NVIDIA First to Support Shader Model 3.0
NVIDIA Corp. announced that its recently-released GeForce 6 series of graphics processing units (GPUs) is the first and only graphics hardware platform to take full advantage of Shader Model 3.0, an integral part of Microsoft DirectX 9.0, the advanced programming interface (API) widely used by developers to create cutting-edge gaming experiences.
NVIDIA will demonstrate the GeForce 6 Series and the capabilities of the Shader Model 3.0 specification on Booth #119 at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), May 4-7 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle.
"Developers now have an opportunity to fully exploit all the capabilities that have been built into DirectX 9.0," said Dean Lester, general manager of Windows Graphics & Gaming Technologies at Microsoft. "The programmability and precision of NVIDIA's GeForce 6 Series of GPUs are expected to provide game developers with a powerful, flexible, and stable platform for delivering faster, smoother and ultra-realistic gameplay."
"NVIDIA GPUs are architected to unleash programmer creativity," added Mark Daly, vp of content development at NVIDIA. "Until now, there hasn't been a graphics hardware platform that could fully exploit the complete range of features and advancements of DirectX 9.0."
More than a dozen Windows games currently in development, as well as key game engine technologies including Unreal Engine 3 from Epic Games, are expected to take advantage of Shader Model 3.0's Pixel Shader 3.0 and Vertex Shader 3.0 specification in order to reach new levels of cinematic quality never before seen in 3D games.
NVIDIA Corp. (www.nvidia.com) is a market leader in visual computing technology dedicated to creating products that enhance the interactive experience on consumer and professional computing platforms. Its graphics and communications processors have broad market reach and are incorporated into a wide variety of computing platforms, including consumer digital-media PCs, enterprise PCs, professional workstations, digital content creation systems, notebook PCs, military navigation systems and video game consoles. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and employs more than 1,800 people worldwide.