Nvidia's SLI multi-GPU technology will soon work with Intel-made chipsets, it has been alleged. The claim came after the graphics chip company began highlighting the number of Intel Core 2 Duo-based desktops that support SLI.

Nvidia's arch-rival, ATI, was also quick to shout about all the machines that contain Core 2 chips and support CrossFire. Both companies provided long lists of PC vendors. Nvidia's lacked Dell. It should have waited - Dell has since said its XPS 700 gaming machine, which was always spec'd for SLI, will now be offered with Core 2 processors, as anticipated.

Dell's system uses an Nvidia chipset, as do all the others on Nvidia's vendor list. However, it's been claimed by industry sources cited by DigiTimes that Intel and AMD have been talking about bringing SLI support to Intel chipsets. Such a tie-in was mooted a year ago, but in the end only ATI's CrossFire made it onto Intel's high-end chipsets, including the 975X.

The implication in the story is that the two have agreed to proceed with the plan, but no timeframe for SLI support was given. ®