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Why is it that an open cpu can be developed but not an open gpu? A GPU as I understand it is simpler than a cpu, but parallel. That to me seems like it would l
by benj111 4y ago
Why is it that an open cpu can be developed but not an open gpu?
A GPU as I understand it is simpler than a cpu, but parallel. That to me seems like it would lower barriers to entry. But that obviously isn't the case, so I must be missing something.
- hmry 4y agoFrom researching this in the past, it seems like there are many more learning resources about CPU design than GPU design. Not to mention that CPU design is often covered in college curricula while I'm not aware of any GPU design courses (though if anybody know of some, please do share)
- IshKebab 4y agoGPUs are much more complex than CPUs (at least in terms of their interface; obviously a Xeon is not simple). Plus they haven't been around as long so their entire architecture is not as stable (e.g. consider the switch away from fixed function).
- microtonal 4y agoMost of these RISC-V CPUs are not open, only the ISA. There are also GPUs that us the RISC-V instruction set: https://www.think-silicon.com/neox-graphics https://www.think-silicon.com/neox-graphics Of course, an open instruction set is also not enough to write drivers.
- zozbot234 4y agoThe V instruction set extension of RISC-V started out from efforts at creating an open alternative to GPU compute. So at least in principle, you just need something that exposes a framebuffer and everything else can be done via software rendering. This VisionFive-2 chip does not seem to implement V, but future chips likely will.