Generating hints of object overlap by region testing while rendering for efficient multi-GPU rendering of geometry

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program for graphics processing, the computer-readable medium comprising:

• program instructions for dividing responsibility for rendering between a first GPU and a second GPU based on a plurality of screen regions, wherein the first GPU is responsible for a first screen region, wherein the second GPU is responsible for a second screen region;
• program instructions for loading a rendering command buffer with a plurality of commands for rendering an image frame;
• program instructions for rendering a first object by the first GPU using the plurality of commands;
• program instructions for determining that the first object does not overlap the second screen region during the rendering of the first object by the first GPU;
• program instructions for generating a hint by the first GPU indicating that the second GPU can entirely skip rendering of the first object;
• program instructions for delivering the hint from the first GPU to the second GPU;
• and
• program instructions for skipping the rendering of the first object at the second GPU when the hint is received before the second GPU begins the rendering of the first object.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• memory coupled to the processor and having stored therein instructions that, if executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to execute a method for graphics processing, comprising:
• dividing responsibility for rendering between a first GPU and a second GPU based on a plurality of screen regions, wherein the first GPU is responsible for a first screen region, wherein the second GPU is responsible for a second screen region;
• loading a rendering command buffer with a plurality of commands for rendering an image frame;
• rendering a first object by the first GPU using the plurality of commands;
• determining that the first object does not overlap the second screen region during the rendering of the first object by the first GPU;
• generating a hint by the first GPU indicating that the second GPU can entirely skip rendering of the first object;
• delivering the hint from the first GPU to the second GPU;
• and
• skipping the rendering of the first object at the second GPU when the hint is received before the second GPU begins the rendering of the first object.