predictors, instruction decoders etc..

    5. Re:Nice but... by Black.Shuck · · Score: 3, Funny

      Too bad, but it was nice while it lasted!

      You mean we'll have to start work on optimising our software?

      Shit.

    6. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The response to the end (or slowdown) of Moore's law vs the ever increasing processing needs, is to go back to the days of pre-bloatware. We need to start writing efficient code again.

    7. Re:Nice but... by ausekilis · · Score: 2

      The response to the end (or slowdown) of Moore's law vs the ever increasing processing needs, is to go back to the days of pre-bloatware. We need to start writing efficient code again.

      OH THE HORROR! Please! Won't someone think of the Ask Toolbar?!?!?!

    8. Re:Nice but... by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

      I think Intel has been dancing Swan Lake for quite a while now. There haven't been much in raw processor improvements for several years.

    9. Re:Nice but... by dinfinity · · Score: 1

      A lot of people are depending on seemingly infinite processing power to get real AI.

      Actually, pretty much everybody in the AI-world is convinced that running AI on general purpose computing hardware is very inefficient and that artificial neuron like-hardware is the future for fast AI.

    10. Re:Nice but... by tlhIngan · · Score: 2

      ....the digital revolution is coming to and end. Moores Law has ended already and as a corollary the processing power of digital computers will be incremental. This is a big deal, because it throws future developments into doubt. Will we ever be able to handle the ever increasing processor needs of applications? A lot of people are depending on seemingly infinite processing power to get real AI. Is this ever going to be possible? It seems unlikely since we are seeing only processor improvements of 30% per generation at this point. Eventually those improvements are going to be even less as we hit the physical limitations of producing digital logic gates at ever smaller sizes. Too bad, but it was nice while it lasted!

      Except that CPUs have not really needed minimum size transistors for a long time now. They're still needed - Moore's law really helps memory devices, but general random-logic devices like a CPU or GPU don't benefit as much, at least on the processing side.

      In fact, the real bottleneck is wiring - there's so much wiring that it's actually what keeps the transistor density low. In fact, in the general logic area, tons of extra transistors are fabbed that aren't hooked up - these are for revisions to the metal layers only (the numerical revisions - e.g., A1, A2, A3, etc) so there's no need to redo masks for the diffusions and all that. There's just so much space between transistors available that you can fab lots of spares.

      The vast majority of transistors in a traditional logic device are used for caches and onboard memory - where the wiring is regular and consistent and transistors can be made the absolute smallest and density the highest.

    11. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We've seen sweeping improvements to virtualization, moore's-law-like improvements to very low latency on-chip graphics (if you count that is a coprocessor, like it actually is, these desktop chips are way more powerful than before- but so few things use that), and solid increases to big data stuff like transactional memory.

      But I know what you are saying: the reasonably free lunch is mostly over. The new chips pack more transistors into a space, but this doesn't translate to cost savings any more, possibly due to increased foundry costs, possibly due to Intel not having real competition in that one area. Nor does it translate to faster chips. If we had the type of software we saw last in the late eighties and that defined the seventies- stuff recoded from scratch for each chip- then we would see greater performance. But since the mid eighties, running existing software has been way more important that being a little bit faster, as the burden of recreating the entire tech world for each new chip was unwise then, laughable in the nineties, and impossible today.

    12. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean we'll have to start work on optimising our software?

      Yes, and that includes malware. No more taking up a CPU core just to do your nefarious deeds. It needs to be quick and to-the-point.

    13. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you thinking about electron beam lithography and design libraries? Self-aligning, on-chip optical connections on substrate might help the process at larger scale.

    14. Re:Nice but... by Z80a · · Score: 1

      It is possible to do optical connections at this scale yet?

    15. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not quite yet, but it's already on the horizon of the real based on the numerous silicon optics projects.

  4. Don't bother. by ledow · · Score: 2

    The most pointless, short, useless and under-described "demo" I've ever seen.

    I'm not familiar with Overwatch's spec but pretty much they show one short-range view of two static robots turn the corner to walk up some stairs with some skyboxes, then jump back and that's IT. Nothing there performance-related. And we know why. Compared to a real graphics card, it can't compete.

    All the other stuff was pretty meh too. Oh look, it's faster than previous generations. Cool. I should hope so otherwise it's pointless trying to sell it.

    1. Re:Don't bother. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Get some enthusiasm going. This is the SEVENTH generation chip... that's like one whole number more than SIX. If that isn't exciting, i don't know what is. There are also a bunch of misc numbers that no one cares about, but they sound impressive.

    2. Re:Don't bother. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Overwatch has a modern engine written from scratch and is pretty efficient. Runs quite well on low spec hardware and it's a good demo for low-end 3D.

      Even given that, having Overwatch playable and looking good on integrated graphics is impressive. Integrated graphics have to be pretty efficient due to low power and thermal overhead requirements.

    3. Re:Don't bother. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seven is only 16.7% more than six, law of diminishing returns.

    4. Re:Don't bother. by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 2

      Don't be so mean! Shouldn't it be totally exciting that Intel's coming-real-soon-now-we-promise integrated GPUs are capable of running a game aimed at the low cost AMD GPUs of three years ago that power today's consoles?

      I know I'm excited!

    5. Re:Don't bother. by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      Not only that, but the volume control now goes up to ELEVEN!!!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  5. amd zen has more pcie lanes by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    And that is where Intel needs to step up and no 8-12 lines out the of PCH that is feed by an X4 DMI does not court.

  6. Oh Good... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    HDCP....just what I never wanted.

    How is it that DRM become a bullet point feature for the marketing team?

  7. 50 Shades of USB? by ilsaloving · · Score: 1

    WTF is USB3.1 Gen2?

    USB3.1 wasn't a colossal clusterfuck already, that they had to make it even *more* complicated?

    I wish Apple would pull their thumbs out and just license their lightning connector. Simple, clean design, and none of this 50 Shades of USB nonsense.

    1. Re:50 Shades of USB? by swb · · Score: 1

      It's too bad the USB consortium can't get their marketing speak right.

      As I understand it, what we think of USB 3 is really USB 3.1 gen 1. Gen 2 adds 10 Gbits/sec as the maximum speed.

      It's too bad they're marketing speed is so brain damaged, the widespread USB 3 has managed to produce useful high speeds with negligible CPU overhead.

      Getting 10 Gbits/sec out that port is pretty decent, and I wish there was better vendor support for devices traditionally connected via SAS for use of 3.1 gen 2 ports.

    2. Re:50 Shades of USB? by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      They had their chance, and blew it. Not USB-C is the defecto standard mandated be the EU for universal charging. Why else do you think the MacBooks are going this route? Lowest common denominator. And yes, Lightning is a superior connector.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    3. Re:50 Shades of USB? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > WTF is USB3.1 Gen2?

      It is the USB spec directly precedent to USB3.1 Gen 2 Revision 2

    4. Re:50 Shades of USB? by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      It is that newfangled connector that adds more power, reversibility (of the connector, and host/device relationship) and some Thunderbolt integration into a USB spec.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  8. native HDCP 2.2 support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that's sure to get THIS crowd breaking down doors to upgrade....

  9. What's the point? by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    Integrating a GPU is nice, but can somebody show me a benchmark that proves Kaby Lake is actually any faster than Skylake? Anybody that cares about gaming is going to disable the built-in GPU and run a GTX 1080 anyway, so what's the point? More cores? No current games use all the cores.

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    1. Re:What's the point? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Saving money on the electric bill?

    2. Re:What's the point? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why would you disable a powerful on-chip graphics coprocessor, instead of using it alongside the more powerful one with the higher latency on the motherboard?

      Oh, right, all the software is shit, so it has to use one OR the other, without any other reason than that.

    3. Re:What's the point? by Moof123 · · Score: 2

      If 8 cores were standard, I think you would see game engines putting a lot of effort into making use of them. I wish the dead silicon of the GPU in my skylake was 2 more cores, it would be more value than a disabled crappy GPU in a high'ish end machine.

      The current pricing for a 6 or 8 core CPU is obscene, highway robbery at its worst.

    4. Re:What's the point? by armanox · · Score: 1

      I use both the integrated GPU and the external one on my desktop (I'm running an Intel Core i5 3570K here) and run less important monitors on the iGPU, and sometimes OpenCL items on it as well.

      --
      I'm starting to think GNU is the problem with "GNU/Linux" these days.
  10. And what is AMD doing? by slashmydots · · Score: 1

    Maybe I missed something but the fx8300 says Copyright 2011 on it and besides the 220W joke they played on everyone, they haven't come out with anything since. What exactly are they doing over there at AMD? SOMEONE needs to put some pressure on intel to make them lower their utterly ridiculous prices.

    1. Re:And what is AMD doing? by ShakaUVM · · Score: 2

      I can't tell if you are serious or not, but their Zen architecture should be dropping soon, and they at least in theory have caught up with the Intel CPUs of a generation or two ago.

      If they have a good price point, they might start actually giving Intel some competition, which is good, since Intel has done next to nothing very interesting since the Ivy/Sandy Bridge days.

    2. Re:And what is AMD doing? by sabbede · · Score: 1

      Not having Intel money, I'm looking forward to the new AMDs.

  11. HDCP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Kaby Lake will also bring with it native HDCP 2.2 support

    Woooo! that sounds like an awesome feature, will it definitely stop me doing what i want with the output of my graphics card, for realsies this time? And native, I'm so glad i can do away with the HDCP 2.2 add-on dongle i've had strapped to my PC to restrict me in the meantime.
    1)if i've completely misunderstood the purpose of modern HDCP, oops, sorry, but who's going to RTFA or google for a spec?

  12. Really. by johnsmithperson123 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Kaby Lake is Skylake Refresh. No new wafer, just slightly improved clocks, slightly lower prices and a new chipset.

    1. Re:Really. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With a bountiful number of bug fixes as well, hopefully.

    2. Re:Really. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Kaby Lake is Skylake Refresh. No new wafer, just slightly improved clocks, slightly lower prices and a new chipset.

      What will sKaby Lake be then?

    3. Re:Really. by Moof123 · · Score: 1

      Same chipset, but pretty much just a minor polishing job. SAD. The lack of claims about speed makes me guess they got 10% power savings and nothing else of consequence.

    4. Re: Really. by johnsmithperson123 · · Score: 1

      Probably all down to process improvements too.

  13. USB support goes on the CPU? by sabbede · · Score: 1

    Is that what they're saying? Doesn't that go on the Southbridge?