NVIDIA's SLI multi-GPU technology served as the biggest selling point of nForce series chipsets, as it was exclusive to it. With the advent of LGA-1366 processors and the Intel X58 chipset, NVIDIA allowed the Intel chipset to support the technology, as it soon became clear that it isn't going to be easy for NVIDIA to come up with an LGA-1366 chipset. Users of the older LGA-775 however still have the option of buying nForce 700 series based motherboards to use SLI, and hence no real attempt was made to ensure the technology is available to Intel chipsets. Until now.

A member of Expreview's Chinese enthusiast community has successfully enabled SLI on an Intel chipset based LGA-775 motherboard, the first feat of its kind since much older attempts on i975 platforms using much older GeForce hardware. Firewings_[CCG] successfully ran SLI of GeForce 8600 GT and GeForce GTX 260 cards on his Intel X38+ICH9R chipset based ASUS Maximus Formula motherboard. The feat is headed by software he modified, details of which will surface soon. The mod was validated by Expreview staff, who used the software to run GeForce GTX 260 SLI on a more recent P45+ICH10R based Maximus II Formula motherboard. "By installing the software that Firewings [CCG] provides us, we managed to enable SLI configuration in Directory Services Restore Mode. Due to some 'small problems' according to Firewings [CCG], the SLI configuration can't be realized in normal mode for now, but he says this will be fixed soon," commented Expreview. With SLI enabled, the multi-GPU setup was able offer performance scaling that proves the mod works.

DFI's latest LANParty board is based on the Intel's X38 and ICH9R chipset, DFI's second take on the Intel X38 series product line (LANPARTY LT X38-T2R first took place). The freshman LANParty DK X38-T2R supports DDR2 memory up to 1066MHz and 1333MHz FSB for the latest Intel processors. LANParty DK X38-T2R also incorporates 4-phase digital PWM, 8-channel Realtek ALC885 high definition audio codec, dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 slots for ATI CrossFire graphics, CMOS Reloaded Technology, Genie BIOS, and EZ Clear CMOS accessible from the back I/O panel of the board. The board also uses 100% Japanese-made solid capacitors, which now-a-days is considered normal in the high-end market.

ASUS, world leader in motherboard design and production, has released the ASUS P5E64 WS Professional workstation motherboard. This powerful motherboard provides multiple-display function, duo PCIe 2.0 slots, and a host of practical solutions for convenient and efficient work efficiency.

For enthusiasts perusing the ultimate Intel-based platform for custom desktop systems, ASUS, the Industry-leading component and notebook manufacturer, today unveiled two high-end motherboard series based on the new Intel X38 chipset. The P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP debuts with the world's first energy-saving design, featuring embedded Energy Processing Unit (EPU), high-efficiency power management, and Internet-ready applications on the BIOS. Its sibling and the new addition to the Republic of Gamers (ROG) series, the Maximus Extreme, entices Do-It-Yourself (DIY) gamers with an advanced thermal design, versatile tweaking options, and intuitive threshold indicators for safer overclocking. Both series are optimized for the upcoming Intel 45nm multi-core processors, and are currently available through ASUS North American authorized dealers.

Intel recently launched its high-end 3 series chipset X38 in the market, however with details of a chip revision, the X48 chipset, exposed, some motherboard makers are concerned that the X48 may hurt demand for motherboards based on the X38 chipset. Intel recently delivered X48 A0 test samples to motherboard makers. The chipset is expected to launch between the end of 2007 and January 2008 after testing, while motherboards should start appear on the market in the first quarter of 2008. With the X48's launch expected to come only three months later than X38, it could lead to a short life cycle for the X38, causing a delay in market demand.

abit today announced their brand new enthusiast Intel X38 chipset based IX38 QuadGT Speedster motherboard. With the IX38 QuadGT Speedster you are prepared for the latest 65nm and next generation 45 nm Core 2 Extreme/Quad/Duo processors with up to 1600 FSB. A total of 8 GB high-end DDR2 1066 MHz system memory offers sufficient expandability for all your needs. Dual X16 PCI-E 2.0 offer highest bandwidth for hardcore gaming. The uniquely abit engineered electrical design including next generation digital PWMs and 100% solid state capacitors warrant best power characteristics resulting in lower consumption, higher efficiency and extreme stability. The IX38 QuadGT Speedster: Quality Pure!

Intel will officially start delivering its X38 chipsets in mid-September, enabling motherboard makers to begin volume production of X38-based motherboards by the end of this month. The official launch of the X38 chipsets will also come in time to compete with AMD's forthcoming RD790 chipsets scheduled in November. In addition to supporting 1333MHz FSB, DDR3-1333 memory, PCI Express 2.0 and dual PCIe x16 graphics slots, the X38 will also be the first core logic chipset using ISH (integrated heat spreader). While barely beginning shipments of the X38, however, Intel also plans to launch an upgrade version of the chipset, the X48, by the end of the year with motherboard makers to begin delivering X48 motherboards to shelves in the first quarter of 2008, according to Intel's roadmap. The X48 eventually will come with the same chip design as the X38, but will support 1600MHz FSB and DDR3-1600 memory. Board makers will not be required to change any design work of X38-based motherboards since the X38 and X48 chipsets will use the same PCB.

AnandTech published today an early performance preview of the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 Intel X38 based motherboard.

Our testing today is centered on a select group of synthetic and application benchmarks that will provide a general indication of how the X38 currently performs with beta hardware. We will follow up shortly with results from a retail board/BIOS combination that will focus on CrossFire (sorry, as of now there's no official SLI support), overclocking, power consumption, and additional application benchmarks.

bit-tech.net reports that ASUS has named its next Intel X38 based Republic of Gamer (R.O.G.) motherboard the "Maximus". In the same manner as the previous ASUS P35 Blitz board, there will be two models to choose from: Formula DDR2 and Extreme DDR3. No word yet on features, cooling or just about anything other than a name and the availability will be "early September".

Although the initial plan was to introduce the new high-end X38 chipset at the end of September, Intel's new silicon chip is up to the task even earlier, and a new release date has actually been announced. AMD will launch Barcelona on September 10 and Intel is simply going to get the upper hand and launch the X38 on September 9. Motherboards powered by the X38 are expected to hit the stores early next month.