• mindbleach
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    9 months ago

    … why would you run x86?

    Nevermind that “cannot function” is not the same thing as “slow.” Every reply has been a technically-proficient attack rather than sincere consideration of what is possible. The article is about rearranging the established relationship of CPU and GPU - the root comment asks “at some point.” An all-caps dismissal of running existing software is a tell.

    We’re not talking about binaries you already have. We’re not necessarily talking about general software. This is about future games. We’re not even talking about a system with no CPU - the root comment describes reducing the importance of components. Crucial pieces of discrete hardware in past computers live on in modern motherboards as a tiny fraction of some chip.

    Even CPUs themselves are experimenting with heterogeneous core layouts, where an itty-bitty Atom or ARMv7 handles the basics, while some wildly different silicon either sits idle or does all the work. The difference between that and an APU chewing through SPIR-V might be less than you think.

    • CausticFlames@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      9 months ago

      You are the one who brought up the question of even needing the CPU at all. Also, It wasn’t meant to be an attack. Just an explanation as to why you’d still need a CPU.

      why would you run x86

      All I meant was a large portion of software and compatibility tools still use it, and our modern desktop CPU architectures are still inspired from it. Things like CUDA are vastly different was my point

      But if what you meant by your original comment was to not do away with the CPU, then yes! By all means, plenty of software is now migrating to taking advantage of the GPU as much as possible. I was only addressing you asking “at some point do we even need the CPU?” - the answer is yes :)