A Play On Graphics
In our last review of the MSI K8N SLI, we commented on the trend of how mainstream nForce4 SLI motherboards were popping out of the woodwork due to the imminent release NVIDIA's full speed SLI chipset, the nForce4 SLI X16. With the nForce4 SLI X16 taking over the high-end space for SLI motherboards, the original nForce4 SLI has been relegated towards the mid-range level used to be occupied by the nForce4 Ultra. This of course is a win-win situation for everyone as the SLI platform is now opened up for a wider range of users and no longer confined as enthusiast-only. This move will also allow NVIDIA to increase their market hold on core logic chipsets in both the AMD and Intel space.
Well, the nForce4 SLI X16 has arrived and once again NVIDIA has delivered as promised - a successful launch and a product available from the get go. In a nutshell, the nForce4 SLI X16 features two full-bandwidth PCI Express x16 slots, which technically provides superior SLI graphics performance. This compared to the first generation nForce4 SLI chipset, which functioned in either a dual x8 mode or single x16 (with the second slot disabled). Because the nForce4 SLI X16 benefits from two independent PCIe x16 lanes, there is no longer a need for an SLI switch card. Another advantage that presents itself is that the second PCIe x16 slot is always enabled and can be used by other compatible cards.
nForce4 SLI X16 block diagram. Source:NVIDIA
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The most interesting feature of the nForce4 SLI X16 is the way NVIDIA has designed the new chipset. Since the chipset packs almost double the PCIe lanes of the original nForce4 SLI, it becomes quite obvious that NVIDIA had to return back to a two-chip design, but just how much did NVIDIA change the nForce4 SLI? The answer is that they didn't at all. If you look at the specifications and block diagram above closely, the extra 18 PCIe lanes are the only differences between the two chipsets. There has been no change whatsoever in terms of networking, audio or storage capabilities. Despite what NVIDIA might want you to think, the nForce4 SLI X16 MCP is the exact same nForce4 SLI MCP that has been around for a year. So the only 'new' feature in the chipset is the additional nForce4 SLI X16 SPP, whose sole duty seems to be to provide that extra 18 PCIe lanes.
In a nutshell, what NVIDIA has done is simply adding in a PCI Express HyperTransport tunnel chip (SPP) between the MCP and CPU to provide the extra PCIe controllers. The common use of the HyperTransport protocol makes it easy to integrate the tunnel chip into the existing nForce4 SLI design. Does this sound oddly familiar in some way? If you guessed the ULi M1695 HyperTransport PCI Express Tunnel Chip, you've hit the bulls-eye. The concept and implementation of the nForce4 SLI X16 is very much similar to ULi's M1695 chipset (you can learn more about it here
). To make things more interesting, followers of tech trends will know that NVIDIA has just recently announced that they intend to acquire ULi Electronics. Coincidence?
The design of the nForce4 SLI X16 is so simple, it is ingenious. This is the reason why NVIDIA can deliver the chipset on time and explains how most manufacturers are able to have retail boards ready without the usual bumps that accompany new chipset releases.
The MSI K8N Diamond Plus motherboard.
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With that out of the way, let us get on with our review of the MSI K8N Diamond Plus.
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