NVIDIA to Support SLI in the Intel X58 Express Chipset

In July, NVIDIA reported that Intel's X58 Express high-end chipset, supporting Nehalem processors (Core i7 Bloomfield), will feature a special nForce 200 bridge chip required for using SLI configurations based on NVIDIA graphics cards.

Still, the cost of nForce 200, both separately (30 USD) and together with Intel X58 Express, would be too high. Also, motherboard makers would have to spend on additional re-design of products based on this core logic. Not speaking of end users that would have to pay even more in the end.

So, finally NVIDIA decided to certify Intel X58 Express as a solution with the native NVIDIA SLI support, not needing a special nForce 200 chip. This was stated at NVISION08 by Tom Peterson, NVIDIA Technical Marketing Director.

Still, according to Peterson, nForce 200 will be used with chipsets to create faster SLI systems (see the second slide), and certification will be conducted on individual terms with each motherboard manufacturer. This means it won't be possible just to purchase a consignment of X58 Express from Intel to automatically be granted the permission to use chipset's SLI technology.

Sources: PC Watch, DigiTimes, HKEPC

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