schizothemia: December 2010

LucidLogix has announced a new GPU virtualization system that would allow NVIDIA and AMD GPUs to work together with the integrated graphics in Intel Sandy Bridge powered computers. According to the company, the new Virtu system manages both the discrete GPU and the Sandy Bridge graphics, assigning high-power tasks to the dedicated graphics and then shutting them down during low-demand periods so as to save power and reduce energy consumption.

LucidLogix Virtu will work with all of the new, second-generation Core i3/i5/i7 chips which Intel is expected to officially announced at CES 2011 next week, together with NVIDIA or AMD 3D GPUs. The only requirement is that the display has to be hooked up to the motherboard’s Sandy Bridge display output (whether DVI, HDMI or something else).

The system seems similar in concept to NVIDIA’s Optimus, which automatically shifts graphics crunching between integrated graphics and discrete GPUs in certain notebooks and netbooks. However, the LucidLogix virtualization system has the benefit of working with any NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards.

Press Release:

LucidLogix GPU Virtualization to Reform Entertainment PC Power Consumption

Allows Discrete and Intel’s Sandy Bridge Processor Graphics to Dynamically Manage Power, Features and Performance

KFAR NETTER, Israel and SANTA CLARA, Calif. – December 28, 2010 – The pioneer of multi- vendor/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, no- compromise 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. For more information about LucidLogix, visit www.lucidlogix.com.

About LucidLogix
Lucid Technologies has reinvented multi-core graphics with its HYDRALOGIX real-time distributed processing engine that improves visual computing for both business and gaming applications. A fabless SoC provider, headquartered in Kfar Netter, Israel with sales and marketing in Santa Clara, California, Lucids innovations are protected by more than 60 patents pending. For more information, visit the Lucid website or follow @LucidHYDRA on Twitter.