Gigabyte has announced its AI TOP CXL R5X4 add-on card, allowing you to boost your total system RAM capacity by up to 512GB. The card links four DDR5 slots via a PCIe 5.0 interface, giving demanding users more headroom to work with when the main motherboard DIMMs are already filled.
The Gigabyte AI TOP CXL R5X4 features four DDR5 RDIMM slots compatible with ECC memory and connects to the system via a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface, supporting CXL 2.0/1.1 operation. Unlike competing CXL solutions from the likes of Samsung’s CMM-D module, this implementation uses available DDR5 modules, which gives you more freedom in choosing the capacity you need. Each DIMM slot supports up to 128GB modules, for a total of 512GB, adding to the system’s memory.
Higher total RAM capacity and AI TOP lineup features, which combine hardware and software for local model training, should allow the handling of models with up to 236 billion parameters, according to Gigabyte.
The card measures 120mm x 254mm and is built using a 16-layer HDI PCB. For cooling, it uses a simple single-fan heatsink, indicating that the Microchip PM8712 Controller managing operations is quite efficient. That said, Gigabyte warns that the 8-pin EXT12V power cable must be connected for the system to work, indicated by an LED light on the card. Assuming 20W to 30W for the controller and 10W per DDR5 module, we can expect around 70W at full load.
The AI TOP CXL R5X4 is clearly targeted towards AI training systems, as indicated by its name and compatible hardware. Yep, unfortunately, the card is only compatible with select Gigabyte motherboards. At the time of writing, these are the TRX50 AI TOP for AMD Threadripper and the W790 AI TOP for Intel Xeon. Furthermore, not all PCIe slots on these boards are suitable; for example, the PCIEX16_4 slot on the TRX50 AI TOP motherboard doesn’t support the CXL specification. Do some research before getting one. In fact, even Gigabyte recommends contacting the company before purchasing… just to be sure.
While Gigabyte hasn’t shared pricing for the AI TOP CXL R5X4 add-on card, we expect it to retail around $2,000 to $3,000, based on similar products.
