Of course that now the only solution might come from the new AMD-ATI company because they have the capabilities and the know-how. And NVIDIA, as a clever child sees the value in such a solution.

This discussion came up when the head of NVIDIA, Jen-Hsun Huang, was asked what he thinks about the egarding plans by combined AMD-ATI company (named Torrenza) as well as of Intel Corp. to release chips that converge central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) for certain markets. They said that such a solution is excelent for some segment, but they will continue to create powerful GPUs.

“In some segments, we could imagine GPUs integrating with CPUs, or CPUs integrating with GPUs. But we’ll approach those segments as it makes sense. Because often times it’s not necessarily one CPU. It could be x86. It could be ASICs, it could be PowerPC. It could be Cell. It could be ARM. It could be something else,” said Nvidia’s chief executive and president Jen-Hsun Huang.

“The reason why the GPU has been separated from the CPU historically is because the two work off of completely different rhythms. And because of the different segmentations and the velocity of innovation, and all of those things, the GPU continues to be a standalone device for the segments in the marketplace that we serve. Our job isn’t really to worry about which is going to integrate which; our job is to make the GPU valuable,” said Mr. Huang.

Microprocessors integrating graphics capabilities and features of core-logic sets may provide companies like AMD and Intel an opportunity to target yet untapped markets with cost-effective, yet more-or-less powerful computers. Presently only AMD and Intel have competitive x86 processors, the chips that power the absolute majority of personal computers in the world.

At this time, Intel didn’t officially announced roadmaps for converged CPU-GPU devices, which may be an indicator that such chips are planned for distant future only. Still, the fact that even Nvidia’s chief executive talks about such products, means that the idea makes some general sense.

We will see what will come up with AMD’s Torrenza and when such a chip will see the light of day.