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by All the major chip companies will be touting new, mobile-focused versions of their processors.
AMD has the most intriguing and experimental approach, combining a traditional processor with a graphics processor in an architecture it calls “Fusion.”
In traditional computing architecture, the central processing unit (CPU) is a general-purpose processor that can perform everything a computer needs to do, from solving math problems to rendering YouTube videos on the screen.
Because CPUs aren’t very fast at doing video work, a second kind of chip evolved to help boost graphics.
Graphics processing units, or GPUs, are specialized chips optimized for rendering graphics. They’re usually installed in computers with a separate graphics card, which may or may not be integrated into the motherboard.
AMD has been working on a hybrid CPU-GPU, or what it calls an “Accelerated Processing Unit” (APU) since acquiring graphics chip maker ATI in 2006. Its Fusion project achieved several key milestones earlier in 2010 and is expected to be available in early 2011.
If AMD’s promises pan out, the Fusion APU chips could potentially deliver computing power and enhanced graphics processing on a single chip, lowering the computer’s overall cost and power requirements.
Low-power designs are one area where AMD has concentrated its efforts recently (rather than go head-to-head against much larger Intel on raw processing power), so expect the Fusion APUs to focus on low-power devices, like netbooks and tablets.
Intel is also planning its own chip upgrade, through a new processor architecture called Sandy Bridge (above). It’s less revolutionary, but then, since Intel controls 80 percent of the computer CPU market, Intel doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel every year.
Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors will also enhance power consumption and improve graphics-processing capabilities. We expect every major computer vendor to embrace these new chips, and you’ll likely see a slew of computers with the new Intel chips inside. –Dylan Tweney
AMD has the most intriguing and experimental approach, combining a traditional processor with a graphics processor in an architecture it calls “Fusion.”
In traditional computing architecture, the central processing unit (CPU) is a general-purpose processor that can perform everything a computer needs to do, from solving math problems to rendering YouTube videos on the screen.
Because CPUs aren’t very fast at doing video work, a second kind of chip evolved to help boost graphics.
Graphics processing units, or GPUs, are specialized chips optimized for rendering graphics. They’re usually installed in computers with a separate graphics card, which may or may not be integrated into the motherboard.
AMD has been working on a hybrid CPU-GPU, or what it calls an “Accelerated Processing Unit” (APU) since acquiring graphics chip maker ATI in 2006. Its Fusion project achieved several key milestones earlier in 2010 and is expected to be available in early 2011.
If AMD’s promises pan out, the Fusion APU chips could potentially deliver computing power and enhanced graphics processing on a single chip, lowering the computer’s overall cost and power requirements.
Low-power designs are one area where AMD has concentrated its efforts recently (rather than go head-to-head against much larger Intel on raw processing power), so expect the Fusion APUs to focus on low-power devices, like netbooks and tablets.
Intel is also planning its own chip upgrade, through a new processor architecture called Sandy Bridge (above). It’s less revolutionary, but then, since Intel controls 80 percent of the computer CPU market, Intel doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel every year.
Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors will also enhance power consumption and improve graphics-processing capabilities. We expect every major computer vendor to embrace these new chips, and you’ll likely see a slew of computers with the new Intel chips inside. –Dylan Tweney
