AMD is boasting about its Fusion concept where it has combined x86-based CPU cores with a powerful graphics processor in a convenient package. That it is targeting a bigger market with Fusion is no secret and from previously talking about tablets and smartphones it now opens the doors for video game consoles.
AMD’s Neal Robison was interviewed by X-bit Labs on how Fusion with its broad functionality and high performance would be perfect for the next generation video game consoles. AMD has through its graphics division ATI made GPUs for both Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360, but in the future the company believes to have the entire circuit solution.
– I think a Fusion-based system makes a huge amount of sense for next-generation consoles. If you are looking at a system that can provide a great deal of horsepower, the Fusion architecture certainly makes sense. With the processing power on its CPU in addition to just general graphics performance, I think it is really interesting because it gives a bit of headroom, säger Neal Robison, content and application support at AMD
The major advantages of the Fusion architecture, according to Neal Robison, is that it can be scaled up and down, which makes it mature for so many platforms. This means AMD can use Fusion as a system processor (SoC) with both integrated stream processors for graphics, and a coupled dedicated GPU.
Xbox 360 Slim houses a PowerPC CPU and ATI GPU in a single circuit
Even if AMD doesn’t have any concrete plans for a Fusion based video game console it shows with emphasis that the regular PC market simply isn’t big enough for all of the potential that is found in Fusion.
Source: X-bit Labs
