Scan-Line Interleave

Not to be confused with Scalable Link Interface.
Scan-Line Interleave
Voodoo2 with SLI cable at top left
Manufacturer3DFX
TypeMulti-GPU technology
Release date1998
ConnectivityRibbon cable
SuccessorScalable Link Interface

Scan-Line Interleave (SLI) is a multi-GPU method developed by 3DFX for linking two (or more) video cards or chips together to produce a single output. It is an application of parallel processing for computer graphics, meant to increase the processing power available for graphics.[1][2]

3DFX's SLI technology was first introduced in 1998 with the Voodoo2 line of graphics accelerators. The original Voodoo Graphics card and the VSA-100[3][4] were also SLI-capable. However, in the case of the former, it was only used in arcades,[5][6] as well as professional applications via Primary Image's Piranha[7][8][9] card, intended for use with simulations using various[10][11] graphics APIs such as OpenGL, Glide, or Primary Image's own Tempest API. Support for the MultiGen OpenFlight Format in particular was specifically advertised.[7][10][11]

NVIDIA reintroduced the SLI acronym in 2004 as Scalable Link Interface. NVIDIA's SLI, compared to 3DFX's SLI, is modernized to use graphics cards interfaced over the PCI Express bus.[12]

Function

3DFX's SLI design was the first attempt, in the consumer PC market, at combining the rendering power of two video cards. The two 3DFX cards were connected by a small ribbon cable inside the PC. This cable shared graphics and synchronization information between the cards. Each 3DFX card rendered alternating horizontal lines of pixels composing a frame.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "3DFX Voodoo2". Next Generation. No. 37. Imagine Media. January 1998. pp. 88–92.
  2. ^ a b Sanchez, Andrew (January 1998). "Previews – 3DFX Voodoo2". boot. No. 17. pp. 86–87.
  3. ^ Lal Shimpi, Anand. 3DFX Voodoo5 5500, Anandtech, July 11, 2000.
  4. ^ 3DFX Interview with Peter Wicher, Hot Hardware, December 15, 2001.
  5. ^ Bennett, Phil. "Magic the Gathering: Armageddon - MAME preliminary driver". MAME GitHub repository. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ^ Ondrejka, Cory (April 5, 2019). "CoryOndrejka on: The 3DFX Voodoo1". Hacker News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Primary Image Graphics Ltd - Piranha pc graphics image generator". 1999-11-14. Archived from the original on 14 November 1999. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  8. ^ "Primary Image Ltd 3dfx products". www.thedodgegarage.com. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  9. ^ "3dfx.eu - Primary Image Ltd". 3dfx.eu. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  10. ^ a b "Primary Image Graphics Ltd - Tempest". 1999-08-21. Archived from the original on 21 August 1999. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  11. ^ a b "Barracuda Product Data Sheet" (PDF). 1998.
  12. ^ "What is SLI?". www.geforce.com. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
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