Flipping the relationship: GPU becomes CPU
The fact that gaming performance is largely dependent on GPU performance today is not surprising. But with graphics processors seemingly set to outpace the CPU in transistor count with the next few iterations (logic, not cache), does this call for a new relationship between the GPU and CPU?
It seems to me that with such great importance placed on the GPU, that the GPU should become the central focus of the PC world, and make the CPU an important, but slightly-secondary concern.
And just imagine the inevitable - the economics of the GPU industry will likely lead to some sort of merger/buyout of one of the firms. What if it were to be Intel or Microsoft doing the buying? Microsoft might do it as a strategic move to counter Intel's own move to corner the mobo chip market. Intel might do it to secure that tack they seem to be taking.
Your thoughts, y'all? Obviously, with so much more dependent on the CPU, I don't see it ever being anything less than a very close second, but it just seems that the GPU will soon require faster resources, and more cooling than even the hottest CPUs, due to the fact that CPUs are (to use the Fast/Wide SCSI analogy for core clock / transistor count) Fast, and GPUs are going Fast and Wide.
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microsoft buyout
I have software that I think microsoft would be interested in buying. Based on an article in the business section of todays Toronto Star, they are putting major efforts into software for mobile phone markets. I have already worked this out with my small company building a messaging platform for wireless and fixed line. I would like to sell to microsoft any ideas how I contact the right person there?
Greg happens to know a Micros
Greg happens to know a Microsoft VP, so that would be a start. Post an email or website where you can be reached, and we'll see what we can do.
part of Nvidia's business plan
CEO Jen-Hsun Huang of Nvidia discussed precisely this in Wired last year. Geeks have been slow to pick up.
Last year I examined several business plans which proposed to leverage this prospect.
CPUs are moving towards SoC's however so the target has morphed.
The Two Towers
Also seems like the GPU is going to quickly out-scale the CPU in minimum RAM requirements with games driving that area.
So if this is true, and GPUs are going to replace CPUs as the single most important component in computers, what sort of trends will come of it?
Will we see a push for higher-quality displays with high refresh rates to keep up with FPS rates? Obviously GPU software utilities and IDEs will become the norm soon. But in terms of new markets or niches, will there be ground-floor opportunities for upstarts?