X-Silicon has developed a RISC-V processor that combines CPU capabilities with GPU and vector acceleration in an open source package.

X-Silicon proposed an open chip. The C/GPU chip combines a RISC-V CPU with GPU acceleration. The design does not contain different cores on one chip like Intel, AMD or Qualcomm, but a new core type with the strengths of both.

The start-up merges both types of computing cores and links memory. The result is a single processor aimed at low-power workloads that can be both classic and AI-related. The chip swallows a stream of RISC-V instructions and processes them optimally. This ensures efficient memory usage without the challenges that come with combining CPU cores and GPU cores.

Customizable design

If desired, the C/GPU cores work together in a multicore chip. Manufacturers can use X-Silicon’s designs to develop a processor tailored to their needs in terms of processing power and TDP. Thanks to the RISC-V foundation, anyone can build on X-Silicon’s work without incurring licensing costs.

It is unclear whether this versatile chip will work well in practice. Developers could develop software as early as this year. Can do a lot of things, but not good at anything, so the saying goes. It remains to be seen whether this all-rounder will also have an impact on the chip landscape.