Apple’s next major improvement to its operating system OS X will be primarily under the hood, delivering massive performance boosts, code refinement and overall architecture stability. Delivering on the promise Apple has made for Snow Leopard, InformationWeek points us to three new patents filed by Apple, revolving around the core technology being used in Snow Leopard.
One patent titled “Data Parallel Computing On Multiple Processors,” breaks down methods for allocating processing tasks/consumption across CPUs and GPUs.
Traditionally, GPUs and CPUs are configured through separate programming environments not compatible with each other. Most GPUs require dedicated programs, which are vendor specific. As a result, it is very difficult for an application to leverage both CPUs and GPUs for processing resources, such as GPUs with data parallel computing capabilities together with multicore CPUs.
Although all of Appe’s computers have gradually been moved to Mult-Core processors over the past few years, very little software is able to take advantage of such high level computing power. Arn at MacRumors also points out that most of Apple’s computers ship with advanced GPUs for enhanced graphics, and these special processors can also be tapped into.
Similarly, recent information has proven that Apple’s new notebooks can in fact switch between their dual GPUs on the fly, without requiring a logout. However, this would require a driver update from Apple.
We can begin to see a trend forming. With such major core technology enhancements expected from Snow Leopard, new hardware and advanced setups will be required to experience the enhanced power. Apple is attempting to prep as many of its machines as it can, with as much as support as possible before releasing Snow Leopard.
Readers can download the entire document in PDF format.
[via MacRumors]
