X-bit labs

Nvidia’s Prepares DirectX 10-Supporting Chipset for Q4 Intro.

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 05/25/2007 | 04:36 PM ]

Nvidia Corp., a leading supplier of graphics processors and chipsets, confirmed at a recent quarter conference that it plans to release a core-logic with built-in DirectX 10-compliant graphics core. Despite expectations, the new chipset will be aimed at processors by Advanced Micro Devices and will sport some new features besides graphics core too.

“I would expect that Nvidia will have DirectX10 and high-definition video in a motherboard GPU earlier than any other company in the world. That would be my expectation. So that ought to be, I hope, this year,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, at the most recent conference call with analysts.

Following acquisition of ATI Technologies by AMD, it was widely expected that Nvidia would refocus its chipset business on the market of Intel processors, as AMD has much smaller microprocessor market share and it will inevitably try to maximize sales of its own-brand chipsets, which, as a consequence, will affect sales of Nvidia’s core-logic products dramatically. But Nvidia seems to think that there is still enough space for it on the market of AMD processors and prepares code-named MCP78 offering, its first core-logic that sports built-in DirectX 10 integrated graphics processor (IGP).

Nvidia’s MCP78 will feature Hyper-Transport 3.0 bus as well as PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot for add-in graphics cards, two leading-edge interconnection technologies. The new graphics core will, apart from DirectX 10, sport third-generation PureVideo HD engine that accelerates H.264 and VC-1 as well as D-Sub, DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI and TV-out outputs. Like all Nvidia’s core-logic sets, the novelty is also projected to support up to six Serial ATA-300 connectors with RAID capabilities, two Parallel ATA connectors, Gigabit Ethernet controller, 12 USB 2.0 ports and so on. With the new chipset the company will add pressure on AMD's in-house designed IGPs.

Nvidia plans to start mass production of the new core-logic in October using 55nm or 65nm process technology, according to Nvidia’s chief executive.

“All of our new designs are going to 65nm and 55nm,” Mr. Huang said at the recent conference call.

Nvidia officials did not comment on the specifications of the product or its production timeframes.