X-bit labs

VIA Technologies Demonstrates Multi-GPU Technology.

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 05/20/2005 | 02:35 AM ]

VIA Technologies at the E3 trade-show in Los Angeles, California, demonstrated its effort in multi-GPU technology that allows to install two graphics cards into one PC and either improve performance in 3D applications, or operate a number of monitors at the same time.

“VIA DualGFX Express technology enables dual-graphics card platforms providing exceptional 3D graphics performance on a single display, as well as the ability to provide enhanced support for powerful multi-display systems,” the companies said in a joint-statement.

E3 is the first public display of the VIA K8T890 Pro core-logic chipset running dual graphics cards for enhanced 3D gaming performance. Besides that, VIA shows off advanced multi-display system based on the VIA PT880 Pro chipset, which supports both PCI Express and AGP graphics interfaces.

Anna Filatova, who reports from the E3 floors in Los Angeles, informed that VIA is demonstrating NVIDIA multi-GPU SLI setups based on VIA’s chipsets that enhance performance in 3D games. In addition, the company is also showcasing multi-GPU ATI RADEON-based setups that do not improve 3D performance, but provide multi-monitor capability.

Also on show at the VIA booth will be VIA Grease Monkey, an easy-to-use desktop application that ensures up-to-the-minute updates for all of the most popular PC games, eliminating time-consuming online searching and waiting for important updates to download.

VIA DualGFX Express technology is available on a new generation of motherboards entering the market featuring VIA PT880 Pro chipsets for the Intel Pentium 4 processor platform. The forthcoming VIA K8T890 Pro chipset will enable VIA DualGFX Express support on the AMD Athlon 64 processor platform.

VIA did not indicate pricing or availability timeframes for the DualGFX enabled products.