Thread: NVIDIA Hybrid 511

The next version of SLI, the Hybrid SLI is NVIDIA's solution for hybrid graphics. The older SLI technology enables two or more discrete GPUs to work together and provide increased graphics performance. The Hybrid SLI technology is similar to SLI in allowing multi-GPU collaboration but with two added benefits: apart from connecting two discrete GPUs (dGPUs), the NVIDIA motherboard GPU (mGPU) can be made to work with an NVlDIA dGPU to enhance the overall visual experience. Here, the mGPU and dGPU share the rendering load by rendering different frames of an image; and secondly.

The HybridPower feature enables the user to switch off the dGPU when the maximum performance of the dGPU is not required and use the mGPU for non-intensive graphics applications, such as high definition DVD playback,Web surfing and office productivity applications. Switching off the dG PU not only lowers the total system power consumption but also lowers total system noise and heat.



The GeForce Boost mode (part of the technology) allows up to two displays to be connected to either the mGPU or dGPU. When displays are connected to both adapters, Hybrid SLI mode is disabled and multi adapter extended desktop mode is enabled. I n this mode, up to four displays may be connected (two driven by the mGPU and the other two by the dGPU). Both ATI Hybrid Graphics and NVIDIA Hybrid SLI have been designed to take full advantage of DirectX 10. J and the Unified Shader Model 4.1, and so they work only on Vista.