GPU, hope or hype?

[Rocketman]

We keep hearing about possible GPU "co-processors" to offload video and conversion tasks. So far it looks like Apple is not going down that path.

Is it practical in any Apple products and what real benefits might it deliver?


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I don't have a dog in this fight. Just curious.

Rocketman

 

[Mactagonist]

iPad has a dedicated GPU: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/ipad-confirmed-to-use-powervr-sgx-graphics/

 

[Rocketman]

iPad has a dedicated GPU: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/ipad-confirmed-to-use-powervr-sgx-graphics/

It's not outsized, or numerous, only integrated to a single chip.

 

[t0mat0]

And OpenCL, something pushed by Apple at a remarkable speed into being would be what exactly?

They may not currently be pushing it, but there are some underpinnings coming in in the background. Maybe Apple wants it's own house in order before they get heavy on usage by developers?

You certainly can already make use of GPU through OpenCL via OS X - macresearch.org has some evidence of that. It's more in the specialised areas that get the most gain - they've got more to gain from optimising and utilising this.

The iPad, iPhone, Touch will soon be able to do OpenCL, with more recent Macs having a better GPU to do this with. (Though underpowered in comparison to the general state of play in the PC market). We'll likely see more of a push prior to 10/7, and certainly i'd imagine at WWDC 2010 there will be a push of some sort by Apple - with a move to 64 bit, taking into account GCD, OpenCL etc.