AMD Announces OpenCL SDK for x86 Processors
GPGPU computing has been a frequent subject of tech chatter, the latest of which involves AMD’s release of the first OpenCL SDK for x86 CPUs. What this does is enable developers to take OpenCL code that would normally be written for GPUs and target CPUs instead.
GPGPU computing, which offsets tasks from the CPU to the GPU, offers a range of benefits, including the potential for much faster video encoding and less time waiting for effects to be applied in supported applications like Photoshop CS4. But is there much use for AMD’s “backwards” concept?
“The beta will help programmers more easily develop parallel software programs and take further advantage of multicore x86 CPUs to accelearate software and deliver a better computing experience,” AMD states.
According to Arstechnica, until AMD’s SDK is able to target GPUs, debugging will remain the primary use.
