PC users love the visual realism that high-performance graphics processors give their PCs, but would rather do without the noise and power consumption typical of modern entertainment and gaming PCs may be interested in the new NVIDIA platforms based on the company's Hybrid SLI technology.

The new technology is available immediately with new NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI and GeForce 8 Series based motherboards.

Background

The visual capabilities of typical PCs are driven by either integrated graphics on the motherboard or by higher performance, discrete graphics cards, like NVIDIA GeForce GPUs. Unfortunately, the most common integrated graphics chips lack the performance and features needed by many popular modern 3D applications, games, and movies. Discrete graphics cards deliver a far superior visual experience, but consume more energy.

Hybrid Solution

Hybrid SLI-enabled motherboards eliminate this problem by putting a GeForce GPU directly on the motherboard. This GeForce GPU has better DirectX compatibility and HD movie playback capability than the most common integrated graphics chips found in today's PCs, but consumes less energy than a discrete graphics card. But that's only the start.

Designed for PC enthusiasts and hard-core gamers, the HybridPower feature completely powers down the discrete graphics cards and switches graphics processing to the motherboard GPU in applications where major 3D horsepower is not required, such as e-mail and Web surfing. Users will appreciate the lower energy consumption, quieter PC operation, and less heat. When additional 3D horsepower is needed, HybridPower technology automatically transitions back to the discrete graphics cards, which are then powered up and ready to rock the 3D world. Hybrid SLI technology can save hundreds of dollars in energy costs over the life of the PC for high-end, enthusiast-class PCs, and deliver additional graphics performance for more mainstream desktops via these two features.

For mainstream users, a Hybrid SLI technology feature called GeForce Boost allows the user to add an additional graphics card for even more graphics horsepower. By combining the performance of the motherboard GPU and graphics card discrete GPUs, GeForce Boost increases overall graphics performance up to 50% for today's visually intensive applications and home entertainment.

The Hybrid SLI-enabled desktop PC motherboards are designed to create a balanced PC with GeForce GPUs and AMD Phenom processors. Eight models, including a newly available nForce 780a SLI motherboard, are available:

nForce 780a SLI, nForce 750a SLI, nForce 730a, and nForce 720a
GeForce 8300, GeForce 8200, and GeForce 8100



Currently available Hybrid SLI-enabled discrete graphics cards include:


NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 and NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX (both HybridPower-
capable)
GeForce 8400 GS and GeForce 8500 GT (both GeForce Boost-capable)



Hybrid SLI-enabled PC motherboards for Intel processors and Hybrid SLI- enabled notebooks will be available in Q3 of 2008.

I am certainly going to consider this for my next PC.

I hate the idea that my high powered graphic cards is wasting electricity and generating a lot of excess heat when I am doing email or posting on the forum.

This way I shut down the discrete GPU while emailing and fire up the dedicated GPU when I want to frag.

With the GeForce boost, theoretically you should get an added boost.

If the pricing is right then I am there!

Hugh.....this is alot of fluff.

Its a marketing pet to get you to buy a PC with the following:

Nvidia motherboard c/w:
Nvidia North and South bridge chips
Nvidia on-board geforce chip
Nvidia GPU on the add-in board (perhaps....an SLI double your pleasure....err cost!)

You see......Nvidia is going the way of the dodo bird. Sure their stuff is great now but......It is expected that Nvidias market share may drop to a small minority by 2011.

Intel is expecting to get a dedicated GPU by 2011
AMD bought ATI and already competes

2009 will bring a motherboard that has a CPU/GPU combo......discrete chips are already on their way out.

I hate to say it but.....Hugh; if you want to buy one of these: do you hold Nvidia stock?

fluff...pure fluff.

Hugh; if you want to buy one of these: do you hold Nvidia stock?

I have one word to describe you and your trolling attack but I won't.

Saying NVidia is going the way of the dodo bird is simply ridiculous. The company has been on the leading edge of GPU development for many years and has been kicking ATI's butt for several years now You obviously have a grudge against this company because the companies financial and product performance has been quite incredible over the years.

Oh yeah and just so you know, I unfortunately hold AMD (i.e./ ATI) stock. Perhaps you work for ATI?

Suggesting this is marketing fluff may be your way of dismissing the hard work of others but I've read quite a few commentators on "hard core" sites who have written quite positively about the hybrid power option. I take power consumption very seriously so computer makers that allow me to save electricity and reduce heat generation without sacrificing GPU power when I need it have my attention.

Reflecting your reply.....its simple to describe the characteristics of a troll.
To each his own.

Dont get all huffy because of someone elses opinions. Granted you are seemingly quite into your own.

ATI does not exist any longer. Nvidia has been the king for quite some time since the relesase of the antiquated 9800 (2003-2004). I'm quite sure you are fully aware of these issues.

I suggested myself that Nvidia is great "now". My 'troll' is via Nvidias ability to release press that seemingly works buyers into a stupor to spend aditional monies on their same old product for more money......

in this case with the illusion of saving money through power savings?

Laughable: The 400-600W power supply required to even partially energize their 'SLI' configurations cost you excessively. To suggest buying new power hungry components with no real performance improvments with the hopes of saving energy is a marketing pitch:

targeted specificly at the green conscience user who is soaking up 400-600watt computer usages over 4-6 hour gaming sessions.

Laughable.