Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

After teaming with AMD, Intel poaches its graphics guru to build its own GPUs

By

Raja Koduri
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Intel is having a very interesting week. First, the company said that it teamed up with AMD to create a module for ultrathin devices consisting of its processor cores, AMD’s Radeon-branded graphics cores, and built-in video memory called HBM2. While it’s a surprising collaboration given that Intel and AMD are rivals on the processor front, they’re not mortal enemies in the discrete graphics market… at least, not yet.

Intel said on Wednesday that it’s created a new Core and Visual Computing Group to create discrete graphics processors. The head of this new division will be none other than Raja Koduri, AMD’s recently departed senior president and chief architect of the Radeon Technology Group. This just happens to be AMD’s division responsible for its graphics processors in desktops, servers, consoles, and more.

Recommended Videos

Koduri’s experience dates back to S3 Graphics in 1996. In 2001, he began serving as the director of advanced technology development at ATI Technologies, a Canadian company focused on creating discrete graphics chips. By then, the company was producing its first Radeon-branded cards and mainly competed with Nvidia in that space. AMD purchased ATI Technologies in 2006 for around $5.6 billion, and Koduri help expand AMD’s new graphics division into new markets, including all-in-one chips (APUs), workstations, servers, and gaming consoles.

Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Check your inbox!
Privacy Policy

Koduri didn’t spend all his time at AMD after the company acquired ATI Technologies. He departed in 2009 to serve as director of Apple’s graphics architecture division until March 2013. During that time, he helped established the graphics-based platform for the Mac product line that transitioned the machines to Retina displays. After that, he returned to AMD to serve as corporate vice president of visual computing, and then senior vice president and chief architect of the Radeon division.

Koduri stepped down from his position earlier this week after having launched AMD’s latest high-end Radeon-branded graphics cards based on its new “Vega” architecture. Speculation saw him shifting over to Nvidia or Intel to work on graphics-related products. He will begin his role as chief architect and senior vice president of Intel’s new discrete graphics division starting in December.

Thus, the big elephant in the room is the fact that Intel now has AMD’s former head of its Radeon division to run its own discrete graphics division. Intel already develops integrated graphics for its CPUs, but they can’t match the performance of discrete graphics chips by AMD and Nvidia. But with Koduri under its wing, Intel is set to become a third competitor in the discrete graphics market.

“Koduri will expand Intel’s leading position in integrated graphics for the PC market with high-end discrete graphics solutions for a broad range of computing segments,” Intel said.

There are a lot of questions surrounding Koduri’s new role at Intel. Building a brand since 2001 — and then competing against it — is a curious move. But his new role may be part of Intel’s deal with AMD regarding the new modules for ultrathins revealed earlier this week. A press image of Koduri provided by Intel directly links him to the modules.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
8 best AMD GPUs of all time
AMD RX 6800 graphics card.

AMD's Radeon graphics business has been sitting firmly in second place for a number of years and despite a recent resurgence in fortunes and performance, Nvidia retains a firm hold on graphics card mindshare and market dominance. But AMD hasn't always been the underdog. In fact, there have been several instances over the years where it stole pole position and captured the hearts and minds of gamers with a truly unique GPU release.

Here are some of the best AMD (and ATI) graphics cards of all time, and what made them so special.
Radeon 9700 Pro
Radeon makes a name for itself

Read more
AMD’s new tool compares its GPUs to Nvidia’s, but there’s a catch
An AMD Radeon RX 6000-Series graphics card in front of a black and red background.

AMD has just launched its new GPU Comparison Tool, which is aimed at being a quick and easy way to determine which graphics card might be best for you based on your gaming needs.

The tool gives you insight into the performance of nearly all of the best GPUs from both AMD and Nvidia. However, a closer look at the tool raises questions as to how legit it is.

Read more
AMD’s 7000-series GPUs may be its most power-hungry cards yet
An AMD RX 6000 graphics card with the Radeon branding.

Efficiency and power requirements for the upcoming Nvidia RTX 40-series and AMD Radeon 7000 ranges of GPUs have been constantly brought up in rumors surrounding these next-gen boards -- and for good reason.

Speculation surrounding the wattage amount for Nvidia’s boards (ranging from 450 watts to an unprecedented 900 watts) has justifiably raised eyebrows, while reports regarding AMD’s Radeon 7000 cards point toward a more efficient powerhouse. But even Team Red has now admitted that we will indeed see a jump in power levels for its cards as well.

Read more