Despite everything, nVidia back in the spotlight. Hydra, the development of Lucid Logix, was promising and proactive product since then, as it was announced in 2008. Lucid representatives argued that this development will allow the video cards from different manufacturers to work together even better than existing solutions, such as SLI or Crossfire. Thus, it can be combined with the Radeon graphics card GeForce, and they would work well together, for example, the Split Frame Rendering (rendering mode in the SLI, when the load sharing at the level of the frame). And AMD, and nVidia are understandably skeptical about this decision. Now Lucid Hydra 200 chip is ready and theoretically should be available in motherboards MSI Big Bang Fuzion.

With the advent of interfaces QPI and DMI, developed by Intel, nVidia participate in motherboards for the Intel platform was limited to the sale of licenses SLI and / or chips NF200. If Lucid Hydra 200 chip will actually do what the manufacturer promises, he may prove more attractive alternative. According to rumors, nVidia disables multi-GPU with any system Lucid Hydra 200 at the driver level. Even before the release of a promising prospect of using multi-GPU systems with graphics chips from different manufacturers, is suddenly under threat. This step is very similar arguments about PhysX. Video Cards nVidia will not use PhysX, if engaged in rendering graphics card ATI.

Moreover, the motherboard with the Hydra 200, MSI Big Bang Fuzion, was to be released Oct. 29, 2009, but its appearance is mysteriously delayed. Instead, appeared almost identical charges MSI Big Bang Trinergy, in which the Hydra 200 chip is replaced by NF200. Such developments, of course, led to new flows of rumors, accusations of forcing the company MSI, outbound from nVidia, defer payment Fuzion and instead issue a fee Trinergy. Allegations of fraud, anti-competitive practices, etc., well, this nVidia is facing is not the first time.

However, MSI has responded to these rumors, stating that the release fee Hydra 200 Fuzion has been suspended until the first quarter of 2010. Why? Because Lucid need to configure the driver under Windows This motherboard Big Bang Trinergy was planned long before there was Hydra. Trinergy will hit the market at the end of November. Lucid Hydra 200 shows in September, promising to release on October 29 this product. But something (what?) Went wrong, and MSI unexpectedly found that the solution to all issues related to the drivers needed a few more months. Of course, at this stage it seems that there is hidden a little more than tell producers. Once again, nVidia embroiled in a dispute over anti-competitive measures, although it remains to be seen to what extent.

Lucid ─ indeed a promising product, its release was imminent, but now suddenly he became a product, which can not perform its functions, with no apparent fault of their own. It should be remembered how difficult it is to release something new and interesting in this regard. If the delay issue really is the result of nVidia, it is likely; nVidia really fears the emergence of the star product Lucid. If nVidia drivers will remain a ban on Hydra, Lucid still has all chances to become a real alternative to CrossFire. Interestingly, if Hydra is really better than SLI / CrossFire, then the ban can be turned against nVidia. As we know, AMD is open to technological advances, so it is unlikely to impose on the driver any restrictions, and, possibly, AMD will even such developments, together with Lucid.