Nvidia Quadro Plex
External GPU system for large-scale 3D visualizations.
The Nvidia Quadro Plex is an external Visual Computing System built for large-scale 3D work. Inside its case are two high-end Nvidia Quadro graphics cards with multiple external video outputs. It connects to a host computer using a dedicated PCI Express card and VHDCI cables.
The system supports up to four GPUs per unit. The connection to the host relies on a small PCI Express card and a 2-meter (6.6-foot) Nvidia Quadro Plex Interconnect Cable. The external case measures about 9.49 inches tall, 5.94 inches wide, and 20.55 inches deep, weighing roughly 19 pounds. It makes extensive use of Nvidia's SLI technology.
This product targets large CGI animation studios like Pixar and DreamWorks Animation. It is one of several professional graphics solutions available, alongside ATI's FireGL and Matrox's professional graphics cards. Related systems include the Sun Visualization System and the SGI Virtu VS product line, both of which use the Quadro Plex.
- Form factor
- External case approximately 9.49 inches in height, 5.94 inches in width, and 20.55 inches in depth
- Weight
- About 19 pounds
- Gpu count
- Supports up to four GPUs per unit
- Connection
- Small form factor PCI Express card in host, connected via 2-meter (6.6-foot) Nvidia Quadro Plex Interconnect Cable
- Technology
- Relies heavily on Nvidia's SLI technology
Lore & Background
The Nvidia Quadro Plex is an external graphics processing unit (Visual Computing System) designed for large-scale 3D visualizations. The system consists of a box containing a pair of high-end Nvidia Quadro graphics cards featuring a variety of external video connectors. A special PCI Express card is installed in the host computer, and the two are connected by VHDCI cables.
The system supports up to four GPUs per unit and connects to the host PC via a small form factor PCI Express card and a 2-meter (6.6-foot) Nvidia Quadro Plex Interconnect Cable. The external case measures approximately 9.49 inches in height, 5.94 inches in width, and 20.55 inches in depth, weighing about 19 pounds. The system relies heavily on Nvidia's SLI technology.
The Plex is aimed at large CGI animation companies, such as Pixar and DreamWorks Animation. This product is one of several professional graphics solutions on the market, along with ATI's FireGL and Matrox's professional graphics cards.
Reader's Guide
The Nvidia Quadro Plex is notable as an external Visual Computing System for large-scale 3D visualizations, targeting large CGI animation companies like Pixar and DreamWorks Animation. It is one of several professional graphics solutions on the market, alongside ATI's FireGL and Matrox's professional graphics cards. The system's reliance on Nvidia's SLI technology and its ability to support up to four GPUs per unit made it a specialized tool for demanding rendering workloads. Its external form factor, connected via a PCI Express card and VHDCI cables, allowed for flexible deployment in professional environments. The Quadro Plex is referenced in relation to other visualization systems, such as the Sun Visualization System and the SGI Virtu VS product line, which support or use the Quadro Plex for 3D rendering and graphics acceleration.
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