NVIDIA has its introduced SLI Multi-OS, a technology that lets users and visualization applications take advantage of multiple NVIDIA Quadro GPUs from a single graphics workstation in a virtualized environment. According to NVIDIA, the technology delivers a fast, efficient workflow that maximizes productivity and lowers total cost of ownership for professionals in markets such as digital content creation, sciences, manufacturing, and oil and gas.

Built into the Quadro family of processors -- FX 3800, FX 4800, and FX 5800 -- the SLI Multi-OS allows users to tap into the advanced visualization and compute capabilities of the Quadro GPUs to experience graphics performance within a virtualized system. SLI Multi-OS works in association with Parallels Workstation Extreme virtualization software and Intel's VT-d technology, assigning both the host and guest virtual machine its own dedicated GPU. Available in the new HP Z800 workstation, the combination of these technologies delivers application performance nearly identical to systems configured with a dedicated operating system and GPU.

"SLI Multi-OS is the first technology to provide users working with multiple graphics-intense applications optimal visual quality and GPU performance from a single workstation within a flexible and virtualized environment," says HP's Jim Zafarana.

The SLI Multi-OS supports selected combinations of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Linux.