CES: Nvidia showcases Hybrid SLI technology

Posted by Dennis Sellers Jan 7, 2008 at 10:15am

At this week’s Consumer Electronics Show, Nvidia announced the industry’s first hybrid technology for computer platforms—the Hybrid SLI—that addresses increasing graphics performance and reducing power consumption. No word on if or when such technology will make it to the Mac platform.

However, Nvidia Hybrid SLI technology will be incorporated into a wide variety of graphics and motherboard desktop and notebook products that the company is rolling out for both Intel and AMD desktop and notebook computing platforms throughout 2008.

“We believe Hybrid SLI technology is one of the most important innovations we’ve come up with to date,” says Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO. “Hybrid SLI delivers new multi-GPU technology to a large segment of the personal computer market, delivering consumers a level of computer graphics performance and power efficiency never before seen.”

First disclosed in June 2007, Nvidia Hybrid SLI technology is based on the company’s GeForce graphics processor units (GPUs) and SLI multi-GPU technology. Hybrid SLI enables Nvidia motherboard GPUs (mGPUs) to work cooperatively with Nvidia discrete GPUs (dGPUs) when paired in the same computer platform. Hybrid SLI provides two new technologies—GeForce Boost and HybridPower—that purportedly allow the computer to deliver graphics performance for today’s applications and games when 3D graphics horsepower is required, or transition to a lower-powered operating state when not.

For lower energy consumption and quieter computer operation, HybridPower allows the computer to switch processing from a single GPU or multiple GPUs in SLI configuration to the onboard motherboard GPU. HybridPower is most useful in situations where graphics horsepower isn’t required, such as high definition movie playback on a notebook platform or simple e-mail or Internet browsing on a desktop, says Huang. It is also beneficial for those users who want a quiet operating state with reduced thermals and noise.

For notebooks, HybridPower can also extend battery life by up to three hours, Huang says. When a game or application is started that requires the additional 3D horsepower, the computer can automatically transition back to the discrete graphics cards and power up the 3D capabilities all transparent to the end user.

For applications where 3D performance is required, GeForce Boost turbo-charges 3D operation by combining the processing power of the traditional Nvidia GeForce-based graphics card with that of the second GPU integrated into the motherboard core logic. In media-rich applications,
both GPUs work in tandem to render the combined images with the end user benefiting from the increase in performance and frame rate, Huang says. For typical games and 3D applications, GeForce Boost can kick in automatically, resulting in a greatly enhanced consumer experience, he adds.

The “Macsimum MWSF 2007 Coupon Book” is available for download. You can find it here and print it as a PDF. It has discounts, special offers and promotions in conjunction with the upcoming Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.

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