SLI Motherboards
Scalable Link Interface (SLI) technology from NVIDIA links two up to four graphics cards to be used in a single computer to improve its graphics performance. The main concept of SLI technology is to allow two or even more graphics processing units (GPU’s) to divide the load in rendering 3D graphics. While this technology has the power to double the frame rate while operating in SLI mode, you have to remember it costs much to use as you have to spend extra for the graphics card. The nForce4 chipsets has become hugely successful for a number of reasons as they bring PCI-Express support for the AMD64 platform and Intel SLI Edition motherboards.
Solutions for AMD
The SLI technology form NVIDIA has taken the PC industry with a shock. Virtually most PC fanatics are now aware that you can combine two nVIDIA PCI-Express cards and impressively double your graphics power. The technology takes advantage of the higher bandwidth of PCI-Express bus, with the ability to operate the GeForce 6600 GT, 6800 GT, and 6800 Ultra. An example is the Asus A8 SLI Premuim the newest addition to the nForce4 based line-up and is the current flagship of the AMD motherboard. The boards layout is amazing, ample room around the CPU socket for installing large oversized coolers. And would an excellent choice for most users.
You can get reviews on six of AMD motherboards with SLI technology at this website http://www.bytesizedreviews.com/index.php?action=reviews&rev_id=270&page=7
Solutions for Intel
SLI enabled motherboards a fair price premium, for example a GeForce SLI set up will cost a hefty amount for the graphics card alone. Known as the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI chipsets which host a whole new and exciting features covering everything from SLI support to built-in firewalls. Some other features for nForce 4 Intel motherboards include a very complete storage controller that has RAID 5 support and nTune. nTune is a software that tweeks the systems settings for optimal hardware combinations to push them at their best performance.
You can check out Intel’s SLI series motherboards and the current prices on the market at http://www.nextag.co.uk/intel-sli-motherboard/.