NVIDIA SLI Power: Integrated & Discrete GPU's Together
July 18, 2006 at 11:47:00 AM, by Thai Tan
NVIDIA is working on combining an integrated and discrete GPU that switch seamlessly between power savings and performance.
This SLI is not combining graphics card for increased performance, but offering ultimate flexibility for notebook users.
High end models of Sony's current SZ series laptops already use dual graphics cards, an NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 and Intel GMA 950. While there is a neat little external switch to change GPU's, it is nothing close to seamless and requires a reboot. Enter: SLI Power
SLI Power is the current tag line for a new technology NVIDIA is developing. Along the same lines as the Sony model, there will be both integrated and discrete NVIDIA graphics processors. Through complicated hardware logic and of course clock gating to cut power off to unused devices, NVIDIA plans to be able to seamlessly switch between integrated and discrete GPU's with no reboot needed.
Obviously this is easier said than done and the feature is still being developed. We hear that the software interface is being rather difficult, getting Windows to switch video device drivers on a whim and all. There is no word on when this may be completed, but we wouldn't be surprised to see this around Vista time.
Stay up-to-date with the latest mobile technology news and laptop reviews with our free newsletter! Get free tips, news and information from Laptop Logic and find the best laptop deals online.
Comments
There are no comments yet.