Intel's desktop processor transition to 45nm hi-k metal gate will gain momentum in Q1 2008. We expect to see a top-to-bottom dual- and quad-core (Wolfdale and Yorkfield, respectively) line-up to complement the current Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and paper-launched QX9770 processors.
But you need chipsets that support the new processors first. Intel, naturally, has a number of chipsets purporting support for 45nm chips, including the performance X38 and midrange P35. NVIDIA, though, is keeping 45nm support a little more guarded, with news that incumbent nForce 680i SLI cannot be simply firmware-updated to provide the necessary compatibility. Not so much of an issue now, sure, but one that will become increasingly important in Q1 2008.
So here's a sneak peek at a couple of MSI motherboards based on the upcoming nForce 780i SLI.
The P7N Diamond has a couple of interesting features. The first is the heatsink-clad chip that sits inbetween the two PCIe x1 slots. We'd love to tell you it was some new-fangled technology that'll change the world, but the underlying ASIC is the NVIDIA nForce 200 - the chip required to provide both PCI-Express 2.0 support and better lane division without having to re-design the chipset bridges; a quick-fix, if you will.
The board also features four mechanical x16 PCIe slots (running at x8 electrically) and three can be used to facilitate NVIDIA's upcoming three-way SLI multi-GPU technology that's dubbed 3SLI (or should that be TrySLI (sic)).
The not-so-feature-laden P7N Platinum gives up the fourth mechanical PCIe x16 slot and a few extras in exchange for a lower street price. It's still aesthetically refulgent and garish, in equal measure, thanks to the Circu-Pipe cooling.
NVIDIA would tell you that the boards will be available in Q1 2008 to coincide with the release of sanely-priced 45nm Penryn CPUs. The truth of the matter, and confirmed by more than one source, is that NVIDIA's had significant problems in ensuring flawless 45nm support.
We expect the P7N Diamond to retail at around £160 and the P7N Platinum for around £125 when they go on sale. The obvious competitors will be the X48 and X38 chipset-based motherboards from Intel, clearly.
Being based on the guts of the nForce 680i SLI both boards will provide DDR2-1066 compatibility. Expect to see the DDR3-supporting nForce 790i SLI a month or two later.
