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AMD Rolls Out Hardware-Based GPU Virtualization: Multiuser GPU

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  • AMD Rolls Out Hardware-Based GPU Virtualization: Multiuser GPU

    Phoronix: AMD Rolls Out Hardware-Based GPU Virtualization: Multiuser GPU

    After NVIDIA announced GRID 2.0, AMD has used VMworld 2015 to launch "the world's first hardware-based GPU virtualization solution, the AMD Multiuser GPU."..

    Phoronix, Linux Hardware Reviews, Linux hardware benchmarks, Linux server benchmarks, Linux benchmarking, Desktop Linux, Linux performance, Open Source graphics, Linux How To, Ubuntu benchmarks, Ubuntu hardware, Phoronix Test Suite

  • #2
    "AMD Multiuser GPU allows "up to 15 users on a single AMD GPU...each user is provided with the virtualized performance to design, create and execute their workflows without any one user tying up the entire GPU." "

    I love marketing. They can take a flat-out disadvantage and make it seem like a good thing.

    What AMD just said there is this: To use this virtualization, you have to statically allocate resources to the users ahead of time and the resources can't change dynamically. Want 15 users? Each user gets 1/15th of the GPU hardware period. If 14 of the 15 users are just at an empty desktop and aren't doing anything with the GPU? Sorry user 15, you still only get 1/15th of the GPU!

    If Linux handled CPU or I/O resources in this manner then nobody would use it, but now all of the sudden it's considered a "feature" thanks to marketing.

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    • #3
      That's not at all what it said. In fact it doesn't say anything at all about process scheduling or resource allocation.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by chuckula View Post
        What AMD just said there is this: To use this virtualization, you have to statically allocate resources to the users ahead of time and the resources can't change dynamically. Want 15 users? Each user gets 1/15th of the GPU hardware period. If 14 of the 15 users are just at an empty desktop and aren't doing anything with the GPU? Sorry user 15, you still only get 1/15th of the GPU!
        And you know this because...? The quote you mentioned doesn't explicitly state how it's done. When you pass 2 CPU cores and 4GB of RAM to a virtual machine, the guest doesn't take up 100% of those resources. In other words, other guests and the host can still have access to those resources if they aren't wholly utilized. As far as we know, this GPU multiuser configuration might not be any different. So unless you elaborate, don't jump to conclusions and spew needless FUD.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by chuckula View Post
          "AMD Multiuser GPU allows "up to 15 users on a single AMD GPU...each user is provided with the virtualized performance to design, create and execute their workflows without any one user tying up the entire GPU." "

          I love marketing. They can take a flat-out disadvantage and make it seem like a good thing.

          What AMD just said there is this: To use this virtualization, you have to statically allocate resources to the users ahead of time and the resources can't change dynamically. Want 15 users? Each user gets 1/15th of the GPU hardware period. If 14 of the 15 users are just at an empty desktop and aren't doing anything with the GPU? Sorry user 15, you still only get 1/15th of the GPU!

          If Linux handled CPU or I/O resources in this manner then nobody would use it, but now all of the sudden it's considered a "feature" thanks to marketing.

          It's considered feature cause its sometimes very good thing. Also when one have so many users You switch user to first available GPU, and when they idle You log them out. Simple as that and would work in "desktop + firefox + libreoffice" solution.

          For gaming that is not even a problem! As load will always be high or none.

          Full multiuser support would be even better, but claiming that this thing is unsuable...

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          • #6


            PDF Sheet: http://www.amd.com/Documents/Multius...-Datasheet.pdf

            Seems rather obvious they have the advantage over Nvidia.

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            • #7
              So... No vulkan nor Linux support announced? (At least for now).
              That's a bit sad.
              Otoh, could we use dx 12 games with a vm on Linux at full gpu efficiency? Is it something this technology could allow?

              Edit : Could be useful for streamed games providers, though.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Marc Driftmeyer View Post

                You know what Nvidia has with GRID 2.0?

                Linux support.

                Seems rather obvious Nvidia has the advantage over AMD.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by chuckula View Post
                  You know what Nvidia has with GRID 2.0?
                  Linux support.
                  Seems rather obvious Nvidia has the advantage over AMD.
                  You know what AMD have over Nvidia? Open drivers and support for then.

                  That is for me the AMD biggest advantage. Having that, all rest will catch up.

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                  • #10
                    I would like a small form factor Steam machine in the living room to Stream / virtualize a desktop on another room, with this it might be possible?
                    Would be a good selling point for SMs to justify the higher price and would not tie it up to just 1 role.

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