LucidLogix Releases Virtu GPU Virtualization Software to Motherboard Manufacturers

[btarunr]

The pioneer of multi-vendor/multi-GPU graphic solutions, LucidLogix today announced it has released Virtu GPU virtualization software for 2nd Generation Intel Core processor platforms to global motherboard manufacturers.

With this technology, next-generation PCs will dynamically balance the advanced power-efficient, built-in media features of Intel Core processor graphics with the high-end, DirectX 11 3D, anti-aliasing and performance features of discrete GPUs, while significantly reducing the power drain of traditional entertainment desktops. Ultimately, the consumer is assured optimal simultaneous performance in 3D gaming and video functions like transcoding and HD playback without the need to swap video cable connections between GPUs.

“A simple software solution, Virtu is a cost-efficient technology with big rewards,” said Offir Remez, LucidLogix president and founder. “Virtu solves both usability and power consumption issues for motherboard consumers and makes it easy for an OEM to build systems that have no-compromise video and 3D graphics capabilities.”

Lucid GPU virtualization software assigns tasks in real time to the best available graphics resource based on power, performance and features considerations, with no need for additional hardware. If graphics power is needed for applications like high-resolution 3D gaming, the system will assign the job to the discrete GPU. If not, the discrete GPU automatically goes into idle mode, while heat drops, fan speed slows down and GPU utilization goes down to zero, resulting in a green, power-efficient, long-lasting system.

Designed for entry-level through mainstream PCs equipped with 2nd Generation Intel Core processors and NVIDIA or AMD 3D GPUs, Virtu software automatically adjusts the performance, thermal and feature allocation based on the requirements of individual applications. The only system requirement is to always connect the display screen directly to the motherboard’s built-in display output (DVI, HDMI, etc).

“With Lucid’s Virtu, PC gamers who require discrete graphics for high-resolution gaming can easily get the amazing built-in visual capabilities of 2nd Generation Intel Core processors, including Intel Quick Sync Video and Intel Insider,” said Zane Ball, General Manager of Desktop Platforms.

[HalfAHertz]

Is this a hypervisor like virtualbox and VMware that supports GPUs?

Ohh ok nevermind. I went to their site and saw some documentation. This is like Nvidia's optimus technology ut for the desktop or the Hybrid Crossfire that AMD dropped a few years ago. It basically switches dynamically between SB's IGP and a dedidicated GPU ala Nvidia Optimus. Good job this was well needed

[cheesy999]

Originally Posted by HalfAHertz

Is this a hypervisor like virtualbox and VMware that supports GPUs?

No its just another one of those technologies where you have an integrated gpu and a discrete gpu and its switches between them to save power when people are not gaming

its just with this one its ran through the software first so it knows more about the task -so it doesn't switch to high power mode as soon as youtube is launched etc

[Jizzler]

Don't have one, so I don't know to what extent the Sandy Bridge GPU is disabled when a dedicated card is installed. So perhaps all that is needed is the software? The software and a BIOS update?

On another note, isn't Ivy Bridge planned to have this support natively?

[cheesy999]

i'd like to have a desktop version of this so i didn't have to listen to my gts 250 when i wasn't gaming, i don't see why it cant switch to my motherboards geforce 7025

[HalfAHertz]

Originally Posted by cheesy999

i'd like to have a desktop version of this so i didn't have to listen to my gts 250 when i wasn't gaming, i don't see why it cant switch to my motherboards geforce 7025

I am curious how they managed this entirely in software.

Currently the problem is the hardware limitation. Because each GPU has a separate video output channel, you cannot switch between them. You can only connect to the IGP and set it up so that it copies the memory buffer of the dedicated GPU over PCIe. There is of course some performance loss because of the overhead and the latency created from moving all that data around and that is why Nvidia hasn't tried implementing it on the desktop yet.

[Bo$$]

Originally Posted by cheesy999

i'd like to have a desktop version of this so i didn't have to listen to my gts 250 when i wasn't gaming, i don't see why it cant switch to my motherboards geforce 7025

hybrid SLI, only works with some cards

[micropage7]

looks pretty interesting. how it could boost graphic performance to the max. but however the real test is not just on benchmark but the game