14 DAY TRIAL // Some of the latest details on Intel's upcoming Core i7 processors indicate that the leading chip maker is planning to release its next-generation processors sometime in the week 46. For the sake of clarity, this means the launch will take place between November 10-16, so you'd better start saving money if you want to pride yourself on owning one of the latest gaming rigs on the market powered by Intel's next-generation technology.
As it turns out, Santa Clara, California-based Intel will be shipping the new Core i7 processors beginning this November, although it will refrain from making an official announcement until sometime in week 46. However, according to recent rumors, Japanese users will be able to acquire one of the new Core i7 chips before all others - in the first days of November. That will supposedly happen because the company is believed to give an earlier green light to its branch in Japan.
Also, by the time Intel is ready with the official announcement, most (if not all) motherboard makers will be ready with their own X58-based motherboard. As we have already seen, Taiwan-based MSI has almost finished work on three different designs for its upcoming Intel X58 offering.
However, ASUS is likely to rush things a bit, as it will try to be the first to announce its X58 motherboard. Whichever may turn out to be the case, bear in mind that these new mobos will provide support for both SLI and CrossFire multi-graphics setups, as long as they are built using NVIDIA's nForce 200 chip.
One of the main problems here is that motherboard makers have to go through a rather time-consuming process, needed to certify their boards in a special SLI certification program. The process requires that motherboard makers send their boards to the green company, along with the necessary hardware, which includes a CPU and memory. In addition, they will need to send a self-certification checklist. After NVIDIA tests the board, manufacturers receive a passing certificate and an approved SLI “key,” which will then be embedded into the BIOS, and will enable SLI on that specific board.