Researchers at North Carolina State University have devised a new GPGPU approach that promises a 20 percent performance boost for AMD's Fusion chips. Full details at Bit Tech.
Before we get into the paper, entitled CPU-Assisted GPGPU on Fused CPU-GPU Architecture, there's a couple of things to get out of the way: while the researchers are independent, the research itself was part-funded by AMD while the company's senior fellow architect Mike Mantor is named as a co-author. The team also didn't have real silicon to work with: instead, their results are based on a simulated future AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) featuring shared L3 cache.
With that out of the way, the team's results are still worthy of note. Using the aforementioned simulated silicon, the team were able to convince their code to run 20 per cent faster on average without overclocking the 'chip.'
'Our approach is to allow the GPU cores to execute computational functions, and have CPU cores pre-fetch the data the GPUs will need from off-chip main memory,' paper co-author and associate professor of electrical and computer engineering Huiyang Zhou explains. 'This is more efficient because it allows CPUs and GPUs to do what they are good at. GPUs are good at performing computations. CPUs are good at making decisions and flexible data retrieval.'
Scythe shows off the Kaze Master Flat (KM06-BK), a new fan controller that will sell for 28EUR (excl. VAT).
Japanese cooling expert Scythe expands the product portfolio of fan controllers by a brand new model. Scythe chose a different path when designing the new Kaze Master Flat fan controller. Previously announced fan controller models utilized rotating knobs (potentiometer) as control system. Kaze Master Flat comes with a front panel, which is covering the buttons used for operating the fan controller.
Kaze Master Flat combines both a tidy and clean front panel design with Scythe's usual variety of functions. Hence allows it to match almost every on market PC Chassis. With only one finger tip users are able to open the front panel, which grants access to six buttons used as control system. Four of the buttons are being used to adjust the fan speed of the individual fan channel. The other two located on the both sided of Kaze Master Flat allow shutting down of the alarm signal and activating or deactivating of the built-in VF-Display (Vacuum Fluorescent Display).
Kaze Master Flat fan controller fits common 5,25 inch pc case bays and allows users to control up to 4 fans individually as well as monitoring of 4 temperature sensors. Actual fan speed and temperature values of the 4 channels are displayed on the VF-Display (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) located in the front. Temperature values can be displayed both in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit. Supported temperature range is specified between 0 and 100°C respectively 32 and 199,9°F.
Voltage regulation range for the four fan channels has been kept wide, supporting a stable voltage from 3,7 to 12 volts. Hence allows more room for fan speed and airflow optimizations inside the PC Chassis. Further new technological improvements have been applied to the safety features. Kaze Master Flat fan controller gives users the option to set an individual alarm temperature in 5°C steps by using the DIP-Switch located on the rear side of the fan controller. It is possible to set the alarm temperature in 5°C or 41°F steps from 55 to 90°C respectively from 131 to 194°F. Reaching of the set temperature would result in a visual and audio alarm by the Kaze Master Flat fan controller. The audio alarm can be shut down by pressing the mute button or permanently deactivated using the appropriate jumper.
All the relevant information in regards to the built-in safety mechanisms, can be found in the supplied multilingual user manual.
G.Skill introduced the Ares, a new line of DDR3 with regular low-profile heatspreaders.
The specifications of each kit can be found over here.
G.Skill, the worldwide leading high performance memory designer and manufacturer, has announced the brand new Ares series low profile performance DDR3 memory.
Stylish Low Profile Heat Spreader
Featured with low profile heat spreader design (3.2cm in height), G.Skill Ares series DDR3 memory modules are the perfect choices for building high performance PCs with large CPU coolers, small form factor desktop computers or any other systems with more restricted space.
The Best Compatibility and Reliability
Every Ares memory kit is hand-tested with G.Skill rigorous internal validation process to ensure the maximum stability and compatibility with both Intel and AMD platforms.
XMP Ready
Compliant with the latest Intel XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) function, G.Skill Ares series DDR3 memory provides PC enthusiasts and extreme gamers a trouble free overclocking experience on Intel platforms, while enjoying the enhanced memory bandwidth.
Bethesda has released the Creation Kit mod tools and Steam Workshop integration for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, as well as an official high-resolution texture pack! The bundle can be downloaded via Steam, but be aware that it takes up around 3.1GB.
A video of the new high-res textures can be viewed at PC Games Hardware.
Antec reveals the One, a new mid-tower case for gamers. Priced at $59.95, it offers an all-black design, support for video cards of up to 10.5", USB 3.0, tool-free installation features, support for up to five fans (two 120mm fans are included), three 5.25" drive bays, five 3.5" drive bays, and two 2.5" drive bays. It measures 463mm x 241mm x 530mm and weighs 5.6kg.
The MSRP is $59.95.
Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components, announces the One, the latest addition to their Gaming Series. The One is an excellent option for mainstream gamers, new PC builders and seasoned system integrators alike, as it provides user-friendly cooling and convenient features at an affordable price.
Performance Cooling Advantages – The One’s cooling system includes top & rear 120 mm exhaust fans with four additional 120 mm fan mounts. Perforated mesh construction yields additional airflow through the front of the chassis.
Extensive Compatibility and Expandability – The One is equipped with three 5.25” and five 3.5” tool-less drive bays, a bottom-mounted PSU intake with a removable air filter and a large CPU cutout. The enclosure makes it easy for users to install all the necessary parts and upgrade their PC component by component.
“The One is for anyone who has thought about building a PC or for anyone looking for a wallet-friendly, long-lasting case,” said Mafalda Cogliani, Global Marketing Director at Antec. “It’s a great option for system integrators because it has tool-less drive bays and blends well in a home.”
CPU World writes AMD has released two new Athlon II X4 processors without inegrated graphics.
Athlon II X4 641 was spotted last August in CPU support list on Biostar website. This SKU has 4 cores, clocked at 2.8 GHz. Each core integrates its own 1MB L2 cache, and the chip comes with standard features for K10 generation of CPUs: SIMD support up to SSE3, AMD64, Enhanced Virus protection, and Virtualization. The CPU has 100 Watt TDP, and works in socket FM1. At this time boxed version of X4 641 is available for pre-order from Provantage and a few other US online stores. Pre-order prices for this Athlon II are in the $90 - $95 range. Official price for AMD 641 is $81.
Like model 641, AMD Athlon II 638 is a quad-core CPU with 4 MB L2 cache. This previously unknown model operates at 2.7 GHz, and it fits into 65 Watt power envelope. Other characteristics of this SKU are identical to Athlon II 641. The processor is not yet available in stores. The Athlon II 638 is priced at $81.
ZD Net noticed a new Microsoft blog post strongly implies that Windows 8 on ARM will run both Metro-style and Desktop apps:
This is kind of a back-handed way to confirm something, but that seems to be the way things work at Microsoft when it comes to Windows 8.
Late last year, there was a rumor that Microsoft had decided to drop the Desktop from Windows 8 on ARM. This would have meant, if true, that all Windows 8 ARM apps would have to be Metro-style applications. Metro-style applications are those which make use of the WinRT Windows 8 runtime/framework. (They also happen to adopt the “Metro” look and feel/design conventions, which confusingly are not known as “Metro-style.” I guess they’re just in the Metro style.)
X-bit Labs received word from AMD that IBM has given some consulting support to GlobalFoundries, but that Big Blue isn't making APUs:
Advanced Micro Devices denied on Tuesday that IBM had started to make chips on contract basis for the company. AMD said that IBM only provided consulting services to Globalfoundries, contract maker of AMD's microprocessors, so that to enable it to boost yields of chips produced using 32nm silicon-on-insulator process technology.
"IBM has given some consulting support to GF, as far as I know they are not producing chips for us," a spokesperson for AMD told X-bit labs.
Sources at notebook makers told DigiTimes that Intel's and AMD's low-power processors cannot compete with chips from ARM in terms of price:
Intel debuted 32nm-based Medfield processors with power consumption reduced to 11W to match Android 4.0 in January 2012 and will launch Atom processors with power consumption of less than 10W specifically for use in smartphones and tablet PCs in the second half of 2012, the sources indicated. In addition, Intel will keep upgrading manufacturing processes, with Atom processors to be progressively based on 32nm Saltwell, 22nm Silvermont and 14nm Airmont, the sources indicated.
AMD is expected to unveil Hondo, a APU with power consumption of less than 5W specifically for tablet PCs, at Computex 2012 and plans to launch a 28nm-based 2W APU, Temash, in 2013, the sources said.
