AMD Fusion APUs Bring Quality Graphics To Everyone While AMD Discrete Graphics Deliver Premium Computing Experience
By Steve Wildstrom – a technology blogger and analyst
For buyers of new computers, there’s good news and bad news about graphics. On the plus side, thanks to the recent trend to integrate graphics and the CPU, the quality of graphics in even low-end computers is improving dramatically. But unless you are paying attention, you might not be getting all the performance you need. While crisp, realistic game and video performance is still the top reason for wanting high-quality graphics, it’s important to know that the choice of graphics processing unit (GPU) can have a big effect on many areas of computer performance, from video and photo editing to computationally intense tasks.
Except for ultra-light notebooks, where every watt of power and every square centimeter of system board real estate is precious, buyers usually have a choice between integrated and discrete graphics. For many years, integrated graphics were incorporated into the chipsets that support the central processing unit (CPU). As mentioned earlier, in the newest generation of chips, AMD pursued a new approach, combining a GPU with performance rivaling discrete graphics (or as AMD refers to it, “discrete-class graphics”) and a multi-core CPU in a single chip.
AMD calls the combined CPU and GPU product an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), often referred to as “AMD Fusion” in the industry. AMD initially introduced the AMD Fusion approach on low-power chips intended for the thinnest and lightest notebooks and all-in-ones, but will be adopting the technology for mainstream and performance notebooks and desktops in upcoming processor releases.
The APU approach marks a major upgrade in the experience provided by traditional integrated graphics. The question is whether the greatly improved capabilities of these new APUs, or the improved graphics approach in Intel’s new generation of Sandy Bridge processors, mean there is no longer much to be gained by choosing a discrete GPU?
In many cases, a discrete graphics unit still makes sense. For instance, gaming is still the ultimate test of graphics performance, and here’s what top technology reviewer Anand Shimpi found:
Apple has earned its reputation for making very good technology choices in the design of its computers, so its graphics selections are a good guide. And the relative simplicity of Apple’s product lineup—Apple generally doesn’t give buyers much choice on configuration–makes comparisons easier than with the profusion of choices in the Windows PC world.
In notebooks, Apple’s 15” and 17” Mac Book Pros use Intel Sandy Bridge processors with the onboard Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics disabled in favor of discrete AMD Radeon™ HD 6490M or HD 6750M GPUs. Clearly the message here is that when buying a premium computer driving a high resolution screen, discrete graphics is needed.
Likewise, the newest iMac all-in-one desktops use Sandy Bridge CPUs and AMD Radeon GPUs, while the Mac Pro workstation comes with server-class Xeon processors and a choice of top-of-the-line AMD discrete GPUs. Again, these high end systems are pushing high resolution screens that demand the horsepower that is still only found in discrete graphics products.
There have traditionally been two tradeoffs involved in the choice of laptop graphics (unless your budget is extraordinarily tight or you want to keep power consumption to an absolute minimum, there’s not much argument against discrete graphics in a desktop). A discrete GPU will increase the price; for example, choosing an AMD Radeon™ HD 6570M over an Intel HD 3000 adds $100 to the price of a Dell Inspiron 14R. And discrete GPUs typically draw more power and shorten battery life. In the case of the APU, the dual graphics capability allows for a user to leverage the graphics capabilities of the APU in conjunction with the discrete GPU for added performance; this capability is not found in Intel Sandy Bridge.
The first point remains valid, but the second is no longer an issue. System software can now automatically switch between the two GPUs, going with the low-power integrated unit when running on battery power and firing up the high-performance discrete GPU when running a game or producing the next great Photoshop masterpiece. This lets you have the power of a discrete GPU when you need it, with little or no impact on battery life.
The bottom line: Better graphics remains one of the most cost-effective ways to boost system performance, and the increasing use of GPUs for general purpose computing (see upcoming blog post) means the benefits can extend well beyond traditional graphics considerations such as having enough performance to drive a great game experience.
Steve Wildstrom, a technology blogger and analyst, wrote BusinessWeek’s “Technology & You” column. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites, and references to third party trademarks, are provided for convenience and illustrative purposes only. Unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such links, and no third party endorsement of AMD or any of its products is implied.
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