Nvidia Quadro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Nvidia Quadro series of AGP and PCI Express graphics-cards comes from the NVIDIA Corporation. Their designers aimed to accelerate CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and DCC (digital content creation), and the cards usually feature in workstations. (Compare the NVIDIA GeForce product-line, which specifically targets computer-gaming.) Competing products include the FireGL line of workstation graphics cards by the ATI Technologies, Inc.. Companies such as Matrox and Avid also focus on specialized hardware accelerated graphics cards intended primarily for DCC.
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[edit] History
The Quadro line of GPU cards resulted from negotiations between SGI, Nvidia and VA Linux Systems (known today as Sourceforge) in early 2000, as it became apparent that the new and rapidly-growing Intel/Linux platform would supplant the MIPS/IRIX machines.[1] Nvidia intended the Quadro card as a successor to the SGI VPro Graphics pipeline (the so-called "Pipeline on a chip" concept) in its Intel line of workstations (SGI Visual Workstation 230, 330, and 550), having drivers customized to the conventions of Linux (in particular, Redhat Linux 6.0) and Windows NT. Almost 11 months later, in December of 2000, SGI offered the Quadro 2 cards as upgrades to Visual Workstations, conveniently naming them the V7 series (the Quadro had used "V6").[2]
It remains unknown whether the NV10GL chip duplicated or modified the V6 GPU in the SGI Octane series. The Quadro2 offered the caveat of unifying both its framebuffers to appear as one (TwinView, now known as nView), a feat formerly only possible via the InfiniteReality Graphics Pipeline of the then current SGI Onyx Workstations (which could unify a maximum of 8 pipes to work as one).
To complement the Quadro's launch SGI had ported Maya (software) and the OpenGL Performer API to Linux (previously ported to Windows NT), while Open Inventor and some of IRIX's underpinnings (most prominently XFS) went open-source.
[edit] Quadro Plex
Quadro Plex consists of a line of external servers for rendering videos. A Quadro Plex contains multiple Quadro FX video cards. A client computer connects to Quadro Plex (using PCI Express x8 or x16 interface card with interconnect cable) to initiate rendering.
[edit] Video cards
[edit] GeForce
Many of these cards use the same chipset as the game- and action-oriented GeForce video cards by NVIDIA. Those cards that are identical to the desktop cards can be 'soft-modded' to emulate its equivalent Quadro card.[3]
The difference comes in the firmware controlling the card. Given the importance of speed in a game, a system used for gaming can shut down textures, shading, or rendering after only approximating a final output — in order to keep the overall frame-rate high. The algorithms on a CAD-oriented card tend rather to complete all rendering operations, even if that introduces delays or variations in the timing.
[edit] PCI Express
Quadro Chip |
Core | Core Clock (MHz) |
Memory Clock (MHz) |
Memory Size (MB (MiB)) |
Memory Type | Memory Bandwidth (GB/s) |
3-pin Stereo Connector |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FX 330 | NV37GL | 250 | 200 | 64 | 64-bit DDR | 3.2 | No | Chip also used in GeForce PCX 5300 |
FX 350 | G72GL | 550 | 405 | 128 | 64-bit GDDR2 | 6.48 | No | Chip also used in GeForce 7300LE |
FX 370 | G84GL | 360 | 400 | 256 | 64-bit DDR2 | 6.4 | No | 2x Dual-link DVI-I, Shader Model 4.0 OpenGL 2.1/DirectX 10 |
FX 540 | NV43GL | 300 | 275 | 128 | 128-bit GDDR | 8.8 | No | Chip also used in GeForce 6600 |
FX 550 | NV43GL | 360 | 400 | 128 | 128-bit GDDR3 | 12.8 | No | 2x Dual-link DVI |
FX 560 | G73GL | 350 | 600 | 128 | 128-bit GDDR3 | 19.2 | No | Chip also used in GeForce 7600, 1x Dual-link DVI |
FX 570 | G84GL | 460 | 400 | 256 | 128-bit DDR2 | 12.8 | No | 2x Dual-link DVI-I, Shader Model 4.0 OpenGL 2.1/DirectX 10 |
FX 1300 | NV38GL | 350 | 275 | 128 | 256-bit DDR | 17.6 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce PCX 5950, 2x Single-link DVI |
FX 1400 | NV42GL | 350 | 300 | 128 | 256-bit DDR | 19.2 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 6800, 2x Single-link DVI |
FX 1500 | G71GL | 325 | 625 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 40.0 | No | Chip also used in GeForce 79xx, clocked down/pipe disabled (16 pixel, 6 vertex), 2x Dual-link DVI |
FX 1700 | G84GL | 460 | 400 | 512 | 128-bit DDR2 | 12.8 | No | 2x Dual-link DVI-I/TV Out, Shader Model 4.0 OpenGL 2.1/DirectX 10 |
FX 3400 | NV45GL | 350 | 450 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 28.8 | Yes | 2x Dual-link DVI |
FX 3450 | NV42GL | 425 | 500 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 32.0 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 6800, 1x Dual-link DVI |
FX 3500 | G71GL | 450 | 660 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 42.2 | Yes | Based on same core as the Quadro 5500, but with only 20 pixel, 7 vertex units, and 256 MB RAM. |
FX 3700 | G92 | 600 | 900 | 512 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 51.2 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 8800GT, 112 streaming processors, PCI Express 2.0, Energy Star 4.0 compliant (consumes less than 80 watts of power) |
FX 4000 SDI | NV42GL | 425 | 500 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 32.0 | Yes | FX 4000 with 2x SDI HDTV outputs + digital and analog genlock (using external controllers) |
FX 4400 | NV45GL | 400 | 525 | 512 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 33.6 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 6800 PCI-E, 2x Dual-link DVI |
FX 4500 | G70GL | 470 | 525 | 512 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 33.6 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 7800GTX, 2x Dual-link DVI |
FX 4500 SDI | G70GL | 470 | 525 | 512 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 33.6 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 7800GTX, 1x Dual-link DVI, has 2x SDI HDTV outputs + analog and digital genlock |
FX 4500 X2 | G70GL | 500 | 600 | 512x2 | 256-bit x2 GDDR3 | 33.6 x2 | Yes | Two Quadro FX 4500 GPU units on the same PCI-Express card, 4x Dual-link DVI. |
FX 5500 | G71GL | 650 | 500 | 1024 | 256-bit GDDR2 | 32 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 7900GTX, 2x Dual-link DVI. 24 pixel units and 8 vertex units. |
FX 5500 SDI | G71GL | 650 | 500 | 1024 | 256-bit GDDR2 | 32 | Yes | FX 5500 with SDI, Genlock/Frame Lock support (via external hardware) |
FX 4600 | G80GL | 400 | 700 | 768 | 384-bit GDDR3 | 67.2 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 8800GTX, 2x Dual-link DVI. |
FX 4600 SDI | G80GL | 400 | 700 | 768 | 384-bit GDDR3 | 67.2 | Yes | FX 4600 with SDI, Genlock/Frame Lock support (via external hardware) |
FX 4700 X2 | G92 | 600 | 900 | 512x2 | 256-bit x2 GDDR3 | 51.2 x2 | Yes | Two Quadro FX 3700 GPU units on the same PCI-Express card, 2x Dual-link DVI (DVI-I x4) and S-Video Output. |
FX 5600 | G80GL | 600 | 800 | 1536 | 384-bit GDDR3 | 76.8 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 8800Ultra, requires two 6-pin supplementary power connectors. |
FX 5600 SDI II | G80GL | 600 | 800 | 1536 | 384-bit GDDR3 | 76.8 | Yes | FX 5600 with New SDI, Genlock/Frame Lock support (via external hardware) |
[edit] AGP
Quadro Chip |
Core | Core Clock (MHz) |
Memory Clock (effective) (MHz) |
Memory Size (MB) |
Memory Type | Memory Bandwidth (GB\s) |
Interface | 3-pin Stereo Connector |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NV10GL | 135 | 166 | 64 | 128-bit SDR | 2.66 | 4x | ? | chip also used in GeForce 256 | |
2 MXR | NV11GL | 200 | 183 | 128-bit SDR | 2.93 | 4x | ? | chip also used in GeForce 2 MX | |
2 EX | NV11GL | 175 | 166 | ? | ? | ? | ? | chip also used in GeForce 2 MX | |
2 PRO | NV15GL | 250 | 400 | ? | 6.4 | 4x | ? | chip also used in GeForce 2 GTS | |
DCC | NV20GL | ? | ? | 128-bit DDR | 7.3 | 4x | ? | chip also used in GeForce 3/Ti | |
4 380 XGL | NV18GL | 275 | 513 | 64 | 128-bit DDR | 8.2 | 8x | ? | - |
4 500 XGL | NV17GL | ? | ? | 128-bit SDR | ? | ? | ? | - | |
4 550 XGL | NV17GL | 270 | 400 | 64 | 128-bit DDR | 6.4 | 4x | no | |
4 580 XGL | NV18GL | ? | ? | 64 | 128-bit DDR | ? | 8x | ? | chip also used in GeForce 4 MX 440 |
4 700 XGL | NV25 | 275 | 550 | 64 | 128-bit DDR | ? | 4x | ? | chip also used in GeForce 4 Ti 4200 |
4 750 XGL | NV25 | 275 | 550 | 128 | 128-bit DDR | ? | 4x | yes | chip also used in GeForce 4 Ti 4400 |
4 780 XGL | NV28GL | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | yes | chip also used in GeForce 4 Ti 4200 (AGP 8x) | |
4 900 XGL | NV25 | 300 | 650 | 128 | 128-bit DDR | 10.4 | 4x | Yes | chip also used in GeForce 4 Ti 4600 |
4 980 XGL | NV28GL | 300 | 650 | 128 | 128-bit DDR | 10.4 | 8x | yes | chip also used in GeForce 4 Ti 4800 |
FX 500 | NV34GL | 270 | 243 | 128 | 128-bit DDR | ? | 8x | no | chip also used in GeForce FX 5200 |
FX 700 | NV35GL | 275 | 275 | 128 | 256-bit DDR | 17.6 | 8x | no | - |
FX 1000 | NV30GL | 300 | 300 | 128 | 128-bit GDDR2 | 9.6 | 8x | yes | chip also used in GeForce FX 5800 |
FX 1100 | NV36GL | 425 | 325 | 128 | 128-bit DDR | 10.4 | 8x | yes | chip also used in GeForce FX 5700 |
FX 2000 | NV30GL | 400 | 400 | 128 | 128-bit GDDR2 | 12.8 | 8x | yes | chip also used in GeForce FX 5800, One Dual-Link DVI |
FX 3000 | NV35GL | 400 | 425 | 256 | 256-bit DDR | 27.2 | 8x | yes | chip also used in GeForce FX 5900, 1x Dual-link DVI (via external controller) |
FX 3000G | NV35GL | 400 | 425 | 256 | 256-bit DDR | 27.2 | 8x | yes | has external stereo frame sync connector, 1x Dual-link DVI (via external controller) |
FX 4000 | NV40GL | 375 | 500 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 32.0 | 8x | yes | chip also used in GeForce 6800, 2x Dual-link DVI (2nd link using external TMDS transmitter) |
FX 4000 SDI | NV40GL | 375 | 500 | 256 | 256-bit GDDR3 | 32.0 | 8x | yes | FX 4000 with 2x SDI HDTV outputs + digital and analog genlock (using external controllers) |
[edit] PCI
Quadro Chip |
Core | Core Clock (MHz) |
Memory Clock (effective) (MHz) |
Memory Size (MB) |
Memory Type | Memory Bandwidth (GB\s) |
3-pin Stereo connector |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FX 600 PCI | NV34GL | 270 | 243 | 256 | 128-bit DDR | 7.8 | Yes | Chip also used in GeForce 5200 Ultra |
[edit] For business
The NVIDIA Quadro NVS graphics processing units (GPUs) provide business-graphics solutions for small, medium, and enterprise-level businesses. The NVIDIA Quadro NVS desktop solutions enable multi-display graphics for businesses such as financial traders.
Quadro Chip |
Max. Resolution (digital) |
Interface | Output Type | Displays Supported |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NVS 50 | 1600x1200 | AGP 8x / PCI | DVI-I, S-Video | 1 | Uses NV18 |
NVS 100 | 2048x1536 | AGP 4x / PCI | 2x DVI-I, VGA, S-Video | 2 | Uses NV17(A5)? |
NVS 200 | 1280x1024 | AGP 4x / PCI | LFH-60 | 2 | Uses NV17 |
NVS 280 | 1600x1200 | PCI-Express x16 / AGP 8x / PCI | DMS-59 | 2 | Uses NV34 |
NVS 285 | 1920x1200 | PCI-Express x1 / x16 | DMS-59 | 2 | Uses NV44 |
NVS 290 | 1920x1200 | PCI-Express x1 / x16 | DMS-59 | 2 | Uses G86 |
NVS 400 | 1280x1024 | PCI | LFH-60 | 4 | Uses 2x NV17 |
NVS 440 | 1920x1200 | PCI-Express x1 / x16 | 2x DMS-59 | 4 | Uses 2x NV43 |
[edit] Mobile applications
Quadro Chip |
Core | Core Clock speed (MHz) | Memory Clock speed (MHz) | Memory Size | Memory Type |
Memory Bandwidth |
Interface | 3-pin Stereo connector |
Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FX 350M | G72GLM | 350 | 450 | Up to 256 MB | 64-bit | 6.4 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | Go 7400-based |
FX 360M | G86M | ? | ? | Up to 256 MB | 64-bit | 9.6 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | 8400M-GS based |
FX 570M | G84M | 475 | 700 | Up to 256 MB | 128-bit | 22.4 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | 8600M-GT based |
FX 1500M | G71GLM | 375 | 500 | Up to 512 MB | 256-bit | 38.4 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | Go 7900 GS-based |
FX 1600M | G84M | 625 | 800 | Up to 512 MB | 128-bit | 25.6 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | 8700M-GT based |
FX 2500M | G71GLM | 500 | 600 | Up to 512 MB | 256-bit | 38.4 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | Go 7900 GTX-based |
FX 3500M | G71GLM | 575 | 600 | Up to 512 MB | 256-bit | 38.4 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | Go 7950 GTX-based |
FX 3600M | G92M | ? | ? | Up to 512 MB | 256-bit | 51.2 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | 8800M based |
NVS 110M | G72M | 300 | 600 | 128 MB/256 MB/512 MB | 64-bit DDR | ? | PCI Express | varies | Go 7300-based |
NVS 120M | G72GLM | 450? | 350? | 128 MB/256 MB/512 MB | 64-bit GDDR2 | ? | PCI Express | varies | Also recognized as QuadroFX 350M / Go 7400 |
NVS 130M | G86M | ? | ? | 128 MB/256 MB | 64-bit ? | ? | PCI Express | varies | 8400M-G based |
NVS 135M | G86M | ? | ? | 128 MB/256 MB | 64-bit | ? | PCI Express | varies | 8400M-GS based |
NVS 140M | G86M | 400 | 600 | 128 MB/256 MB | 64-bit | 9.6GB/s | PCI Express | varies | 8400M-GS based[citation needed] |
NVS 300M | G72GLM | 450 | 500 | 128 MB/256 MB/512 MB | 128-bit GDDR3 | 16 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | Go 7600-based |
NVS 320M | G84M | 575 | 700 | 128 MB/256 MB/512 MB | 128-bit GDDR3 | 22.5 GB/s | PCI Express | varies | 8700M-GT based |
NVS 510M | G72GLM | ? | ? | 256 MB/512 MB/1 GB (1 GiB) | 256-bit ? | ? | PCI Express | varies | Go 7950-based? |
[edit] See also
- ATI FireGL - ATI workstation graphics solution
- Sun Visualization System - uses NVIDIA Quadro FX for 3D rendering and graphics acceleration
- IrisVision - A forerunner of the quadro back in the heady days of MS-DOS and IrisGL
[edit] References
- ^ Press Release
- ^ Perez, Derek. Press Release: "NVIDIA Graphics Empower SGI Workstations". NVIDIA Corporation. Retrieved on 04 April 2008.
- ^ NVIDIA GeForce To Quadro Soft-Mod Guide
[edit] External links
- NVIDIA.com - NVIDIA Quadro Plex
- Plasma-online identify Nvidia chips page
- Rojakpot
- Meaker's Notebook graphics charts
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