No dual-CPU boards from Intel for the PC market...

[VirtualRain]

Interesting perspective from the PC side of the world... (unlike last generation where Intel launched the "Skulltrail" system based on the Penryn CPU's).


No plans for Nehalem Skulltrail from Intel
Written by Fuad Abazovic
Thursday, 12 March 2009 13:01

Nehalem might skip it

Intel told us that they won't do a reference motherboard for Nehalem dual socket, super desktop machine but there is still hope that partners will do it. Intel has told us that partners can do it, and it will be up to Asus, MSI and Gigabyte to manufacture one.

We are not sure if top three manufacturer are already working on new Skulltrail board based on Nehalem EP dual CPU platform, but this might be the only hope in survival of Skulltrail as a concept, sspecially in 2009. Super expensive computers might have a tough time to sell in a time of economic hardship, but the chaps who can buy Skulltrail can still buy Skulltrail II. However, it would just cost Intel too much money to sell only a few tens of thousands of units.

An even bigger is the lack of performance increases in a normal desktop environment with so many cores, as it’s very hard to put even single Nehalem to good use, not to mention two of them.

Still, niche markets like workstation and video editing might benefit from this platform, but they will be free to buy Nehalem-EP as of end of this month.


Source (http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12577&Itemid=1)

[Umbongo]

Skulltrail was only good for a few things, overclocking and the SLI/crossfire support for DP platform and it appears other board makers will be doing that this time around.

[sneezymarble]

Yeah, we already have confirmation from other board makers that they'll be putting out DP boards. It is a little surpising that Intel won't be following up Skulltrail themselves. It was a pretty cool board, and an even cooler name.

[nanofrog]

ASUS has come up with something. ;)

Z8NA-D6 (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/asus-nehalem-xeon-motherboard,7211.html)

[m1stake]

PCI-e slots need to be A) grouped in twos and B) grouped in threes.

[Outsider]

ASUS has come up with something. ;)

Z8NA-D6 (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/asus-nehalem-xeon-motherboard,7211.html)

No PCI Express x16 slots? :( This looks to be a server motherboard. I saw that MSI was coming out (http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/articles/view.php?cid=18&id=2830&pg=6) with one better suited for workstations.

[Cliff3]

No PCI Express x16 slots? :( This looks to be a server motherboard. I saw that MSI was coming out (http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/articles/view.php?cid=18&id=2830&pg=6) with one better suited for workstations.

The one shortcoming of this board is the lack of PCIe 2.0 x16 slots. With only one on the Z8NA-D6, you can forget about any sort of SLI or Crossfire setup.

.

[Outsider]

I looks like Apple has the best dual Nehalem system on the market for the near future. It has 2 real x16 slots and 2 x4 slots. I'd expect Tyan to be the first to offer up something rivaling the Mac pro's board, but expect a huge price tag from them.

Or this SuperMicro one. (http://www.asipartner.com/products/catalog_spec.asp?SKU=76864)

[Umbongo]

I looks like Apple has the best dual Nehalem system on the market for the near future. It has 2 real x16 slots and 2 x4 slots. I'd expect Tyan to be the first to offer up something rivaling the Mac pro's board, but expect a huge price tag from them.

Or this SuperMicro one. (http://www.asipartner.com/products/catalog_spec.asp?SKU=76864)

Apple aren't even close to providing the best system. It's not terrible, but there are boards with two IOHs (48, 60 or 72 PCI-E 2.0 lanes) and 18 DIMM slots out there already, not to mention onboard SAS and SATA in much higher numbers than 4.

[Outsider]

Apple aren't even close to providing the best system. It's not terrible, but there are boards with two IOHs (48, 60 or 72 PCI-E 2.0 lanes) and 18 DIMM slots out there already, not to mention onboard SAS and SATA in much higher numbers than 4.

Are they out yet? Or soon to be released?

[Umbongo]

Are they out yet? Or soon to be released?

Nothing is out yet but you can preorder for the usual $500-$600 price such boards launch at althoug details are scarce. Intel have things really locked up on this launch. Board manufacturers have been ready for months, so there should be a lot of products available by March 30th.

[Dzokayi]

Umbongo, got any links to said boards? And how well do they figure into the Hackintosh scenario?

Thanks

[Pressure]

SkullTrail were an enthusiast board.

There will, of course, be workstation and server-grade reference motherboards from Intel and 3rd parties.

[Umbongo]

Umbongo, got any links to said boards? And how well do they figure into the Hackintosh scenario?

Thanks

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=660891 This thread has some links and bits. We won't really know how the DP boards feature in the Hackintosh scenario until people start trying.

[nanofrog]

No PCI Express x16 slots? :( This looks to be a server motherboard. I saw that MSI was coming out (http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/articles/view.php?cid=18&id=2830&pg=6) with one better suited for workstations.
Information's been sparse so far. Board makers have the gear ready, but haven't released any information on thier sites yet. :( What little has, is either off of a few articles, or from e-tailers that have SKU numbers. (Pics not matching the descriptions either).

I do think we'll see what we're looking for, generally speaking, but need to be patient for a couple of weeks yet. ;) :p
Nothing is out yet but you can preorder for the usual $500-$600 price such boards launch at althoug details are scarce. Intel have things really locked up on this launch. Board manufacturers have been ready for months, so there should be a lot of products available by March 30th.
Without detailed information though, I certainly wouldn't be brave enough to do so. ;)

Perhaps we can lure another member to be a guinea pig... err .... Early Adoption Tester? :p
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=660891 This thread has some links and bits. We won't really know how the DP boards feature in the Hackintosh scenario until people start trying.
Somehow, this feels like and Ad... :D :p

Unfortunately, the lack of information has almost completely stalled the thread. :rolleyes: I was hoping board samples would have been released for testing by now, at least whatever models are aimed at enthusiasts. :eek: ;)

Obviously, not the case. :(

GRR... I'm not sure I can remain patient any longer! :p