Nvidia Corp., the leading supplier of professional graphics accelerators, announced two new offerings aimed at CAD, DCC, and visualization applications. The new Quadro FX graphics solutions are based on the code-named G80 graphics processor that features unified shader processors, something which may push performance of professional applications dramatically.

Two new models announced are the Quadro FX 5600 and the Quadro FX 4600 graphics cards that carry 1.5GB and 768GB of memory with 384-bit access respectively. The more advanced model features GDDR3 memory at 1.60GHz, while the FX 4600 sports 1.20GHz GDDR3 memory. Besides, the FX 5600 supports two IBM T221 or similar displays with 3840x2400 resolution.

Nvidia G80 graphics processor also known as GeForce 8800 features 575MHz core clock-speed, 128 stream processors running at 1350MHz , 32 texture mapping units, 24 raster operation units and 384-bit memory bus. Nvidia does not disclose clock-speeds for its Quadro offerings.

Unified shader processors allow graphics processing unit (GPU) to allocate processing power depending on the load, which, in geometry-intensive professional CAD and DCC applications, may provide stunning performance increase compared to previous-generation Quadro FX models.

The new Nvidia Quadro FX solutions are expected to be available through OEMs Dell, HP, IBM, and Sun; workstation system integrators; and Nvidia channel partners PNY Technologies (U.S. and EMEA), Leadtek (APAC) and Elsa (Japan). The Quadro FX 4600 has a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1995 and the Quadro FX 5600 has an MSRP of $2999.