AMD could follow Intel and switch to hybrid CPUs

Date:
Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:55:06 +0000

Description:
New clues spotted in AMD patches, backing up previous rumors of a switch to hybrid tech.

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AMD could be planning on bringing in hybrid processors chips that mix different types of cores in the same vein as Intels Alder Lake or thats the suggestion prompted by recently unearthed clues.

The possibility of AMD taking this direction is not a new development well come back to that but the latest from the grapevine was spotted by Phoronix.com , and consists of changes wrapped up in updates to the SMCA (Scalable Machine Check Architecture) driver code for future AMD CPUs.

The patches applied add new SMCA bank types (and error descriptions), and
also make layout changes, noting that: Future AMD systems will have different bank type layouts between logical CPUs. So having a single system-wide cache of the layout wont be correct.... Future AMD systems will lay out MCA bank types such that the type of bank number may be different across CPUs.

While this is obviously pretty technical stuff, all you really need to know
is that these changes could make some sense in terms of AMD paving the way
for a hybrid architecture, with the fresh tinkering being put in place to
help deal with the mix of cores (big and little, or performance and power-efficient) used with hybrid CPUs.

The broad idea of a hybrid CPU is to use the efficiency cores when idling (or for undemanding tasks), and keep power consumption to a minimum which is
great for laptops and battery longevity but the efficiency cores can also make a contribution to overall performance levels when needed, making them useful in desktops PCs as well. Analysis: Patently obvious that AMD needs a reply to Intels hybrid success?

Its far from certain that these SMCA configuration and layout changes are related to work on AMDs transition to hybrid tech for Ryzen CPUs . We dont know that, and this is all guesswork ultimately AMD doesnt give any
reasoning behind the changes in its patch explanation.

However, it is a possibility, and as mentioned at the outset, weve now heard
a few nuggets from the rumor mill suggesting that this is the course AMD has set. That includes patents from AMD for using two types of cores in a processor, and speculation about Zen 5 APUs which could go hybrid and might arrive in 2024.

Previously, AMD has thrown cold water on the idea of adopting hybrid tech, or rather, the speed at which Intel has gone for the mix of performance and efficiency cores. So, while its something of a waiting game to see when Team Red might make its move, it seems likely that such a shift wont be too far
off particularly seeing as Alder Lake has been very well-received on the whole in its initial desktop incarnation. Intel vs AMD : which is best?

Via PC Gamer



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/amd-could-follow-intel-and-switch-to-hybrid-cpu s/


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