Will hardware-based virtualized GPU cards shrink the market?
The new card allows IT pros to configure these solutions to allow up to 15 users on a single AMD GPU.
"When these AMD GPUs are appropriately configured to the needs of an organization, end users get the same access to the GPU no matter their workload. Each user is provided with the virtualized performance to design, create and execute their workflows without any one user tying up the entire GPU", explains Sean Burke, AMD corporate vice president and general manager, Professional Graphics in a company statement.
Built around industry standard SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) technology, the AMD Multiuser GPU continues AMD’s embracement of non-proprietary open standards. SR-IOV is a specification developed by the PCI SIG, and provides a standardized way for devices to expose hardware virtualization.
The AMD Multiuser GPU is said to addresses limitations of current virtualized GPU solutions that may not provide predictable performance for CAD/CAE, Media and Entertainment, and general enterprise GPU needs.
Created for GPU-accelerated workflows such as GPU compute and OpenCL™, the card is designed to overcome the limitations of software-based virtualization such as reduced end-user performance. Users have access to native AMD display drivers for OpenGL, DirectX™ and OpenCL acceleration, enabling work without restrictions.
In a shared GPU model, every employee still feels like they have their own PC, but in fact all of the applications and processing hardware are centrally located in the data center. The employees are actually working on a virtual machine that they access via a compatible thin or zero client.
Now, assuming that a virtualized environment offers on-the-fly compute power optimization adaptable to ongoing use cases, then pushing many individual graphics-capable PCs to thin clients revolving around AMD Multiuser GPU cards, only hosting a few GPU chips each, will certainly accelerate the overall GPU market shrink, if such virtualization is to become a trend.
Will the premium paid for IT-level GPU cards versus gaming and PC GPUs compensate for the shrink?
AMD’s future will tell.
Learn more about the AMD Multiuser GPU
Visit AMD at www.amd.com
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