Raytracing and 10x Performance Improvement by 2010 says Intel

[Monkeywoman]

Nevertheless, Intel is also considering to offer high-performance graphics solutions. They are going to introduce systems using an additional Larrabee processor that will enhance the potential of the integrated graphics cores. The developers describe this solution as highly parallelized micro-architecture with tremendous programming flexibility. In fact, Larrabee will consist of a several IA mini-cores with shared cache-memory and input-output system.

According to some preliminary data, the first Larrabee version will have from 16 to 24 cores, each with a 32KB L1 cache. The shared L2 cache will be about 4-6MB big. Individual IA cores will be connected via ring bus like the one used in Cell processors. The first Larrabee modifications will be manufactured with 45nm technological process, and the working frequencies of these processors are expected to be in the 1.7-2.5GHz interval. The expected TDP should be around 150W, however, please keep in mind that these are all very preliminary specifications.

This processor should allow should allow the game developers to use image rendering techniques involving ray-tracing method. This method guarantees more realism than the traditional rasterization although requires much more computational resources than the contemporary systems can offer. The first Larrabee processors are expected to appear in the end of this year, however the first mass solutions of this class should come out no sooner than in the end of 2009 – beginning of 2010.

looks like ATI and Nvidia are going to have a little competition in the next few years

full article here; http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video/display/20080305171043_Intel_to_Be_More_Active_in_the_Grap hics_Market.html

[shiznit93]

Hopefully when Intel starts making high-end gpu Nvidia won't release total $hit like 9800GTX.

[BrownTown]

It is still using a relatively general purpose processor for ray tracing, if you REALLY wanted to see raytracing take over it would require a processor specifically designed with the raytracing functionality in hardware the same way a GPU is so specialized towards the standard graphics pipeline. However thats probably still a long way off because you would need to create a whole new API and such like DirectX which would take tons of coding along with custom hardware which takes hundreds of millions to design and test.

[adamsleath]

intel in the graphics business :worship:

[Morais]

Lets consider the lowest L1 cache case...we are talking about 512KB cache....I can imagine exorbitant prices with that :(

[dinos22]

it's all huff and puff now

more action less talk i say :D

[mion]

By 2010 I will be older.

[JumpingJack]

what I think is interesting, if indeed this report is accurate, is to mass produce GPU on the leading CPU node. This will be a big advantage for them over the nVidia/ATI (I fully suspect AMD would be or is working to move their GPU capabilities to current CPU nodes as this would work well with fusion).

jack

[RPGWiZaRD]

That many cores on 45nm, that has to be a challenge. Die shot would be interesting to see...

[onewingedangel]

With 'only' 16 simple cores you have to wonder how complex they will have to be to perform ray tracing to a decent standard at the relatively low clock. If you look at a dual quad core sysem clocked at 3.2ghz you can't achieve that good a performance for 'game' use. They must either be pretty specialised for high thoughput, certainly linking 16 simple silverthorne processors wouldn't produce good enough performance. If not we're going to see either disappointing peformance or a massive (and expensive) die.

My bet is that we're going to see larabee put to other uses first rather that graphics (say physics processing), until performance catches up to the required levels.


Of course if you plug enough larabee's into a system...

[Syn.]

With 'only' 16 simple cores you have to wonder how complex they will have to be to perform ray tracing to a decent standard at the relatively low clock. If you look at a dual quad core sysem clocked at 3.2ghz you can't achieve that good a performance for 'game' use. They must either be pretty specialised for high thoughput, certainly linking 16 simple silverthorne processors wouldn't produce good enough performance. If not we're going to see either disappointing peformance or a massive (and expensive) die.

My bet is that we're going to see larabee put to other uses first rather that graphics (say physics processing), until performance catches up to the required levels.


Of course if you plug enough larabee's into a system...

The Cell chip in PS3 is what does most of the work the RSX is secondary. This is the same princaple and it seems to be silighty more optimized for one specific purpase.

If Larabee makes Ray Tracing possible, say bye bye to current GPU tech. AMD has a way out with its Fusion project, now what does Nvidia plan to do about this?

[Morais]

By 2010 I will be older.

O really?

[Pillo-kun]

I am really not so impressed with raytracing jumbo mumbo stuff. Really why is it so hard to make this work in real time with good framerates. I say that its the lack of good programing not poor hardware that hold it back in games.

[LowRun]

I have a feeling this is part of the reasons why AMD is not trying to compete anymore at the high end level in mono core GPU market.


It is still using a relatively general purpose processor for ray tracing, if you REALLY wanted to see raytracing take over it would require a processor specifically designed with the raytracing functionality in hardware the same way a GPU is so specialized towards the standard graphics pipeline. However thats probably still a long way off because you would need to create a whole new API and such like DirectX which would take tons of coding along with custom hardware which takes hundreds of millions to design and test.

I guess if Intel says "this is where we are heading", even the mighty Microsoft has to pay attention. I wouldn't be surprised they have some people working on this right now.

[Syn.]

I am really not so impressed with raytracing jumbo mumbo stuff. Really why is it so hard to make this work in real time with good framerates. I say that its the lack of good programing not poor hardware that hold it back in games.

As far as i know what takes 2 Lines of Code to do using Ray Tracing achieves same results as 200 Lines Of Code in today's graphics. So to say that programing is to blame is false.

[red]

wooo dang

[Yakyb]

10x performance improvement in 3 years is pretty good

[RaZz!]

so it won't be 2 fps but rather 20 fps?

well, still useless for gaming & co :p:

[largon]

Ooo...
I can't wait to get rid of today's ugly-bugly raster-graphics.

[savantu]

That many cores on 45nm, that has to be a challenge. Die shot would be interesting to see...


They put 80 cores on a single die at the 65nm node.What's 24 at 45nm ? :p:

[savantu]

intel in the graphics business :worship:

They started this back in 2004 if not earlier.Since then they created a world class HW+SW team dedicated to graphics inside Intel ( former 3DLabs folks , lots of Nvidia and ATI guys too ).

Larrabee is interesting because alongside the x86 minicores it has a huge vector unit and can be used either as a CPU , GPU or accelerator.