NVIDIA SLI Certification Program

Good morning all!  NVIDIA informed us of a new program they have started to ensure that consumers who purchase SLI capable motherboards and video cards have a good expereience.  The technology at work in NVIDIA's new SLI implementation is complex, and NVIDIA wants to be sure that someone with an MSI SLI capable motherboard, for example, will be able to use Gainward SLI enabled video cards.  This certification program is definitely a good idea, and should go a long way to ensuring that the move to an SLI capable system is a smooth one...

NVIDIA SLI CERTIFICATION AND LOGO PROGRAM GARNERS WORLDWIDE INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Partner and Customer Production Samples of SLI Ready Components and PCs Tested in NVIDIA SLI Certification Lab to Ensure High-Quality Consumer Experience

SANTA CLARA, CA—NOVEMBER 10, 2004—NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), a worldwide leader in graphics and digital media processors, today announced that its worldwide NVIDIA SLI Certification and Logo Program is fully operational, with add-in cards, motherboards, and full PC systems already undergoing validation testing. NVIDIA is also working closely with its worldwide partners in the sales, marketing, and promotion of SLI technology to help consumers make an educated choice when purchasing SLI-Ready components or fully-equipped SLI PCs at retail or from qualified system builders.

NVIDIA SLI is the only graphics technology solution shipping today that allows users to combine the horsepower of two NVIDIA GeForce6 Series-based graphics cards (currently GeForce 6600 GT or higher) in a single PC resulting in a stunning increase in graphics performance. SLI is a complete patent-pending solution, featuring an intelligent communication protocol embedded in the GPU, a high-speed digital interface to facilitate data flow between the two graphics cards, and a complete software suite providing dynamic load balancing, advanced rendering, and compositing to ensure smooth frame rates, unparalleled game play, and faster performance.

The NVIDIA SLI certification process includes complex testing and analysis to ensure electrical, mechanical, and thermal compatibility. For PC system integrators, NVIDIA will check thermal measurements and ensure additional shock, power, and vibration tests are conducted on multiple components, including hard drives, fans, and power supplies. For application developers who wish to tune their applications to run best under SLI configurations, NVIDIA is providing NVIDIA SLI Certification and Logo Program Delivers High-Quality Consumer Experience performance tools and a complete SLI development system that allow their content to take advantage of additional detail levels and resolutions not previously available to single GPU systems.

Under this new program, products may earn one of two NVIDIA SLI certification logos. The "NVIDIA SLI Ready" logo is for use with components such as SLI-based graphics cards, and SLI-capable motherboards, including those based on NVIDIA nForce4 SLI technology. The "NVIDIA SLI" logo is for use with systems that have SLI-based graphics cards pre-installed with an NVIDIA SLI-Ready motherboard and all the appropriate drivers.

"This new certification and logo program helps end users looking to purchase or build this new class of PC make the right choice with regards to components and companies," said Ujesh Desai, general manager of desktop products at NVIDIA. "When you see one of our NVIDIA SLI logos, you can be sure the product has been verified and tested with SLI technology and that your favorite PC games will be ready to take advantage of the combined power of two graphics cards."

Worldwide system builders currently participating in the SLI program include, but are not limited to:

"NVIDIA's new certification and logo program will assure customers that Alienware is continuing to set the standard for providing breakthrough innovations in every system", said Robert Lusk, vice president of sales and marketing for Alienware. "Alienware is excited to share NVIDIA SLI Certification and Logo Program Delivers High-Quality Consumer Experience this dedication with NVIDIA and we look forward to a thrilling new generation of gaming with the power of SLI."

"The SLI concept has been close to the hearts of many hardcore gaming enthusiasts for many years," said Eelco Kroonenberg, product manager at Paradigit. "Its welcome return is great news for our customers, and Paradigit are thrilled to be on board, bringing this unbeatable technology to market."

"NVIDIA hasn't just raised the performance bar with SLI, it's sent it into orbit," said Elan Raja III, director of Scan Computers UK. "Scan prides itself on being the UK's leading enthusiast PC company, and we've been stunned with the results we're seeing on our SLI-enabled systems, and we think our customers will be too."

"Based on our own testing, it is clear that NVIDIA SLI combined with the nForce4 MCP is a deadly combination, wiping the floor with the competition," said Rahul Sood, President and CTO of VoodooPC. "It is an incredible technology and we can't wait to start fulfilling the orders that have been piling up since we announced our SLI product plans, which include a full line of Voodoo SLI PCs."

Leading motherboard manufacturers currently participating in the SLI program include, but are not limited to:

Leading add-in card manufacturers currently participating in the SLI program include, but are not limited to:

Complete systems, add-in cards, motherboards, and other SLI components will be available for sale starting later this month. For more information on NVIDIA SLI technology, please visit the Company's Web site at www.nvidia.com.