NVIDIA Corp. released its scalable link interface (SLI) multi-GPU technology targeting extreme gamers back in 2004 in an attempt to regain high-end market share back from ATI Technologies. Along with the multi-GPU capability, NVIDIA has released its new breed of chipsets, the nForce4, one of which was specifically designed to support the reborn SLI multi-GPU technology.

A drawback of the original nForce 4 SLI chipset from NVIDIA was support for only reduced PCI Express speed from x16 to x8 in case of a multi-GPU setup. While it was clear that additional bandwidth would hardly improve performance in case of two GPUs, in the light of the fact that NVIDIA is mulling about quad-GPU setups a more advanced nForce4 SLI ?the nForce4 SLI x16 has been developed.

The new core-logic provides two full-speed PCI Express x16 slots for graphics cards, which should potentially boost performance. But in case of AMD chipsets the company had to cut-down bandwidth for central processing unit, which may negatively affect performance. Whether it does, the review will explain.

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe: Package and Accessories

ASUS usually packages its graphics cards into bright, gaudily-colored boxes, but mainboards are quite a different matter, especially top-end mainboards like the A8N32-SLI Deluxe model. The restrained colors and the lack of multicolored pictures create the image of a solid, reliable product ?and the new mainboard from ASUS is exactly like that.

The new package design from ASUS uses only three colors besides the gray tones: bright orange, light green and yellow. The name of the series the A8N32-SLI Deluxe belongs to ?AiLife ?is in orange. The same color emphasizes the purpose of the product ??Gaming? In the bottom right corner you can read some info about the technical characteristics of the mainboard and see a few logotypes (AMD, NVIDIA, and Corsair). You can flip back the front side of the packaging to learn some more information about the mainboard, including a detailed list of its characteristics: