PCGH: S3 Graphics' multi-GPU technology Multichrome explored

[Fr3ak]

Multichrome is S3's answer to SLI and Crossfire. At best, it is comparable with Atis "software" Crossfire, because two Chrome S2x cards communicate exclusively via the PCI Express interface with each other; there are no bridges. Similar to the multi-GPU solutions of the two big ones (AMD, Nvidia), S3 is also using AFR (Alternate frame rendering) and the slower technology SFR (Split Frame Rendering) to balance the work. The GPUs alternately calculate different frames, and therefore achieve at least theoretically a performance doubling. We have to mention that Multichrome is also struggling with the now infamous "micro stuttering", but this issue, we will devote separately.

Full article (english):
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/?article_id=631513

The picture gallery is in German: "nächste Seite" means "next page", clicking into the picture will enlarge it


http://www.pcgameshardware.de/screenshots/418x627/2008/01/Crysis4.jpg

[Bobsama]

Interesting--I didn't even know S3 did anything with graphics still, beyond putting them onboard on VIA or SiS chipsets.

[Omastar]

So, it doesn't appear to support HDR?

[zanzabar]

crossfire is on open platform it shouldent be so obscure to think that they would use it when they are in the consortium

[[XC] gomeler]

Would be interesting if S3 launched a beefy GPU that could compete with ATI/Nvidia. I have an S3 ViRge as my PCI backup card, Multichrome for that please :D

[Starscream]

Tbh i wonder why they wrote this article, when i read the title i immediatly checked the date and the name of the card.
Cause S3s Multi GPU isnt new its a few years old and got introduced shortly after their last GPU lineup and that linup is a few years old and pretty much flopped back then.

Back when the S27 came out i followed the reports of a few people that took a chance and had bought the new S3 grafix cards. And non of them were rly happy with it cause the (driver)support was almost non existent.

[Lestat]

yeah wheres the FPS in those screens....
a little afraid to show the real fps ?

[xlink]

yeah wheres the FPS in those screens....
a little afraid to show the real fps ?

will not run != FPS

[krogen]

yeah wheres the FPS in those screens....
a little afraid to show the real fps ?

Well, it's not far behind 7600GT in almost all benchmarks, so I'd expect something close to 7600GT FPS.

Even though 7600GT is close to two years old, I'm sure S3 could catch up quite easily to mid-range gaming department (something between 8600GTS and 8800GS ?). Also, their multichrome technology seems to scale up quite nicely (almost a 100% boost by adding a 2nd card in 3DMark 03).

[Sneil]

The lighting and textures in those Crysis screens look to be on very low settings.

[Starscream]

Well, it's not far behind 7600GT in almost all benchmarks, so I'd expect something close to 7600GT FPS.

Even though 7600GT is close to two years old, I'm sure S3 could catch up quite easily to mid-range gaming department (something between 8600GTS and 8800GS ?). Also, their multichrome technology seems to scale up quite nicely (almost a 100% boost by adding a 2nd card in 3DMark 03).

I doubt it.
2 of the S27 cards in Multichrome lose vs 1 geforce 7600GT in 3dmark03 and 05. For some reason it slightly beats 1 7600GT in Canyon Flight but in the only game bench (Lost Coast) 2 S27s get slaughtered by 1 7600GT.

Wich basicly means that the drivers are optmized for 3dmark but not for games and seeing driver support is non existent (specialy since these cards are a few years old) i doubt that will ever change.
Back when the S27 got released it did ok in benches but sucked in games.
grafix cards can be o so good in benches but if there is no support they are completely useless for most users.

Further as the text says.
In best cases it scales upto 100% (just like Crossfire or SLI) but in most cases only 30% and in some it even has negative effect wich comes down to poor driver support,

[Aleki]

man, it makes crysis look like dreamcast games. i wonder if they will develop something top-line? i would like to see a 3-way batte :D

[[XC] gomeler]

man, it makes crysis look like dreamcast games. i wonder if they will develop something top-line? i would like to see a 3-way batte :D

Wait no longer, Intel is approaching :D

Nice motherboard Aleki, it's my favorite :up:

[doompc]

What's next? SiS doing multi GPU with two IGPs ?

[WRC]

man, it makes crysis look like dreamcast games. i wonder if they will develop something top-line? i would like to see a 3-way batte :D

how about 4way battle, intel icluded, that would really get the guys from AMD/NVIDIA working :yepp:

[Dainas]

man, it makes crysis look like dreamcast games.

Thats putting it kindly, all those jaggies make me think more early PS2 :P

Its funny, acouple years ago it seemed like S3 had its foot back in the door for lower midrange. Unless they have another group tinkering away like with Isaiah the whole while, it would just be too much of a reach now.

[mascaras]

MAY 2006 >> http://techreport.com/articles.x/9898/1



regards

[RaZz!]

Tbh i wonder why they wrote this article, when i read the title i immediatly checked the date and the name of the card.
Cause S3s Multi GPU isnt new its a few years old and got introduced shortly after their last GPU lineup and that linup is a few years old and pretty much flopped back then.

[...]

ye, i'm wondering, too. why "explore" a 2 years old technology? i don't see the point in that tbh :F

[saaya]

i always wondered what every happened to their multi gpu solutions
are they dead now or will they release a new gpu some time in the future?

[Fr3ak]

They will release new video cards soon :)

[Vassili]

how about 4way battle, intel icluded, that would really get the guys from AMD/NVIDIA working :yepp:

That would just kill S3...

[SafeFire]

Man, when I read the post I initially thought they had developed cross brand software based multi-gpu support. That would've been fun, doing two 8800's an the new X2.

[BrowncoatGR]

That would just kill S3...
Not really. Via is funding them to develop GFX tech for their IGPs and while VIA is producing mobos they'll be around, although id like them to get some more mrket share but they need to actually get a product out to the market in sufficient quantities first. Also they should release all of their specs to X.org. That alone could get them a decent size customer base for their discrete graphics. Unfortunately AMD and Intel are already doing that and the more they delay such a move the less the potential impact. 2/3 years ago they could have caused quite a stir

[Aleki]

Nice motherboard Aleki, it's my favorite :up:

really? well maybe you can help me out. so far the max oc on my 4400 is 3ghz @ 300fsb. anything higher, even with more vcore, is unstable. i tried 400mhz x 8 @ 1.425 vcore and 500 x 6 @ 1.45. for some reason the speedfan reports any vcore set above 1.4, at 1.38-1.36! i tried raising the north and south bridge voltage as well, no go. i know the 4400 isnt the best overclocker, but i should be able to do atleast 3200 w/ 400fsb. any suggestions on how to fix it would be incredible
btw: bios version 1.6. not really happy with it and i dont have a floppy drive :|

back on topic: as for intel developing gfx, i thought it was still just gonna be intergrated? heck, honestly i'd figure samsung would be the first to come out with a gfx board before intel.
this should be interesting

[Starscream]

They will release new video cards soon :)

i hope that this time around they give proper support cause driver support is the key.