AMD and Havok Demo OpenCL
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At this month’s GDC AMD and Havok teamed up to show off the latest advances in their development of OpenCL, a new programming language that will allow physics processing to swap from the CPU to GPU on the fly.
The concept behind OpenCL is simple; it’s a system that will allow the load from physics processing to shift from different pieces of hardware on the fly. For example, if a gamer has a high end GPU but a slower processor, OpenCL can detect this and move a bulk (if not all) of the physics processing to the GPU, alleviating some of the stress from the CPU. And this system works vice versa, for slower GPUs but high end CPUs.
What’s even better is that OpenCL will work across all platforms. While PhysX currently only works with Nvidia GPU’s, OpenCL will work with AMD and Intel processors, as well as Nvidia and ATI GPUs. So, no more concerns about compatibility!
Sadly, at GDC the demo that was on display was only on an individual piece of hardware, the switch between CPU to GPU wasn’t shown. AMD was clear to state that their demo was only a proof-of-concept, and that the development process is still ongoing.
Image Credit: Havok Destruction Demo
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wh3resmycar
March 31, 2009 at 9:22am
its not nvidia that you should be worried about.
opencl = open standard (HAL)
havok = intel owned.
dumbasses.
gatorXXX
March 31, 2009 at 11:56am
Your just pissed off that your new shiney Nvidia GPU isn't going to have sole proprietary physics any more. I hate Intel as well and never will I buy an intel system. But who cares! My AMD/ATI system at least will have physics.
Dick licker.
digital demon
March 30, 2009 at 7:17pm
Letting it shift between CPU and GPU on the fly is a great idea.
I'm an NVIDIA supporter and think hardware physics has a bright future, but closed APIs like PhysX and CUDA don't do anything to help the concept move forward.
QUINTIX256
March 30, 2009 at 5:30pm
You must admit that nVidia has had physics running in games well before AMD. But then again I do recall an article about having two cards in crossfire + a third for physics during the R500 days.
You can have your recession. I'm not participating.
sasquatch42
March 30, 2009 at 4:27pm
Physics for the masses
not just those drinking green koolaid
go AMD
gatorXXX
March 30, 2009 at 4:25pm
Yeah, I know. It's the only thing I don't like about it, but what can we do? Let's stage a massive sit in protest!
gatorXXX
March 30, 2009 at 3:21pm
Once again! AMD will reak HAVOK on it's lowlife competitors and shall wear the crown again!!!!
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