Intel Could License AMD Radeon iGPU Tech for Future Processors

[btarunr]

Intel and AMD's cross-licensing arrangements could get more equitable in the future, with reports hinting at the possibility of Intel licensing AMD Radeon intellectual property to be used as Intel processors' integrated GPUs. Rumors of such a deal were first reported by HardOCP this Spring, where it stated that the two companies were negotiating a licensing agreement. Earlier this week, HardOCP editor Kyle Bennett commented on the site's forums that a licensing agreement has been reached between the two, even though Intel does not want this to be public.

Such an agreement could see AMD sharing designs of its Radeon integrated graphics processors with Intel, which will integrate it into its processor designs, and manufacture them. Whether the amalgamated graphics solution will continue to be branded "AMD Radeon" or whether it will be marketed under the Intel graphics brands, remains to be seen.



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[ixi]

For me at least it looks like Intel wants to buy AMD, anyone else?

 

[btarunr]

For me at least it looks like Intel wants to buy AMD, anyone else?

For me it looks like AMD CPU performance is just about to take a big leap.

 

[johnsushant]

I believe Intel is only interested in the Graphics department. It is very costly to get into that market. Intel can then compete with Nvidia. There is no anti competition issues if Intel only goes for AMD's graphics department.

 

[R0H1T]

Well if AMD isn't charging an arm & both legs for this it'd be a pretty dumb move, not the first one mind you, since this is the one place where Intel has forever lagged AMD & it'll potentially be a disaster IMO for their upcoming Zen APU's

For me it looks like AMD CPU performance is just about to take a big leap.

More like AMD needs all the (licensing) money they can garner.

 

[dj-electric]

Intel might ask to use the name and technology FreeSync. Here's your title

 

[ZipFreed]

If this is indeed the reasoning behind the latest licensing agreements this could be incredibly good for AMD and terrible for nVidia. If Zen truly is competitive and in 2017 and beyond we end up seeing every Zen-based APU and future Intel CPU's shipping with RTG/GCN Hardware it would be incredibly hard for software developers/engineers to ignore.

The lead nVidia currently has in GPGPU/Compute/CUDA etc space could quickly go out the window. AMD has been working hard to push back with GPU Open/OpenCL and corresponding software stacks. The consoles, plus future APU's and future Intel chips would give them something close to like 90% of the market share essentially overnight.

This could also do wonders for AMD's CPU division and sales. If every Intel chip comes with an RTG iGPU it would give AMD a massive positive mind-share improvement with your average consumer.

Something tells me this is too good to be true and the fruits of this licensing deal isn't going to result in future Core I-Series chips having RTG/GCN designs baked in.

 

[the54thvoid]

Why would AMD allow Intel to effectively destroy it's APU parts by 'giving' them RTG tech for their iGPU?
Imagine Kabylake with a better gfx performance than low level discrete. Imagine future Intel CPUS being able to compete with mid range RTG and Nvidia cards.
AMD wouldn't allow that. Likewise, Intel won't readily share IP that allows it's only chip competitor to actually take market share.
Whatever is going down it can only be for Intel's majority benefit. AMD will get cash flow and tidbits.
More likely it's a simple licence change from Nvidia to allow Intel to even work on iGPU. Starve Nvidia of some cash and give to AMD instead, keep both your competitors in your wake.

 

[IceScreamer]

I think this deal is all about patenting really, they just need a set of licensed patents so they don't get sued or something. AMD is (probably) charging cheaper for theirs than Nvidia so it seems reasonable. Not really knowledgabe about this so I might be wrong.

EDIT: What @the54thvoid said

 

[dwade]

ATI should've gone with Intel in the first place.

 

[Mussels]

intel CPU's with better IGP's would certainly shake up the laptop/budget gamer market.

 

[Assimilator]

Why would AMD allow Intel to effectively destroy it's APU parts by 'giving' them RTG tech for their iGPU?

Because AMD is historically terrible at making good financial decisions. See: buying ATI, spinning off GloFo.

 

[Xajel]

I believe it's only about IP & patents.

Any GPU maker must have a patent license with either AMD or NV as they own a huge stack of graphics IP that no body can work without.
Intel is currently licensing these graphics IP's from NV, but maybe they're thinking of moving to AMD for different reasons, maybe cheaper and maybe better integration with the CPU part maybe both also.

It's interesting to see how competing technologies from both AMD & NV will take when Intel goes for AMD way... Thing like FreeSync (vs GSunc) will be interested thought Intel does not need to license it in the first place.

 

[RejZoR]

Nothing new really, Intel has licensed PowerVR tech before for some of their GMA chips.

 

[chaosmassive]

For me at least it looks like Intel wants to buy AMD, anyone else?

Intel wont/cant buy AMD if they do, Intel will monopolize entire PC CPU and charged with anti-trust law thingy

 

[KomanderKain]

For me at least it looks like Intel wants to buy Radeon Technologies Group, anyone else?

more likely scenario

 

[qubit]

With all the speculation on here of Intel buying AMD, having something called something like an "Intel RX 500" would look kind weird, lol.

 

[Scrizz]

ATI should've gone with Intel in the first place.

This man speaks the truth. I miss ATI lol

 

[renz496]

personally i think this is no different than what nvidia and intel doing right now with their current cross licensing deal. intel have been licensing nvidia IP for years and yet their gpu did not work like nvidia gpu at all. in another forum i see one of intel graphic engineer talking about the deal with nvidia is more about letting intel develop their own gpu without illegally stepping into nvidia existing IP and not about integrating nvidia tech into their gpu.

though what kyle been suggesting is something quite different. he said it is not a simply licensing it is more like intel want the entire RTG for themselves. means no more AMD radeon. but intel radeon instead.

 

[EarthDog]

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/intel-to-license-amd-radeon-ip.228450/#post-3565758

 

[Totally]

With all the speculation on here of Intel buying AMD, having something called something like an "Intel RX 500" would look kind weird, lol.

We'd probably see something like Intel r9-4850, with k and non-k variants

 

[qubit]

We'd probably see something like Intel r9-4850, with k and non-k variants

Overclockable and non-overclockable graphics cards. I like it.

 

[Fx]

Because AMD is historically terrible at making good financial decisions. See: buying ATI, spinning off GloFo.

Actually, buying ATI was very advantageous for AMD. Unfortunately, the devil was in the price of the transaction.

 

[Camm]

This is an IP licensing agreement - a lawsuit with Nvidia locked Intel into buying licensing rights for certain GPU properties until march next year. All this is is Intel licensing from AMD rather than Nvidia. No actual physical properties are changing hands.

 

[cdawall]

This is an IP licensing agreement - a lawsuit with Nvidia locked Intel into buying licensing rights for certain GPU properties until march next year. All this is is Intel licensing from AMD rather than Nvidia. No actual physical properties are changing hands.

Yup this is yet another poorly worded news post.