Transmeta's code-morphing technology was a very neat idea and ahead of its time. I think Nvidia is positioned better today to make this technology fly. With Nvidia adopting/developing the code-morphing technology, we will probably see dynamically scaling virtualized CPU cores in a massively parallel GPU architecture. I am excited.
This would be interesting to see. As mentioned in the article, Transmeta's underlying processor just didn't have the horsepower to keep up. With the massive computational loads these new GPUs are capable of towing, I think they'd have a much better shot at it.
Nvidia seems to have ambitious plans for an all-Nvidia computing platform with Fermi and beyond. While AMD and Intel are planning to include the GPU functionality in the CPU, Nvidia seems to take the other approach by adding CPU functionality in GPU. Which makes sense since Nvidia is the only one without the X86 license. I like Nvidia's approach (if the rumors are true) more.
I don't think nVidia would be able to keep up using what is essentially software emulation ( to my understanding ) without at least SOME modification of the OS.
I am excited, however, to see more competition in the CPU market.
He continued: â€We believe that Nvidia has hired former Transmeta staff extensively, and that instruction code ‘morphing’ requirements have declined as more x86 instructions have come off of patent coverage.â€
Kinda explains why Intel and nvidia have been at odds these past couple of years. I know people would chalk it up to intel wanting more money for their chipsets licensing, but you have to wonder if it was just ruse to hold nvidia back.
I'd never even heard of Transmeta processors. Didn't know they were an alternative in the x86 market.
They never really took off, due to the aforementioned performance problems. Transmeta was started by Paul Allen (formerly of Microsoft), and had Linus Torvalds on the payroll for quite some time, as well.
Thrax
🐌Austin, TX Icrontian
Comments
I am excited, however, to see more competition in the CPU market.
Kinda explains why Intel and nvidia have been at odds these past couple of years. I know people would chalk it up to intel wanting more money for their chipsets licensing, but you have to wonder if it was just ruse to hold nvidia back.
They never really took off, due to the aforementioned performance problems. Transmeta was started by Paul Allen (formerly of Microsoft), and had Linus Torvalds on the payroll for quite some time, as well.