Integrating CPU with the GPU?
That would be cool, however in the long term I don't really see it happening, or most anything else mentioned here. Rather this 'fusion' of technology will most likely just end up as a new processor, based around a concept similiar to Cell, but probably without an emphasis on the differant 'processing units'. We'll probably end up with a new cpu design, hopefully x86 compatible, (although if they could create a really really good cpu, I mean the next big thing, they really shouldnt feel like they have to work with the x86 ISA), with all these smaller units (not cores) doing everything.
Think of the latest 8800 GTX, it has 128 unifed 'Streaming Processors',that were previously known as pixel shader units (or a variation thereof). Graphics cards also have/had vector shader units, and the ability to use geometry shaders, however these (at least for g80) are all unified now, in the sense that these 128 'Streaming Processors' (notice the name change AND it's significance) can on-the-fly change their function to either of the three categories. Cool idea for the GPU, but it also hints at where things are going.
The Voodoo2 is more of a 'graphics processor' than g80, IMHO, in the sense that gpus are just essenestially becoming 128 'tiny'-cored general purpose coprocessors, that area really good at floating point math, (essential for graphics). As far as today's graphics cards go we can run C code on these things. Sounds more like an auxillary, differant, type of CPU, that's all today's graphics cards are.
check it out...
http://developer.nvidia.com/object/cuda.html/
So the wheel of reincarnation has started. It began with GLQUAKE, with an addon card (that was an addon to your 2D card...) and will now end with either a CPU w/ GPU (fusion) or even better, a CPU that incorporates processing concepts from the GPU into a new design that is really really good, especially in the areas needed for Quake VI.
PPSh-41:
Well still have pci-e express, and better still we'll probably have PCIe x16 slots too. Whether or not the consolidated market will still continue to sell graphics coprocessors is beyond my skill of intuition, however they wont stop selling them for at least 6 years. Another possible scenario is an Intel/NVIDIA buyout (I like nvidia, dont buy them out, in fact just establish a partnership). In that case, I'd venture to say that with each cpu/gpu maker in their own business couplings the GPU as we know it (as of right now) is dead.
Remember what tim sweeney said, "something something blah blah blah, what we'll find is that [graphics] is a problem that turns out was just general computing". That definatly seems like the case, when you consider the ps3's graphics (which are probably good, havent checked it out, not that I'd buy a console).
If a new (more than just an extention to the x86 spec) cpu comes out of all this technology, I really really doubt well be using a GPU, as it'd be kinda like just having another CPU, but in a pci slot, with a two slot cooler, loud noise, more cords, bigger cases, more heat etc etc. Provided the new cpu specification can be used buy both companies to make compatible cpus, well all see the extinction of the GPU, as well as numerous benefits mentioned a second ago.
So bottom line, and in my best hopes, a Slashdot reading Dual Core, Dual GPU fat person, will eventually have a new box in 2012, right before the world ends. It will be running GNU/Linux), and will no more than the size of a mid tower. However the CPU in the system will be a really really fast, and will have hundreds of the 'streaming processors' (that are the basis of out latest gpu's processing ability) that can be used for games, graphics, or anything else, or even porn.
Some card manufacturers allow you to step-up to a higher card. I recently bought an evga 7900 GT KO RoHS and I think I might trade it in (and pay only the differance) for an 8800 GTS. Look into that on your system, as the rest of your 'current gen' components are probably still pretty good.
When (not if) Linux Gaming becomes pefect, it will be from one of two causes.
Mint Condition Wine. Someday wine is really gonna be kicking ass, everything will work, and you'll notice maybe 10% at most speed losses. 100% Proof Wine is an acceptable solution to this problem...
or two:
With the increasing number of engine licensing from 3 camps, the source of much of the problems that prevents easy porting can be solved by developing portable gaming engines. You port all the low level code of UE2/3/4 and get unrealscript set up and most games based on that highly provitable negine WILL work across differant platforms. The key to all this is portability,
1. for fucks sake, use SDL. 2. OpenGL yes, OpenAL hopefully
Who the fuck cares about this shit anymore? Why the hell do we get immediate Slashdot Main Page updates on whether or not *DELL* is using a differant brand of CPU? Does Dell changing to radically better chips really make a damn differance to anyone? We've heard them going back and forth on the issue, and it's while it's great for Dell, AMD, and their customers, for the slashdot reader, its fucking boring.
20 bucks says Slashdot is in on some marketing ploy.
What about the Medusa brand of 5.1 surround sound headphones?
http://www.medusa-usa.com/
I want the new set that's coming out, but why does every other gaming head set use only one connection to the sound card? I have an audigy, and have three ports...how does it do 5.1 with only 1 connection? Which one is better?
Slashdot Mirror
I think I made one entirlely whole, reasonaed, arguement. Please give me rep points.
Integrating CPU with the GPU? That would be cool, however in the long term I don't really see it happening, or most anything else mentioned here. Rather this 'fusion' of technology will most likely just end up as a new processor, based around a concept similiar to Cell, but probably without an emphasis on the differant 'processing units'. We'll probably end up with a new cpu design, hopefully x86 compatible, (although if they could create a really really good cpu, I mean the next big thing, they really shouldnt feel like they have to work with the x86 ISA), with all these smaller units (not cores) doing everything. Think of the latest 8800 GTX, it has 128 unifed 'Streaming Processors',that were previously known as pixel shader units (or a variation thereof). Graphics cards also have/had vector shader units, and the ability to use geometry shaders, however these (at least for g80) are all unified now, in the sense that these 128 'Streaming Processors' (notice the name change AND it's significance) can on-the-fly change their function to either of the three categories. Cool idea for the GPU, but it also hints at where things are going. The Voodoo2 is more of a 'graphics processor' than g80, IMHO, in the sense that gpus are just essenestially becoming 128 'tiny'-cored general purpose coprocessors, that area really good at floating point math, (essential for graphics). As far as today's graphics cards go we can run C code on these things. Sounds more like an auxillary, differant, type of CPU, that's all today's graphics cards are. check it out... http://developer.nvidia.com/object/cuda.html/ So the wheel of reincarnation has started. It began with GLQUAKE, with an addon card (that was an addon to your 2D card...) and will now end with either a CPU w/ GPU (fusion) or even better, a CPU that incorporates processing concepts from the GPU into a new design that is really really good, especially in the areas needed for Quake VI. PPSh-41: Well still have pci-e express, and better still we'll probably have PCIe x16 slots too. Whether or not the consolidated market will still continue to sell graphics coprocessors is beyond my skill of intuition, however they wont stop selling them for at least 6 years. Another possible scenario is an Intel/NVIDIA buyout (I like nvidia, dont buy them out, in fact just establish a partnership). In that case, I'd venture to say that with each cpu/gpu maker in their own business couplings the GPU as we know it (as of right now) is dead. Remember what tim sweeney said, "something something blah blah blah, what we'll find is that [graphics] is a problem that turns out was just general computing". That definatly seems like the case, when you consider the ps3's graphics (which are probably good, havent checked it out, not that I'd buy a console). If a new (more than just an extention to the x86 spec) cpu comes out of all this technology, I really really doubt well be using a GPU, as it'd be kinda like just having another CPU, but in a pci slot, with a two slot cooler, loud noise, more cords, bigger cases, more heat etc etc. Provided the new cpu specification can be used buy both companies to make compatible cpus, well all see the extinction of the GPU, as well as numerous benefits mentioned a second ago. So bottom line, and in my best hopes, a Slashdot reading Dual Core, Dual GPU fat person, will eventually have a new box in 2012, right before the world ends. It will be running GNU/Linux), and will no more than the size of a mid tower. However the CPU in the system will be a really really fast, and will have hundreds of the 'streaming processors' (that are the basis of out latest gpu's processing ability) that can be used for games, graphics, or anything else, or even porn.
Some card manufacturers allow you to step-up to a higher card. I recently bought an evga 7900 GT KO RoHS and I think I might trade it in (and pay only the differance) for an 8800 GTS. Look into that on your system, as the rest of your 'current gen' components are probably still pretty good.
When (not if) Linux Gaming becomes pefect, it will be from one of two causes.
Mint Condition Wine. Someday wine is really gonna be kicking ass, everything will work, and you'll notice maybe 10% at most speed losses. 100% Proof Wine is an acceptable solution to this problem...
or two:
With the increasing number of engine licensing from 3 camps, the source of much of the problems that prevents easy porting can be solved by developing portable gaming engines. You port all the low level code of UE2/3/4 and get unrealscript set up and most games based on that highly provitable negine WILL work across differant platforms. The key to all this is portability,
1. for fucks sake, use SDL.
2. OpenGL yes, OpenAL hopefully
everythings on intel now, its possible...
That was a good one.
on Dropline Gnome 2.14.2.
Who the fuck cares about this shit anymore? Why the hell do we get immediate Slashdot Main Page updates on whether or not *DELL* is using a differant brand of CPU? Does Dell changing to radically better chips really make a damn differance to anyone? We've heard them going back and forth on the issue, and it's while it's great for Dell, AMD, and their customers, for the slashdot reader, its fucking boring.
20 bucks says Slashdot is in on some marketing ploy.
What about the Medusa brand of 5.1 surround sound headphones? http://www.medusa-usa.com/ I want the new set that's coming out, but why does every other gaming head set use only one connection to the sound card? I have an audigy, and have three ports...how does it do 5.1 with only 1 connection? Which one is better?
Will you dumb geeks stop discussing the metaphysical implications of this device? That thing is the ugliest piece of crap I've ever seen.
Caffeine is great; piss off.
I take 3 magnums to wake up in the morning.
I smoke.
I'll die early.
I'm a big fan of self-destructive behavior.
And I won't have the life in me to teach Intro to Programming courses when I'm 60.
What the hell is wrong with you people? Just install Linux on an x86 box, and be done with it.