NVLink is a cutting-edge technology developed by NVIDIA that allows for high-speed communication between multiple GPUs. It enables them to work together as a unified system, sharing resources and significantly boosting performance in applications that require extensive computational power. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of NVLink in detail and shed light on whether it can be utilized on Chaos Vantage, a popular software for architectural visualization. We will also discuss the alternative solution adopted by 2G Studio, a prominent player in the industry, to overcome the limitations of VRAM.

Understanding NVLink:

NVLink is a high-bandwidth, energy-efficient interconnect technology developed by NVIDIA. It allows for direct communication between GPUs, enabling them to work together seamlessly, sharing memory and processing power. This technology offers a significant performance advantage over traditional methods of GPU communication, such as PCIe, by providing a faster and more efficient data transfer pathway.

One of the primary benefits of NVLink is its ability to combine the VRAM of multiple GPUs, creating a larger, unified memory pool. This feature is particularly useful in applications that demand extensive memory resources, such as complex simulations, deep learning, and scientific computing. By linking GPUs with NVLink, users can handle larger datasets and more computationally demanding tasks with ease.

NVLink and Chaos Vantage:

Chaos Vantage, a powerful software tool for real-time architectural visualization, has gained significant popularity in the industry. However, when it comes to utilizing NVLink on Chaos Vantage, there is a limitation. Currently, Chaos Vantage does not support NVLink for combining two GPUs.

To overcome this limitation, 2G Studio, an industry-leading visualization company, opted for an alternative solution. Instead of relying on NVLink, they invested in the Quadro A6000 GPU, which boasts an impressive 48GB VRAM. This choice allows them to handle larger and more complex projects within Chaos Vantage effectively.

The need for a substantial VRAM arises in projects with high levels of detail, such as masterplans featuring extensive vegetation and numerous objects. Gaming GPUs, which typically offer a maximum of 24GB VRAM, including the flagship 4090 model, may fall short in these scenarios. By utilizing the Quadro A6000 with its generous VRAM capacity, 2G Studio ensures they can tackle even the most demanding projects in Chaos Vantage without compromising on performance.

Software Compatibility and NVLink:

While NVLink cannot currently be used on Chaos Vantage, it is important to note that other software applications (Vray being one of them) do support this technology. Many industry-leading software tools, including those for scientific simulations, data analysis, and deep learning, can fully harness the power of NVLink-enabled GPUs. By utilizing NVLink, users can leverage the combined computational power and memory resources of multiple GPUs, resulting in faster processing times and improved overall performance.

NVLink is a powerful technology developed by NVIDIA, enabling high-speed communication and resource sharing between multiple GPUs. While NVLink cannot be utilized on Chaos Vantage, 2G Studio overcomes this limitation by employing GPUs with large VRAM, such as the Quadro A6000. Understanding the software compatibility of NVLink is crucial for users looking to leverage its benefits in applications beyond Chaos Vantage. By adopting NVLink-supported software tools, users can maximize their GPU resources, accelerate their workflows, and achieve superior performance in a wide range of computationally demanding tasks.

Interested in why we use Chaos vantage as our main software for animations? We have a whole blog discussing about the softwares we use and why! See you on the other side.