X-bit labs

Nvidia Releases Low-Cost Chipsets for Intel Platforms.

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 09/25/2007 | 09:39 AM ]

Nvidia Corp., the world’s largest supplier of graphics processing units (GPUs), on Tuesday officially unveiled its long-anticipated chipsets with built-in graphics cores for Intel processors. By unveiling such solutions Nvidia enters the highly-competitive, but also a very large market.

The Nvidia GeForce 7 integrated graphics processor (IGP) lineup contains four solutions, even more than previously expected, targeting different market segments. The new chipsets support for Intel processors with up to 1333MHz processor system bus, forthcoming Pentryn family of chips, optional HDMI output with HDCP support and so on. What is also important is that all of the chipsets will feature PCI Express x16 slots for add-in graphics cards, allowing end-users to easily crank up graphics performance of their systems by installing a standalone graphics board.

Thanks to modern process technologies, all four new core-logic sets feature single-chip designs and Nvidia calls them “motherboard GPUs” (mGPUs). Single-chip implementation allows the developer to keep the manufacturing cost of the solution low, meaning that end-users will be able to obtain the new technology for a relatively affordable price, but without sacrificing chip designer’s profit margins, something, which analyst were afraid about in regards of IGPs for Intel from Nvidia.

However, the lower-cost design of the new chipset family forced Nvidia to sacrifice certain features that are available on competing Intel G35 core-logic set, particularly, DirectX 10-supporting graphics core as well as dual-channel memory controller. Nvidia’s products support DX9 and have to use single-channel memory, something, which may limit system performance.

The Nvidia mGPU family for Intel processors includes the following models:

• Nvidia GeForce 7150 with nForce 630i supports processors with 1333MHz PSB, single-channel DDR2 PC2-6400 (800MHz) memory as well as built-in DirectX 9.0 shader model 3.0 graphics core clocked at “600MHz+” with DVI, D-Sub and HDMI outputs and HDCP. Other capabilities include support for four Serial ATA-300 ports with RAID capabilities, two Parallel ATA ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a PCI Express x16 and two PCI Express x1 slots for add-in cards as well as 10 USB 2.0 ports.
• Nvidia GeForce 7100 with nForce 630i supports processors with 1333MHz PSB, single-channel DDR2 PC2-6400 (800MHz) memory as well as built-in DirectX 9.0 shader model 3.0 graphics core clocked at 600MHz with DVI, D-Sub and HDMI outputs and HDCP. Other capabilities include support for four Serial ATA-300 ports with RAID capabilities, two Parallel ATA ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a PCI Express x16 and two PCI Express x1 slots for add-in cards as well as 10 USB 2.0 ports.
• Nvidia GeForce 7050 with nForce 630i features support for processors with 1333MHz PSB, single-channel DDR2 PC2-5300 (667MHz) memory as well as built-in DirectX 9.0 shader model 3.0 graphics core clocked at 500MHz with DVI, D-Sub outputs and HDCP. Other capabilities are similar to the higher-end model.
• Nvidia GeForce 7050 with nForce 610i only works with processors featuring 1066MHz PSB, sports single-channel DDR2 PC2-5300 (667MHz) memory controller as well as built-in DirectX 9.0 shader model 3.0 graphics core clocked at 500MHz with D-Sub output. I/O capabilities of the MCP73V will feature 8 USB 2.0 ports, 10/100Mb Ethernet and simplified RAID support. The novelty still boasts with a PCI Express x16 and two PCI Express x1 slots for add-in cards.

Computers and motherboards featuring the Nvidia GeForce 7-series mGPUs for Intel platforms will be available later this month directly from global system integrators and mainboard partners including: Abit, Asrock, Asustek, Biostar, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Foxconn, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Hassee, Inno3D, Jetway, J&W, Maxsun, MSI, Onda, Palit, PC Partner, PNY, Supox, Unika, XFX, and more.