One of key issues with multi-GPU configurations is the lack of dual-monitor capability. Now, this is not a new issue – ever since SLI and CrossFire came out in 2004/5, we were promised earth-shaking gaming experience omitting the fact that more users have two monitors than they have two graphics cards.
So, if you were a high-end user and had for instance, GeForce 6800 Ultra or GTX 280 in SLI, result was unchanged – second monitor would remain blank. Same thing was the case with ATI’s CrossFire. All in all, “user-unfriendly” solutions.
Big Bang II Roadmap, as of May 24, 2008 - beside release date, everything else is inside
A while ago, I reported about Nvidia making Big Bang II drivers, drivers that were supposed to be released during September-October timeframe. With Nvidia releasing 178.24 this week, it is obvious that the era of 170 drivers is coming to a close and that Big Bang II missed its Sep/Oct time frame,
Friends over at VR-Zone got their hands on Forceware 180.10, and guys discovered that Big Bang II is all that Nvidia promised a while ago.
SLI II is actually just SLI+older GeForce acting as PhysX GPU, but check these monitors - photo courtesy of VR-Zone
Besides four year old SLI multi-monitor nuisance, Big Bang II brings out “SLI 2” (a.k.a. using an older Geforce card for physics), various performance improvements and will be the first WHQL-ceritified driver to OpenGL 3.0 API.
Of course, unless ATI brings OpenGL 3.0 support with their regular monthly refresh for November, Catalyst 8.11.
