Intel slaps Nvidia with a trout! No SLI support for Nehalems!

[Drizzt]

Rumor has it that the next-generation CPU micro-architecture from Intel will not come with support for Nvidia's SLI enthusiast technology. Shortly put, Intel has stripped SLI support from
the Nehalem Bloomfield-ready chipsets.

The rumor comes right after Nvidia directly engaged Intel in a tough battle on the discrete GPU market, as previously reported. Intel is determined to follow the line imposed in the 38 and X48 high end chipsets rigged on the reference boards.

The first generation of Nehalem processors, based on the 45-nanometer micro-architecture will completely lack SLI support, and Intel plans to adopt AMD's CrossFireX technology for the graphics part. However, if Intel finds a way to completely strip the SLI support off its Nehalem chipsets, Nvidia will likely be left outside the ultra-high-end CPU market, which would translate into substantial income losses.

Intel has a long history in playing tricks on Nvidia, as it previously forgotten to inform the graphics manufacturer that it performed changes to the 45-nanometer Yorkfield micro-architecture. Back then, Nvidia wasted important amounts of money in replacing its reference designs from the 680i to the 780i chipset.

The CPU manufacturer's decision is expected to affect the whole industry. While Nvidia will lose another potential market and a huge part of its revenue, AMD will get another opportunity of promoting its own graphics cards offerings, a business that could swing AMD back to profit.

On the other side, the Intel – AMD partnership seems to be a holy union of two arch-rivals engaged in a cut-throat business, and could eventually damage Intel's supremacy on the CPU market.

Moreover, Intel is expected to accelerate its work on the Larrabee multi-core graphics project, and deliver the second generation of Nehalem chips bundled with the new graphics solution.

Source


There you go... That is not good news for all those people out there looking forward to these chips and who are in love with SLI.

And that Multi-core graphics project seems like they are trying to destroy ATI and Nvidia at the same time to me.

[Akubane]

heh. seems like things are turning into one big headache.

[Puddle Jumper]

I wonder if this is an attempt by Intel to keep AMD alive while maintaining their dominance in the cpu market. If they completely strip sli support from Nehalem Intel would be handing the high end gpu market to ati, which would help keep AMD in business and allow Intel to avoid the monopoly(and resulting legal problems) that would occur if AMD goes under.

[veg1992]

Originally Posted by Puddle Jumper

I wonder if this is an attempt by Intel to keep AMD alive while maintaining their dominance in the cpu market. If they completely strip sli support from Nehalem Intel would be handing the high end gpu market to ati, which would help keep AMD in business and allow Intel to avoid the monopoly(and resulting legal problems) that would occur if AMD goes under.

thats a good hypothesis, and its most likely correct

AMD wins the GPU's and Intel wins the CPU fight without facing legal action against them

[thirdshiftdj]

always some conspiracy going on

[Drizzt]

This can turn out good for the people with older intel processors (as in old compared to the nehalems) and obviously for AMD users who favor Nvidia. LOW prices .

Did i spell trout right? looks wierd...

[Snake91839]

That would suck though. Not being able to use SLI with Intel. I mean, I always use AMD.... but still.

[Poizen22]

that is horrible, it could aslso be intels atempt to get nvidia to give them an sli patent to have sli intel chipsets.

[Snake91839]

ooo... didn't think of that one

[Poizen22]

i dont think a monopoly law suit will be that much of a problem with intel they make so much money, the goverment would have a hard time stoping them.