NextComputing and Studio GPU to Showcase Real-Time Photorealistic 3D Rendering Using ATI FireGL™ V8650 Graphics Accelerator in AMD booth at SIGGRAPH 2008


Nashua, NH / Los Angeles, CA, August 7, 2008 – NextComputing, leaders in high-performance, mobile workstations, have certified the ATI FireGL™ V8650 ultra high-end workstation graphics accelerator from AMD in its NextDimension Evo HD “flextop” computers. They have partnered with Studio GPU, developers of real-time 3D workflow solutions for the Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) industry, in the AMD booth [#327] at SIGGRAPH 2008. By combining the best in GPU and CPU technology from AMD with NextComputing’s lightweight, portable computing designs, Studio GPU’s customers now have an effective way to demonstrate truly breathtaking 3D visuals in real-time – from anywhere – without the hassle of transporting a full-sized tower workstation or settling for the limitations of a laptop.

The ATI FireGL V8650 from AMD is the market’s first graphics accelerator with 2GB of memory, allowing users to work with extremely large datasets, such as massive 3D environments or very complex models and animations. Running on 320 unified shader processing units, this workstation card features stereoscopic 3D output, a 512MB memory bus, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) rendering with 8-bit, 10-bit, and 16-bit per RGB color component support.

NextComputing’s qualification of this high-end graphics card in its NextDimension Evo HD portable workstation computers is a continuation of the company’s long-standing partnership with AMD. In fact, the Nashua, New Hampshire based manufacturer was recently named a Gold level member of AMD’s Solution Provider Program, and the NextDimension Evo HD system at SIGGRAPH will also be running on AMD Opteron™ processors. NextDimension Evo HD is the only true workstation-class machine boasting this level of graphics and processing power in a transportable system weighing only about 20 pounds.

Studio GPU’s breakthrough technology – Mach Studio™ – dramatically changes the traditional production paradigm by reducing production cycles that often take days or weeks down to hours, minutes or even seconds. Real-time 3D, the “holy grail” of the Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) industry, has remained elusive even to those with the highest-end multi-processor environments. By taking advantage of the latent super-processing power of the GPU, as on the ATI FireGL™ V8650 graphics accelerator from AMD, Studio GPU’s cutting edge real-time 3D software is set to completely transform the computer graphics space. This transformation represents not simply an incremental shift, but a bold workflow change to the way 3D CG content is created.

“By leveraging the ATI FireGL™ graphics accelerators, Studio GPU is radically changing the way 3D content is produced. Faster production times mean quicker time-to-market for content developers of all kinds,” says Janet Matsuda, Senior Director of Professional Graphics at AMD. “This helps result in significant cost savings, even in the near-term. AMD is very excited to collaborate with Studio GPU to make this technological advancement a reality for a large and diverse community of users.”

“NextComputing’s small and powerful NextDimension systems round out the package by offering a complete turnkey workstation solution that artists and designers can take anywhere, and which showcases both of AMD’s CPU and graphics technologies,” adds Jeff Rainwater, Manager of North American Channel Sales for Workstation Graphics.

Stop by the AMD booth [#327] at SIGGRAPH 2008, August 12-14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center to learn more and enter to win your very own ATI FireGL™ V8650 graphics accelerator card.*

* ATI FireGL™ V8650 graphics accelerator giveaway is a NextComputing promotion. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Eligibility: Attendees of SIGGRAPH 2008. 18 years and older. Limit one (1) entry per person. Need not be present to win. See complete OFFICIAL RULES for additional details. Official rules may be obtained at the AMD Booth. Additional restrictions apply. Void where prohibited.

About NextComputing

NextComputing designs and manufactures the highest-performance, mobile and small form-factor workstations and servers. Its flagship NextDimension “flextop” computers are deployed worldwide to meet the needs of mobile “power users” in the fields of Digital Media, Visualization, Medical Imaging, Test & Measurement, Oil & Gas, and Military/Homeland Security.

About Studio GPU

Studio GPU is a Los Angeles-based developer focused on bringing to market real-time 3D workflow solutions that eliminate the long rendering times and lack of interactivity of traditional multi-processor based systems. Its first-to-market GPU-based authoring tool, Mach Studio™, is poised to break down the barriers of current technology and drastically accelerate the production of all types of 3D content.