Nvidia at Work on New SLI Power Technology

Leave it to the folks at NVidia to make life better for notebook users everywhere. That’s what will happen when they release their upcoming SLI Power GPU solution. As it stands, the new system will allow notebooks to autonomously switch back and forth between an integrated graphics solution, to save power when less graphics horsepower is needed, and a higher power discreet graphics processor, that kicks in when you are gaming or doing other graphically demanding tasks.

The new SLI Power solution from NVidia will produce less heat overall than similar independent processors alone, while still maintaining the option to take advantage of higher performance when necessary. The system will also increase battery life, and contribute to a longer lasting system by only using parts when they are needed.

While there are many laptops already in existence that have both a discreet GPU and an integrated one, the product coming from nVidia will be the only one that will allow you to switch between the two processing units automatically without rebooting or otherwise interrupting an ongoing task. Through a system of hardware logic and course clock gating, the system will be able to cut power to unused devices while switching seamlessly between the two processors.

While getting this system to work seamlessly is not going to be an easy task for nVidia to complete (especially considering Windows-related driver and compatibility issues), the market is expecting a release that will coincide with the upcoming launch of Microsoft Vista (whenever that is).

Leave it to the folks at NVidia to make life better for notebook users everywhere. That’s what will happen when they release their upcoming SLI Power GPU solution. As it stands, the new system will allow notebooks to autonomously switch back and forth between an integrated graphics solution, to save power when less graphics horsepower is needed, and a higher power discreet graphics processor, that kicks in when you are gaming or doing other graphically demanding tasks.

The new SLI Power solution from NVidia will produce less heat overall than similar independent processors alone, while still maintaining the option to take advantage of higher performance when necessary. The system will also increase battery life, and contribute to a longer lasting system by only using parts when they are needed.

While there are many laptops already in existence that have both a discreet GPU and an integrated one, the product coming from nVidia will be the only one that will allow you to switch between the two processing units automatically without rebooting or otherwise interrupting an ongoing task. Through a system of hardware logic and course clock gating, the system will be able to cut power to unused devices while switching seamlessly between the two processors.

While getting this system to work seamlessly is not going to be an easy task for nVidia to complete (especially considering Windows-related driver and compatibility issues), the market is expecting a release that will coincide with the upcoming launch of Microsoft Vista (whenever that is).