Intel Corp. and Nvidia Corp. still have not reached an agreement that would allow Nvidia to develop and sell core-logic sets compatible with Intel’s next-generation processors code-named Nehalem, which puts the future of Nvidia’s multi-GPU technology at risk.

“There is a disagreement between Intel and Nvidia as to the scope of Nvidia’s license from Intel to make chipsets compatible with Intel microprocessors. Intel is trying to resolve the disagreement privately with Nvidia and therefore we will not provide additional details. It is our hope that this dispute will be resolved amicably and that it will not impact other areas of our companies’ working relationship,” said Intel spokesman Daniel Snyder in an interview with Crave web-site.

At present only Nvidia nForce chipsets enable the company’s SLI multi-GPU technology, thus, users, who plan to utilize two Nvidia GeForce-based graphics cards to speed up their video games, have to acquire nForce-based mainboards. Those, who use multi-GPU capable core-logic sets from AMD, Intel or other chipset vendors cannot use SLI technology, but may utilize competing ATI CrossFire array consisting of several ATI Radeon graphics cards by Advanced Micro Devices. However, with no high-end Intel-compatible chipsets from Nvidia, the latter will have either to open up SLI technology for third-party chipsets, or offer it only for AMD-based computers.

Intel stressed that SLI allowance for Intel chipsets is not something that the chipmaker was asking for to grant Quick Path interconnect (QPI) license to Nvidia.

“We are not seeking any SLI concession from Nvidia in exchange for granting any Nehalem license rights to Nvidia,” a statement by Intel reads.

The news about a disagreement of Intel and Nvidia concerning license on next-generation Common Serial Interface (CSI, the second name of QPI) first transpired in late February.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.