Although Intel hasn't yet allowed NVIDIA to develop a chipset that can support the next-generation Nehalem processors, the Santa Clara-based graphics manufacturer is prepping a new chipset with support for Intel's CPUs. This new chipset is expected to compete with Intel's current G45 chipset, and will come with a built-in graphics processor.

Word on street is that NVIDIA's next flagship product will be dubbed MCP7A and is going to come in 9 different SKUs. All but one of these SKUs will support Hybrid SLI. The non-supporting Hybrid SLI model will go by the dubbing MC7A-D-SLI, and is the newest member in NVIDIA's new MCP lineup. SLI support is going to be enabled on only three SKUs from all the 9 different versions NVIDIA is going to roll out.

On the technical side, the MCP7A chipset will provide support for both the latest DDR memory standard, DDR3, but also for the DDR2 memory. The chipset is also going to bring no less than 6 SATA connectors and support for RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 5 configurations. With the built-in iGPU core, these mobos will directly enable DirectX 10 applications, as well as Full HD video rendering. The boards will also offer one display port and support for DP, HDMI, DVI and RGB display formats.

At the moment, no one can say with the utmost certainty when the new chipset is due for release, nor whether its price tag will be set over that of Intel's G45. Despite all this, the MC7A-D-SLI-based mobos are expected to be the cheapest SLI boards in NVIDIA's entire new Intel-based lineup.

Besides the release of this new chipset, NVIDIA is also going to have a full year with its GeForce lineup, especially since the Santa-Clara graphics manufacturer has just announced its new GTX 280 and GTX 260 cards.