NVIDIA Corporation today announced the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE and NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra media and communications processors (MCPs).
Together with the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 MCP already available, NVIDIA is now providing its system builder and do-it-yourself (DIY) communities with two, new, lower cost, discrete motherboard solutions for Intel PC platforms. All three are compatible with all currently available Intel dual-core CPUs, including the new Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 955.
In addition to providing advanced storage and security capabilities and support for high-definition audio, the Company has also lowered the entry point for those interested in building multi-GPU PC platforms using Intel CPUs. With an expected retail price of less than $100 USD for NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE-based motherboards, consumers can now take advantage of the SLI technology and install two graphics cards immediately for scalable gaming performance, or use the second PCIe slot for other PCIe devices or future expansion. Targeted for single-GPU configurations is the NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra MCP, offering users a platform with more features and performance than alternative motherboard products that also have a retail price of around or less than $89 USD.
"Our core-logic business is a strategic growth driver for NVIDIA, and these new products allow us to capitalize on these high-volume Intel segments," said Drew Henry, general manager of MCP business at NVIDIA. "With a top-to-bottom product family including NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 for the high-end enthusiast, NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE for those interested in performance, and the NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra for more general PC usage, we are excited about our opportunities and the potential growth for our MCP business group."
Together, the advanced architecture of the NVIDIA nForce4 MCPs and the dual-core capabilities of the latest Intel Pentium processors provide a compelling technological foundation for driving today's hottest games and demanding digital media applications, including the playback of high-definition video.
The nForce 4 SLI XE and nForce 4 Ultra support all Socket 775 Intel processors, and while the Ultra already supports AMD's 64-bit CPU line-up, the SLI XE remains an Intel-only product. Both chipsets can operate up to 20 PCI Express lanes, but while the SLI XE can configure them any way, the Ultra is limited to a single 16x bus and three x1 connectors. Like the higher-end nForce 4 SLI, the SLI XE supports the multi-GPU system with two 8x connectors.
Both new chipsets contain Nvidia's DualDDR2 dual-channel DDR 2 memory controller, and can run up to four 3Gbps Serial ATA drives with RAID 0, 1 and 5, and four parallel ATA peripherals. On the networking side, both chips incorporate Nvidia's ActiveArmor hardware firewall and Gigabit Ethernet.
PC OEMs, system builders and motherboard manufacturers, including Biostar, ECS, Epox, Foxconn, Jetway, J&W, MSI, and others, are expected to have retail products based on the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE and NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra MCPs available starting in late January 2006.