System co-processor
Embodiments of the invention provide assigning two different class identifiers to a device to allow loading to an operating system as different devices. The device may be a graphics device. The graphics device may be integrated in various configurations, including but not limited to a central processing unit, chipset and so forth. The processor or chipset may be associated with a first identifier associated with a graphics processor and a second device identifier that enables the processor or chipset as a co-processor.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a central processing unit;
a chipset coupled to said central processing unit;
said central processing unit to determine whether a graphics card is resident on said apparatus; and
if a graphics card is resident on said apparatus, said chipset is configured for non-graphics processing, when a coprocessor mode is enabled and a graphics card is present using said chipset as a coprocessor and, if a graphics card is not present on said apparatus, then said chipset is configured for graphics processing.
2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 , wherein the central processing unit to determine if a coprocessor mode is enabled if a graphics processing capability is resident on said apparatus.
3. A method comprising:
determining whether a discrete graphics card is present in an apparatus; and
in response to the absence of a graphics card, adapting a chipset to act as a graphics processor.
4. The method claimed in claim 3 , further comprising:
determining if a coprocessor mode is enabled if a graphics processing capability is resident on said apparatus.