AMD unveils fusion chips Ontario, Zacate

HYDERABAD, INDIA: The India team of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has designed and developed its latest fusion chip 'Ontario' - combining a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) in one chip and at least three times more powerful and economical compared to its competitors, company officials said Friday.

AMD India managing director and corporate vice president Dasaratha R. Gude told reporters the research and development team in Hyderabad produced the chip after working hard for two years.

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"It has put India on the global map with product development capability that involved design and development of product from drawing board to mother board," he said.

While shipping began recently, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will roll out their products powered by Ontario beginning January 2011.

Ontario will power netbooks/tablets, small form factor desktops and devices, while Zacate, another version of Ontario, will be tucked in to energize the ultra-thin mainstream and value notebooks, desktops and all-in-ones.

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The 90-member team that developed the fusion chip include Gude, project director Ajay Naini, chief engineer Michael Goddard and design manager Srini Gutta.

According to Naini, the estimated total available market for products of this ilk is 100 million units a year to power multiple consumer gadgets. The annualised market size is pegged at $30-40 billion.

AMD India plays a significant role in the design of microprocessors, Fusion SoCs (system on chips), graphics and media solutions.