AMD Reveals World's First Hardware-Virtualized GPU Product Line

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 1, 2016) - AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) today revealed the world's first hardware virtualized GPU products -- AMD FirePro™ S-Series GPUs with Multiuser GPU (MxGPU) technology. AMD's ground-breaking hardware-virtualized GPU architecture delivers an innovative solution in response to emerging user experiences such as remote workstation, cloud gaming, cloud computing, and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).

In the virtualization ecosystem, key components like the CPU, network controller and storage devices are being virtualized in hardware to deliver optimal user experiences, but prior to today the GPU was not hardware virtualized. AMD MxGPU technology, for the first time, brings the modern virtualization industry standard to the GPU hardware.

What does this mean? Consistent performance and enhanced security across virtual machines. MxGPU controls GPU scheduling delivering predictable quality of service to the user.

AMD MxGPU technology, based on SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization), a PCI Express® standard:

• Delivers hardware GPU scheduling logic with high-precision quality of service to the user.
• Preserves the data integrity of Virtualized Machines (VM) and their application data through hardware-enforced memory isolation logic preventing one VM from being able to access another VM's data.
• Exposes all graphics functionality of the GPU to applications allowing for full virtualization support for not only graphics APIs like DirectX® and OpenGL but also GPU compute APIs like OpenCL™.

The new AMD FirePro™ S7150 and AMD FirePro™ S7150 x2 server graphics cards will combine with industry-leading OEM offerings to create high-performance virtual workstations and address IT needs of simple installation and operation, critical data security and outstanding performance-per-dollar. Typical VDI use cases include Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Media and Entertainment, and office applications powered by the industry's first hardware-based virtualized GPU.

"The AMD hardware virtualization GPU product line is another shining example of our commitment to offer customers exceptional cutting edge graphics in conjunction with fundamental API software support," said Sean Burke, corporate vice president and general manager, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD. "We created the innovative AMD FirePro S-series GPUs to deliver a precise, secure, high performance and enriched graphics user experience -- all provided without per user licensing fees required to use AMD's virtualized solution."