Unlock 512GB of DDR5 Memory with a Single PCIe Expansion Card
▼ Summary
– Gigabyte has introduced the AI Top CXL R5X4, an add-in card that increases memory capacity for specific motherboards.
– The card fits into a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and resembles a graphics card but features four DDR5 memory slots for RDIMMs.
– It supports up to 512GB of memory and uses the CXL 2.0/1.1 protocol, requiring a compatible motherboard chipset.
– The card includes active cooling and an 8-pin power connector with an indicator LED for proper connection.
– Gigabyte has not yet announced the availability date or pricing for the AI Top CXL R5X4.
For professionals pushing the limits of high-performance computing, expanding memory capacity remains a critical need. Gigabyte’s new AI Top CXL R5X4 expansion card offers a powerful solution, delivering up to 512GB of DDR5 memory through a single PCIe slot. Designed specifically for the company’s TRX50 AI Top and W790 AI Top motherboards, this add-in card provides a flexible and upgradeable memory boost for demanding workstation applications.
At first glance, the AI Top CXL R5X4 could be mistaken for a modest graphics card, thanks to its substantial 4.7 x 10-inch footprint and full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 form factor. A closer look reveals four DDR5 slots, confirming its purpose as a memory expansion unit. Built on a robust 16-layer HDI PCB, the card centers around a Microchip PM8712 controller. This component is kept cool by Gigabyte’s proprietary “CXL Thermal Armor,” a fully metallic cooling assembly complemented by an integrated AIO fan that actively vents heat away from the memory modules.
Unlike some competing CXL products that come with fixed memory amounts, Gigabyte’s design emphasizes flexibility. The four slots support RDIMMs, allowing users to select their preferred memory capacity and make future upgrades as needed. Each slot can accommodate up to 128GB, enabling a maximum total of 512GB of additional DDR5 memory.
Gigabyte has not officially confirmed the supported data rates for the card. However, the qualified vendor list, last updated in April, includes DDR5 kits rated up to DDR5-6800. It’s worth noting that some RDIMMs on the market can reach speeds as high as DDR5-8800, though actual performance will depend on system configuration and compatibility.
Although the card occupies a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, it uses the CXL 2.0/1.1 protocol to communicate with the host system. This means it requires a motherboard equipped with either an AMD TRX50 or Intel W790 chipset, along with PCIe 5.0 and CXL support. While Gigabyte markets the card for use with its own TRX50 and W790 AI Top models, it should theoretically work with any compatible motherboard offering the necessary interface.
Power is supplied through a standard 8-pin EXT12V connector. For user convenience, Gigabyte has included a small LED indicator next to the power port to confirm proper connection.
Pricing and availability for the AI Top CXL R5X4 (model 12ME-ATCXL54-101AR) have not yet been announced.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
