NVidia unveils Quadro cards
NVidia teams up with Hewlett-Packard and SoftImage to push its high-performance graphics cards
NVidia has teamed up with partners Hewlett-Packard (HP) and SoftImage to push its latest generation of high-performance graphics cards for mobiles and desktop workstations.
The Quadro FX series, which comprises the Quadro FX 4500, 3500, 1500 and 560, boast new architecture that includes High-Precision Dynamic Range (HPDR) technology for more realistic rendering.
High-dynamic rendering, which results in photo-realistic animation, has always been a problem because of the limitations of 32bit graphics hardware. Using 64bit texture filtering and blending technology, HPDR promises photo-like graphics and is based on the OpenEXR standard developed by special effects firm Industrial Light and Magic.
HP has just launched its HP Compaq nw9440 mobile workstation, which will feature the Quadro FX 1500M graphics processing unit and 256MB of graphics double data rate (GDDR) III video memory.
Jim Zafarana, vice-president of marketing, workstation division, at HP, said: “HP customers have long taken advantage of the range of nVidia Quadro solutions offered in our desktop workstations. We are pleased that they can now get the same professional graphics in the HP Compaq nw9440, the most powerful mobile solution we have ever offered.”
The Quadro FX 4500 sits at the top of the range, delivering 33.6Gbps memory bandwidth, 512MB GDDR2 frame buffer memory, 256bit memory interface and support for two, ultra high-resolution digital panels with resolutions of 3840 x 2400 pixels.
Marc Stevens, vice-president and general manager of SoftImage, developer of 3D character animation software, said: “HP and nVidia play an instrumental role in providing the hardware platforms that allow our customers to make, manage, and move their media. When SoftImage XSI is paired with the Quadro graphics on HP workstations, customers can count on stable, certified workstations that accelerate the creative process and streamline their workflow.”