is it possible.... multi-core GPU?

[coolie_d]

now that we have multi-core CPUs coming to the mass market, what do you people think the possibilities of having a multi-core GPU coming out are? Use some kind of SLI-like link, but internally..... could potentially negate the performance hit of SLI if I am thinking correctly as the link could operate much faster.... i don't mean a multi-GPU like the old Voodoo5, more of a multi-core like the Athlon64 X2.... seems like it could be done, and would be easier to cool (most likely dual-slot HSF or heatpipe thing with fan) as well as not requiring a SLI mobo...... maybe this is coming, and SLI/Crossfire are just stopgap measures?

 

[Brent_Justice]

well, GPUs are "multi-core" as they are now really

 

[pandora's box]

what something like this?

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTExNzUxNDYzNGZUVmRnd1Y3M01fMV85X2wuanBn

or this perhaps?

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTExNzUxNDYzNGZUVmRnd1Y3M01fMV84X2wuanBn

 

[Komataguri]

Those are multi-GPU cards.



He's talking about DualCore GPUs like the new AMD and Intel procs, wit Multiple Cores in a single chip.

 

[coolie_d]

no, not like those..... one GPU package (i.e. chip) with 2 GPU cores on one die or at least, 2 dies on 1 package.... although Brent Justice pointed out to me that GPUs are multi-core anyways nowadays.... although Brent, I was thinking more along the lines of 2 G70s on one package (cooling unit would be freakin' huge)

 

[^eMpTy^]

well, GPUs are "multi-core" as they are now really

Yeah people don't seem to get this...think of it this way...the 6800Ultra has 16 pipelines...so basically it's like having 16 cores on one chip...

 

[Brent_Justice]

no, not like those..... one GPU package (i.e. chip) with 2 GPU cores on one die or at least, 2 dies on 1 package.... although Brent Justice pointed out to me that GPUs are multi-core anyways nowadays.... although Brent, I was thinking more along the lines of 2 G70s on one package (cooling unit would be freakin' huge)

i read in an interview somewhere that two 32 pipe "cores" might actually be cheaper than one large 64 pipe "core" to implement

who knows what the future has in store

we do know that for DX10 the vertex and pixel units will come together into just one "shader unit"

 

[Skrying]

no, not like those..... one GPU package (i.e. chip) with 2 GPU cores on one die or at least, 2 dies on 1 package.... although Brent Justice pointed out to me that GPUs are multi-core anyways nowadays.... although Brent, I was thinking more along the lines of 2 G70s on one package (cooling unit would be freakin' huge)

But that would be pointless. You already increase cores on a GPU by increasing the number of pipes in a way. Would you rather have a singel GPU with one core (using your definition) that has 32 pipelines, or a card that has two cores with 16 pipelines each?

 

[Skrying]

i read in an interview somewhere that two 32 pipe "cores" might actually be cheaper than one large 64 pipe "core" to implement

who knows what the future has in store

we do know that for DX10 the vertex and pixel units will come together into just one "shader unit"

Interesting, but wouldnt there be an added latency with two 32 pipe "cores' than a singel 64 pipe "core?

 

[Brent_Justice]

Interesting, but wouldnt there be an added latency with two 32 pipe "cores' than a singel 64 pipe "core?

no telling

logically the yields would be higher for a 32 pipe core vs. a 64 pipe core, so cheaper in that sense to implement both on one PCB, and the communication would be pretty fast between both

but this doesn't sound like on the same die, rather two GPU's linked together

i dunno, i'm just theorizing now

 

[coolie_d]

Interesting, but wouldnt there be an added latency with two 32 pipe "cores' than a singel 64 pipe "core?

probably would be, but if it were cheaper to implement it via 2 cores (I mean alot cheaper) then the cost advantage may outweigh the performance hit..... hard to say what the future holds...

EDIT: also, since 32 pipe cores would have a MUCH better yield than a 64 pipe core, it would be much preferred....

 

[coolie_d]

no telling

logically the yields would be higher for a 32 pipe core vs. a 64 pipe core, so cheaper in that sense to implement both on one PCB, and the communication would be pretty fast between both

but this doesn't sound like on the same die, rather two GPU's linked together

i dunno, i'm just theorizing now

wow Brent, you replied just about the same thing that I did, while I was typing mine....

 

[Skrying]

probably would be, but if it were cheaper to implement it via 2 cores (I mean alot cheaper) then the cost advantage may outweigh the performance hit..... hard to say what the future holds...

EDIT: also, since 32 pipe cores would have a MUCH better yield than a 64 pipe core, it would be much preferred....

You have a very good point there. But I wonder if poorer yeilds outways having to come up with twice the yields.

 

[coolie_d]

You have a very good point there. But I wonder if poorer yeilds outways having to come up with twice the yields.

I guess we'll all just have to wait and see..... it's fun to speculate though....

 

[Brent_Justice]

at this point in the game (heh, pun intended ) i want to see game developers use multiple-threads in games on CPUs

 

[coolie_d]

at this point in the game (heh, pun intended ) i want to see game developers use multiple-threads in games on CPUs

that would be cool, i'm into racing games, so I want to see more realism in damage models and how they affect the car, say aerodynamically, as well as the handling..... of course, that new PPU coming out will probably allow that to happen....