Lucid Introduces Groundbreaking Parallel Graphics Technology

[malware]

Aiming to radically improve graphics performance for any kind of PC, LucidLogix Technologies today took the wraps off its new parallel graphics technology that will allow PC manufacturers to satisfy consumer demand for visual reality without compromise. The real-time distributed processing engine, called HYDRA, offers a groundbreaking approach to scaling 3D graphics performance in a multi-GPU environment. Outlined for the first time on the new Lucid web site, the novel technology is the industry's first to work with any GPU, any CPU or chipset and on any application that gamers and professionals may choose.


The HYDRA engine combines a system-on-chip with exclusive software technologies that efficiently load-balances graphics processing tasks, delivering another industry breakthrough: near-linear to above-linear performance with two, three or more graphics cards. All together, the technology means people will be able to customize and tweak their PC to achieve the price, performance and power balance they want - whether it is a mainstream system or a high-performance gaming package.

"We're currently focusing our HYDRA engine on improving everyday PC performance, but our vision is to bring more scalability, flexibility and power to all visual processing markets including graphics professionals, power gamers, design/engineering professionals and others," says Offir Remez, Lucid co-founder and president. "With strong venture backing, a superior patent portfolio and experienced leaders in all aspects of semiconductor and 3D computing graphics, we're a nimble team passionate about working with our partners to realize our vision of universally amazing graphics for all."

Lucid is already working with leading OEMs, ODMs and PC technology providers to create innovative platform solutions that are expected to come to market in the first half of 2009. At the same time, the HYDRA engine requires no modification to existing graphics software applications, and it supports common graphics standards such as DirectX. This ensures Lucid can rapidly bring its technology to the marketplace without a critical mass of design support from application or game developers.

"Lucid's technology couldn't hit the market at a better time," said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon, Calif. "We still have far to go to reach total visual realism on the PC, and today's players are turning to multi-core and parallel processing technologies to solve bottlenecks. Lucid HYDRA technology has the potential to shake up the industry and help elevate the game to the next level."

Lucid's innovations are protected by over 50 patents and patents pending, with more in the pipeline. Along with launching and leading several successful technology startups, Lucid executive team and board members have decades of experience in fabless semiconductors, 3D graphics, video and image compression, parallel processing, image processing, networking, graphics processing units, motherboard chipsets, and related disciplines. The company is backed by leading venture capital firms Giza Venture Capital, Genesis Partners and Intel Capital.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[wolf2009]

so is this for CAD designers only ? or r they bringing it for games too ?

 

[Darkrealms]

This could be interesting to follow. It almost looks like it will replace an SLI or Xfire chip from what their website showed. Wonder what exactly they have that requires 50+ patents to protect.

 

[lemonadesoda]

This looks like techno-nonsense, like the KillerNic card

 

[$ReaPeR$]

IMO AMD had this in mind when they put 4x4870x2 in one rig also IMO Larabee will need this to work properly since Intel is one of the helping companies..... what do you guys think

 

[panchoman]

these are not gpu's.. these are multi gpu chips.. i think they want to compete with the plx chips on the ati x2 cards..

 

[GSG-9]

Well at least the title caught my attention. Could be cool if its not crap.


Could be really really cool...

It seems like they failed to catch Nvidia and ATis attention...so they are turning to the public to try to demand the use of the chip, which if that is in fact the case...will fail...

 

[Kreij]

It looks like an alternative to Crossfire and SLI.
Interesting.

 

[GSG-9]

It looks like an alternative to Crossfire and SLI.
Interesting.

There website shows that the chip must be on the card WITH the GPU, making this technology obsolete unless Lucid can convince large companies to abandon there current technology, for proprietary hardware that will allow users to purchase hardware they do not sell instead of there own.

 

[Kreij]

If it is far superior what is currently available, they may be able to do that.
I personally feel that if this technology is that good, they will be bought by one of the big players shortly.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I think you guys have miss-read what they're saying on the site.
This is a SoC and it will be processing data, I'm guess what they're trying to do is use the GPU's on the graphics cards for processing power and nothing else and then use their own SoC to somehow output this data, but that's just a guess.
It's not going to replace the PLX chips, as they're just a simple PCIe switch, nothing much more.
There's actually a picture with a Hydra SoC on a motherboard and they're stating that it can either be fitted to a motherboard or an add-in card.
Yes, it sounds too good to be true, but time will tell how well it works.
Remember that Alienware was working on some odd solution before SLI and CrossFire was announced that could make two cards work together via a third add-in card, maybe this is something similar to that.

 

[adrianx]

panchoman .... the plx chip on 3870x2 supports 3 connection actually read the data sheet

 

[laszlo]

It looks like an alternative to Crossfire and SLI.
Interesting.

As i understand is not an alternative it can combine ANY Gpu even Ati with Nvidia so finally we'll have CROSSLI

 

[GSG-9]

There's actually a picture with a Hydra SoC on a motherboard and they're stating that it can either be fitted to a motherboard or an add-in card.

If your looking at the same picture I was It shows the Hydra on the motherboard and a + sign and then a Hydra on a videocard. Implying you need both, making me disagree with the idea that you only need it on the motherboard. Im sure we will find out soon enough.

 

[Deleted member 3]

so is this for CAD designers only ? or r they bringing it for games too ?

the HYDRA engine requires no modification to existing graphics software applications, and it supports common graphics standards such as DirectX.

Read the article Doubt you read the whole thing, considering you replied 6min after it was posted.

 

[yogurt_21]

The HYDRA Engine is the first solution that "plays well with others." Unlike other technologies, it is completely compatible with all gaming applications, chipsets and GPUs from any vendor, so you can develop a totally customizable PC solution. Mix and match elements into your gaming system to achieve the price and performance level that's just perfect for you. And developers no longer have to write games and applications specific to a chip. Whether the API is OpenGL or Direct3D, the HYDRA Engine can tackle both.

interesting, so you could run sli on a p45 mobo, or crossfire on an nvidia mobo, or perhaps it almost sounds like you can run an nvidia card with an ati card. nice on paper, I'd like to see it in action.

edit: it seems thatt eh way they are integrating this is by an add-in card which you would toss in your mobo along with your multiple gpu's (providing you have enough slots) or they might be marketing their own mainboard solutiosn designed for this. Interesting considering x58 will be able to crossfire or sli, making this not as viable anymore.

 

[Darkrealms]

interesting, so you could run sli on a p45 mobo, or crossfire on an nvidia mobo, or perhaps it almost sounds like you can run an nvidia card with an ati card. nice on paper, I'd like to see it in action.

edit: it seems thatt eh way they are integrating this is by an add-in card which you would toss in your mobo along with your multiple gpu's (providing you have enough slots) or they might be marketing their own mainboard solutiosn designed for this. Interesting considering x58 will be able to crossfire or sli, making this not as viable anymore.

Think of it this way if that is the case. Motherboard MFGs will only need one chip to do the entire job. They won't have to deal with squabling about what board gets whos tech because of what NB.
And if it does work with two different cards, even different MFGs cards that would be great!

 

[Laykun]

What's to say that nvidia and AMD don't just limit SLi/crossfire ability through drivers when this chip is installed / being used. SLi has worked on intel chipsets in the past with hacked drivers, meaning nvidia simply artificially limits what chipsets it's graphics boards can be run on in SLi mode, so why wouldn't they do the same here?

 

[Darkrealms]

What's to say that nvidia and AMD don't just limit SLi/crossfire ability through drivers when this chip is installed / being used. SLi has worked on intel chipsets in the past with hacked drivers, meaning nvidia simply artificially limits what chipsets it's graphics boards can be run on in SLi mode, so why wouldn't they do the same here?

Then I guess it would be Lucids job to make drivers to make it work again, lol.

 

[Laykun]

Hello lawsuit.

 

[MrMilli]

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=607

 

[Disparia]

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=607

Good scaling and multi-monitor friendly? I'm there!

 

[AsRock]

It looks like an alternative to Crossfire and SLI.
Interesting.

Just what i was thinking..

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/117/1050117/intel-puts-lucid-hydra-on-x58