Introduced last January, Hybrid SLI has two distinct modes. GeForce Boost enables combining the performances of the graphic card with those of the integrated chipset while Hybrid Power allows saving energy in 2D as the graphic card is shut down to let the integrated chipset do the job.
However, this technology is not exempt from defects in practice. Thus, while Hybrid Power is efficient in terms of power consumption, you have to manually switch to the GeForce Boost mode as this isn’t done automatically upon the detection of a full screen 3D application. Otherwise, Hybrid SLI does not manage to compensate for the reduction in performances due to the transition from the graphic card’s frame buffer to the integrated chipset which means that a single card is faster.
When asked about the future improvements to its Hybrid Power technology, NVIDIA told us that it would actually be abandoned in the long run. The creator of the GeForce finally found that it is simpler to offer graphic cards that consume low amounts of energy in 2D as is the case of the GTX260/280. Moreover, it plans on continuing on this path with upcoming models.
Otherwise, GeForce Boost is still planned and the abandonment of Hybrid Power should enable no longer connecting the display to the motherboard but rather directly to the graphic card. This may lead to a slight gain in performances.
