X-bit labs

NVIDIA’s GeForce 6100, nForce 400 Form Foundation for Affordable PCs.

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 09/20/2005 | 10:01 PM ]

NVIDIA Corp. introduced its dual-chip first core-logic since its chipsets for AMD Athlon XP processors in early 2003. This time the company’s dual-chip solutions address entry-level markets providing them a new level of functionality and performance, the company indicated.

“Over the last few years, our discrete NVIDIA nForce products have completely redefined the high-end enthusiast space, allowing us to achieve a significant market share position, but with this new product introduction we are focused on an equally important segment—the integrated mainstream market serviced most commonly with PC OEMs and system integrators,” said Drew Henry, general manager of platform product at NVIDIA.

The new platforms for value computers consist of the GeForce 6100 and 6150 graphics processing units (GPUs) as well as nForce 410 and 430 media and communication processors (MCPs).

The GeForce 6100 and 6150 GPUs support 1GHz HyperTransport bus for AMD Athlon 64 or AMD Sempron processors; integrated graphics core that features two pixel processors, one vertex processor and is fully compliant with Shader Model 3.0 specifications; PCI Express x16 lane; PCI Express x1 lane (model 6150 features two x1 lanes). The more advanced GeForce 6150 features PureVideo engine, composite output capabilities, DVI and D-Sub outputs as well as 475MHz graphics core speed. By contrast, the GeForce 6100 does not sport advanced vide and is clocked at 425MHz. Both chips use system memory as a frame-buffer. The processors are made using a 90nm process technology.

The nForce 410 and 430 MCPs are connected to the GeForce GPUs using HyperTransport bus and also provide different feature-set. The nForce 430 sports four Serial ATA-II ports with RAID 0,1, 0+1, 5, Parallel ATA, NVIDIA MediaShield, NVIDIA ActiveArmor, Gigabit Ethernet, 8 USB 2.0, high-definition audio (Azalia). The nForce 410 does not sport RAID 5, Active Armor and Gigabit Ethernet, but 10/100 Ethernet.

NVIDIA nForce 400 and GeForce 6100-based systems will be available from worldwide system builders in October. NVIDIA said that a wide array of mainboard makers, including ASUSTeK, Biostar, Chaintech, DFI, ECS, Epox, Foxconn, Gigabyte, Jetway, MSI, and Shuttle, plan to release products based on the company’s new platform.