ARM boosts graphics performance with 64bit T658 GPU multicore design
The core has two sub-units, each with four shaders and a dedicated memory management unit and configurable 32Kbyte-256Kbyte L2 cache. This boosts the performance four times over the current Mali-T604 GPU, enabling a raft of new uses outside of traditional graphics processing, including computational photography, image-processing and augmented reality.
“Following the recent introduction of big.LITTLE processing and the ARMv8 architecture, the launch of Mali-T658 is another example of how ARM is seeking to redefine heterogeneous computing for the embedded space,” said Jon Peddie, President of specialist graphics research consultancy, Jon Peddie Research. “This will provide high-performance graphics and compute systems for low-power applications.”
ARM sees this core enabling an immersive visual computing experience on a range of ‘always on, always connected’ consumer devices. These include high-performance, energy-sensitive superphones, smartphones and tablets, as well as smart-TVs and automotive infotainment solutions. The core is also scalable to eight instantiations, giving 64 shader units, and by doubling of the number of arithmetic pipelines within each of these cores. It is also compatible with the ARMv8 64bit architecture.
“ARM is in a unique position to integrate CPU, GPU and interconnect technology into optimized, coherent systems, and by doing so improve performance and enable more efficient data sharing,” said Rock Yang, VP Marketing at Chinese chip developer Nufront. “This will allow partners, such as Beijing Nufront, to make the most of the leading capabilities of each system component and maximize throughput in ARM technology-based compute sub-systems.”
The core supports the common graphics and compute APIs, including Microsoft DirectX 11, Khronos OpenGL ES, OpenVG, Khronos OpenCL, Google Renderscript and Microsoft DirectCompute.
It has also been designed to work seamlessly with the ARM Cortex-A15 and Cortex-A7 processors either in standalone modes or in big.LITTLE processing mode through an autonomous Mali Job Manager.
“Next generation consumer devices based on the Mali-T658 GPU will address the growing user expectation for slick user interfaces and desktop-class graphics,” said Pete Hutton, general manager, Media Processing Division at ARM. “Intuitive user interfaces will mean that consumers can access the full functionality of their connected devices, for richer user experiences. This includes HD gaming and new compute-intensive applications, such as augmented reality.
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