News from the rumor mill (read that again… yes, it’s contradictory) is that Nvidia is developing a GPGPU for Apple. GPGPU stands for general-purpose computing on graphics processing units and, in English, is a GPU that’s able to carry out CPU instructions. A GPU that can crunch non-graphics numbers, in other words. Or you can read all the tech specs at Le Wiki.
Nvidia just sent out an SOS looking for a Mac programmer to help code the drivers for the new cards.
While certainly not set in stone, AppleInsider thinks Apple would most likely use the new card as a built-to-order option on the Mac Pro. Given that Apple just updated the Mac Pro a few weeks ago, it’ll be a while before the card is available.
Nvidia working on first GPGPUs for Apple Macs [AppleInsider]
Hello,
Apple already has a GPGPU for Apple products in the form of some mobile G8x chipsets and the newly offered 8800 models for the Mac Pro. Every GPU they manufacture now has the hardware necessary to run CUDA programs, it’s simply a question of getting a driver together. This is also available in a beta version, but I’m not quite sure if this is a closed beta.