NVIDIA Corporation today announced a consistent graphics
interface for PCI Express based notebook PCs. The Mobile PCI-Express Module
specification (MXM) was jointly designed by NVIDIA and the industry’s leading
notebook PC manufacturers to create a consistent graphics interface that will
accelerate the time to market for PCI-Express-based notebooks.
“The advantages of a consistent graphics module interface for notebook
graphics are obvious — manufacturers have been implementing GPUs modules into
notebooks for several years now,” said Dr. Jon Peddie, Founder and Principal
of JPR (Jon Peddie Research, Tiburon, CA). “But until now there has never
been a single, open design interface that can support any graphics
manufacturer. This promises to significantly enhance the number of possible
PCI-Express-based notebooks brought to market and accelerate the delivery of
these new products into consumers’ hands.”
By allowing for a single motherboard design to be leveraged into multiple
notebooks, MXM can support a wide range of graphics solutions, from any
hardware manufacturer, allowing integrators to build their systems to order.
MXM can also be used to upgrade notebook PC graphics. MXM will be the primary
delivery vehicle for NVIDIA’s highly anticipated PCI Express mobile GPUS based
on the GeForce 6 architecture.
The MXM specification is designed with several key objectives:
— Fast time to market for PCI-Express-based notebooks
— Multiple notebook configurations based on a single motherboard design
— Flexibility and choice between multiple graphics vendors or solutions
— Optional capability for enduser upgradeability
— MXM will be the main delivery vehicle for NVIDIA’s next-generation
GeForce Go mobile GPU for PCI-Express notebook PCs.
“Leading notebook manufacturers have viewed the PCI-Express transition as
the perfect opportunity to reap the benefits of an open interface for notebook
graphics modules. Customer and industry feedback has been extremely
positive,” said Rob Csongor, general manager of NVIDIA’s mobile business.
“NVIDIA is pleased to be among the industry leaders driving the MXM
specification and the PCI-Express transition in the notebook market. We look
forward to delivering our new GeForce 6 mobile architecture to the next-wave
of PCI-Express notebooks.”
MXM is an open design specification that is available for the entire
notebook industry. For more information and a list of industry partners
please visit www.nvidia.com/.
