Request for extended image format support

[F__Orderud]

As of today, the latest Intel OpenCL drivers supports very few different image formats (only 32 formats for latest 9.17.10.2932 GPU driver and 43 formats for latest "beta" CPU driver). These are very few compared to the 80-100 formats supported by Nvidia and AMD. The lack of "full" image format support leads to undesirable introduction of Intel-specific work-arounds that both complexifies code and reduces performance. In particular, it had been a great advantage if "SNORM"-types could been supported for CL_R/CL_RG/CL_RGBA x INT8/INT16.

Thanks in advance,
Fredrik Orderud
GE Vingmed Ultrasound (GE Healthcare)

[LLess]

I totally agree with that request. It is really unrealistic to say that Intel supports OpenCL development when you can't actually code on the CPU then port to HD4000 for example because the CPU implementation supports only a fraction of what is supported by the HD4000. And indeed compared to Nvidia and AMD the number of supported format is ridiculous. Laurent Lessieux Toshiba Medical Systems

[ARNON_P_Intel]

Thanks for commeting on the need for image formats. Beside the needs above, please share with us what other image formats you expect and how they help you in implementing your applications versous using the formats we support today.

Your response will help us to provide you the support you need on future versions of the products.

Regards,

- Arnon

[F__Orderud]

This request is not primarily about missing image formats required to support specific medical imaging applications. The Intel OpenCL drivers already support sufficient formats to implement "any" application of relevance to us - if we're willing to rewrite existing implementations.

Rather, it's about the simplifying the path to run existing OpenCL code on Intel devices with a minimum amount of rewrite. It would have been much easier for us to release products with Intel GPUs/co-processors if the associated drivers had image format support comparable to other vendors.

Regards,
Fredrik Orderud
GE Vingmed Ultrasound (GE Healthcare)