NVIDIA Corporation today announced its initial entry into the Macintosh market with itsGeForce2 MX graphics processing unit (GPU). NVIDIAis award-winning GeForce2MX is included in Appleis new line of Power Mac G4 computers unveiled today.The combination of blazingly fast graphics processing and powerful features,such as sophisticated transform and lighting and the NVIDIA ShadingRasterizer (NSR) for per-pixel shading capabilities, provides unprecedentedinteractive realism to the Macintosh platform.
"The new Power Mac G4 is a real powerhouse for our pro customers," saidPhilip Schiller, Appleis vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Thecombination of fast G4 processors, a new speedier system architecture, andblazing NVIDIA GeForce2 graphics makes for the fastest Macintosh ever made."
Based on the award-winning GeForce2 architecture, the GeForce2 MX GPU powersrazor-sharp, crystal-clear 2D graphics, even at extreme resolutions as highas 2048 x 1536, in 32-bit color on a primary display screen. The GeForce2 MXGPU also offers advanced 3D performance by delivering over 25 millionsustained triangles per second and 800 million texels per second.
The GeForce2 MX GPU is delivered on a graphics card that supports the newAGP 4X slot in the Power Mac G4 line and includes a large 32MB SDRAM framebuffer to store large textures in games or professional applications. Thecard supports both the Apple Display Connector (ADC) for easy connection toAppleis award winning line of monitors as well as the VGA connector forbroad compatibility.
There is no word yet as to whether or not the nVIDIA card will be available as a retail product, but only the most recently announced Macis support 4x AGP, rendering the point, for now, moot. You can find more information about the GeForce2 product line at the nVIDIA web site.