NVIDIA to Launch Optimus-like Technology for Desktops at Computex 2011

[btarunr]

While NVIDIA and AMD are just about done with their consumer GPU launches for the current generation, NVIDIA has something in store for Computex, 2011, one of the year's biggest technology tradeshows. The GPU giant will announce NVIDIA Optimus technology's desktop avatar, for now known as "Synergy". The technology allows on-the-fly switching between a computer's integrated graphics and discrete NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor, giving you access to the feature-set of both, and allowing a fair amount of power-saving in the process.

NVIDIA's new technology is designed specifically for Intel's Sandy Bridge desktop platform, particularly motherboards with Intel H61, H67, and Z68 chipsets (you can't access IGP with P6x). Unlike SLI, motherboard vendors needn't shell out a license fee or sign an agreement to implement the technology. A supportive motherboard will have authorization code implanted into SBIOS, much like SLI. In practice, the technology will allow users to switch to a GeForce GPU (or a pair of GPUs on Z68) when gaming or in 3D-heavy applications; while falling back to the power-efficient IGP or even making use of Intel's QuickSync technology, when not gaming.



The display is connected to the IGP (motherboard), when the discrete GPUs are active, the IGP functionally turns into a display controller (like NVIO2) while the discrete GeForce GPUs render ultra-complex graphics and PhysX. When the discrete GPUs are inactive, the IGP is in-charge of all graphics rendering (including Windows Aero UI). The user can manually switch on-the-fly, or set up profiles to switch when a particular application/game is launched.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[the54thvoid]

Ooh. That's quite cool. Using two 580's on a Z68 board when idle wouldn't be an energy issue. I like it. A fix for sli power consumption when not gaming.

 

[DriedFrogPills]

What would be better is if Intel or AMD developed similar tech themselves so it would be VGA maker neutral

 

[Shihab]

Synergy ? That's going to give Zotac a headache >_>

 

[caleb]

Same case as with that lucid thing. Its useless tech with gamers going 120Hz/3D with their new computers. Unless this will support dual-dvi link which is unlikely.

 

[Chaitanya]

Great, Intel Z68 + i7 + SSD + nVidia Sli with optimus a great Gaming platform. . Also I hope that nVidia allows the users to select the programs for which the dGpu is enabled.

 

[HalfAHertz]

From what I understand Optimus is kind of useless on the Desktop side because of the 10-15% overhead you have to pay in performance loss due to having to have to copy the memory buffer.

 

[Fourstaff]

From what I understand Optimus is kind of useless on the Desktop side because of the 10-15% overhead you have to pay in performance loss due to having to have to copy the memory buffer.

Not really, since that you are most likely going to use low performance anyway in "Optimus state", the performance lose is going to be a non issue. I am looking forward to this, hope AMD comes up with something equivalent (there is graphics switching between onboard and discrete, but I don't know whether that extends to desktops, or Intel IGP).

 

[OneCool]

Now I wonder if this will completely turn off the discrete GPU?

AS in no power to it at all

 

[Shihab]

Now I wonder if this will completely turn off the discrete GPU?

AS in no power to it at all

That would make the first 5 minutes of the game lag like hell.

 

[Fourstaff]

That would make the first 5 minutes of the game lag like hell.

Not really, have you tried Optimus? It does the switching rather well.

 

[zads]

That's cool I guess.. Its Nvidia's fix for higher idle power consumption versus ATI/AMD cards..
I see its benefit in gaming laptop situations, but not sure its really needed on any desktops though.

I don't think AMD needs anything similar, their idle power consumption is pretty minimal as it is.

 

[Fourstaff]

Nvidia's current gen (5xx) are not that bad when it comes to power consumption. Yes, they consistently draw more power, but its still rather close (less than 20w for most cases). Both camps can benefit from Optimus I think, and I await AMD's answer. Always good to cut the cost of your electricity bill, no matter how you look at it.

 

[Shihab]

I've seen notebooks with switchable AMD gpus. A friend of mine has an MSI laptop with and AMD GPU and an Intel IGP. the switch had to be made manually though. and it doesn't require a reboot.

 

[Fourstaff]

I've seen notebooks with switchable AMD gpus. A friend of mine has an MSI laptop with and AMD GPU and an Intel IGP. the switch had to be made manually though. and it doesn't require a reboot.

Yes, I have that option too, but it would be good to have them on desktops too, unless they already have them.

 

[Funtoss]

that looks so awesome! i wish i lived near so that i could actually go and attend this event and get the first product ^_^ na, stuff that, but its really awesome!