At Fusion 2011, AMD demonstrated its next generation graphics processor, based on the 28nm process technology. The demonstration was delivered by Matt Skynner, the head of AMD’s graphics unit, as part of his keynote titled, “Enabling the Best Visual Experience.” Skynner demonstrated a notebook-based version of AMD’s 28 nm next-generation graphics processor delivering “a smooth, high-resolution game experience” while playing Bioware’s popular role-playing title, Dragon Age 2, the game that was demonstrated earlier this week at the smartphone Apple iPhone 4S presentation.
“AMD strives to be at the forefront of every key inflection point in graphics technology,as demonstrated by our leadership in everything from process node transitions, to adoption of the latest graphics memory. Our pace-setting transition to the 28nm process node, coupled with new innovations in our underlying graphics architecture, is already generating excitement among the ODM community here in Taipei this week,” said Mr. Skinner.
The main reason why AMD essentially pre-announces its 28nm GPUs is because it wants to secure contracts for notebooks coming in sometimes in Q1, or most probably Q2, of 2012. We do not know AMD’s performance in securing BTS [back to school] contracts, hence, the actuial success remains to be determined by analysts like Jon Peddie.
The company remained tight-lipped about specifications and architectural peculiarities of the demonstrated Southern Islands graphics processor. Everything that is known at present is that the company's 28nm GPUs are already fully functional and the company is ready to formally introduce them.
The 28nm generation of AMD's graphics processors will be rather broad. In fact, it is rumoured that even within Southern Islands family there will be chips with VLIW4 architecture as well as more progressive so-called GCN (graphics core next) architecture.
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