Nforce 590SLI to use old C19 chip for Conroe

RECENT CONROE previews, done with a reference nForce 590SLI Intel Edition board, were showing a certain weakness in the memory controller.

We asked several motherboard vendors what are they using in their upcoming Nvidia-based products, and the answer was shocking, or at least surprising. It turned out that Nvidia uses the C19 NorthBridge, which is over a year old.

The reason for the weaker memory scores than on the also-old Intel i975X chipset is the fact that the memory controller inside the C19 NorthBridge comes with advanced QuickSync and DASP 3.0 technologies - but the tech has been tuned up for last-generation single-core and first-generation of Intel dual-core babies: Prescotts and Smithfield CPUs. NOT Conroes or even Preslers.

In fact, one of the engineers even told us that C51XE, the new NorthBridge chip for the nForce 590 SLI chipset - isn't going to be ready before year's end. Q1-07 launch is a possibility.

We are not sure what is currently going on, but it seems that the first generation of nForce for Conroe chipsets will be using an old part of the chipset.

Which may mean ATi's own RD600 will steal the thunder - when it becomes available. Volume will also be a very important thing, of course. µ