Why sell two graphics cards when you can sell four?

Moldovan Ripov Electronics takes on Nvidia with quad-graphics monster, reports Ben Chmark

If two heads are better than one, four should be doubly so, maybe even triply. This couldn’t be more true than in the world of super-fast 3D graphics acceleration. If you can’t beat the competition with two GPUs, stick a couple more on – you’re sure to win then. After all, it worked for 3dfx and 3Dlabs.

Little-known Moldovan GPU maker Ripov Electronics has taken this philosophy to heart. The company’s latest Quartet graphics system shoehorns four second-rate GPUs together, in the hope of boosting 3D power to a half-decent level.

‘We took inspiration from Nvidia’s amazing Quad SLI,’ explained Ripov’s founder Andreas Cashin. ‘What we found most inspiring was just how many Quad SLI systems have been sold, considering how much more you pay for little or no extra performance. It’s an outstanding feat of modern technology, and we wanted to emulate that.’

As with Quad SLI, the Quartet’s Open Games Limiter matches equivalent frame rates with conventional dual-graphics SLI or CrossFire, ensuring the Quartet won’t outperform either. A Stability Co-Processor carefully places random crashes at key moments during gameplay for greatest dramatic impact – even with existing titles which don’t have specific quad-GPU support. The Financial Account Reduction Transport connects to your bank and extracts as much money as possible on first bootup. And Quartet is just the beginning. Ripov’s Chorus Architecture allows up to 13 adapters to be run in parallel, for massively increased profits whilst maintaining the same level of performance.

Ripov’s Quartet will be exclusively available from Dell, and most other PC vendors. Prices will vary depending on how gullible the salesperson thinks you are.