Built-in Graphics Controller CPU Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of graphics functions into a chipset for personal computers, which shares display processing with an external graphics card, becomes unnecessary due to the improved performance of external graphics processors, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and processing burdens on the CPU.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a built-in graphics controller that performs display control and instructs the graphics controller to execute non-display processing tasks, such as transcode processing, when an external graphics controller is mounted, thereby reducing the CPU's workload and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the graphics function of the GMCH is stopped when a graphics card is added, then display processing conflicts are prevented, but the built-in graphics controller cannot contribute to system processing and CPU burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The built-in graphics controller is assigned multiple functions: it continues to handle display control while also performing non-display graphic processing tasks such as video decoding and image processing. This multi-functionality allows the GMCH to contribute to overall system processing even when an external graphics card is installed, reducing CPU burden without causing display conflicts
Solution Approach 2:
The processing tasks are divided into two categories: display control functions remain with the built-in graphics controller for stability, while non-display graphic processing tasks are also assigned to it to utilize available resources. This segmentation allows the system to maintain display stability while improving overall processing efficiency through parallel task execution
2Productivity
If the built-in graphics controller is used for both display control and non-display processing, then resource utilization improves, but processing priority and timing conflicts may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating mode of the built-in graphics controller based on real-time conditions. When display processing is not the primary task, the GMCH can handle non-display graphic processing; when display performance is critical, it prioritizes display control. This dynamic switching resolves conflicts through adaptive resource allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The CPU acts as an intermediary that coordinates between display processing requirements and non-display graphic processing tasks. It manages the built-in graphics controller's task queue, prioritizes operations, and resolves timing conflicts, thereby simplifying the control complexity while maintaining high resource utilization
Data Source
AI summary
In an information processing apparatus (1) according to the invention, a GMCH (13) is connected to a CPU (11) through a CPU bus (12), and an ICH (15) is connected to the GMCH (13) through a dedicated bus (14). The GMCH (13) includes a graphics controller (131) which borrows a part of a memory (171) mounted to a memory card (17) in order to execute display processing. A graphics card (19) can be connected to the GMCH (13). In this case, a graphics controller (131) becomes a stop state. While the graphics card (19) is connected to the GMCH (13), the CPU (11) instructs the graphics controller (13) to execute processing other than display control processing, for example, processing such as MC and IDCT. As a result, it is possible to reduce a load applied to the CPU (11).