NVIDIA to Launch nForce 680i LT SLI Chipset

[malware]

NVIDIA is set to release one more nForce 680i variant that is slightly cheaper than the nForce 680i SLI. The cut-down nForce 680i will carry the nForce 680i LT SLI name and target extreme gamers. NVIDIA will manufacture the nForce 680i LT motherboards for various motherboard manufacturers. Unlike the heat-pipe endowed nForce 680i SLI motherboards, nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards will have active cooling. Instead of support for DDR2-1200 memory, NVIDIA has limited the memory controller to DDR2-800. Front-side bus speeds up to 1333 MHz remains supported. The nForce 680i LT SLI will continue to support NVIDIA’s SLI multi-GPU technology, but only one Gigabit LAN and eight USB 2.0 ports instead of ten will be presented. NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards are expected to ship in early March.

Source: DailyTech

[newtekie1]

If they price this right, I definitely see a market for this.

[RickyG512]

does the 650 support DDR 2 1200

[mcloughj]

It would be nice if this came out in mATX, anyone think that there's a chance?

[cdawall]

they prob will hae a m-atx but it will come after the initial release prolly a month or 2

[WarEagleAU]

It would be and I think they may come out with something along these lines for mATX. I believe pricing will be a sticking point for how successful this is. Honestly, without the pipes, you can maneuver AM coolers alot easier and installation will be alot easier.

[Frogger]

Originally Posted by malware

The cut-down nForce 680i will carry the nForce 680i LT SLI name and target extreme gamers. ......., nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards will have active cooling. Instead of support for DDR2-1200 memory, NVIDIA has limited the memory controller to DDR2-800. Front-side bus speeds up to 1333 MHz remains supported. Source: DailyTech

I can see the reasoning behind removing the heat pipe... that way "extreme gamers" can use cooling solutions of their choice...... But why would they not continue " support for DDR2-1200 memory" if their intent is to "target extreme gamers"

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Frogger

I can see the reasoning behind removing the heat pipe... that way "extreme gamers" can use cooling solutions of their choice...... But why would they not continue " support for DDR2-1200 memory" if their intent is to "target extreme gamers"

The way it's worded, I think it's targeted more towards the extreme gamers on a budget. Removing features brings the price down.

[Frogger]

[QUOTE=Wile E;258007] I think it's targeted more towards the extreme gamers on a budget. QUOTE]
extreme gamers on a budget

[C.Ash]

Thats OK. DDR2-800 can be overclocked to DDR2-900 or more.. the only thing that sucks is the active cooling.

[newtekie1]

Just because the motherboard doesn't support any higher than DDR2-800 that doesn't mean you can't put faster RAM in it and match it 1:1 with the FSB.

[Frogger]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Just because the motherboard doesn't support any higher than DDR2-800 that doesn't mean you can't put faster RAM in it and match it 1:1 with the FSB.

my point is why take a great chipset....see. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/chi...-680i-sli.html
and reduce what is it capable of doing just to make it cheaper and then push it on 'extreme gamers" who can't purchase the full chipset ..to me this is just a money grab

[newtekie1]

You don't have to tell me how great of a chipset the 680i is, look at my system specs.

Of course it is a plan to make more money, that is the idea behind a business. Right now the 600 series only has the extreme low end(650i) and the extrem high end(680i) this chipset fills that middle area. That is why you take a great chipset, strip a few features and sell it cheaper. Not everyone has $250 to spend on a motherboard, but a lot of people want a great chipset that has plenty of features for under $200, and this chipset should fill that spot.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Frogger

extreme gamers on a budget

What's so funny about that? It's a completely valid statement. Extreme doesn't mean you have to have the top of the line everything, imo, it can also mean buying something cheaper, and making it perform top of the line.

[C.Ash]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Just because the motherboard doesn't support any higher than DDR2-800 that doesn't mean you can't put faster RAM in it and match it 1:1 with the FSB.

If it only supports 800, then u can only install 800. You can then overclock it, yeh.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by C.Ash

If it only supports 800, then u can only install 800. You can then overclock it, yeh.

You can also install higher rated ram(DDR2 1066, for example), then overclock the fsb to achieve the ram's rated specs