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Nvidia concedes SLI for Nehalem chips

Slashes GTX 260 and 280 prices

Nvidia is the first to blink in its standoff with Intel over the terms of licensing each others' wares. The graphics chip maker is conceding support for its multi-GPU technology on Intel's upcoming 'Nehalem' processor platform without getting much contractual love in return.

SLI will be available for Intel's 'Bloomfield' line of Nehalem chips and the accompanying gamer-oriented chipset, the X58. New motherboards catering to Bloomfield CPUs and X58 chipset will use the nForce 200 SLI processor to bridge a maximum of three Nvidia GPUs.

Nvidia claims the silicon can provide up to a 2.8x performance boost over traditional single graphic card platforms.

Nehalem, due later this year, introduces a new bus technology that Intel calls QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). If Nvidia or any other vendor wants to support Nehalem processors, they need to license QPI technology.

Done and done, claims Nvidia. A 2003 agreement between the two companies already gives Nvidia the right to make boards for Nehalem, according to Nvidia — but Intel sees things quite differently. Both have been disputing the finer points of their pact's print.

One ace up Nvidia's sleeve has been Intel's interest in SLI. Intel already supports the technology in its 'Skulltrail' gaming motherboard, and has eyes for extending that coverage to other chipsets.

Today's announcement may yet sweeten talks between the companies, although Intel has already stated such moves won't be stirring a more liberal reading of the disputed contract. Last month, Intel said it's "not seeking any SLI concession from Nvidia in exchange for granting any Nehalem license rights."

And that's pretty straightforward, short of dissecting the word "seeking," as being coy.

Motherboards and systems supporting the union will be sold by vendors such as Acer, ASUS, Dell, Falcon Northwest, and Fujitsu-Siemens.

Latest Comments

@Matrix RAID

Bleh. Thats one of those software raids that pretends to be real, isn't it? Even the Intel hardware raid setups that I've run across have been exceptionally slow, plus any decent OS has built in software raid that'll work with virtually any storage controller (Including a $20 sata controllers, usb drives, SD cards, NBDs, floppies, and an array of even more sketchy setups...)

If you want some sort of performance, shell out for a PCI Express 3ware or something.

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"Slashes GTX 260 and 280 prices"?!

where???

when???

bill ;)

http://www.eupeople.net

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Matrix RAID and SLI... yayyy.

This makes me happy. Intel RAID and Nvidia SLI for all! Now if only I had the money to upgrade this fall/winter...

Smiley, 'cos I couldn't think of anything funny to say about Paris.

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The enemy of my enemy is....

I suspect they both want to see CrossFire relegated firmly to second place.

If it were not for Intel's decision to enter the performance graphics market, I suspect these two would be in bed together. As it is we can look forward to a three-way battle in the top-end of the graphics card market. Let's hope that leads to ultimately greater competition and not just the usual sue-fest.

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