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Will Intel license AMD Radeon technology for its iGPUs?

by Mark Tyson on 7 December 2016, 10:30

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), AMD (NYSE:AMD)

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The editor of the long-running PC hardware focussed tech site HardOCP has asserted that there is a new licensing deal in place between Intel and AMD. The inked deal could mean that AMD Radeon GPU technology will be finding its way into Intel processor integrated graphics.

Commenting on a very lengthy thread (post #2440) Kyle Bennett, HardOCP MasterChef Editor, wrote the following:

"The licensing deal between AMD and Intel is signed and done for putting AMD GPU tech into Intel's iGPU."


Mr Bennett followed up that post by saying "Intel in no way wants this to be public," and wishing that he could "ethically buy and sell tech stocks". Speaking up for his own credibility, Bennet added "…in the last 20 years, I can count on one hand when what I said was true did not pan out... and I actually can't think of those 5 or less times".

Not that straight forward

The upshot of any deal might not be as simple and clear-cut as future Intel processors shipping with integrated Radeon graphics. As Forbes considers, there are a couple of alternative reasons that Intel would sign a graphics licensing deal with AMD.

First of all it is pointed out that Intel currently pays cash to Nvidia as part of a $1.5bn settlement for infringing on its graphics portfolio. The agreement expires, or is up for renewal, in March next year. If a licensing deal with AMD was more favourable it could be taken up by Intel, and the Nvidia agreement dropped, it is reasoned.

The second scenario that is considered possible is indeed some kind of licensing deal that puts Radeon graphics technology into Intel PC processors. Forbes reckons that this deal would be far more complex and mean that Intel and AMD subsidiary Radeon Technologies Group (RTG) would have to work pretty closely. Is AMD so confident about Zen that it would license out its Radeon graphics tech?

Intel is putting a lot of resources into graphics and it is clear to see that in the latest Kaby Lake processors on the market a greater area of the chip is dedicated to graphics processing than for its multiple CPU cores.

Right now the Intel / AMD Radeon deal is a very interesting rumour but details need to be fleshed out by other news/industry sources to put meat on its bones.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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First of all it is pointed out that Intel currently pays cash to Nvidia as part of a $1.5bn settlement for infringing on its graphics portfolio. The agreement expires, or is up for renewal, in March next year. If a licensing deal with AMD was more favourable it could be taken up by Intel, and the Nvidia agreement dropped, it is reasoned.

This seems far more realistic than Intel suddenly bolting a Radeon GPU into next year's Core i7, tbh. Not to mention, part of the licensing agreement could conceivably including Freesync, which I'm pretty sure is a technology Intel would love to have in their IGPs without having to do much of their own R&D - sure they could roll their own implementation, but why not take the opportunity to use a branding that's already got some traction and recognition…?
scaryjim
This seems far more realistic than Intel suddenly bolting a Radeon GPU into next year's Core i7, tbh. Not to mention, part of the licensing agreement could conceivably including Freesync, which I'm pretty sure is a technology Intel would love to have in their IGPs without having to do much of their own R&D - sure they could roll their own implementation, but why not take the opportunity to use a branding that's already got some traction and recognition…?
That alone will help drive down the price of freesycn monitor and get it to laptop as well as there petty high just 144hz and 1440p or 4k or all above.
I guess intel is tie if being the underdog in GPU side of thing after all there top dog on CPU side.
Don't Radeon already license to Qualcom? Might be that AMD wants Intel to implement some of their prefered features and is willing to cut a deal on licensing that would benefit them both. Like for example Freesync, although Adaptive Sync is free for anyone to use. Nvidia use it in laptops and just brands them as G-Sync, dispite the lack of a ‘required’ g-sync module.
All hail The return of the Radeon express integrated graphics and Hypermemory !
This is something that could help bring AMD back into the market proper.
Plus give customers somethting that is actually a decent all in one processor (can at least play games at a acceptable frame rate).
Although, it does seem a little funny to hear that AMD is joining forces with it's competition.
In the long run, if it improves things for the customers, I say bring it on!!!!