GPU-Switching Technology Patented By Sony

**Bigdoggy** · 12-28-2012

http://segmentnext.com/2012/12/21/ps...ented-by-sony/

It’s good to finally read something about Sony’s next-generation console. For a while now we’ve been hearing reports or rumors for Microsoft’s new device. This proved to be a good change.
A user on NeoGAF has spotted a recent patent filed by Sony for “Dynamic Context Switching Between Architecturally Distinct GPUs.”
The general abstract of the patent reads:

Graphics processing in a computer graphics apparatus having architecturally dissimilar first and second graphics processing units (GPU) is disclosed. Graphics input is produced in a format having an architecture-neutral display list. One or more instructions in the architecture neutral display list are translated into GPU instructions in an architecture specific format for an active GPU of the first and second GPU.

Sony’s new patent suggests that the PS4 will have two distinct GPUs which will work in harmony, allowing the system to balance the load while processing games with powerful graphical content.
In simpler words, the technology will switch between each GPU when demanded. In practice it would switch to let’s say the first GPU for low-power consumption, that is for normal content; but will tag in the more powerful dedicated GPU for demanding content.

In my opinion this is pretty interesting.

**daLa** · 12-28-2012

Wouldn't that leave us with one GPU for gaming only? and it has a dual GPU, my guess the GPU left for gaming will not be that powerful. But that's just what I'm thinking.

**PS3!!!!!** · 12-29-2012

Well you could end up with 2 mid ranged gpu's and the second will be called upon when needed.. instead of having a more expensive single high end gpu that would actually be slower when compared to the two

**MATRIX 2** · 12-29-2012

This is kind of pointless. makes sense for laptops which run off batteries and have finite runtimes. Not so for something plugged into the wall.

**Cybertox** · 12-29-2012

This feature is so useless for desktops and consoles.

**Canine99** · 12-29-2012

Perhaps a 7660D or similar inside an APU, crossfired with a higher end (maybe 88xx) discrete GPU?

**MonkeyClaw** · 12-29-2012

Originally Posted by MATRIX 2

This is kind of pointless. makes sense for laptops which run off batteries and have finite runtimes. Not so for something plugged into the wall.

Not true...if they have a lower powered GPU it would produce less heat which would require less cooling and product less noise...ever have a first gen PS3 fan ramp up to full speed in the middle of a blu-ray movie? I have, and it sucks! I also don't see why both couldn't work in tandem on bigger games, using the lower powered one for physics while the faster GPU takes care of other stuff, but those are just my thoughts...

**BoyBettaKnow** · 12-29-2012

Originally Posted by MATRIX 2

This is kind of pointless. makes sense for laptops which run off batteries and have finite runtimes. Not so for something plugged into the wall.

My exact thoughts. I don't see the point in it but maybe (most likely) Sony know why it is needed.

**MATRIX 2** · 12-29-2012

Originally Posted by MonkeyClaw

Not true...if they have a lower powered GPU it would produce less heat which would require less cooling and product less noise...ever have a first gen PS3 fan ramp up to full speed in the middle of a blu-ray movie? I have, and it sucks! I also don't see why both couldn't work in tandem on bigger games, using the lower powered one for physics while the faster GPU takes care of other stuff, but those are just my thoughts...

That would be the case by default due to advancements in GPU design and manufacture.

**keefy** · 12-29-2012

There is soemthing similar already isnt there? but didnt seem to work well.
I hear of people only getting 15FPS in some games yet their GPU is more than capabale of 60FPS and it turns out the softwre/BIOS or whatever didn't switch to the "gaming" GPU automatically and instead run the game on the Intel chip on the CPU.

**rbrtchng** · 12-29-2012

I find the "architecture neutral" list more interesting than the idea of having 2 GPUs. Perhaps makes porting easier and coding in general easier.

**Cybertox** · 12-29-2012

Originally Posted by keefy

There is soemthing similar already isnt there? but didnt seem to work well.
I hear of people only getting 15FPS in some games yet their GPU is more than capabale of 60FPS and it turns out the softwre/BIOS or whatever didn't switch to the "gaming" GPU automatically and instead run the game on the Intel chip on the CPU.

This is the issue which i experience a lot with my x51 and it pisses me really off. Sometimes the game launches with the integrated intel gpu and not the gtx 555 which is the main gpu, if that happens i have to change manually using the configurator to launch that certain application with the nvidia gtx555.