A good reason to attend school in meatspace is that you can interact with others, form groups, work on tasks.
Just because you have a degree doesn't mean you'll be successful in what you are doing. You have to actually do something people can use [e.g. want, has a value, etc] to make money and/or fame. If you're lucky enough to be self-motivated to do your own work/projects then online could be ok. However, most are not and required a good kick in the ass to get going.
Another good reason for attending real school is you get to meet new peeps, socialize, do something other than being alone at home.
I can see the value of an online degree but only in the most limited of situations, e.g. you're already working and you want formalization or you live in the sticks and can't afford to move out, etc.
I mean why would you say that? If it's a joke then it's not funny.
If you're not joking then what is your hold up? Visiting another country doesn't mean they're superior it means you want to experience culture and see things. Of course if you're the typical xenophobic "let's blow up them arabs" yankee-doodle american then I guess what you said makes sense:-)
Tom -- From a dude who likes visiting pretty much anywhere including the USA
which is all good and said. I'll wait till I can buy P6 based desktops again [e.g. new cores] before I applaud their efforts. If their dual-core 64-bit processor costs 900$ next year... they will have missed the mark unless it's a really fast core.
My main reason for wanting a P6 based desktop is mostly just to test out "yet another architecture" but if they can also beat the new AMD64s [e.g. the 0.09um parts] in terms of watts per MIPS that would be impressive and useful.
When you say "with a copper heatsink", you're implying "without a CPU fan", right?
No, sorry, I meant it's a huge honking copper heatsink with a low RPM fan on it. The noisiest thing in my box is the case fan which is a huge 80mm running at like 2500RPM, I opened a 3.5" slot in the front and the airflow through the case is fairly nice. Keep the entire case relatively cool.
Intel produces the StrongARM SA1110 [or whatever] processors used in some PDAs. It's basically an ARM with a longer pipeline [6 or 7 stages instead of the usual 5 found in the ARM7].
It clocks higher than the traditional ARM [~624Mhz instead of 400-500Mhz].
Ok granted. But why did they bother with the 6xx and 8xx lines?
If they put that money into porting the P6 first to 64-bit then next to dual-core they'd be behind AMD... *BUT* would have a quality product.
It sucks being second to the party but it sucks more being second AND spending a lot of money along the way. You think the 6xx and 8xx lines were free? Hell no. And now they're stuck trying to offload them. I have an 820 processor and I know for a fact it's shit [I bought it to run benchmarks on]. I can't see any volume of these selling at Dell or what not unless they drastically slash the prices.
The netburst design as you mention was certainly not thought out for the long run. If you told me when the Athlon Slot A came out that a 2.4Ghz part would be available that had two cores... I'd laugh my ass off.
So would most anyone else.
Yet AMD stuck with the basic design and kept improving the process. Because underneath it all... the Athlon is actually a very good general purpose processor. It features [what seemed like at the time] a lot of redundant computing power that is quite easy to take advantage of.
Intel got scared is all. They feared not having the fastest so they did what any shortsighted manager would do and looked for the simplest way to LOOK better.
I mean as it stands now for a 64-bit Intel to beat or match an AMD64 at 2.2Ghz it would have to be clocked at 3.8Ghz or higher. The power consumption at that rate is insanely high [by comparison].
Which is why I asked my original question. Why bother? Just drop the 32-bit line at the 5xx series and start anew for the 64-bit series. That would have made more sense than poluting their product base with crappy 6xx and 8xx parts.
Better though is that the D series can only clock down to 2.8Ghz whereas the AMD64s can go down to around 1Ghz [depending on your part]. Clocking from 3.2Ghz to 2.8Ghz doesn't save you that much power [maybe 10W at most...].
My AMDX2 is sitting here running Linux and is clocked when idle to 1Ghz... at 32C with a copper heatsink. The processor draws around 20-30W when idle compared to the Intel processors which draw nearly double that at idle.
In no way is a Netburst based processor a wise decision over the offerings of AMD.
They wanted to get their Netburst cores into the DP world as quickly as possible.
Where AMD uses the HT bus for their 757 and 939/940 parts Intel was still using the good ole 64-bit FSB of yesteryear.
Most of what Intel does nowadays in the processor world is entirely market driven. The Netburst is a good example. High clock rate, low efficiency processor. Sounds good on paper but works poorly in practice. The EMT64 extensions are another example. A lot of code on the P4 in 32-bit mode takes roughly the same number of cycles on the 64-bit P4s with the notable exception being 64-bit math [e.g. additions and multiplies].
For example, most block ciphers are the same speed on both the 540J and 820D [in terms of clock cycles]. I think partially because they're just using rename registers for the additional GPRs. But compare the AthlonXP to the Athlon64 and there is a huge difference. The Athlon64 is an improvement over the 32-bit cousin. They didn't just slap 64-bits on the core they actually made it better.
At the 32-bit side of things the AMD32 can match or beat the P4 even though it's slower by 1.4Ghz. At the 64-bit side there simply is no comparison. I mean the dual-core RSA on the Nocona can't even match the SINGLE-CORE RSA on the Athlon64.
How pathetic is that?
Ever since the 64 came out Intel has basically been a poser in the CPU world. The only really proud achievements [outside the pure sciences they do in the background] are the ARM and P6 core designs...
They invested too heavily on the Mhz-myth of the Netburst. To turn around and say "whoops, we're wrong" is hard. That and they have partners that ALSO invested in it.
What does Dell use? "Dell uses Intel Pentium four processors (cue P4 sound theme)"...
It's probably not easy to say "Dell uses Intel P6 processors because the P4 sucks ass, we're sorry, we lied all this time." There is also a huge cultural gap between the engineers and marketters/VPs. I'm sure if any of the engineers escaped and bought an AMD64 box they would be envious. Provided of course, they're not full of their own shit to see outside their little box.
Truth be told I'd love to try a ~2.4Ghz PentiumM as a desktop processor. It's probably loads faster than a 1.8Ghz sempron and can hold it's own on the power usage front. It would make a great work station or compute box. Upgrade the core to x86_64 and they'd be set.
cost 3 times as much as the 820D... it's a copy of the 820D... see where I'm going with this?
The dual-core intels may cost half as much as the dual core Athlon64s but they still suck twice as bad. What you save in initial purchase cost you lose in electricity bills and time doing work.
The fact they're STILL making Netburst based processors just sickens me. Give it up already and go P6 or something new. I mean if they put half the money they put into the netburst into the P6 designs of late they'd already have a 2.5Ghz P6 core that would give AMD a run for their money.
I think the cats out of the bag for the most part. And not like you're gonna sell a lot of dual-core based Dells to grandma so she can write emails.
Times like this make me feel proud I'm an AMD whore:-)
It isn't as if Sony and Nintendo don't do the same.
That and I'd wait for a while before buying it anyways. Let them work out the rev.1 bugs:-) like fire hazardous power cables and the like. Being an early adopter just qualifies you for "sheep" status.
That and who cares? If your friend gets one instead of you it means you can spend more time out of your house. It's all good.
Um, what are you right about? You said I'm an amateur. That's false. I make money [re: a living] at desiging and implementating cryptographic algorithms. I have the tax slips to prove it.
You said I don't design algorithms. You're wrong I do.
You said I have no experience working with FPGAs. You're wrong. That's what I've been doing for the last 8 months.
My software is used throughout industry in products you can readily buy at any electronics store as well as inhouse business to business tools from companies big and small.
etc, etc, etc. Then you have the audacity to say that *I'm* the one wrongly calling credentials into question.
So I think your claims that I'm an amateur are unfounded, immature and show that you really are just a brat incapable of proper cogent arguments so you rely on insulting others to look intelligent.
Good to know your success depends on insulting others.
I'll sulk with the knowledge mine depends on me actually being good at what I do.
I mean seriously. You shot down everything I said without offering an ounce of your credentials. That speaks volumes to your usefulness and ability.:-)
It's clear from your post that you think anything I say is immaterial. So I say "you win". I don't need to impress you to continue living.
It's sad that you feel the need to impose like you did. I guess in your important and busy life you felt it so important to stop what you're doing to try and rip on other people. I guess this is part of your "professional life" eh?
Tom
Re:Regulate Sales As Well As Content Creation
on
The ESRB Bites Back
·
· Score: 1
This goes through cycles though. The kids who are being deprived of cool shit will turn into adults seeking coolshit then they will open it up for their kids. What do you think the 60s were about?:-)
The basics of it is that video games represent our frustrations. So many things in life are annoying "just because". You get income tax, then the bank dabs on it to deposit [e.g. teller fees] then you buy things and pay tax, then you have to tip the fucking waiter [where's my tip when I write a line of code?] then you have to pay bank fees at the end of the month, 11% interest on the visa etc...
People are inherently pissed off. Being able to run over hookers in a mob car is a good way to vent;-)
So the real people to blame are the capitalist "do anything to make money" asshats that ruin society because they're afraid if they had to be USEFUL [e.g. make something you can use in your day to day life] they'd fucking starve to death so they wrap themselves in layers of safety net "beauraucracy".
Your first paragraph shows your complete lack of understanding.
First off... I DO develop algorithms and perform research.
Second... There is more to a secure cryptosystem than just "coding". Cryptographers are responsible to glue the entire system together.
By your logic a bridge engineer must develop new design concepts before he's an engineer. Otherwise he's a lowly construction grunt. I'd like to think the person who designs a bridge to withstand nature, loads, etc is more than a tool swinging grunt.
Third... There is more to developing than just "coding". You have to know what algorithms to use and when/why. You have to be able to work with them with the utmost flexibility [e.g. you don't always get ideal situations, etc].
As to the whole FPGA vs. ASIC vs. whatever.
I may have mispoken but I know of designs that use FPGAs in fielded products, for example this is one. In things like gameboys and what not they use ASICs but they also produce MILLIONS of gameboys.
In short runs it's actually cheaper to plug in a small FPGA then get real ASICs made. If you think otherwise it's because you're a fucking moron and you have no clue whatsoever.
It's fine that you're an amateur cryptographer, but that is a completely different field than computer engineering
Which is interesting because I'm the author of some widely deploy cryptographic software, I worked at a IP design company [for cryptographic cores]. I'd say I'm no longer an amateur when I make enough money to live on my own.
Apparently, according to you, FPGAs aren't made from silicon, they're made from fluffy bunny pixie dust
There is a strong price difference from PCB design and tapeout. If you're making less than a million devices or so it's cheaper to just use an FPGA because the tapeout alone will cost you millions.
"going to silicon" is a common expression which means to tapeout a design in real hardware. Sure FPGAs are "real silicon" but there is a big difference between using an FPGA and an ASIC in a fielded design.
Your last paragraph is about as far from the truth as can get. The last design I know of where the CPU controlled the peripherals was the Atari 2600. Even the gameboy had dedicated LCD controllers.
You're right I'm not an EE. I never claimed to be. Though what I speak of is from my experience working alongside these folk [as well as I have quite a few friends who design FPGAs for a living].
In otherwords you're trying to look all cutsie by trying to make me look stupid but really you haven't the first foggiest clue what you are talking about.
Well audio is also DSP so I imagine it would do just fine. Just a matter of covering the expense of going into and outof the GPU [e.g. data conversion, program upload, data upload, etc...]
FPGAs aren't always slower than what you can do in silicon. AES [sorry I have a crypto background] takes 1 cycle per round in most designs. You can probably clock it around 30-40Mhz if your interface isn't too stupid. AES on a PPC probably takes the same time as a MIPs which is about 1000-1200 cycles.
Your clock advantage is about 10x [say] that is typical 400Mhz PPC vs. 40Mhz FPGA... so that 1000 cycles is 100 FPGA cycles. But an AES block takes 11 FPGA cycles [plus load/unload time] so say about 16 cycles. Discounting bus activity [which would affect your software AES anyways] you're still ahead by ~80 FPGA cycles [800 PPC cycles].
Though the more common use for an FPGA aside from co-processing is just to make a flexible interface to hardware. E.g. want something to drive your USB, LCD and other periphs without paying to go to ASIC? Drop an FPGA in the thing. I assure you controlling a USB or LCD device is much more efficient in an FPGA than in software on a PPC.
GPUs are massively parallel DSP engines. That makes them ideally suited for the task. They can do things like "let's multiply 8 different floats in parallel at once". Which is useful when doing transforms like the iDCT or DCT which are capable of taking advantge of the parallelism.
But don't take that out of context. Ask a GPU to compile the linux kernel [which is possible] and an AMD64 will spank it something nasty. *GENERAL* purpose processors are slower at these very dedicated tasks but at the same time capable of doing quite a bit with reasonable performance.
By the same token, a custom circuit can compute AES in 11 cycles [1 if pipelined] at 300Mhz which when you scale to 2.2Ghz [for your typical AMD64] amounts to ~80 cycles. AES on the AMD64 takes 260 cycles. But, ask that circuit to compute SHA-1 and it can't. Or ask it render a dialog box, etc...
Slashdot Mirror
A good reason to attend school in meatspace is that you can interact with others, form groups, work on tasks.
Just because you have a degree doesn't mean you'll be successful in what you are doing. You have to actually do something people can use [e.g. want, has a value, etc] to make money and/or fame. If you're lucky enough to be self-motivated to do your own work/projects then online could be ok. However, most are not and required a good kick in the ass to get going.
Another good reason for attending real school is you get to meet new peeps, socialize, do something other than being alone at home.
I can see the value of an online degree but only in the most limited of situations, e.g. you're already working and you want formalization or you live in the sticks and can't afford to move out, etc.
Tom
I'd say troll.
:-)
I mean why would you say that? If it's a joke then it's not funny.
If you're not joking then what is your hold up? Visiting another country doesn't mean they're superior it means you want to experience culture and see things. Of course if you're the typical xenophobic "let's blow up them arabs" yankee-doodle american then I guess what you said makes sense
Tom -- From a dude who likes visiting pretty much anywhere including the USA
which is all good and said. I'll wait till I can buy P6 based desktops again [e.g. new cores] before I applaud their efforts. If their dual-core 64-bit processor costs 900$ next year ... they will have missed the mark unless it's a really fast core.
My main reason for wanting a P6 based desktop is mostly just to test out "yet another architecture" but if they can also beat the new AMD64s [e.g. the 0.09um parts] in terms of watts per MIPS that would be impressive and useful.
Tom
When you say "with a copper heatsink", you're implying "without a CPU fan", right?
No, sorry, I meant it's a huge honking copper heatsink with a low RPM fan on it. The noisiest thing in my box is the case fan which is a huge 80mm running at like 2500RPM, I opened a 3.5" slot in the front and the airflow through the case is fairly nice. Keep the entire case relatively cool.
Tom
Intel produces the StrongARM SA1110 [or whatever] processors used in some PDAs. It's basically an ARM with a longer pipeline [6 or 7 stages instead of the usual 5 found in the ARM7].
It clocks higher than the traditional ARM [~624Mhz instead of 400-500Mhz].
Tom
Ok granted. But why did they bother with the 6xx and 8xx lines?
... *BUT* would have a quality product.
If they put that money into porting the P6 first to 64-bit then next to dual-core they'd be behind AMD
It sucks being second to the party but it sucks more being second AND spending a lot of money along the way. You think the 6xx and 8xx lines were free? Hell no. And now they're stuck trying to offload them. I have an 820 processor and I know for a fact it's shit [I bought it to run benchmarks on]. I can't see any volume of these selling at Dell or what not unless they drastically slash the prices.
Tom
The netburst design as you mention was certainly not thought out for the long run. If you told me when the Athlon Slot A came out that a 2.4Ghz part would be available that had two cores... I'd laugh my ass off.
... the Athlon is actually a very good general purpose processor. It features [what seemed like at the time] a lot of redundant computing power that is quite easy to take advantage of.
So would most anyone else.
Yet AMD stuck with the basic design and kept improving the process. Because underneath it all
Intel got scared is all. They feared not having the fastest so they did what any shortsighted manager would do and looked for the simplest way to LOOK better.
I mean as it stands now for a 64-bit Intel to beat or match an AMD64 at 2.2Ghz it would have to be clocked at 3.8Ghz or higher. The power consumption at that rate is insanely high [by comparison].
Which is why I asked my original question. Why bother? Just drop the 32-bit line at the 5xx series and start anew for the 64-bit series. That would have made more sense than poluting their product base with crappy 6xx and 8xx parts.
Tom
Better though is that the D series can only clock down to 2.8Ghz whereas the AMD64s can go down to around 1Ghz [depending on your part]. Clocking from 3.2Ghz to 2.8Ghz doesn't save you that much power [maybe 10W at most ...].
... at 32C with a copper heatsink. The processor draws around 20-30W when idle compared to the Intel processors which draw nearly double that at idle.
My AMDX2 is sitting here running Linux and is clocked when idle to 1Ghz
In no way is a Netburst based processor a wise decision over the offerings of AMD.
Tom
They wanted to get their Netburst cores into the DP world as quickly as possible.
Where AMD uses the HT bus for their 757 and 939/940 parts Intel was still using the good ole 64-bit FSB of yesteryear.
Most of what Intel does nowadays in the processor world is entirely market driven. The Netburst is a good example. High clock rate, low efficiency processor. Sounds good on paper but works poorly in practice. The EMT64 extensions are another example. A lot of code on the P4 in 32-bit mode takes roughly the same number of cycles on the 64-bit P4s with the notable exception being 64-bit math [e.g. additions and multiplies].
For example, most block ciphers are the same speed on both the 540J and 820D [in terms of clock cycles]. I think partially because they're just using rename registers for the additional GPRs. But compare the AthlonXP to the Athlon64 and there is a huge difference. The Athlon64 is an improvement over the 32-bit cousin. They didn't just slap 64-bits on the core they actually made it better.
I refer to my nice chart again
Operations per second at doing RSA-1024 decrypt
AMD64 = 2.2Ghz
AMD32 = 1.8Ghz
P4 = 3.2Ghz
Nocona = 2.8Ghz
At the 32-bit side of things the AMD32 can match or beat the P4 even though it's slower by 1.4Ghz. At the 64-bit side there simply is no comparison. I mean the dual-core RSA on the Nocona can't even match the SINGLE-CORE RSA on the Athlon64.
How pathetic is that?
Ever since the 64 came out Intel has basically been a poser in the CPU world. The only really proud achievements [outside the pure sciences they do in the background] are the ARM and P6 core designs...
Tom
They invested too heavily on the Mhz-myth of the Netburst. To turn around and say "whoops, we're wrong" is hard. That and they have partners that ALSO invested in it.
...
What does Dell use? "Dell uses Intel Pentium four processors (cue P4 sound theme)"
It's probably not easy to say "Dell uses Intel P6 processors because the P4 sucks ass, we're sorry, we lied all this time." There is also a huge cultural gap between the engineers and marketters/VPs. I'm sure if any of the engineers escaped and bought an AMD64 box they would be envious. Provided of course, they're not full of their own shit to see outside their little box.
Truth be told I'd love to try a ~2.4Ghz PentiumM as a desktop processor. It's probably loads faster than a 1.8Ghz sempron and can hold it's own on the power usage front. It would make a great work station or compute box. Upgrade the core to x86_64 and they'd be set.
Alas, they are their own undoing.
Tom
cost 3 times as much as the 820D ... it's a copy of the 820D ... see where I'm going with this?
:-)
The dual-core intels may cost half as much as the dual core Athlon64s but they still suck twice as bad. What you save in initial purchase cost you lose in electricity bills and time doing work.
The fact they're STILL making Netburst based processors just sickens me. Give it up already and go P6 or something new. I mean if they put half the money they put into the netburst into the P6 designs of late they'd already have a 2.5Ghz P6 core that would give AMD a run for their money.
I think the cats out of the bag for the most part. And not like you're gonna sell a lot of dual-core based Dells to grandma so she can write emails.
Times like this make me feel proud I'm an AMD whore
Tom
Yeah, for shame!!! They provide a search engine that has served millions for a decade [or so] and when they make money it must because they're evil!
That said, [to the article author] get a grip. You don't have to use google to "use the web". Other search engines still exist.
Tom
Shut up?
My point is the xbox360 will be as cool [or lame] a year from now as next week.
Rushing in to buy it now is just playing their game. [literally and figuratively]
Tom
Who cares?
:-) like fire hazardous power cables and the like. Being an early adopter just qualifies you for "sheep" status.
It isn't as if Sony and Nintendo don't do the same.
That and I'd wait for a while before buying it anyways. Let them work out the rev.1 bugs
That and who cares? If your friend gets one instead of you it means you can spend more time out of your house. It's all good.
Tom
Um, what are you right about? You said I'm an amateur. That's false. I make money [re: a living] at desiging and implementating cryptographic algorithms. I have the tax slips to prove it.
You said I don't design algorithms. You're wrong I do.
You said I have no experience working with FPGAs. You're wrong. That's what I've been doing for the last 8 months.
My software is used throughout industry in products you can readily buy at any electronics store as well as inhouse business to business tools from companies big and small.
etc, etc, etc. Then you have the audacity to say that *I'm* the one wrongly calling credentials into question.
So I think your claims that I'm an amateur are unfounded, immature and show that you really are just a brat incapable of proper cogent arguments so you rely on insulting others to look intelligent.
Tom
Well you admitted you're a troll. I guess we can leave it at that?
Tom
Good to know your success depends on insulting others.
:-)
I'll sulk with the knowledge mine depends on me actually being good at what I do.
I mean seriously. You shot down everything I said without offering an ounce of your credentials. That speaks volumes to your usefulness and ability.
Tom
It's clear from your post that you think anything I say is immaterial. So I say "you win". I don't need to impress you to continue living.
It's sad that you feel the need to impose like you did. I guess in your important and busy life you felt it so important to stop what you're doing to try and rip on other people. I guess this is part of your "professional life" eh?
Tom
This goes through cycles though. The kids who are being deprived of cool shit will turn into adults seeking coolshit then they will open it up for their kids. What do you think the 60s were about? :-)
;-)
:-(
The basics of it is that video games represent our frustrations. So many things in life are annoying "just because". You get income tax, then the bank dabs on it to deposit [e.g. teller fees] then you buy things and pay tax, then you have to tip the fucking waiter [where's my tip when I write a line of code?] then you have to pay bank fees at the end of the month, 11% interest on the visa etc...
People are inherently pissed off. Being able to run over hookers in a mob car is a good way to vent
So the real people to blame are the capitalist "do anything to make money" asshats that ruin society because they're afraid if they had to be USEFUL [e.g. make something you can use in your day to day life] they'd fucking starve to death so they wrap themselves in layers of safety net "beauraucracy".
And no I can't spell...
Tom
Your first paragraph shows your complete lack of understanding.
... I DO develop algorithms and perform research.
... There is more to a secure cryptosystem than just "coding". Cryptographers are responsible to glue the entire system together.
... There is more to developing than just "coding". You have to know what algorithms to use and when/why. You have to be able to work with them with the utmost flexibility [e.g. you don't always get ideal situations, etc].
First off
Second
By your logic a bridge engineer must develop new design concepts before he's an engineer. Otherwise he's a lowly construction grunt. I'd like to think the person who designs a bridge to withstand nature, loads, etc is more than a tool swinging grunt.
Third
As to the whole FPGA vs. ASIC vs. whatever.
I may have mispoken but I know of designs that use FPGAs in fielded products, for example this is one. In things like gameboys and what not they use ASICs but they also produce MILLIONS of gameboys.
In short runs it's actually cheaper to plug in a small FPGA then get real ASICs made. If you think otherwise it's because you're a fucking moron and you have no clue whatsoever.
Tom
You don't need a 2.4Mgate FPGA to host an AES core, or USB controller, or ...
2.4Mgates can be quite a bit [depending on the measure of "gates"]. The typical AES-CCM core in Virtex gates is ~30k or so.
Tom
It's fine that you're an amateur cryptographer, but that is a completely different field than computer engineering
Which is interesting because I'm the author of some widely deploy cryptographic software, I worked at a IP design company [for cryptographic cores]. I'd say I'm no longer an amateur when I make enough money to live on my own.
Apparently, according to you, FPGAs aren't made from silicon, they're made from fluffy bunny pixie dust
There is a strong price difference from PCB design and tapeout. If you're making less than a million devices or so it's cheaper to just use an FPGA because the tapeout alone will cost you millions.
"going to silicon" is a common expression which means to tapeout a design in real hardware. Sure FPGAs are "real silicon" but there is a big difference between using an FPGA and an ASIC in a fielded design.
Your last paragraph is about as far from the truth as can get. The last design I know of where the CPU controlled the peripherals was the Atari 2600. Even the gameboy had dedicated LCD controllers.
You're right I'm not an EE. I never claimed to be. Though what I speak of is from my experience working alongside these folk [as well as I have quite a few friends who design FPGAs for a living].
In otherwords you're trying to look all cutsie by trying to make me look stupid but really you haven't the first foggiest clue what you are talking about.
Tom
Well audio is also DSP so I imagine it would do just fine. Just a matter of covering the expense of going into and outof the GPU [e.g. data conversion, program upload, data upload, etc...]
Tom
FPGAs aren't always slower than what you can do in silicon. AES [sorry I have a crypto background] takes 1 cycle per round in most designs. You can probably clock it around 30-40Mhz if your interface isn't too stupid. AES on a PPC probably takes the same time as a MIPs which is about 1000-1200 cycles.
... so that 1000 cycles is 100 FPGA cycles. But an AES block takes 11 FPGA cycles [plus load/unload time] so say about 16 cycles. Discounting bus activity [which would affect your software AES anyways] you're still ahead by ~80 FPGA cycles [800 PPC cycles].
Your clock advantage is about 10x [say] that is typical 400Mhz PPC vs. 40Mhz FPGA
Though the more common use for an FPGA aside from co-processing is just to make a flexible interface to hardware. E.g. want something to drive your USB, LCD and other periphs without paying to go to ASIC? Drop an FPGA in the thing. I assure you controlling a USB or LCD device is much more efficient in an FPGA than in software on a PPC.
Tom
GPUs are massively parallel DSP engines. That makes them ideally suited for the task. They can do things like "let's multiply 8 different floats in parallel at once". Which is useful when doing transforms like the iDCT or DCT which are capable of taking advantge of the parallelism.
But don't take that out of context. Ask a GPU to compile the linux kernel [which is possible] and an AMD64 will spank it something nasty. *GENERAL* purpose processors are slower at these very dedicated tasks but at the same time capable of doing quite a bit with reasonable performance.
By the same token, a custom circuit can compute AES in 11 cycles [1 if pipelined] at 300Mhz which when you scale to 2.2Ghz [for your typical AMD64] amounts to ~80 cycles. AES on the AMD64 takes 260 cycles. But, ask that circuit to compute SHA-1 and it can't. Or ask it render a dialog box, etc...
Tom