Nvidias new chipset - SLI16X - 2 x 16X PCI-E lanes!

[FarFarAway]

Ummm...so yeah - nvidia's new chipset has 2 x 16 speed PCI-E lanes:

In addition to the added bandwidth and ease of use come quite a few extra niceties. Boards based on nForce 4 SLI X16 will have more I/O options on top of the added PCI Express bandwidth. The introduction of a new enthusiast part will also push prices down on existing products and NVIDIA will begin selling its current nForce4 SLI solution at mainstream prices. Aside from cheaper being better, this should increase adoption of the SLI platform giving the mainstream user some reason to care about SLI. With this also comes value for options like 6600 and 6200 SLI. Everything seems to be coming up roses for NVIDIA's dual GPU business right now with ATI's Crossfire still waiting in the wings.

And OMFG!!!:

NVIDIA will be supplying core logic to the previously Intel-only volume computer manufacturer making nForce4 SLI X16 the first non-Intel chipset for dudes to get in their Dells.

So wait a minute...Dell is now getting nvidia chipsets?? I can see into the future...I can see AMD processors and Nvidia NForce chipsets :wiggle: Naaaa...I wish

So this means that NF4 SLi chipsets will become cheaper for the ordinary consumer...and hopefully as nvidia get more cash...they'll put prices down (yeah )

Some boring teh stuff:

NVIDIA states that motherboards shipping with the nForce4 SLI X16 chipset will generally have all the enthusiast bells and whistles like dual gigabit network connections and 6 to 8 SATA ports. Supporting all these options along side up to 40 PCI Express lanes (38 for AMD systems) and 5 PCI slots, these new motherboards will cater to almost workstation level I/O needs. For example configurations of Intel and AMD solutions, take a look at these block diagrams provided by NVIDIA.

So this would mean a hella crowded board (lanes on PCB) BUT wouldn't it be rather special

Not much will use all that bandwidth up now...but you have to wonder if nvidia are getting ready for the next AMD socket where PCI-E is intergrated

Ah well - whatefver happens - it looks like nvidia are gonna try to be one step ahead of the competition. ATI are sure to be a bit pissed looking ast this release with once again - actual availability when it launches...so maybe they should up their game?

Just gotta wait for them to make a GPU capable of using up all thast bandwidth :yumyum:

NVIDIA is touting the added bandwidth as a performance increasing factor for the future. They acknowledge that current games don't see much benefit from the added bandwidth, but stand firmly behind the assertion that future games designed for PCI Express and SLI will take advantage of the increased bandwidth offered. We certainly aren't expecting to see any major gains under current titles, but we will have to wait until we get our hands on a board to play with before we can say for sure what we think of the performance.

So like I just said...its for the future. Looks like the Dell XPS could be nice....umm what did I just say?

So there ya go. AnandTech end with:

In the end, even if performance impact isn't great (and even if NVIDIA's promised future performance benefits never materialize), this launch is a very good thing. Pushing prices on SLI systems down to more affordable levels and offering the potential for more PCI Express expansion slots (each with higer bandwidth) is definitely welcome. This is not the kind of solution that current nForce4 SLI users should want to upgrade to, and the vertict is still out on whether or not there will be a real world performance difference. But the existance of the nForce4 SLI X16 solidifies NVIDIA's position in the core logic market and helps to push prices down across the board.

And so di I...all in all this is one release that can only be good for those of us crazy enough to upgrade all the damn time. *sighs*...and I've only got 2 x 8x speed lanes

Full article @ AnandTech

 

[FragTek]

This looks quite... nice and amazing Glad that nVidia is stepping up to the plate every chance they get. I was planning on converting back to ATi at one point with all the great new things nV are planning I may just stick it out!

 

[ionicle_old]

:O want, want, want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, lookin good yeah

 

[NickS]

Dude I'm gettin a dell. Dude, no, your getting a Dell. I'm getting a Dell? Shaw man, your getting a Dell. Dude, awesome!

 

[bloodthirst]

dell + nvidia chipsets i must be dreaming

 

[Dav0s]

nice work kemp, enjoyed that one.