Intel had no less than four fully configured 'SkullTrail' test systems on display during the Intel Developer Forum and while there was a gag order on the performance numbers, Intel allowed Legit Reviews to take all the pictures we wanted of the test systems and the motherboard itself. Read on to see what the future of V8 computing means for gamers and enthusiasts.
A SkullTrail system like this one is more likely what will be shipping in months to come, but even it has two cooling loops. One cooling loop and 120mmx480mm radiator for the GeForce 8800 series video cards and another cooling loop with a second 120mm x 480mm radiator is on the other side for the two 3.4GHz Harpertown processors that were used on this demo system.
INTEL SKULLTRAIL PLATFORM FEATURES NVIDIA SLI TECHNOLOGY
NVIDIA nForce 100 Media and Communications Processors Provide An Exciting SLI-Ready Platform for Intel Customers
· Intel demonstrated its new “Skulltrail” motherboard at this week’s Intel Developers Forum in San Francisco, CA. Skulltrail is a dual-socket motherboard that is targeted at ultra-high-end desktop enthusiasts and workstation customers.
· The Skulltrail motherboard uses Intel's workstation “Stoakley” chipset designed for 2P CPU operation (1P configurations are not supported).
· To enable NVIDIA SLI support, Intel has purchased NVIDIA nForce 100 SLI MCPs from NVIDIA.
· The NVIDIA nForce 100 MCP converts a single x16 PCI Express Gen 1 bus into dual x16 PCI Express Gen 1 buses. This is how SLI is being supported on Skulltrail.
· NVIDIA assisted Intel in the bring-up and testing of the Skulltrail motherboard which was publicly demonstrated at the Intel Developers Forum in San Francisco this week.
· NVIDIA SLI technology is the world’s leading multi-GPU platform, allowing multiple NVIDIA GeForce graphics processing units (GPUs) to work together, resulting in scalable performance.
· Intel has not licensed SLI technology from NVIDIA. Intel purchased NVIDIA nForce 100 MCPs to enable support for SLI.
· Skulltrail is the only Intel motherboard which will feature NVIDIA SLI support. Intel is not using the NVIDIA nForce 100 MCP on any other chipsets, including X38.
· For other 1P segments of the Intel market, NVIDIA has a wide variety of SLI products already available, including the leading nForce 680i SLI MCP for enthusiasts and gamers.
· Skulltrail motherboards will only be available directly from Intel.
It better explains how SLI works and that it is the only Intel board for now that will support SLI. Just thought I'd share.
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