Intel SkullTrail Details

[malware]

Some of you may already be familiar with Intel's SkullTrail or V8 systems that have been on display at the Intel Developer Forum. Designed to compete against the AMD Quad FX platform, the Intel SkullTrail comes with two CPU sockets, allowing eight processing cores on a single motherboard with multi-GPU capabilities. The guys over at Tech ARP have managed to obtain some additional info on the Intel SkullTrail project:

• The SkullTrail is only meant to be a temporary flagship or proof-of-technology product, not a permanent Intel product.
• The SkullTrail will use Socket 771. That means only Intel Xeons (like the upcoming 45nm Harpertown) can be used.
• The SkullTrail will require the use of FB-DIMMs (Fully Buffered DIMMs).
• The motherboard will have a 10-layer PCB.
• There will be a very limited production run, with only 2000 units to be manufactured.
• At this moment, Intel will only sell the SkullTrail motherboards online, directly from Intel.
• The SkullTrail motherboard will be very expensive, at > US$ 600.
• The SkullTrail motherboard is set for final tests in Week 50, 2007, in time for a launch in Q1'08.

Source: Tech ARP

[Wile E]

So, it's basically a server targeted toward enthusiasts? I really think they should've dumped the FB-DIMM requirement. DDR3 would've been much more suitable in an enthusiast product in this price range.

[DaJMasta]

I think targeted towards enthusiasts is an understatement. Price is barely a factor in this as it seems to be more of a performance at any cost kind of operation.



No doubt this thing will be fast, but a $600 mobo and two $300+ procs plus a few hundred dollars in memory.....at minimum.... is way too much for the average enthusiast.




I find it odd that things like this and quad FX get a fair amount of publicity and media importance, but they really are a very limited phenomenon. I guess people just like seeing progress in every dimension.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Ever since the idea was made public I've been wondering the same thing: What's the difference with current Xeon setups besides the multi GPU part which in theory should work on other boards as well. (Dell already did it)

[erocker]

It's good to see that Intel is finally competing with the "Quadfather"!

[DanTheBanjoman]

Originally Posted by erocker

It's good to see that Intel is finally competing with the "Quadfather"!

Yup, Kentsfields, Woodcrest and Clovertown weren't a match at all

[WarEagleAU]

I still think Skulltrail is just a killer name for a mobo, Im just sad to see it on a server board.

Limited production limiting it to the highest rollers. Im truly wonder if this 8 core cpu system will really do anything special, that current stuff cannot do.

[KennyT772]

Pathetic..
These will be sold to no one except XPS owners and high end workstations. No enthusiests who buy this.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Originally Posted by WarEagleAU

I still think Skulltrail is just a killer name for a mobo, Im just sad to see it on a server board.

Limited production limiting it to the highest rollers. Im truly wonder if this 8 core cpu system will really do anything special, that current stuff cannot do.

Of course not, that's why it's called high end. Nobody really NEEDS a HD2900 or 8800, nobody NEEDS a 4GHz CPU, the mid range stuff works just as fine. Unless you really have more fun when playing your game at 8x AA instead of 2x, then again you're probably a social outcast if the AA level really influences your fun.

[effmaster]

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

Of course not, that's why it's called high end. Nobody really NEEDS a HD2900 or 8800, nobody NEEDS a 4GHz CPU, the mid range stuff works just as fine. Unless you really have more fun when playing your game at 8x AA instead of 2x, then again you're probably a social outcast if the AA level really influences your fun.

LOL that was a harsh statement


But seriously Wareagle is right these prices will skyrocket because I can guarantee you that there will be more than 2000 people AROUND THE WORLD willing to buy this

[Jizzler]

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

Ever since the idea was made public I've been wondering the same thing: What's the difference with current Xeon setups besides the multi GPU part which in theory should work on other boards as well. (Dell already did it)

Not much, that's the beauty of it. Intel isn't creating a pseudo-platform like the QuadFather. No "Core 2 FX", just Xeons, on a Xeon chipset. Only diff is that another article said that SLI support is through an onboard nVidia MCP.

you know, I think we may invest in one of these. I've had times where it's taken us hours to set a trajectory only because our computers couldn't handle it. if I can sneak it into our budget, I'll tell you guys how these work

[TheGuruStud]

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

Of course not, that's why it's called high end. Nobody really NEEDS a HD2900 or 8800, nobody NEEDS a 4GHz CPU, the mid range stuff works just as fine. Unless you really have more fun when playing your game at 8x AA instead of 2x, then again you're probably a social outcast if the AA level really influences your fun.

BLASPHEMY, I need all that times 100!!!!! Along with 1,672 hookers, the Original Mr. Pibb and a fully modded TT 2008 G37 coupe.

edit: G37 is what the 2008 is. I'm a nissan boy, I should've caught that one.

[effmaster]

Originally Posted by TheGuruStud

BLASPHEMY, I need all that times 100!!!!! Along with 1,672 hookers, the Original Mr. Pibb and a fully modded TT 2008 G35 coupe.

ha ha gurustud I added your quote to my sig

[tigger]

Weres heavy h2o? come on mate buy one so we can see some benchies