Nvidia 'nveils nForce 7 chipsets
Tri-SLI time
Nvidia has rolled out its first nForce 7-series chipset, this one targeting Intel processors and supporting the GPU maker's new three-way SLI technology.
Nvidia's nForce 780i SLI
The nForce 780i SLI supports Intel's one-, two- and four-core desktop processors on a frontside bus (FSB) clocked at between 533MHz and 1333MHz. The chipset hooks the CPU up to two channels of DDR 2 memory running at up to 1200MHz - if the memory's certified to Nvidia's Extended Performance Profile (EPP), otherwise it'll be clocked at up to 800MHz.
The chipset has 62 PCI Express (PCIe) lanes at its disposal, so it's capable of host three x16 connectors, though interestingly only two are PCIe 2.0 compatible - the third is plain old PCIe 1.0. Boards based on the 780i can also offer up to five PCI slots.
Asus' P5N-T: 780i SLI based
Three-way SLI allows users to connect three GeForce 8800 Ultra or 8800 GTX graphics cards - both older, 80nm parts rather than shiny new 65nm 'G92' chips like the 8800 GT and the new 512MB 8800 GTS.
The 780i can host up to ten USB 2.0 ports, two Gigabit Ethernet connectors, two parallel ATA drives and six 3Gb/s SATA drives.
Nvidia's nForce 750i SLI
Nvidia also introduced the 750i SLI, a board designed to support just two simultaneously connected graphics cards via its 26 PCIe lanes. It too supports a 1333MHZ FSB, but the DDR 2 memory link is limited to 800MHz.
The 750i can handle eight USB 2.0 ports, four parallel ATA peripherals and four 3Gb/s SATA drives. It has one Gigabit Ethernet port.
Expect board announcements from all the usual suspects to follow forthwith. And look out for Register Hardware's nForce 780i review later this week.
Related Reviews
• Nvidia G92-based GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB
• Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT
COMMENTS
@Mark Rendle
2560x1600? That's a serious size monitor.
Saying that, though, if you can afford a monitor that size you're probably already running that Quad-SLI rig suggested further up.
umm is it me
or does it look like those 3 behemoths are covering the ram and IDE connectors
@Neil
Four blades was here before 3
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_quadsli.html
As for the insanity of GPU counts, I blame all those people so spoilt by graphics that they cannot for their life visualize what they're reading while playing a text-based game.
I once lamented this before and I'll do it again (strangely, I made the lament on my blog after reading one of el Reg's April Fools article earlier this year about how CPUs are actually getting slower). Why is it that Karateka runs on a 8086 with 256k of RAM and a CGA graphics card and still managed to have great graphics, great sound and great physics, while Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter needs dual-core CPUs, loads of RAM, PhysX, SLI and X-Fi and still managed to be a game that cannot hold my attention.
SLI = bad
As far as I am aware, with SLi you cannot run dual head to get independent display on two screens with games such as Supreme commander. I will never go SLi until they resolve this major failing with the platform.
power consumption
I predict in the next five years you will need a electrician to come out and hook up your computer. I can just see it now. whoa you got what in that computer, that requires an 100 amp hook up on its on breaker.
