- Gigabyte’s ai Top CXL R5X4 Silent expand the RAM’s capacity for the workstation of the demanding workstation
- The card admits four DDR5 RDIMM ECC modules for a total of 512 GB of memory
- PCIE 5.0 X16 connection guarantees direct access to the CPU for improved performance
Gigabyte has silently introduced the PCIE CXL R5X4 AI Top CXL adapter, a card designed to provide large -scale memory expansion for work station work plates.
Unlike the previous Compute Express Link (CXL) solutions that were mainly limited to server hardware, this model is aimed at high performance desktop systems, such as TRX50 AI Top and W790 AI Top.
The card is connected directly to the CPU through a PCIE 5.0 x16 slot, allowing up to 512 GB of additional DDR5 memory.
Design and compatibility considerations
According to Gigabyte, this card will accelerate the demanding workloads, particularly the training tasks that require large amounts of memory to process large data sets locally.
It measures 25.4 cm by 12 cm and is based on a 16 -layer HDI PCB, a design option aimed at admitting stability under heavy data loads.
The AI Top CXL R5X4 includes four Dimm plugs, each capable of containing DDR5 RDIMM DDR5 modules of 128 GB.
This card integrates a refrigerator and a mini AIO fan, which suggests the presence of a PM8712 microchip controller or similar hardware to administer the data flow.
Gigabyte specifies an additional power supply through an 8-pin connector, which emphasizes that this is not a typical plug-and-play update.
These characteristics collectively place the AI TOP CXL R5X4 in a category closer to the server degree solutions adapted for the use of the workstation.
That said, this card is only compatible with Gigabyte’s motherboard, and even then, not all PCIE slots support CXL.
For example, the PCIEX16_4 slot at the top TRX50 AI lacks the necessary specification.
There is no clear evidence that other lists are excluded for CXL, but potential buyers can face uncertainty without the confirmed support from crossed sellers.
For professionals who use a PC of work station or video editing PC, an expansion card of this type could theoretically unlock a new performance potential.
More RAM allows the softer management of complex deadlines, higher resolution assets and AI -based effects or representation workflows.
However, the Niche Niche of the CXL hardware and the restricted compatibility list pose practical concerns.
This device is not entirely new, since similar concepts, such as CXA-8F2W of Smart Modular, offer up to 1 TB RAM with dual CXL controllers and 64 Gbps bandwidth.
Gigabyte’s product is clearly positioned as a specific solution of the work station.
At the time of writing, there is no information about the price of this device.
Although marketing materials hint a total total property cost (TCO) compared to traditional server updates, the requirement of ECC DDR5 modules, patented compatibility and advanced construction suggests a premium price.
