Wednesday, December 7th 2016
Intel Could License AMD Radeon iGPU Tech for Future Processors
Intel and AMD's cross-licensing arrangements could get more equitable in the future, with reports hinting at the possibility of Intel licensing AMD Radeon intellectual property to be used as Intel processors' integrated GPUs. Rumors of such a deal were first reported by HardOCP this Spring, where it stated that the two companies were negotiating a licensing agreement. Earlier this week, HardOCP editor Kyle Bennett commented on the site's forums that a licensing agreement has been reached between the two, even though Intel does not want this to be public.
Such an agreement could see AMD sharing designs of its Radeon integrated graphics processors with Intel, which will integrate it into its processor designs, and manufacture them. Whether the amalgamated graphics solution will continue to be branded "AMD Radeon" or whether it will be marketed under the Intel graphics brands, remains to be seen.
Sources:
OC3D, HardOCP
Such an agreement could see AMD sharing designs of its Radeon integrated graphics processors with Intel, which will integrate it into its processor designs, and manufacture them. Whether the amalgamated graphics solution will continue to be branded "AMD Radeon" or whether it will be marketed under the Intel graphics brands, remains to be seen.
38 Comments on Intel Could License AMD Radeon iGPU Tech for Future Processors
1) Intel has CLEARLY hit a wall when it comes to graphics performance. Broadwell was practically the last real performance increase. Everything since has been incredibly incremental with questionable efficiency increases.
This problem is compounded by the fact that the only way Intel has managed to ever compete with AMD's top APU's is by using massively more expensive tech (EDRAM, Expensive process nodes, etc).
2) AMD is at a minimum about to be able to compete with every segment of Intel's once again. Contrary to what Intel (Or AMD) fanboys will tell you - this is a BIG BIG deal. If AMD is even moderately competitive in the CPU space, they will have a massive advantage overall considering they have superior graphics. Apple would be theirs at a minimum.
Hence I am quite literally ascertaining that there could be a win-win scenario where AMD/Radeon stay as their own companies, but make a TON of money allowing Intel to pay them big royalties for some of their patents. Heck maybe there are some patents AMD would like access to.
This is more like taking that slut next door and making her the long term girlfriend you have to show to your family and friends. :roll:
Fermi was god awful, Kepler was behind GCN in efficiency, Maxwell had a temporary win (And now a loss), and Pascal has a minor victory in DX11 due to its process advantage. 95w 480's are right around the corner as well...