AMD announces latest step to help mature HSA; partners with Microsoft

[nicehat]

 

A step to mature HSA has come.

 

AMD announced a collaboration with Microsoft to release C++ AMP version 1.2 - an open source C++ compiler. Version 1.2 will be available to both Linux and Windows for the first time. 

 

The tool accelerates productivity and ease of use for developers trying to harness the full power of HSA on everything from servers, PCs and handhelds. 

 

 

C++ AMP version 1.2 enables C++ developers to accelerate applications across a broad set of hardware and software configurations by supporting three outputs:

-- Khronos Group OpenCL(1), supporting AMD CPU/APU/GPU, Intel CPU/APU,
NVIDIA GPU, Apple Mac OS X and other OpenCL compliant platforms;
-- Khronos Group SPIR, supporting AMD CPU/APU/GPU, Intel CPU/APU and
future SPIR compliant platforms; and
-- HSA Foundation HSAIL, supporting AMD APU and future HSA compliant
platforms.

 

 

 

 

Key in the 1.2 release is the support for shared physical memory between the CPU and GPU on HSA platforms. Now programmers will be able to harness the benefits of minimized overhead of data re-directs

 

 

AMD Announces Heterogeneous C++ AMP Language for Developers

[Sonefiler]

sounds like AMD is doing it so they can be optimized for it first

[brownninja97]

well im happy about this.

[ionbasa]

Good guy AMD, letting the entire industry utilize this, including any openCL 2.0 device, Nvidia GPUs and even Intel iGPUs.

 

For once, something in computing is done right. 

[Buckley]

sounds like AMD is doing it so they can be optimized for it first

Well someone has to get the ball rolling... Who better than AMD themselves

[Deletive]

Good guy AMD, letting the entire industry utilise this, including any openCL 2.0 device, Nvidia GPUs and even Intel iGPUs.

 

For once, something in computing is done right. 

 

For once?  FOR ONCE? this is 2014. 

[ionbasa]

For once?  FOR ONCE? this is 2014. 

Show me a recent example of competing manufacturers in the microarchitecture business making an API/compiler/code available to everyone.

[Deletive]

Show me a recent example of competing manufacturers in the microarchitecture business making an API/compiler/code available to everyone.

You said "computing" as in generalized. 

[ionbasa]

You said "computing" as in generalized. 

Computing - noun : The use of a computer to process data or perform calculations.

 

I wasn't generalizing. At a basic level, HSA help perform calculations faster and process data faster. 

[Notional]

This is really exciting. I hope HSA will have a big breakthrough soon on pc.

[razor767]

This goods great, I hope HSA gets the support it deserves.  

[patrickjp93]

Yawn, Clang/LLVM has been caught up on HSA since it began, and it's a stronger compiler than Microsoft provides in Visual Studio.

[Misanthrope]

sounds like AMD is doing it so they can be optimized for it first

 

Much like Mantle yes. However I can't fault them for that: They desperately need to innovate somehow if they (obviously) can't compete on raw power vs intel.

[Builder]

Yawn, Clang/LLVM has been caught up on HSA since it began, and it's a stronger compiler than Microsoft provides in Visual Studio.

Agreed. I fucking love Clang and LLVM.

 

Although I find it strange that you like software that is largely developed by Apple these days. ()

[patrickjp93]

Agreed. I fucking love Clang and LLVM.

Although I find it strange that you like software that is largely developed by Apple these days. ()

PFFFT!!! Lies!!! Yes, Apple builds Coco into the version it runs on XCode, but all sorts of people contribute to it including AMD, the GNU software devs, Bell Labs, and many more.

[patrickjp93]

Much like Mantle yes. However I can't fault them for that: They desperately need to innovate somehow if they (obviously) can't compete on raw power vs intel.

And yet they're stupid enough to give their edge away (giving Mantle to Kronos).

[Victorious Secret]

And yet they're stupid enough to give their edge away (giving Mantle to Kronos).

 

Giving Kronos access was the final nail. Who gives a shit about having to code for Mantle when Kronos will shove it into OpenEVERYTHING. 

 

Kronos can just turn around, say "Hey Intel, Nvidia, lets have fun" and AMD will be left at the starting blocks as usual. 

[pixeldensity]

Giving Kronos access was the final nail. Who gives a shit about having to code for Mantle when Kronos will shove it into OpenEVERYTHING. 

 

Kronos can just turn around, say "Hey Intel, Nvidia, lets have fun" and AMD will be left at the starting blocks as usual. 

i doubt they be pricks to ever do that as I'm sure that is illegal under anti competition and amd can see everything they do to the source code. Plus what was the other option for mantle, stay closed and not be able to be adopted.

 

I'm sure amd does get something out. Which is having their cpu sell more b/c the new api would lead to programs being less cpu bound meaning people would not need really strong cpus thus since amd is pretty strong in the lower cpu market more people will find amd cpu more attractive.

[imthewalrus]

Plot twist: Microsoft buys AMD

[Victorious Secret]

Plot twist: Microsoft buys AMD

 

Even MS isn't that stupid with their money. 

[PortentousLad]

Sounds almost to good to be true doesn't it?

[nicehat]

Giving Kronos access was the final nail. Who gives a shit about having to code for Mantle when Kronos will shove it into OpenEVERYTHING. 

 

Kronos can just turn around, say "Hey Intel, Nvidia, lets have fun" and AMD will be left at the starting blocks as usual. 

 

AMD needs this maturity to happen to sell its APUs. Now whats the best way to mature this tech? Keep it gated in? Or make it standard? nVidia has nothing to do with HSA. They will be locked out of this market, while AMD gets the jump on intel, just like they did with the 64 bit standard. That's AMDs hail mary. If it doesnt work, they are screwed. 

[Kukielka]

Good guy AMD, letting the entire industry utilise this.

Well, this is basicly what AMD is doing since they bought ATI (eg. Freesync, Crossfire)

[Victorious Secret]

AMD needs this maturity to happen to sell its APUs. Now whats the best way to mature this tech? Keep it gated in? Or make it standard? nVidia has nothing to do with HSA. They will be locked out of this market, while AMD gets the jump on intel, just like they did with the 64 bit standard. That's AMDs hail mary. If it doesnt work, they are screwed. 

 

You do realize how close MS works with Nvidia and Intel on GPU solutions, right? HSA will be in Nvidias warchest soon enough. Guess who works with Kronos? Nvidia, Intel and pretty much every heavy hitter in the industry. Kronos will let this loose soon enough and EVERY SINGLE MEMBER will get a great look at it. 

AMD isn't getting a jump on anyone. Intel has been moving towards this for ages, AMD can barely make TDP competitive chips anymore because they blew so much on overpaying for ATI. AMD made all the wrong decisions when they held the lead, and Intel isn't going to give it back to them. 

[vm'N]

Good guy AMD, letting the entire industry utilize this, including any openCL 2.0 device, Nvidia GPUs and even Intel iGPUs.

 

For once, something in computing is done right.

Implying it would have become anything if they didn't?