Both top graphics companies were caught on benchmark application specific optimizations early this year. However, even though such illegal manipulations harm reputation of hardware developers, it does not mean that nobody will go this route again. Apparently, eXtreme Graphics Innovation may also have quite some application specific optimizations in its new Reactor drivers for Volari chips released recently.

Martin Malik from HWInfo.com has found a file in Reactor drivers for XGI Volari VPUs that refers to numerous game and benchmark titles. The purpose of the file is not clear, but we may suggest that the file is made with the purpose to activate specifically created presets for every game or benchmark software used.

Currently the file xrvkp.sys contains the following executable files:

• 3DMARK03.EXE; 3DMARK2001SE.EXE; 3DMARK2001.EXE; AQUAMARK.EXE; C4DEMO.EXE; GMMARK2.EXE; MAXPAYNE.EXE; BENCHMARK.EXE; UT2003.EXE; BEND3DIM.EXE; MADDEN04.EXE; HALO.EXE; 3DNASYS.EXE; CODECREATURES BENCHMARK PRO.EXE; CODECREATURES; SERIOUSSAM.EXE; SPLINTERCELL.EXE; C4.EXE; TRAOD.EXE; TRAOD_P3.EXE; TRAOD_P4.EXE; GIANTS.EXE; SEP.EXE; CLIENT.EXE; DFBHD.EXE; TOEE.EXE; MAJESTICCHESS.EXE; AOWSM.EXE; MGS2; SR2.EXE; F1_2001.exe; SPEEDDEMO.EXE; BF1942.EXE; X2-DEMO.EXE; XIII.EXE; FFXIWINBENCH.EXE; SIMCITY4.exe; GAME.DAT; WAR3.EXE; SM.EXE; FREELANCER.EXE; NR2003DEMO.EXE; FS9.EXE; DCT2.EXE; HCT.EXE.

It is not clear what exactly the driver does when reveals any of the mentioned applications, though, it is pretty clear that either the software or hardware developed by XGI may need some additional tuning to provide proper image quality and performance.

XGI – abbreviate for eXtreme Graphics Innovation – is a fully-owned subsidiary of Silicon Integrated Systems. The latter is known for its Xabre graphics processors launched in 2002 that were blamed for low image quality and relatively low performance. The Volari series contains the R&D efforts from the Xabre II project.

XGI Volari-based graphics cards are available now in limited quantities from Club 3D as well as CP Technology.

Officials from XGI were not immediately available for comment.