Nvidia has updated its suite of programming tools for graphics-intensive applications running under 32- and 64-bit incarnations of Windows and Linux. The tools target OpenGL and Direct3D apps that will render 3D imagery on the company's GPUs.

The suite, dubbed NVPerfKit 2.1, helps developers analyse their graphics code. Nvidia claimed coders using suite component NVPerfHUD, which monitors Direct3D usage, can use the tool to make their code run up to 35 per cent faster, based on a survey of 100 users of the previous release.

NVPerfKit is compatible with a range of other debugging and profiling tools, Nvidia said. The software leverages performance counters within Nvidia's own driver code and on board its graphics chips.

Nvidia's debugging tool can be downloaded from the company's developer website. ®