Asustek Computer has started delivering Nvidia nForce 4 SLI-based motherboards to the channel, according to the company and sources in the channel.

These motherboards support Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Socket 939 Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 processors. Small volumes of Asustek's A8N-SLI Deluxe motherboard arrived in stores last week and were sold immediately, Asustek said. The company added that it will gradually increase its shipments later this month, while shipments to other markets will start this week.

The A8N-SLI Deluxe motherboard is priced at NT$6,900 (US$216), while other non-SLI Nvidia nForce 4 motherboards are priced at about NT$3,000 (US$94), according to sources in the channel.

The introduction of the nForce 4 SLI-based motherboards comes at the same time as AMD is ramping up its output of Socket 939 Athlon 64 CPUs, the sources said. Production of Socket 939 Athlon 64 CPUs is expected to outpace that of Socket 754 models in the first quarter of next year.