The second initiative was to extend the reach of the gaming platforms mostly with a powerful graphics card. It was one of the first steps towards building a gaming super-computer around the PC architecture. Here the main idea was to redesign system architecture, GPU architecture and software accordingly. As a result we got the solution known as SLI. It will not just bring dual-graphics to the gaming system. Its point is enabling new categories of computers in the market. You are going to see dual GPUs (maybe more than dual), dual-core processors (maybe more than dual) bringing you to new level of graphics performance. And in the first place it addresses really specific audience that loves to get extra performance.
Besides that NVIDIA also undertook fundamental redesign of the way graphics cards are built by introducing turbo-cache technology. We are going to talk more about it later in this article.
Another initiative, which you might have already heard of before is called Pure Video. Computer has much more technology than any consumer electronic device nowadays. As we go into the high-definition transition next year NVIDIA believes they have to develop technology that can deliver one of the best experiences in high-definition digital video.
The goal is to invest into digital media technology so that it could organically merge with the culture of our time. And this is when MCP (media communications processor) turns out the actual implementation of this initiative. NVIDIA didn’t call it a chipset, like many other core logic developers as the word “chipset?doesn’t actually say anything. The idea behind our MCP is not to be just a bridge. It is not only a large package to connect the CPU and memory. It certainly performs this function, but in the future it will do a lot of other things. That is why NVIDIA decided to call it a Media Communications Processor. This business is very important to the company, according to Jen-Hsun. Especially, since it looks like NVIDIA has just finalized their cross-licensing agreement with Intel, so that they will be able to finally bring nForce into Intel platform (see this news story for more details). nForce franchise will really stretch into various markets, such as platforms for AMD and Intel, solutions for desktops, workstations and laptops.
Of course, NVIDIA is perfectly aware that AMD would have preferred nForce 4 to be an exclusive AMD platform. However, according to NVIDIA’s vision of the situation both, AMD and themselves, want the same thing ?that the consumers have the choice. This way going with Intel will supposedly not change NVIDIA’s relationship with AMD. But the market needs Intel platform too, and right now there is a lot of enthusiasm there.
There is nothing about Intel platform that limits NVIDIA’s innovation. The question is how we should actually encourage innovation? NVIDIA’s major strategy in this case is not to be afraid to make mistakes and not to punish for making mistakes. “When we do make a mistake, we step back, enjoy it and try to make sure we avoid it next time? - said NVIDIA’s CEO.
