This is sort of off topic. But I was just about to put together my new rig then I found the article on x48 chipset from intel. I have been looking to get back to an intel platform and when I heard a rumor that x48 support SLI i was very happy. Can anyone confirm this ?

 all I've heard are negatives on SLi compatibility.  Very unfortunate really but the ATI Radieon 3840 DDR4 vid cards are gaining ground in value compared to the 8800GT nvidia cards. 

Here is a list of the higher clocked memory sets(2400MHz) on these cards and just one 2900pro I am still considering as well. 

SAPPHIRE 100214SR Radeon HD 2900PRO 1GB 512-bit GDDR4 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail 

SAPPHIRE 100215L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail 

GECUBE GC-HD3870XTG4-E3R Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail 

 Crossfire with a couple of these cards should be plenty of power for anything I think and it will only set you back $500-$560.. .
 

A testing of multi GPU setups and the Radeon 3870s do very well! Better than dual 8800GTX cards surprisingly.  I think the ATI setup go to use GDDR3 1333Mhz corsair memory though which might have had something to do with the higher numbers.  The 2900XT had impressive Crossfire numbers as well. 

 http://www.hothardware.com/articles/ATI_Radeon_HD_3870_and_3850_55nm_RV670/?page=5
 

Honestly, X48 and P45 are a waste IMO. Why pick up a more expensive board when in just 8-9 months nehalem will be out, all upgradability is dead. Really odd by intel, trying to milk more cash out of these chipsets while they have a new socket coming out. Of course though, most people won't pick up Nehalem till Q1 2009 =P. End of 2008 will most likely be only extreme edition. 

I heard of Nahalem before, but I am not sure what it is going to be exactly, can you please explain Kamrooz in more detail please?

I would settle with a X38 or P35 since hte diferences between them and the X48 and P45 are minmul.

The Nehalem is Intel's next-generation processor  and processor microarchitecture which is expect later on this year. It will be Intel's first chips using an onboard memory controller like AMD has been using for a while now. Along with that new feature the Nehalem will be a native quad core and native octo core chip once they are out.

Waiting for would be easier if my desktop wasn't down. :(

Nehalem is the next architecture, due out at the end of 2008 for extreme edition (intel always follows this route), followed by their low/midrange in Q1 2009.

The performance gap between Nehalem and current Core 2 Architecture processors is said to be LARGER than the difference between Netburst (Prescott, Pentium D) to Core 2. That's a VERY MASSIVE claim. Also, Nehalem will require a new socket and chipset, It will sport a Integrated Memory Controller and Quick Path Interconnector. Basically eliminating the need for FSB, and the northbridge....Basically following in trait with AMD's HT link and Integrated memory controller. AMD in the past with their Athlons has always had a HUGE lead in memory bandwidth due to this, since the processor directly connects with the memory controller with the IMC, unlike intels which had to run through the FSB via the northbridge. Overall, Nehalem is going to be a BEAST....and put AMD in for a real fright. 

So does it do SLI our not?

Tbolo:

So does it do SLI our not?

Don't know for sure but last I heard Intel and Nvidia were at odds over SLI and Intel was with holding archetecture information from Nvidia.  

methious:

Tbolo:

So does it do SLI our not?

 

 

Don't know for sure but last I heard Intel and Nvidia were at odds over SLI and Intel was with holding archetecture information from Nvidia.  

Indeed, Intel is being iffy with giving CSI to Nvidia (CSI = Nehalem based interface, no CSI license = no nehalem motherboards)...So this may force Nvidia's hand to open up SLI to other chipsets. This is a rumor though, so we'll have to wait and see how it unfolds. I'm for it though, I despise nvidia chipsets. 

Kamrooz:

I despise nvidia chipsets.

why do you despise them? Seems like forever if you want a good performance rig (and overclockable) you rock with nVidia's chipsets -- nForce2 with anything, nForce4 with the DFIs, 680i with the Strikers....never had any issues with mine that is.

I'd just like to hear why is all :)

Kamrooz:

It will sport a Integrated Memory Controller and Quick Path Interconnector. Basically eliminating the need for FSB, and the northbridge....

Ah, ah, ah....don't forget about PCI-e/CPU instructions. The northbridge still needs to be functional for a while.......

 Nvidia chipsets for the intel side have been known to be buggy. Overheating is a very common problem...Also, it's a rather a luck of the draw, when built it will either cooperate, or will take a large amount of tweaking to get stable. They aren't very good solutions IMO....and there are lots of people who would agree with me =P. Nvidia chipsets are extremely overrated, and strikers are NOT good boards..The earlier revisions weren't bad..But they are overpriced and can cause many head aches...You either get lucky with one..or you don't..Personally, when paying that much money for a board..I expect it to work flawlessly...

Nvidia chipsets aren't the best overclockers either..It once again goes to luck on what you get, but the reason why people do pick up nvidia based boards are for SLI....Browse around to different forums with knowledgeable individuals in the current technology, and they'll always suggest a intel chipset if the individual is not planning to go with a multi card nvidia setup. They just aren't good chipsets..The AMD side isn't bad from nvidia..But the intel chipsets they offer are just unacceptable imo. 

Kamrooz:

Nvidia chipsets are extremely overrated, and strikers are NOT good boards..The earlier revisions weren't bad..But they are overpriced and can cause many head aches...You either get lucky with one..or you don't..Personally, when paying that much money for a board..I expect it to work flawlessly...

I am using the cousin of the striker right now (same general layout just missing some "candy") and I can't say I have minded it a bit so far -- My E6420 set new ground for what I knew as performance on this board and it overclocked with relative ease...but then as you say I may have just gotten lucky (in performance and for sure in price as I got about 30% off of retail price).

I guess prior to this however I have been primarily an AMD man so perhaps I haven't had a chance to notice these headaches you refer to.....interesting points though.

 http://forums.overclockersclub.com/index.php?s=fa68fd9707dbefa717fb8c97a306ce11&showtopic=77779&pid=756153&st=0&#entry756153

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nVidia680i/signatures-2.html 

There are tons of pages I can link...But I don't want to scoure google..lol. If you want head over to THG..and read up and notice that if someone is picking up a nvidia chipset without going dual cards...they'll get recommendations for intel chipsets.

Intel chipsets are damn good, they overclock better, stay cooler, and overall just perform better than Nvidia based chipsets ^_^. The issue that really makes me furious at Nvidia..Is the fact that they had the audacity to re-release 650/680 as 750/780...All they did was upgrade cpu/memory support, and threw in a BR04 bridge chip to allow tri-sli. Talk about a slap in the face, it still has all the issues of 650/680. The 790 is even more of a laughing matter...300-350 for a board?..They are laughing there way to the bank while uninformed consumers pick up these hot and buggy chipsets. their new hybrid sli and power saving mobo which has yet to come out looks interesting though...forgot the codename for it..But I'm definitely curious on the performance of that setup.

Kamrooz:

The issue that really makes me furious at Nvidia..Is the fact that they had the audacity to re-release 650/680 as 750/780...All they did was upgrade cpu/memory support, and threw in a BR04 bridge chip to allow tri-sli. Talk about a slap in the face, it still has all the issues of 650/680. The 790 is even more of a laughing matter...300-350 for a board?

I whole heartedly agree with you on this one....

By the way Kam....you jinxed me!!! My mobo took a dump on me this morning.......*sigh* RMA and no PC for like 2 weeks. What is a guy to do??? Actually I am going to go out tonight and look at some laptops.....recommendations o-wise-one? (I really do respect your opinion -- haha im not being sarcastic) 

lol..speak of the devil =P..::shakes fist at nvidia::. In regards to laptops, it's not as easy as custom pc's in regard to them being portable and brand named. But honestly...Dell laptops are pretty damn good..Stay away from Sony laptops like the plague. But of all the laptops I've used and friends have owned...The one that hasn't crapped out or given many issues would be dell based laptops =P. But it all depends on price/budget...If another company offers better parts for the same price, it's a consideration...But just stay away from sony! =P. 

Kamrooz:

But just stay away from sony! =P. 

I used to really like 'em back in the day but lately I hate Sony (blu-ray, cockiness and the sheer volume of crapware that comes with any new laptop). Them and Acer I don't think i'd ever buy.....thinking of possibly a Gateway (read good reviews lately) or Dell. I work at BBY so I get a decent discount on SVC plans and accessories (laptops themselves are only like a $5 markup so I get little discount on the actual HW )

EDIT: BTW yes I know that Acer bought out Gateway/eMachine but nothing has become of it yet -- I believe they just now share the profits as the actual machines and their HW have not changed much (if at all)