NVIDIA Updates the Quadro Professional Series

NVIDIA launches today a new line-up of professional graphics solutions, which is said to deliver the greatest generational leap in the history of the American company. The line-up includes NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600, Quadro FX 5600, and Quadro Plex VCS Model IV models that are designed to help solve the world's most complex professional graphics challenges.

All new Quadro models include advanced features, such as:

- Shader Model 4.0 Vertex and Pixel Programmability, enabling a higher level of performance and ultra-realistic effects for OpenGL and DirectX 10 professional applications.
- 1.5 GB frame buffers, the largest on the market, delivering throughput needed for interactive visualization and real-time processing of large textures and frames. This feature also enables the superior quality and resolution for full-scene antialiasing (FSAA).
- Improved unified architecture capable of dynamically allocating computational, geometry, shading and pixel processing power for optimized GPU performance.
- NVIDIA CUDA technology, including GPU improvements for live visualization, which allow developers to tap into Quadro's high-performance computing power.

Other professional-grade features in the new Quadro solutions include improved 3D texturing speeds and support for massive 8,000x8,000 texture processing for better performance when zooming and panning through high-resolution images. The new Quadro cards are SLI-ready in order to deliver twice the graphics performance. The included dual dual-link display connectivity and NVIDIA's PureVideo technology allow for outstanding picture clarity, smooth video playback, accurate color and precise image scaling for SD and HD content on multiple displays at the same time. In addition, professional CGI artists and designers will also benefit from GSync and HD SDI options.

NVIDIA Quadro cards are already being shipped to OEMs, such as HP, Dell, IBM, and Sun, as well as to dedicated graphics cards integrators, such as Leadtek and Elsa. NVIDIA recommends a $1995 price-tag for the Quadro FX 4600 model, while the Quadro FX 5600 will sell for $2999.