GIGABYTE has launched its AI TOP CXL R5X4 expansion card that can boost system memory by up to 512 GB using CXL technology. The AI TOP CXL R5X4 plugs into a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and works with CXL 2.0/1.1 standards. It has four DDR5 RDIMM slots, each supporting memory modules up to 128 GB with ECC. This setup is different from built-in CXL options like Samsung CMM-D modules as it uses regular DDR5 memory so you have more choices for how much memory to add. The card is 120 mm x 254 mm and has a 16-layer HDI PCB. At full load, it uses about 70 W of power and needs an 8-pin EXT12V plug to work. An LED on the card shows if it's powered up while a single AIO fan cools the Microchip PM8712 controller.

Compatibility is still limited to certain GIGABYTE motherboards. Right now, the supported platforms include the TRX50 AI TOP for AMD Threadripper processors and W790 AI TOP for Intel Xeon systems. Also, CXL functionality isn't supported by all PCIe slots on these motherboards. The TRX50 AI TOP's PCIEX16_4 slot, for example, lacks CXL compatibility. GIGABYTE recommends contacting the company before purchase to verify system compatibility. There's no official pricing yet, although industry estimates suggest a $2,000-$3,000 retail price range based on comparable CXL products.

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