LucidLogix GPU Virtualization to Reform Entertainment PC Power Consumption

[btarunr]

The pioneer of multivendor/multi-GPU graphic solutions, LucidLogix today announced ground-breaking GPU virtualization software designed for Intel Sandy Bridge platforms. With this technology, next generation PCs will dynamically balance the advanced power-efficient, built-in media features of Sandy Bridge processor graphics with the high-end, DirectX 11 3D performance features of discrete GPUs, while significantly reducing the power drain of traditional entertainment desktops.

Called Virtu, the Lucid GPU virtualization software is able to assign tasks in real time to the best available graphics resource based on power, performance and features considerations, with no need for additional hardware. If high end graphics power is needed for applications like DirectX 11, 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.

"What we have really accomplished here is a seamless visual experience where it is not necessary to choose between the amazingly rich media features of Intel Sandy Bridge platform, like HD playback and powerful video transcoding, and the high-end 3D graphics functionality and performance of a discrete GPU," said Offir Remez, LucidLogix president and founder. "Now it is possible to experience a no-guilt, nocompromise PC entertainment experience, and save on energy at the same time."

Designed for entry-level through mainstream PCs equipped with second generation Intel's Core i3/i5/i7 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 Sandy Bridge display output (DVI, HDMI, etc).

Recently demonstrated to the world's top ODM and OEM system manufacturers, Remez added, "Customer feedback has been tremendous, since Virtu addresses a longstanding challenge in the market for dynamic resource allocation. Now desktops, which in real life rarely get shut down, will have the maximum graphics performance and features when they need it, while saving energy when they do not."

Interested parties can evaluate a demo version of Lucid Virtu immediately and a beta version will be available in January 2011. In addition, the software will be demonstrated in a private suite in Las Vegas during the upcoming CES show, January 6-9.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Mussels]

shiny. i want it.

 

[Thatguy]

oh this is gonna suck something horriable.what it really is, is offloading from the gpu to the cpu cores, since intel doesn't know how to make a gpu core.

 

[Mussels]

oh this is gonna suck something horriable.what it really is, is offloading from the gpu to the cpu cores, since intel doesn't know how to make a gpu core.

... no



it changes which video card is doing the rendering, and passes the video output to the onboard.


its a power saving feature, in effect.

 

[wolf]

A very itneresting concept, I am keen to see how it works out, not as keen as sandy bridge itself tho.

 

[Thatguy]

... no



it changes which video card is doing the rendering, and passes the video output to the onboard.


its a power saving feature, in effect.

horseshit, its a marketing gimmick.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

horseshit, its a marketing gimmick.

your a gimmick

 

[LittleLizard]

so this is some sort of Nvidia optimus but available to all desktop/laptop/ATI/NVIDIA computers that uses a sandy bridge CPU?

 

[caleb]

Interesting yet the idea is kinda old. You always take a smaller 2 seater around town and a van on a highway but what when you have a family of 5 ? This will work well untill windows GUI starts using more and more D3D.

your a gimmick

What's a gimmick? I'm Polish.

 

[Ghost]

... no



it changes which video card is doing the rendering, and passes the video output to the onboard.


its a power saving feature, in effect.

So it's like Hybrid SLi and Hybrid CFX?

 

[caleb]

No its not like SLI/CFX.
Desktop,low requierment tasks = onboard GPU
Bad Company 2 = your main GPU

 

[Bo$$]

like optimus but for any card

 

[Swamp Monster]

That Hybrid CFX was similar thing. it used only onboard for low demanding tasks, but switched to crossfire with normal graphics card when gaming, so not really the same. Oh, and only low level graphics card was suitable.

 

[entropy13]

That Hybrid CFX was similar thing. it used only onboard for low demanding tasks, but switched to crossfire with normal graphics card when gaming, so not really the same. Oh, and only low level graphics card was suitable.

Those "Hybrid's" are brand-dependent and only works because of the chipsets used on the motherboard.

 

[streetfighter 2]

I like anything that can save me some scratch on my power bill. Ultimately I'd like desktop performance with laptop power usage. That would be a good day!

This will work well untill windows GUI starts using more and more D3D.

I sincerely doubt that. The extent that Windows utilizes D3D requires very little GPU horsepower. I don't see it getting that much more demanding in the future.

 

[Mussels]

So it's like Hybrid SLi and Hybrid CFX?

yes, but compatible with other brands GPU's (AMD/Nv)


so you could have the intel onboard paired with a 5870, and the 5870 would shut off when only sitting at the desktop.


This will mostly be useful in laptops for power saving features, not sure how well it would keep up with desktop GPU's

 

[ToTTenTranz]

I wonder how this will compare to Fusion's integrated Crossfire system.

 

[Deleted member 6693]

And of course it´s for Intel only - sucks :shadedshu

 

[Mussels]

And of course it´s for Intel only - sucks :shadedshu

well duh, its built into their CPU's

 

[Deleted member 6693]

well duh, its built into their CPU's

QUOTE:"LucidLogix today announced ground-breaking GPU virtualization software designed for Intel Sandy Bridge platforms"

I don´t think it´s "built" into their CPU.....It´s a piece of software taking advantage of some futures of the Sandy Bridge platform/chipset/CPU........or whatever....

 

[Mussels]

QUOTE:"LucidLogix today announced ground-breaking GPU virtualization software designed for Intel Sandy Bridge platforms"

I don´t think it´s "built" into their CPU.....It´s a piece of software taking advantage of some futures of the Sandy Bridge platform/chipset/CPU........or whatever....

its linking an external GPU to the sandy bridge IGP outputs. there has to be a hardware component to it as well.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Confused. Seems kind of redundant. Don't gpus clock down automatically when not doing intensive 3d rendering? Its not like I get 100% usage when watching a movie or playing doom 2
Seems like more work and processing trying to figure out how to render something. Am I missing something?

Edit. Ok nevermind. Gpu usage goes to zero. Not almost zero.
Need to reed moar bettrr.

 

[Deleted member 6693]

its linking an external GPU to the sandy bridge IGP outputs. there has to be a hardware component to it as well.

You mean something like the LucidHydra chip? Well maybe you are right....but if I read this correct then it´s not about combining two diff. GPU vendors but to run either the discrete or the powerhorse....

 

[Swamp Monster]

I kind of don't understand the usefulness of this thing, because GPU load @ desktop is already about 1%, and many modern Graphics cards use about 20W when idle. This thing could be useful only if it completely disables external graphics somehow(20W less power usage then).

*Edit* Or this is a gimmick to make use of otherwise not so useful embedded GPU, because it couldn't run games anyway?

 

[ToTTenTranz]

I kind of don't understand the usefulness of this thing, because GPU load @ desktop is already about 1%, and many modern Graphics cards use about 20W when idle. This thing could be useful only if it completely disables external graphics somehow(20W less power usage then).

*Edit* Or this is a gimmick to make use of otherwise not so useful embedded GPU, because it couldn't run games anyway?

20W is still a lot for an idle state. In a notebook, 5-10W alone could make a difference of more than a hour in battery time.