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LucidLogix Virtu ago

Hybrid Graphics as possible on the desktop

Historically, integrated graphics card, with its notoriously poor performances were of little interest to advanced users. But the perception has begun to change with Intel Sandy Bridge, and later its Ivy Bridge microarchitecture. While Sandy Bridge-class DX10, Intel HD 2000/3000 graphics engines are not art by any means, they provide sufficient performance for most PC users, and therefore contributed to gain market shares Intel graphics in the race. Ivy Bridge improves the situation with a more powerful graphics core execution units equipped with additional support DX11. While Intel HD 3000 offers 12 EG, Ivy Bridge HD 4000 engine 16.

But perhaps the most sought after feature Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge Quick Sync. Quick Sync is a dedicated encoding / decoding engine that can burn through video encoding tasks lightning speed. The problem is that Quick Sync is part of the block of the GPU Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, and when a GPU is installed and no monitor is connected to the integrated GPU, Quick Sync is not available.

not be able to use Quick Sync and discrete graphics while not sit well with the fans, but a viable alternative was available when

LucidLogix

introduced

Virtu

, a product that enables virtualization systems and hybrid GPU enabled graphics configurations. With Virtu, users can enjoy the benefits of a discrete GPU when gaming and still take advantage of GPU to save power or fast synchronization. The best part is that Virtu is supported by a variety of motherboards. In the pages that follow, we will explain how Virtu and how you can configure your own system, then we show how a hybrid graphics settings affected compare the performance of our test systems.

LucidLogix Virtu

Explanation

Although the underlying technology is relatively complex, it is easy to explain and understand how Virtu. First, note that Virtu is a software solution from top to bottom to make the program a BIOS code is not necessary to make changes to the hardware. Virtu require special hooks in the BIOS and the presence of two discrete (dGPU) and / embedded processor (iGPU) graphics in a system, but that's all.

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Virtu When installed on a system, essentially virtualizes the GPU available. The name Virtu is actually an abbreviation for GPU virtualization. With Virtu, Lucid multi-GPU abstraction layer provided between the operating system and drivers, and the abstraction layer that intercepts API calls DirectX games and applications. At that time, OpenGL and

WebGL not supported. Once a call is intercepted, rendering assignment manager Virtu analysis and then decides the task executor after the iGPU or dGPU one, based on a set of default application profiles, including hundreds of games and multimedia tools.

Virtu can be configured in two ways: i-mode or mode. I-mode refers to a configuration wherein the display is connected to the output of integrated graphics display engine, while D-mode means that the monitor is connected to the graphics processor. The available modes are listed because the last step Virtu performs depends on how it is used. Once a task is completed, the output (typically a rendered image) is copied into the appropriate frame buffer GPUs, which is finally output to the screen. When operating in mode i-mode, the output of the dGPU is copied into the image buffer iGPU, vice versa, by d-mode

Currently, there are three different versions of LucidLogix Virtu available for end users: green Virtu, Virtu Universal MVP and Virtu. All versions of the function similarly, but each has a different set of features. Virtu green are the most basic and works only on Intel platforms. The following is the string Virtu Universal, which is compatible with Intel and AMD platforms, and also adds support for Lucid virtual V-Sync technology. Finally, Virtu MVP, which has all the features and compatibility of Universal, but adds support for technology HyPerformance Lucid, too.

Although

are independently configurable Virtual V-Sync and HyPerformance are interconnected. These two features have been misinterpreted as performance enhancers in the game, when in reality only will affect the image quality and responsiveness of entry. Virtual V-Sync leverages the resources of the iGPU when the GPU is used to study the frame buffer dGPU and ensure that only the last image shows the screen rendering. Thus, V-Sync prevents breakage virtual artifacts and always ensures that the latest data from the frame displayed on the screen. Only useful, however, when the speed exceeds a framework set discount rate monitor attached, which is usually 60 Hz (or 60 fps) to integrate LCDs. HyPerformance uses a prediction algorithm to determine which frames are never displayed, and removes all unnecessary rendering tasks for executives in the pipeline, release the dGPU to process only those items will appear later. This results in a decreased workload for dGPU and increased responsiveness, but Virtual V-Sync, HyPerformance only useful when frame rates than the refresh rate of the monitor.

Hardware Considerations

Virtu

short plate having a supporting base and the discrete and integrated processor GPU, no special hardware considerations Virtu. As already mentioned, is a pure software solution. LucidLogix has worked with manufacturers of motherboards with Virtu included motherboards usually strategic to support Intel Sandy Bridge processors Ivy Bridge and base, but also supports Virtu AMD A-Series APU chipsets. Due to the requirement of GPUs both discrete and integrated Virtu, however, is not compatible with the chipset end of class amateur high, as it is designed for Intel Sandy Bridge-E or AMD Bulldozer such as no graphics processor die.

now almost qualified to work with a single discrete GPU configurations and also supports output DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI, etc are all supported. Virtu also supports multi-monitor configurations, but the multi-GPU support is questionable. Lucid Virtu ask about support CrossFire or SLI multi-GPU configurations and said: "The reason why the aid is limited today our flexibility to connect the display mode i-mode (for the motherboard ) or D-Mode (GPU.) In i-mode, which is the most popular, we allow additional energy savings and noise reduction, but the control panels for SLI or CrossFire providers are not available. Furthermore, the range of products is sent Virtu massive volumes (hoping for 10 million units by the end of the year). Virtu is designed for the mass market. SLI / CF are relatively small markets and require a lot of work with special solutions. "In fact, when i-Mode panel, AMD and Nvidia driver control does not load. Actually, if you try to access it when Virtu is enabled i-mode, an error message is displayed, indicating GPU support is not available, even if the GPU drivers to load with Windows. panels control does not prevent users from connecting SLI or CrossFire, however, and prevent their application profiles detection correct games. Having said that, you can implement a system-Mode, SLI or CrossFire is enabled, then new i-mode, but success is not guaranteed. CrossFire We have to work on i- mode, but SLI never scales well.

competition standards

hybrid graphics are not new and certainly not unique to Virtu. Nvidia and AMD both offer switchable graphics solutions to achieve many of the same goals Virtu. Nvidia Optimus technology switches seamlessly between integrated GPU and based on the needs of an application or the available energy. AMD switchable graphics, though not as simple as Nvidia does basically the same. However, both AMD and NVIDIA technologies are generally relegated to the mobile space, except for a single Alienware system (X51) which is based on Optimus.

Nvidia

closest he came to offer a hybrid graphics solution for Alienware X51 Desktop PC is with this wee.

We both companies to see if anyone had switchable graphics solutions for work for the office and got the typical response that neither able to comment on unreleased products. Nvidia said that there is nothing that prevents the use of Optimus manufacturers of desktop systems, but has not been done because the power is much less a problem in the desktop system , especially as recently published graphics cards consume little energy at idle or sitting on the desk. AMD representative said something like: "On desktop platforms, energy efficiency leading to AMD ZeroCore This significantly reduces the power without having to resort to solutions like switchable graphics.".

Virtu

Configuring a desktop

Virtu

System Installation could not be easier. Assuming you have a motherboard supports the platform iGPU and dGPU required and installed, there are only a few steps to get Virtu running.

1. Choose your mode

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As already mentioned, you can practically set i-mode, in which a monitor is connected to the output of the integrated graphics processor, or d-mode, which is connected to a monitor graphics card. Although our tests did not show any difference in the two modes, you will want to use i-mode if consumption is your main concern of the same, if the game's performance is your priority. To select the mode, simply connect the monitor to display the result you want the graphics card (d-Mode) or system board (i-mode).

2. Virtu enabled in the system BIOS / UEFI

by Virtu to work, you must use a compatible motherboard with the required hooks built into your system BIOS / UEFI. If you are unsure about the compatibility of your motherboard Virtu, refer to the characteristics of the manufacturer's website (if Virtu was included in the disk controller on the motherboard, it probably supports).

If you are sure you have a compatible motherboard with Virtu, the next step is to enter the BIOS and enable Virtu

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