Efficient multi-gpu rendering of geometry by configuring a shader to perform geometry pretesting or rendering depending on gpu state

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:
• rendering graphics for an application using a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs);
• dividing responsibility for the rendering of 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;
• assigning a plurality of pieces of geometry of an image frame to the plurality of GPUs for geometry testing;
• setting a first GPU state configuring the plurality of GPUs to perform the geometry testing;
• performing geometry testing at the plurality of GPUs on the plurality of pieces of geometry to generate information regarding each piece of geometry and its relation to each of the plurality of screen regions, wherein a plurality of commands is executed by the plurality of shaders using a first interpretation based on the first GPU state to perform the geometry testing;
• setting a second GPU state configuring the plurality of GPUs to perform rendering;
• and
• performing the rendering of the plurality of pieces of geometry at the plurality of GPUs by executing the plurality of commands using a second interpretation based on the second GPU state,
• wherein the plurality of pieces of geometry is rendered by the plurality of GPUs using the information generated for each of the plurality of pieces of geometry.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program for performing a method for graphics processing, the non-transitory 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 the rendering of 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 assigning a plurality of pieces of geometry of an image frame to the plurality of GPUs for geometry testing;
• program instructions for setting a first GPU state configuring the plurality of GPUs to perform the geometry testing;
• program instructions for performing geometry testing at the plurality of GPUs on the plurality of pieces of geometry to generate information regarding each piece of geometry and its relation to each of the plurality of screen regions, wherein a plurality of commands is executed by the plurality of shaders using a first interpretation based on the first GPU state to perform the geometry testing;
• program instructions for setting a second GPU state configuring the plurality of GPUs to perform rendering;
• and
• program instructions for performing the rendering of the plurality of pieces of geometry at the plurality of GPUs by executing the plurality of commands using a second interpretation based on the second GPU state,
• wherein the plurality of pieces of geometry is rendered by the plurality of GPUs using the information generated for each of the plurality of pieces of geometry.