NVidia shows vision for Vista with latest chips
Vendor teams with software giant Microsoft to promote its range of chips for new operating system
Microsoft and nVidia have teamed up to promote the graphical capabilities of the new Windows Vista operating system by announcing a full spectrum of Vista-Ready chips.
The graphics chip maker is keen to point out that Windows Vista is the first operating system to require a dedicated graphics processor to make its high performance features run smoothly.
ATI has also come out with strong support with the launch of its ATI Catalyst 7.1 drivers for Vista. Both graphics companies are banking on Vista’s high graphics demands driving more sales of dedicated graphics cards.
NVidia has been the most aggressive to date, by announcing more than 100 different Windows Vista-Ready graphics processors and motherboards. These include dedicated graphics processing units (GPUs) and media and communications processors (MCPs). The company is also showing off the high-end GeForce 8800, the only DirectX 10 GPU on the market.
Rob Csongor, vice-president of corporate marketing at nVidia, said: “Windows Vista features a new 3D interface that significantly improves the computing experience. Vista’s Aero Glass, Windows Vista Photo Explorer and rich media capabilities are actually accelerated with a graphics processor. In addition, a host of popular applications including Microsoft 3D Maps, Picasa and Adobe Acrobat also take advantage of a graphics processor. Every user who plans to build or buy a new PC now should be sure to include a graphics processor in their system.”
Anantha Kancherla, principal group program manager at Microsoft, said: “Microsoft has worked closely with nVidia to ensure that its GPUs are excellent Windows Vista-Ready solutions. Also, its work with DirectX 10 has resulted in outstanding GPUs that will exceed gamers’ needs for the next generation.”
NVidia has also extended its Preface platform, a secondary display subsystem that lets users access Windows Gadgets and information from their notebooks or PC, even when the main system is powered down. A growing number of notebooks coming out in 2007 will come with secondary displays for accessing certain applications without having to boot up the operating system.
Hector Ruiz, chairman and chief executive of AMD, parent company of nVidia, said: “Today begins a new era in computing, one that will change people’s expectations about how they enjoy their PCs.”
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