Intel Already Thinking Next-Gen

[Dr.Finger]

We may be content with the current generation of game consoles, but Intel is already trying to stake it's claim on the next generation of consoles. Intel spoke to DevelopMag (http://www.developmag.com/news/30329/Intel-wants-Larrabee-in-next-generation-of-game-consoles) about their plans, which center around it's multi-core Larrabee processor. “We’ve been working with a lot of game developers. All of the input and design of Larrabee comes with the involvement of various software firms in the industry. It’s very much driven by feedback from the industry, telling us the type of things they would like to do, and how can they do them,” explained Coday.

“It’s definitely something we would want to discuss with the console vendors, and hope that the architecture that we’re providing is something that is very compelling for them and be interesting.”

Coday described Larrabee as an “inflection point” for games developers, saying it will help return coding to easier single chip roots – but with the enhanced power of a next generation many-core chipset.Intel predicts that consumer electronics using the processor will be on store shelves in 2010

Thanks to Xerxes for the tip.

[Wraith]

Considering Intel processors have powered...*counts*...one video game console to date, I wonder what they're basing this on. (Please correct me if I'm wrong here.)

[Evil_SPanKY]

Also, considering thier pathetic past attempts at the discreat GPU market, along with shoddy driver support, as well as non-existant driver updates to fix long known issues with said drivers, I think I will pass.

[Delenda]

If Larrabee actually ends up in a 2010 console I'd be really surprised. It would just be a huge risk for a high-end, low-profit machine. I'd love to see the technology out there, basically forcing devs to work with it, but I don't know if any company's going to have the balls after Sony's Cell debacle.

[Xerxes]

Wait, it's a GPU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrabee_(GPU)).

[Schnoogs]

You can tell who in this thread hasn't done an ounce of research on Larabee.

[Ozymandias]

You can tell who in this thread hasn't done an ounce of research on Larabee.

Yep - have to agree.

[Wraith]

You can tell who in this thread hasn't done an ounce of research on Larabee.Ooh, *raises hand* me me me, I haven't.

[Schnoogs]

Ooh, *raises hand* me me me, I haven't.

Anandtech and PC Perspective both recently had some pretty amazing write ups on it.

Comparing this to any previous effort by Intel is inappropriate.

[Xerxes]

It's all relative. I mean its like saying Batman is getting a sweet game after all this time of nothing but crappy games. It's what happens when you get a reputation. It's never changed until it's changed. And sure write-ups can say it's sweet but no one will believe it until it's public opinion.

[Schnoogs]

It's all relative. I mean its like saying Batman is getting a sweet game after all this time of nothing but crappy games. It's what happens when you get a reputation. It's never changed until it's changed. And sure write-ups can say it's sweet but no one will believe it until it's public opinion.

Only in this case the hardware is in fact sweet so I couldn't care less what the public opinion is. Public opinion also thinks the Wii is a great console and that it takes a magic PC to play Crysis. ;)

[Xerxes]

that it takes a magic PC to play Crysis.
But that's true.

[Schnoogs]

(runs away and hides)

[tombofsoldier]

Ha ha, every graphical programmer I've heard to seems to think Larrabee is going to be a flop. On the forums they frequent it's often mocked. Maybe Intel actually will come up with something interesting but I doubt it.

[Schnoogs]

Ha ha, every graphical programmer I've heard to seems to think Larrabee is going to be a flop. On the forums they frequent it's often mocked. Maybe Intel actually will come up with something interesting but I doubt it.

Every programmer I know and I have read about seems to think it has unbelievable potential.

I'll take the opinion of guys like Anand and Carmack over guys who frequent forums. ;)

[Schnoogs]

Every programmer I know and I have read about seems to think it has unbelievable potential.

I'll take the opinion of guys like Anand, Sweeney and Carmack over guys who frequent forums. ;)

GameSpot: Do you think that Larrabee represents where GPUs are going in the future?

Tim Sweeney: Yes. I believe the ability to replace large parts of the fixed-function pipeline, or bypass it entirely with a software-based renderer running on the GPU, will be the key to future rendering features. While the current GPU model has enabled an amazing 1000X increase in graphics performance, I remain mindful of the flexibility and potential for new features that we left behind at the end of the software rendering era in the late 1990's.

GS: What about Larrabee excites you the most and why?

TS: The most exciting opportunity for Larrabee is the possibility of Intel moving it down to the mid-range and low-end over time. If Larrabee eventually displaces Intel Integrated Graphics, that would bring compelling graphics to the masses. Intel could become a real force for good in the graphics market, which -- to be blunt -- hasn't been the case in recent years.

GS: Do you think that Larrabee would make sense for next-generation game consoles?

TS: Certainly.

I'm sure your graphics friends know more than Sweeney. ;)

[Schnoogs]

Stupid fucking thread won't let me edit my posts...FAIL

[Xerxes]

You and your constant need to Edit... Fail.

[Talon-]

Ha ha, every graphical programmer I've heard to seems to think Larrabee is going to be a flop. On the forums they frequent it's often mocked. Maybe Intel actually will come up with something interesting but I doubt it.

I can't speak for the graphical aspects, but I know I've heard some buzz from tech enthusiasts like Laporte and Norton about the potential of the product and also how it could simplify the CPU market (not in the sense that it would murder AMD).

[Talon-]

I can't speak for the graphical aspects, but I know I've heard some buzz from tech enthusiasts like Laporte and Norton about the potential of the product and also how it could simplify the CPU market (not in the sense that it would murder AMD).

My mistake, I was talking about Nehalem/i7...

[Meatgortex]

Larrabee is mostly a GPU replacement, not a CPU replacement.

Except it isn't quite a GPU in the traditional sense. It's more like a very fast, very parallel math co-processor with some dedicated hardware texture units.

Ha ha, every graphical programmer I've heard to seems to think Larrabee is going to be a flop.

If every graphical programmer you hear is betting against Abrash I'd suggest hanging out with a different group.

[Jotoco]

I'm sure your graphics friends know more than Sweeney. ;)

Well... I didn't see anyone (except intel) really tell that THIS IMPLEMENTATION of multi-core CPU with software based rendering is the 1337.

I may be wrong, but most everyone agrees that the IDEA is very good. But as far as I can tell we are a little early to say the implementation will live to the expectations...

[Talon-]

Larrabee is mostly a GPU replacement, not a CPU replacement.

Except it isn't quite a GPU in the traditional sense. It's more like a very fast, very parallel math co-processor with some dedicated hardware texture units.

Yep, I corrected myself. I was thinking about Nehalem. :o

[Schnoogs]

Except it isn't quite a GPU in the traditional sense. It's more like a very fast, very parallel math co-processor with some dedicated hardware texture units.

It's actually just like one ;)

[Skywalkr]

Larabee's got a ton of potential. The flexiblity is really intreging (and somewhat frightening, honestly). Anyone with a passing interest might want to check out this (http://s08.idav.ucdavis.edu/forsyth-larrabee-graphics-architecture.pdf).

[Schnoogs]

I can't wait to experiment with Larabee myself.