Graphics

Odyssey

Introduction

General

The VPro series (code name "Odyssey") is a graphics option available for a wide range of systems:

  • Octane 2 (VPro V6, V8, V10, V12)
  • Fuel (VPro V10, V12)
  • Tezro (VPro V10, V12)
  • Onyx 350 (VPro V12 aka Infinite Performance)
  • Onyx 3000 (VPro V12 aka Infinite Performance)

Technology

Features

  • OpenGL on a chip technology
  • Hardware implementation of specular shading with per-pixel normal interpolation (not texture overlays)
  • 48-bit (12-bit per component) RGBA
  • 96-bit hardware-accelerated accumulation buffer for depth of field, full-scene anti-aliasing, motion blurs and other effects
  • texture memory capacity 8MB (V6, V10) or 104MB (V8, V12)
    total memory 32MB (V6, V10) or 128MB (V8, V12)
  • Perspective-correct textures and colors
  • High-performance hardware clipping

Core Technology

The VPro graphics option is based on a proprietary chipset consisting of:

  • Buzz ASIC which contians a single chip implementation of the the graphics pipeline,
  • Pixel Blaster & Jammer ASIC and
  • SDRAM.

The Buzz ASIC contains also the XIO interface to the host system as well as interfaces to the other components of the VPro graphics option.

Versions

V6 and V8 are the first generation of VPro graphics option. The main difference between these two is the amount of memory available as framebuffer or texture memory. V6 has 32MB memory and V8 128MB memory available.

Shortly after the introduction of the first generation of VPro graphics options another pair of graphics boards has been introduced, again there is a lower cost version with 32MB memory (V10) and a larger version with 128MB memory (V12). Compared to the older V6 and V8 options geometry performance has been doubled.

Boards

Octane Version

For the Octane workstation all four implementations of VPro have been made avialable als XIO option boards: V6, V8 as well as the faster V10, V12. The Octane version of the VPro graphics option can only be used in the Octane. The graphics boards are not interchangeable between the different systems VPro is supported on.

Fuel Version

For the Fuel workstation the V10 and V12 variants of VPro have been avaiable. Due to a different form factor the boards are not interchangeable between either Fuel and Octane. The Fuel VPro boards have a DVI output in contrast to the older Octane VPro implementation which comes with a 13W3 connector.

Tezro Version

For the Tezro deskside workstation the V10 and V12 variants of VPro have been avaiable. Due to a different form factor the boards are not interchangeable between the Tezro and Octane. The Tezro VPro boards have a DVI output in contrast to the older Octane VPro implementation which comes with a 13W3 connector.

Infinite Performance Version

The Infinite Performance graphics option is actually a renamed V12 graphics option that is used on Onyx 3000 and Onyx 350 systems. In Onyx 3000 Infinite Performance V Bricks two of the V12 boards can be used, in Onyx 350 systems a single V12 is installed. As before the Infinite Performance V12 board is not interchangeable with the Octane implementation.

Setup

Octane Version

The Octane VPro graphics option is installed using a modified XIO carrier. The board takes the space of the upper two XIO slots leaving space for only 2 further XIO option cards.

Fuel

On Fuel systems the graphics option is installed in the graphics module located at the bottom of the Fuel chassis. The Dual Channel Display daughter card is also installed in the graphics module.

Tezro Deskside

The Tezro deskside systems do also have a graphics module at the bottom of the chassis in which the VPro board is installed. The Dual Channel Display daughter card is also installed in the graphics module.

Tezro Rackmount and Onyx 3000/350

The VPro graphics options on the rackmount systems are installed either in the compute module (Tezro, Onyx 350) or one of the Infinite Performance graphics modules on Onyx 3000 systems. They can also be equipped with a Dual Channel Display daughter card.

Pictures

Links