System and method for efficient multi-gpu rendering of geometry by generating information in one rendering phase for use in another rendering phase

A non-transitory computer-readable medium for performing a method, the computer-readable medium comprising:

• program instructions for rendering graphics for an application using a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs);
• program instructions for dividing responsibility for rendering geometry of the graphics between the plurality of GPUs based on a plurality of screen regions, each GPU having a corresponding division of the responsibility which is known to the plurality of GPUs;
• program instructions for determining a Z-value for a piece of geometry during a pre-pass phase of rendering for the piece of geometry at a GPU for an image, wherein the piece of geometry overlaps a first screen region for which the GPU has a division of responsibility;
• program instructions for comparing the Z-value against a Z-buffer value for the piece of geometry;
• and
• program instructions for generating information including a result of the comparing the Z-value against the Z-buffer value for use by the GPU when rendering the piece of geometry during a full render phase of rendering.

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 implementing a graphics pipeline, comprising:
• rendering graphics for an application using a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs);
• dividing responsibility for rendering geometry of the graphics between the plurality of GPUs based on a plurality of screen regions, each GPU having a corresponding division of the responsibility which is known to the plurality of GPUs;
• determining a Z-value for a piece of geometry during a pre-pass phase of rendering for the piece of geometry at a GPU for an image, wherein the piece of geometry overlaps a first screen region for which the GPU has a division of responsibility;
• comparing the Z-value against a Z-buffer value for the piece of geometry;
• and
• generating information including a result of the comparing the Z-value against the Z-buffer value for use by the GPU when rendering the piece of geometry during a full render phase of rendering.