AMD Creates Quad Core Zen SoC with 24 Vega CUs for Chinese Consoles
AMD has cornered the x86 console market with its handy semi-custom mix of processors and graphics. While we slowly await the next generation of consoles from Microsoft and Sony, today AMD and Zhongshan Subor announced that a custom chip has been made for a new gaming PC and an upcoming console for the Chinese market.
The announcement states that a custom chip has been created for Subor that is based on four Zen cores running at 3.0 GHz and 24 compute units of Vega running at 1.3 GHz. The chip is supported by 8GB of GDDR5 memory, which the press release states is also embedded onto the chip, however it is likely to actually be on the package instead. Compare this to the specifications of AMD's current SoC designs, such as the Ryzen 5 2400G, which has four Zen cores and 11 Vega CUs. Or Intel's multi-chip design featuring four Intel cores and an AMD-based 24 compute unit GPU paired with 4GB of HBM2 memory. There is also AMD's Vega Mobile chip, which is expected to be in the 24-32 compute unit range, however this is also paired with 4GB of HBM2.
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Intel's Customized SoC for HP: Amber Lake-Y with On-Package LTE Modem
Announced earlier this week, HP's Spectre Folio convertible notebook already looks remarkable due to its leather exterior. As it appears, the system is as impressive inside as it is on the outside, as it incorporates a custom Intel's Amber Lake-Y multi-chip-module that features an LTE modem.
According to a report from PC World, the internal design of the Spectre Folio PC convertible notebook was co-developed by HP and Intel engineers under Intel's Innovation Excellence Program, which is aimed at enabling PC makers to bring state-of-the-art designs to the market. The product uses a tiny, jointly-designed motherboard that measures only 12,000 mm2 and is based around a unique multi-chip module that carries Intel's Amber Lake-Y SoC, a PCH (platform controller hub), and Intel's Intel XMM 7560 LTE Advanced Pro Cat16/Cat 13 modem.
[...] Intel is not new to selling complete platforms comprised of a CPU, a chipset, and a communication module. Back in 2000s the company made a fortune selling its Centrino-branded sets containing the aforementioned elements. By selling multiple chips at once, Intel naturally increases its revenue, whereas system vendors ensure compatibility. Therefore, platform-level integration is a win-win for all parties. With that said, this is the first time we've seen Intel put a CPU, a PCH, and a cellular modem onto one multi-chip-module in this fashion. So this may be the start of a trend for the company.
Related: Apple Could Switch From Qualcomm to Intel and MediaTek for Modems
Intel Announces Development of 5G Modems (Due in 2019)
AMD Creates Quad-Core Zen SoC for Chinese Console Maker
ARM Aims to Match Intel 15-Watt Laptop CPU Performance
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 05 2018, @12:52AM
Best press release I've read all day.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 05 2018, @01:14AM (1 child)
Now the old polystation is getting uplifted, put some good ripoff titles and wait for it to appear on aliexpress.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Sunday August 05 2018, @03:09AM
It's an x86 "gaming PC". Maybe they will ship it with a few cracked titles?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 05 2018, @09:28AM (3 children)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2018-meet-the-chinese-console-thats-like-ps4-pro-with-ryzen-cpu [eurogamer.net]
I guess it's a precursor to where the x86 is headed considering printing your own board and power circuitry and dropping the expansion slots is quite cheap and with all the new exploit discoveries coming out you just can't use an x86 to safely run arbitrary code anymore.
I say, good riddance.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 05 2018, @05:29PM
Both the XbOne and PS4 are AMD x86 based already...
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Sunday August 05 2018, @10:56PM (1 child)
I have one of these [nicegear.nz]running pfSense as my firewall/router/ etc and it works really well.
The system described in TFA would be massive overkill for that, but in a few years when I need a new one, why not?
(Score: 2) by jasassin on Sunday August 05 2018, @11:41PM
Does it use HDMI?
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