Nvidia touts multi-monitor notebook graphics chip

Nvidia has launched what it claims is the first mobile graphics chip pitched specifically at business users in the hope of wooing more notebook manufacturers away from chipset-based integrated graphics solutions.

The Quadro NVS 110M is derived from Nvidia's desktop-oriented Quadro NVS series. On the desktop, the chip's key feature is multiple monitor support, and it's aimed at systems designed for stock traders, call centre operatives and the like, who use two or more displays simultaneously.

It's not quite clear how notebooks fit into that context, as the portability and multi-monitor set-ups don't exactly go hand in hand, but perhaps Nvidia perceives a need for notebooks as desktop replacements in these market segments. Or, as we say, it could be trying to shore up its notebook GPU business against the onslaught of integrated solutions.

As we reported earlier this week, market watcher Jon Peddie Research's 2005 figures show a marked decline in the ratio of discrete mobile GPU shipments to those of integrated graphics solutions for notebooks.

The new part supports 128MB to 512MB of single-channel DDR graphics memory, and can use Nvidia's TurboCache technology to make use of system RAM. It's capable of hosting up to two monitors connected via VGA, DVI, LCDS, HDTV and/or HDMI ports, with resolutions of up to 1600 x 1200 for analogue devices and 2048 x 1536 for digital screens. The passively-cooled chip consumes up to 10W of power, Nvidia said.

It also drew attention to Toshiba, which will build the chip into its Tecra M5, A6 and A7 business-oriented notebooks. ®