AMD Brings Back Graphics Chip Guru Who Left for Apple
On Monday, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is expected to formally introduce Raja Koduri, 44, as Corporate Vice President of its Visual Computing division where he will report directly to Mark Papermaster, HotHardware has learned. This marks Koduri's second stint at AMD, who previously served as Director of Advanced Technology Development for ATI Technologies at the time it was acquired by the Sunnyvale chip designer in 2009. Following the acquisition, he was named Chief Technology Officer of AMD's graphics division.
The CTO position became available when Apple plucked Bob Drebin from AMD in 2009, and shortly after, Koduri resigned so that he too could go work for the Cupertino outfit. He then served as Director of Graphics Architecture for Apple up until leaving this past March to accept a role as Chief Technical Adviser for Makuta VFX.
Having now come full circle and landing back at AMD, Koduri will put his two decades of hands-on experience in the visual computing arena to use by building both hardware and software solutions for the Sunnyvale outfit. This time around, however, AMD is a different company trying to balance its focus on traditional desktop and server markets with a growing trend towards mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. AMD also has its hands in consoles, having struck an agreement with Sony to supply its upcoming PlayStation 4 console with a custom "Jaguar" APU and Radeon graphics.
Koduri's return also marks a reversal of interest in AMD, which has struggled to hold onto high level talent over the past few years.
The CTO position became available when Apple plucked Bob Drebin from AMD in 2009, and shortly after, Koduri resigned so that he too could go work for the Cupertino outfit. He then served as Director of Graphics Architecture for Apple up until leaving this past March to accept a role as Chief Technical Adviser for Makuta VFX.
Having now come full circle and landing back at AMD, Koduri will put his two decades of hands-on experience in the visual computing arena to use by building both hardware and software solutions for the Sunnyvale outfit. This time around, however, AMD is a different company trying to balance its focus on traditional desktop and server markets with a growing trend towards mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. AMD also has its hands in consoles, having struck an agreement with Sony to supply its upcoming PlayStation 4 console with a custom "Jaguar" APU and Radeon graphics.
Koduri's return also marks a reversal of interest in AMD, which has struggled to hold onto high level talent over the past few years.
