ATI Stream could be doing so much more. In the next couple years we are going to see some really interesting developments that leverage the processing power of the GPU in ways we could have never imagined. My hope is that OpenCL will draw more developers to leverage the GPU's power.
ATI Stream has been slow to make a splash where CUDA has been doing for GPU Processing, but I think we'll really see Stream take off when the Fusion architecture shows up.
I think this is the First big update in about a year for ATI Stream SDK. Still lacking in features compared to CUDA 3.0. If ATI really wants STREAM to gain some use they will need to work with Software vendors Like Adobe; Nvidia did and now Adobe CS5's Mercury playback engine is a CUDA only solution, Which Speaks a lot about the development status of ATI Stream.
Just look at Nvidia's CUDA website and compare it to ATI's Stream website and you can see the differences in development. Additionally look at the number of application plugins developed for CUDA vs what's available for ATI Stream, CUDA has a significant and growing market; Where ATI Stream still hasn't really got a footing in the market.
If ATI Doesn't Quickly bring a viable solution to market That can compete with CUDA, ATI Stream will end up with a limited market share and a dieing product line.
Stream isn't as robust as CUDA simply because CUDA has been out the gate and taking names for much longer. Give it time, AMD is pushing for it.
With AMD launching a massive full spectrum update to their full FirePro line, besting Quadro by a ridiculous margin, they're getting set up to really deliver with Stream with these new GPUs in place. And like I said, when Fusion rolls out, that'll work wonders for ATI Stream.
AMD is working with vendors, from what I've been told. To me, it seems that AMD has focused on rolling out next gen hardware first that focuses on what its supposed to do - graphics, then the next step is pushing for GPU Compute. NVIDIA has pushed for GPU Compute for awhile now, but they've missed the bus for next gen hardware, ESPECIALLY in workstation.
Fermi is also super CUDA centric, which is great, but also feels like they lost some focus on what a gaming GPU is meant to do.
CUDA is obviously kicking butt, and it'll continue to do so, but even now the amount of work CUDA can do for GPU Compute is rather small. Adobe Mercury Playback is the only real heavy hitter out there right now. It's still an emerging platform, and its going to grow for everyone involved in the next few years.
UPSLynx
:KAPPA:Redwood City, CA Icrontian
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Just look at Nvidia's CUDA website and compare it to ATI's Stream website and you can see the differences in development. Additionally look at the number of application plugins developed for CUDA vs what's available for ATI Stream, CUDA has a significant and growing market; Where ATI Stream still hasn't really got a footing in the market.
If ATI Doesn't Quickly bring a viable solution to market That can compete with CUDA, ATI Stream will end up with a limited market share and a dieing product line.
With AMD launching a massive full spectrum update to their full FirePro line, besting Quadro by a ridiculous margin, they're getting set up to really deliver with Stream with these new GPUs in place. And like I said, when Fusion rolls out, that'll work wonders for ATI Stream.
AMD is working with vendors, from what I've been told. To me, it seems that AMD has focused on rolling out next gen hardware first that focuses on what its supposed to do - graphics, then the next step is pushing for GPU Compute. NVIDIA has pushed for GPU Compute for awhile now, but they've missed the bus for next gen hardware, ESPECIALLY in workstation.
Fermi is also super CUDA centric, which is great, but also feels like they lost some focus on what a gaming GPU is meant to do.
CUDA is obviously kicking butt, and it'll continue to do so, but even now the amount of work CUDA can do for GPU Compute is rather small. Adobe Mercury Playback is the only real heavy hitter out there right now. It's still an emerging platform, and its going to grow for everyone involved in the next few years.