X-bit labs

XGI: Support the 'Shaders 3.0', Drop Multi GPU Tech.

Category: Video

by Anton Shilov

[ 10/20/2004 | 12:19 PM ]

XGI Technology, a developer of graphics processors and a maker of graphics cards, said it would resign from the conception of multi-GPU technologies and will support Pixel Shaders 3.0 technology with its future PCI Express x16 graphics processors.

XGI Confirms ‘Shader 3.0’ Capability

“Next year we are pushing out XG45/XG47/XP10. XG45 supports Pixel Shaders 3.0 and native PCI Express, and the XG47 is the lower end. XP10 is for mobile [market]. There will be some special technologies [announced] at the end of the year/beginning of next year,” said Danny Lee, Corporate Marketing Manager for XGI, in an interview to TechConnect Magazine.

Earlier this year XGI was planning to unveil the new graphics processors already this year, but then redesigned its plans and said it would roll-out innovative visual processing units in early 2005. The new processors were expected to feature “enhanced capability that will allow XGI to compete head-to-head with its market rivals”. Some sources close to the company suggested that the new products for XGI would support Shader Model 3.0.

The first company to support Shader Model 3.0 – including pixel and vertex shader 3.0 – was NVIDIA Corp., which latest graphics chips all boast this feature. ATI Technologies has been downplaying the importance of Shader Model 3.0, but is expected to offer a range of VPUs with their support at some point in future.

No More Multi-GPU from XGI?

XGI’s products were the first that sported DirectX 9.0 capability along with a multi-GPU technology that allowed graphics card designers to install two such chips on a single graphics card to gain performance. However, it is unlikely that the company will go this route again, as Mr. Lee expressed pretty pessimistic attitude towards NVIDIA-driven SLI technology.

“SLI is not very cost effective and the market is very small. Thus, we do not plan to target that market. We want to focus our marketing effort on most of the gamers' market and not on specialized markets,” said Mr. Lee.

New Web-Site to Aid Game Developers

XGI Technology also launched its official game developer’s web-site to supplement the game developers’ technical needs to collaborate with XGI’s technology. The new web-site provides the best developing support including technical documents, developer’s tools, useful applications, marketing collaterals, latest beta drivers, and vendor supports. 

The game developer’s website of XGI provides Quest 3D, ShaderWorks XT, Mad F/X 1.0 3D development software, technical documentation for graphic cards, sample source codes for the best 3D effects, and EzShader development tool. XGI provides these vehicles for game developers to achieve high level of cooperation in technology and branding. XGI works hard to updates the newest latest driver every two to four weeks.

XGI’s new chips are expected to be released in early 2005.