Marking its latest attempt to improve the capabilities of graphics-based technology, NVIDIA has this week unveiled its new Optimus performance-switching platform, which has been designed to enable notebook computers to choose the best graphics processor for running given applications and automatically route workload accordingly.
Sorry, couldn\'t resist the Transformers pun. Image: NVIDIA.
According to Santa Clara-based NVIDIA, by allowing systems to channel and optimise processing muscle through either a discrete NVIDIA GPU or an integrated Intel solution “consumers no longer have to choose whether they want great graphics performance or sustained battery life.”
From a performance perspective, NVIDIA outlines that Optimus will point 3D games, video content and GPU computer applications to the host system’s discrete graphics chip, while more basic tasks such as email and Web browsing will be tasked to the integrated graphics processor.
In terms of related energy benefits, NVIDIA claims the efficiency improvements offered by Optimus should provide portable computers with up to twice the battery life when compared to similarly configured systems equipped with discrete graphics processing technology.
“The genius of NVIDIA Optimus is in its simplicity,” enthused Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research, a pioneer of the graphics industry and a leading analyst.
“One can surf the Web and get great battery life and when one needs the extra horsepower for applications like Adobe Flash 10.1, Optimus automatically switches to the more powerful NVIDIA GPU,” he added.
NVIDIA has outlined that the first notebook platforms to emerge equipped with Optimus technology will be the ASUS UL50Vf, N61Jv, N71Jv, N82Jv, and U30Jc.
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