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Nvidia’s Multi-GPU Tech Set to Reach Laptops – Computer Maker.

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 02/09/2006 | 10:26 PM ]

Nvidia Corp. along with its partners among the makers of laptops may be gearing up to release portable computers featuring two graphics processing units (GPUs) working in multi-GPU tandem to achieve unbelievable performance. The introduction of such machines will allow portable computers to outperform even the high-end desktops in games.

WidowPC, a maker of high-performance computers, recently unveiled plans to release its Sting 919 computer that is based on Nvidia nForce4 SLI core-logic and may be equipped with two GeForce Go 7800-series graphics modules for unbelievable performance in three-dimensional games that demand extreme power from graphics sub-systems. The system is likely to be equipped with processors by Advanced Micro Devices – such as AMD Turion 64 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 – that boast with high speed in games amid moderate consumption of power.

But the new Sting 919 will not be a particularly mobile computer, even though it will come in similar form-factor. The laptop will feature 19” wide-screen and most likely to weigh quite a lot, which will not allow to use it as a mobile computer, but as a desktop replacement one.

It is unclear how much a mobile computer with two graphics cards will cost. Moreover, later on WidowPC removed the announcement of the Sting 919 from its web-site citing “due to a pending agreement with Nvidia”.

Meanwhile, Dell and Nvidia are working together to release the world’s first consumer-oriented personal computer featuring four graphics cards. The Dell Renegade XPS 600 is likely to offer the world’s highest performance and image quality in games when it is launched this spring.

Nvidia Corp. did not comment on the mobile incarnation of scalable link interface (SLI) technology that allows several GPUs to work in parallel.