Can existing Intel chipsets support SLI in the future?

[JohnJSal]

Is this something that can be enabled by a BIOS revision, for example, or is it a hardware issue that requires new chipsets altogether?

 

[daisymtc]

chipset.

 

[JohnJSal]

chipset.

Hmm, so I suppose there's no point in getting an X38 board with two PCIe x16 slots if I also plan to get an 8800GT? Unless, of course, I ditch the 8800 later and get two AMD cards.....

 

[mep916]

Hmm, so I suppose there's no point in getting an X38 board with two PCIe x16 slots if I also plan to get an 8800GT? Unless, of course, I ditch the 8800 later and get two AMD cards.....

Not necessarily. If you're positive that you will not run SLi, then the X38 is a good choice, IMO. If you would like the option of running a second GT, then you would obviously want a 680i/780i chipset. Remember, only the 780i will support quad 45nm procs. The 680i only supports the dual cores.

To answer your question, Intel chipsets are not likely to support SLi anytime soon. If they did, though, a BIOS update would probably be the approach they would use.

 

[mep916]

Here's an update: http://www.techpowerup.com/?49680

Apparently, the Intel Skulltrail mobo will support SLi. It's due in February at $600.

 

[JohnJSal]

Here's an update: http://www.techpowerup.com/?49680

Apparently, the Intel Skulltrail mobo will support SLi. It's due in February at $600.

Eeesh...but it seems to be for servers?

 

[mep916]

Eeesh...but it seems to be for servers?

Yes, you would use Xeon sever procs, but the board is being marketed to desktop users.

 

[Geoff]

The goal eventually is to be able to use SLI or CF with any motherboard that supports multi-card setups. Of course theres really no reliable sources, just some gossip from the Inquirer.