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Scan-Line Interleave (SLI) is a multi-GPU method developed by 3dfx for linking two (or more) video cards or chips together to produce a single output. It is an application of parallel processing for computer graphics, meant to increase the processing power available for graphics.[1][2]
 Voodoo2 with SLI cable at top left | |
| Manufacturer | 3dfx |
|---|---|
| Type | Multi-GPU technology |
| Release date | 1998 |
| Connectivity | Ribbon cable |
| Successor | Scalable Link Interface |
3dfx's SLI technology was first introduced in 1998 with the Voodoo2 line of graphics accelerators. The original Voodoo Graphics card and the VSA-100[3][4] were also SLI-capable, however in the case of the former it was only used in arcades[5][6] and professional applications.[citation needed]
NVIDIA reintroduced the SLI acronym in 2004 as Scalable Link Interface. NVIDIA's SLI, compared to 3dfx's SLI, is modernized to use graphics cards interfaced over the PCI Express bus.[7]
Function
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3dfx's SLI design was the first attempt, in the consumer PC market, at combining the rendering power of two video cards. The two 3dfx cards were connected by a small ribbon cable inside the PC. This cable shared graphics and synchronization information between the cards. Each 3dfx card rendered alternating horizontal lines of pixels composing a frame.[1][2]
See also
edit- Scalable Link Interface - Nvidia
- AMD CrossFireX - AMD
References
edit- ^ a b "3Dfx Voodoo2". Next Generation. No. 37. Imagine Media. January 1998. pp. 88–92.
- ^ a b Sanchez, Andrew (January 1998). "Previews – 3Dfx Voodoo2". boot. No. 17. pp. 86–87.
- ^ Lal Shimpi, Anand. 3dfx Voodoo5 5500, Anandtech, July 11, 2000.
- ^ 3dfx Interview with Peter Wicher, Hot Hardware, December 15, 2001.
- ^ Bennett, Phil. "Magic the Gathering: Armageddon - MAME preliminary driver". MAME GitHub repository. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Ondrejka, Cory (April 5, 2019). "CoryOndrejka on: The 3dfx Voodoo1". Hacker News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ "What is SLI?". www.geforce.com. Retrieved 16 August 2024.