Intel SkullTrail + SLI = YES

[malware]

Now that Intel Skulltrail is due to be out in the beginning of February, we can confirm this will be the first Intel motherboard to fully support NVIDIA's SLI multi-GPU Technology. Below is a proof picture of the SLI bridge included with the motherboard's bundle.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[btarunr]

Aah the Skulltrail cometh.

Now to the next step: Is it going to be 32-lane SLI or 16 lanes split to x8, x8 because isn't the nForce 200 16-lane?

 

[malware]

Now to the next step: Is it going to be 32-lane SLI or 16 lanes split to x8, x8 because isn't the nForce 200 16-lane?

Yes, but there're two nForce 2000 MCPs on the board.

 

[btarunr]

Damn I wonder how these Asian tech-sites lay their hands on prototypes/pre-release stuff before we do.

Look at the length of the SLI interconnect. Doesn't it look like it spans all the way from the first to the last PCI-E slot? Suggestive of the NV cards to be installed on these two specific slots for SLI? The last PCI-E slot would choke the male molex if a NV card is installed there...?

 

[Deleted member 24505]

You could put a 90` connector on there,so it would fit i think.

 

[mdm-adph]

Damn I wonder how these Asian tech-sites lay their hands on prototypes/pre-release stuff before we do.

They make the stuff! They probably just take them home from the factory -- I know I would.

 

[Deleted member 3]

Wasn't SLI support already a fact?

 

[ktr]

Wasn't SLI support already a fact?

I believe so, skulltrail is known to support both SLI and Crossfire.

 

[newtekie1]

Look at the length of the SLI interconnect. Doesn't it look like it spans all the way from the first to the last PCI-E slot? Suggestive of the NV cards to be installed on these two specific slots for SLI? The last PCI-E slot would choke the male molex if a NV card is installed there...?

It is a flexible interconnect, like the ones ASUS uses, so I doubt they would force you to use the last slot.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Aah the Skulltrail cometh.

Now to the next step: Is it going to be 32-lane SLI or 16 lanes split to x8, x8 because isn't the nForce 200 16-lane?

Also to add to those questions, is CrossfireX a go on the platform? Meaning, for example 2 HD3870's + let's say HD2600XT.

 

[Deleted member 3]

It is a flexible interconnect, like the ones ASUS uses, so I doubt they would force you to use the last slot.

They will force you to use two specific slots. Not all lanes are on the same chip, meaning interconnects between the chips will bottleneck the system severely if cards would be connected to different ones.

 

[btarunr]

It is a flexible interconnect, like the ones ASUS uses, so I doubt they would force you to use the last slot.

Possible but it's cheaper to make a plastic/flexible interconnect bridge than a hard one that's basically a tiny PCB. Anyway we're dealing with the most expensive board on the planet, what's cheap anyway

If using the 3rd/2nd slot was possible I don't think they would've give that long an interconnect bridge. Anyway....I'm just shooting blind arrows, could be wrong.

 

[Demos_sav]

How much will this cost?

Will anybody give it to me for a birthday present guys?

 

[btarunr]

With 2000 units in all for the initial batch release and a expexted >$500 price tag one has to be 1000ml of LSD down to gift you that.

 

[pentastar111]

Cool looking board...Although my eyeballs keep drifting towards molex that is sitting nut to butt with that bottom pci-e slot....surely there's a better place for that damn connector!

 

[Lu(ky]

I thought I read somewhere that it will only take the new socket 771 QX9775 @ $1499.00 each x 2 = $3K I could be wrong

Link

 

[ShadowFold]

Yea Skulltrail is S771

 

[ktr]

to do a full fledged skulltrail will cost you at least $7500.

 

[btarunr]

Also to add to those questions, is CrossfireX a go on the platform? Meaning, for example 2 HD3870's + let's say HD2600XT.

That is driver dependent, not platform dependent and by driver I'm referring to those from ATI, not Intel. The board just does the job of running four/three video cards, giving them power and signal, it's upto the drivers from ATI to do the rest.

 

[ktr]

That is driver dependent, not platform dependent and by driver I'm referring to those from ATI, not Intel. The board just does the job of running four/three video cards, giving them power and signal, it's upto the drivers from ATI to do the rest.

No...Intel made there chip on skulltrail to be able to do both sli and CF. Based on your logic, i should be able to do SLI on any intel chip (975, p35, x38, etc...), but as we know, you cant.

 

[btarunr]

No...Intel made there chip on skulltrail to be able to do both sli and CF. Based on your logic, i should be able to do SLI on any intel chip (975, p35, x38, etc...), but as we know, you cant.

Nope I was answering his question as to if he could use dissimilar cards. My answer: You can use dissimilar cards in Crossfire on ANY board that supports Crossfire X provided the drivers from ATI allow that. You can't blame Skulltrail if it doesn't

 

[tkpenalty]

two HD3850s in the middle and two 8800GTs in CF and SLi... and two PSUs to power it inside a P190. Thats what I expect... at the least.

 

[btarunr]

let's see how this E-ATX board fits into a P180 in the first place.

 

[ShadowFold]

Now that I notice that thing is freaking massive, will it fit in a Mid-Tower?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Nope I was answering his question as to if he could use dissimilar cards. My answer: You can use dissimilar cards in Crossfire on ANY board that supports Crossfire X provided the drivers from ATI allow that. You can't blame Skulltrail if it doesn't

So if ATi decides to do CrossfireX on a 975X chipset.... I could do like an HD3850 with like ummm .... 3870X2? Cause that would be pretty damn sweet!