NVIDIA Quadro Plex Pumps up CollaborationNVIDIA Quadro Plex Pumps up Collaboration

NVIDIA is attempting toredefine how companies leverage visualization technology to more effectivelycollaborate with 3-D technology via a new line of scalable solutions based on Quadro Plex, what itbills as a multi-GPU visual computing system.

The new Quadro Plex solutions, aimed at professionals infields like energy exploration, medical research, architectural design andengineering, allow any software application running on a standard workstationto be displayed across multiple ultra-high-resolution displays or projectors.This kind of setup, previously only possible with highly expensive andcustomized hardware and software, makes it easier to configure a range ofhighly visual collaboration environments - from individual desktops tovisualization walls and network operations centers.

For engineers, the Quadro Plex systems can provide acost-effective way to leverage a collaborative environment for design reviews,according to Justin Boitano, NVIDIA's senior product manager for professionalsolutions products. "With this kind of collaboration environment, engineeringdepartments can leverage cross-functional teams in design reviews, catchingflaws earlier in the process," he explains. While a CAVE represents the "uber" high-end of the visualization market,the Quadro Plex systems favor more of a conference room style, with flat,wall-mounted displays that provide a wide aspect ratio. "Design teams can seethe model in high resolution, rotate around it and get team members who arepart of the approval process to look at the 3-D model more collaboratively,"Boitano explains.

Prior to these systems, engineering departments that wantedsimilar capabilities were required to buy specialized, high-end equipment thatcould sell for upwards of $1 million. In addition, instead of being able to runstandard CAD and 3-D design tools on these visualization platforms, companieshad to invest in specialized software or convince software providers to rewriteexisting programs so they could support a multi-pipe GPU architecture, Boitanosays. "Our software hides all the complexity that there are multiple GPUs," hesays. "This is now a turnkey solution to connect a single workstation" to drivea high-resolution visualization environment.

The new NVIDA systems feature two Quadro FX 5800 GPUs and8Gbytes of memory. By connecting two Quadro Plex systems to a singleworkstation, users can view images at a resolution of 36 megapixels, spanvisuals across two 4K projectors or eight auto-synchronized displays. They canalso drive stereoscopic 3-D content for a more immersive experience, NVIDIAofficials say.

Quadro Plex solutions are available from NVIDIA partnersstarting at $10,750 for a single Quadro Plex system.

NVIDIA Quadro Plex Pumps up Collaboration A