The Las Vegas Sphere transformed into an iconic landmark overnight, thanks in large part to its massive public unveiling and the innovative advertising and marketing opportunities it affords. Confirmed to power the show with the aid of its RTX graphics processing units.
While Nvidia produces some of the most exceptional graphics processing units (GPUs) for gaming, none are incorporated into the Sphere’s overall setup. By leveraging 150 powerful Nvidia RTX A6000 workstation graphics processing units (GPUs), the project is able to harness its creative potential.
While it’s impressive that a mere 150 graphics processing units (GPUs) power this massive display, the true magnitude of their contribution only becomes apparent when examining the sheer scale of their computational prowess.
The NVIDIA RTX A6000 offers 10,752 cores and 48GB of memory while featuring a power consumption of 300W with a thermal design power (TDP). In total, this configuration consists of 1,612,800 cores and 7,200 GB of memory, accompanied by a 45,000 W power draw. Credit: Wccftech; stats provided.
Given that their cooling resolution is undoubtedly state-of-the-art, considering that even a high-performance gaming GPU can generate significant heat, it’s only logical that they’ve implemented an advanced system to manage the immense thermal load imposed by housing 150 such units together?
Nvidia’s involvement extends far beyond merely providing graphics processing units (GPUs). Regardless of the data being processed on the sphere, it is streamed from an external facility utilizing Nvidia’s BlueField DPUs and ConnectX-6 SX Network Interface Cards (NICs) via the company’s Rivermax software solution. This strategic investment yields a seamless outcome, crucial for advertisers seeking to maximize their impact on the Sphere platform, where a coveted four-hour time slot costs $450,000.
Currently, the show harnesses around 28 megawatts at maximum capacity, enough to power approximately 21,000 homes in the surrounding area. Talks are underway to ensure that at least 70% of required power is generated from photovoltaic sources, with the remaining 30% offset through renewable energy credits, as advised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Edward Chester gained insight into the current hot ticket, Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard From Earth, finding the visuals to be breathtaking but the overall show underwhelming. To sustain such energy intake, the sphere likely requires an array of captivating exhibits justifying its voracious appetite for power.
While it’s thrilling to witness some of these concepts brought to life on the Sphere, we can’t help but wonder what the best PC games would look like running on that 16K display?
