NVIDIA's nForce 780i SLI MCP gets official

Hot on the heels of NVIDIA's 3-way SLI system hitting all sorts of test benches comes word that the outfit is cranking out its brand new nForce 780i SLI MCP (media and communications processor). That's right kids, the self-proclaimed "must-have gaming platform for Intel Yorkfield CPUs" is finally out in the open, and aside from playing nice with Intel's QX9650, it also supports PCI Express Gen 2.0, 3-way SLI and the new Enthusiast System Architecture specification. Apparently, a number of "motherboard partners" including Asus, Falcon Northwest, HP, Gigabyte, Hypersonic and Voodoo PC are already planning to offer nForce 780i SLI MCP-based products, and judging by NVIDIA's holiday themed press release, we'd wager that you'll see the aforementioned items seeping out sooner rather than later.

[Via HotHardware]

[ivanX @ Dec 19th 2007 11:08AM]

On the other hand, is there (or will be) a motherboard that has AMD's AM2+ socket and is also happy with SLI? Methinks that AMD will turn completely to CrossFire on this one :(

[rosewood @ Dec 19th 2007 11:12AM]

I really don't care about triple SLI. I just like that I can once again have 3 video cards and have 6 displays again!

[sarpulas @ Dec 19th 2007 11:22AM]

With ATI cards you can use multiple monitors without disabling crossfire. I don't know why SLI forces you to use one monitor, I hope they fix that.

[Matthew Lenz @ Dec 19th 2007 11:16AM]

"enthusiast" more like "fool"

[Joshua Walters @ Dec 19th 2007 11:15AM]

If I had the money, I would totally buy one of those, but I dont.

Im just now getting a two-way SLI board this Christmas, not to mention the $300 its going to cost to get 2 8600GT OCs in there.

Its still cheaper than a single 8800GTX, and will get about the same performance. Next year I can just replace the 8600s with 8800s and be fine.

[Wobbly @ Dec 19th 2007 2:09PM]

please don't, for the love of god, buy 2 8600gt's when a single 8800gt outperforms them. then later down the road, when prices drop, get another 8800gt. Now, if you already have 1 8600gt then that's different, but buying 2 8600gt's now just so you can say you have sli is silly if a single card outperforms them for less $$$

and oh, this board is sweet!

[Joshua Walters @ Dec 19th 2007 3:59PM]

Uh, No, the two 8600s Im looking at (to lazy to look for the link in my favorites) would out perform a single 8800 for the same price.

Its expensive to get an 8800, any model. I havnet ordered anything yet, and Ill of course look at benchmarks first.

[fazeaway @ Dec 19th 2007 4:28PM]

I would seriously reconsider this. 2 8600's may out perform a single 8800 but you also have to consider the game in question. Games have to be optimized to take advantage of SLI. So if you plan on playing any non-SLI capable games you'll enjoy the jittery entertainment that is low fps.

[Frankenstein Black @ Dec 19th 2007 4:38PM]

Exactly Wobbly! Trying to buy and keep up with PC hardware changes is PURE “FOOLS GOLD” these days! There was a time when us DIY’ers and water-benders could keep up,
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/ldm_master_builder!.jpg

But no more, especially since these changes involve MB updates with different socket architectures as well as memory type (what are we up to now, DDR3 or 4?).

PS Hum! Wonder why no one asked about that, um, accidentally included G-Phone Android Alpha-Mule shot in the last 3x sli post ;^)...
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/chilver_4x4.jpg

[Joshua Walters @ Dec 19th 2007 4:59PM]

Hmm something to consider I suppose.

My largest thing is being able to afford it. Sure, you can get a 8800 for about $250, but you can also get an 8600 for about $110. Thats a small savings right there for getting two, and I can always buy one and just get the second later on.

I have a few days more before I see how much I end up getting for Christmas though, so it will depend on my budget after C.Mas, and possibly next weeks pay check.

[Wobbly @ Dec 19th 2007 6:58PM]

I highly doubt 2 8600gt's can beat a single 8800gt. Have a look at this 1 on 1 comparison:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=1058&model2=1057&chart=315

feel free to choose a different benchmark from the drop-down box, and you'll see the 8800gt easily outperformes the 8600gts by more than double. Also, note the highlighted card is a 512Mb 8600gts, not the gt (that's a little further down the totem pole)

[Joshua Walters @ Dec 20th 2007 4:35PM]

Wow!

Now, I need to dig through and try to find that review I was reading. Obviously it had to have been wrong.

Considering the new $250 8800 that came out recently, I might have to consider getting an 8800. Of course, It all depends on what I can afford. Getting a single 8600 with the plan to get a second later allows me to split the cost.

[Ted @ Dec 19th 2007 11:17AM]

I wish someone would make a motherboard that allowed you to have more than one graphics card but still have room to put stuff in the PCI slots. If you had triple SLi on that mobo you wouldn't be able to have any add-in cards, like X-Fi, Killer NIC, Wifi etc.

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2007 12:28PM]

I suppose if you are building a Tri-SLI computer, price is not really an obstacle, but seriously, Killer NIC? that thing was DOA, and is now one of those horrible Zombies that just wanders around moaning, "Feed me money.... need... money...."

All the benchmarks I saw for both the original and the second version said that they at most saw a 1-2 ms drop in ping, and no noticeable FPS increase., and that the result was statistically insignificant.

[Speddy @ Dec 19th 2007 1:26PM]

I used to have one: Mac ][ƒx

But yes, I wish they would make a board that was just slots. CPU(s) plug in, up to 8 GPUs, and interface card for storage devices, input, networking. Like the good old days...old is new!

[Peppie @ Dec 19th 2007 11:33AM]

Does it support 7.1 surround sound right out of the box? If it does, I bet the built-in sound card is terrible. Then again, I'm just guessing, anybody have any ideas?

[tom @ Dec 19th 2007 11:51AM]

Even the entry Mobo have 7.1 surround sound. BUT, if you spend that much on video, I doubt anyone would go with just on-board crap!

What is the wattage requirement for this power hog?
1500 watt?

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2007 12:29PM]

I believe (not sure) that nvidia said they reccomend a minimum of a 1100 Watt 3x SLI certified PSU if you want to go that route.

[jrc @ Dec 19th 2007 11:43AM]

This stuff is getting crazy. With the 1000W+ power supplies and filling half you case with video cards. I thought the general computer trend was supposed to be toward smaller, faster, and less power.... This almost seems like lazy engineers, or maybe I have it all wrong, it's a genius marketing scheme to sell lots of video cards.

[T-Bone @ Dec 19th 2007 2:13PM]

If you stop looking at the ultra-high end, you will see computers getting smaller and more powerful. The top of any market is never a good measure of the middle or bottom.

[giedrys @ Dec 19th 2007 11:58AM]

Why would i need that? I'm playing almost every game on max settings with a single 8800GT at 1920x1200!

[lordofthedirectrix @ Dec 19th 2007 12:24PM]

Because someday you might play Crysis.

[Dale @ Dec 19th 2007 1:13PM]

I'm running UTIII and Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars at 1440x900 with all settings maxed on my dual booting MacBook Pro, so I hear you. This is just... overkill. Those cards are quite expensive, and apparently having three only gives performance gains of 2.8X a single card.

[TruthBringR @ Dec 19th 2007 12:04PM]

Way to go engadget - only 3 days late to this 'breaking' news that every other site and their mother has already reviewed and put to bed.. and babbling about this as a press release when the board is already out for sale, in fact one already in my hands thanks to EVGA's buyback of my 680i on monday.

Now just waiting for my third 8800gtx to come in and I'm good to go for Crysis at 2560x1600!

By the way to all the people whining about high wattage requirements and "who would buy this" and wah wah wah, I ask you: WHO HAS A GUN TO YOUR HEAD TO BUY IT?

For those of us with 30" monitors, Triple-SLI'd 8800GTX's and Ultra's gives us the chance to run our favorite games at the highest settings at the monitor's native resolution.

Peas out...

[Langdon Alger @ Dec 19th 2007 1:33PM]

I guess the rest of us without 30" monitors, triple 8800GTXs and Crysis at 2560x1600 will simply have to find comfort in doing what TruthBringR doesn't have any time or resources to do ... getting laid! No wonder he's so angry.

[James Cameron @ Dec 19th 2007 1:36PM]

I have no interest in a 3-way SLI. I'm more interested to knowing when is our dual processor socket motherboard's(Skulltrail) coming out??

[Matt B @ Dec 19th 2007 1:38PM]

In my day we had 1 video card, and we liked it!

[FURYk @ Dec 19th 2007 1:54PM]

nothing beats having a threesome in your computer

[Wobbly @ Dec 19th 2007 2:11PM]

"nothing beats having a threesome in your computer"

how about a threesome in real life

[Bombaclaat @ Dec 19th 2007 2:14PM]

you mean they did make enough money convincing people they needed 2 video card?

[Guillermo Bravo @ Dec 19th 2007 11:12PM]

This is a great motherboard, but I also a huge supporter of the AMD platform so I don't know about this...

San Diego DJ

[Guillermo Bravo @ Dec 19th 2007 11:12PM]

This is a great motherboard, but I am a strong supporter of the AMB platform so I wouldn't buy it

http://www.precisedjs.com

[jason @ Dec 19th 2007 5:05PM]

The mini nuclear power plant is required.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/19/toshibas-building-a-micro-nuclear-reactor-for-your-garage/

[jason @ Dec 19th 2007 5:08PM]

I'm a big fan of the AMD platform as well, but they seem to have shot themselves in the foot buying ATI and missing out on future support of newer nvidia developements.

[Harlo @ Dec 20th 2007 9:26AM]

Am I the only one who thought of Tron when I saw the headline/product name?

End of line.

[palehorse @ Dec 20th 2007 3:22PM]

mmmmm... FUN!

A custom DD watercooled rig with: 780i mobo, Intel QX9450, two 8800 GTS 512's, 4 or 8GB of RAM, 32GB SSD, two 500GB SATA HDD's, new 24" Monitor, and a Blu-ray/HD-DVD/DVDRW optical combo drive FTW!

...anyone have a tissue?