Although Nvidia has been targeting the high-end of the PCI Express (PCIe) chipset market with its SLI (scalable link interface) platform, the company plans to expand its focus to the mainstream starting in the third quarter of this year, with the release of its integrated C51 chipset series for the Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) K8 platform, according to Taiwan motherboard makers.

The C51-series will have two versions, with the C51PV supporting Socket 939 K8-compatible motherboards, and the C51 supporting Socket 754 motherboards, the makers stated. Sources at the makers stated that the two chips will have different graphic cores, but declined to provide more details.

In addition, Nvidia plans to reduce the prices on its current line of SLI chipsets, with the FOB (free on board) price of SLI-based motherboards expected to fall from US$110-120 at present to US$90, the motherboard makers expect.

In the third quarter, rival ATI Technologies is also expected to launch its RS482 and RC410 chipsets, which offer the company’s Multi-Rendering technology for dual graphics card support, with the chips priced at below US$30.


Source : DigiTimes