Gigabyte has released the PCIe AI Top CXL R5X4 adapter for workstation memory expansion
By ForGeeks
Gigabyte has quietly unveiled the new PCIe AI Top CXL R5X4 adapter, a card designed to dramatically increase RAM capacity in high-performance workstations.
In contrast to the previously popular Compute Express Link (CXL) solutions, which were primarily targeted at servers, the new model is designed for powerful desktop platforms such as the TRX50 AI TOP and W790 AI TOP.
This device installs in a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, connecting directly to the processor to add up to 512GB of DDR5-register memory.
Gigabyte emphasizes that this adapter will significantly improve performance for compute-intensive tasks, especially when training artificial intelligence models that require large amounts of fast local memory to process data.
The card measures 254 × 120 mm, and its 16-layer HDI printed circuit board provides reliability and stability under heavy loads.
AI Top CXL R5X4 features four DIMM slots, each supporting up to 128GB of DDR5 RDIMM ECC modules. For cooling there is an integrated system with a heatsink and an AIO mini-fan. Data flow management is provided by a controller, presumably Microchip PM8712 or similar.
The card requires an additional 8-pin connector for power, which indicates high power consumption and makes the device more difficult to install than a typical plug-and-play.
The combination of these features puts the AI Top CXL R5X4 in the category of solutions that are closer to server solutions, but adapted for workstations.
The card is only compatible with Gigabyte’s proprietary motherboards, however, and not all PCIe slots on those motherboards support CXL technology. For example, the PCIEX16_4 slot on the TRX50 AI TOP is not compliant.
For video editing and AI professionals, expanding RAM with this adapter can provide a smoother and more productive workflow, especially when working with high-end video and complex rendering.
But the specificity of the technology and the limited selection of supported platforms raise questions about the usability of this solution on a mass scale.
At the same time, the specificity of the technology and the limited selection of supported platforms raise questions about the usability of this solution.
Smart Modular’s CXA-8F2W, for example, offers up to 1TB of memory with dual CXL controllers and 64Gb/s transfer rates.
The price of the adapter has not yet been officially announced. Despite claims of lower total cost of ownership compared to traditional server upgrades, the installation features, ECC DDR5 module requirements and technical complexity could mean significant costs for users.
