NVIDIA Reference Design Atom Nettop Spotted

[btarunr]

NVIDIA has concrete plans to take up chipset manufacturing for ULPC, and nettop platforms based on the Intel Atom processor. With its visual computing expertise and platform core logic technologies, NVIDIA hopes to cash in on the segment in need for better consumer value than what it already enjoys. VR-Zone pictured the reference design nettop PC that uses the Intel Atom processor, aided by NVIDIA's MCP79 chipset.

The chipset is monolithic, and handles the jobs of a memory controller, graphics controller, and a peripheral hub. The chipset sits on a 10-layer PCB motherboard, which gives you an idea on the component density of the MCP79. The platform supports single core and dual core Atom processors. It supports single channel DDR3 memory in speeds up to the PC3-10666 (1333 MHz), with connections to a SO-DIMM module. A GeForce 9 series integrated graphics controller provides display output through DVI-I. There is a gigabit ethernet controller, and 8-channel HD audio. The front portion of the chassis provides a larger portion of the connections, which includes the audio (including optical SPDIF), USB 2.0, and eSATA. NVIDIA will allow OEM vendors to make their own case designs housing the platform.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[jbunch07]

looks like an xbox.

 

[OnionMan]

looks like an xbox.

Call it the Nbox..

What, no sli??? (<--- Mr. Obvious has to point to the joke)

I'm loven these 'nettop' and 'netbooks'.. My A/V customers are starting to get into them as well.. I can't wait until we get an 'inwall' pc that only takes up a double or triple gang box..

 

[3870x2]

not yet, if you read the recent TPU news, they just recently are thinking about SLI in atom chipsets. Remember that an atom chipset is extremely tiny, probably 1/4th of a mATX.

 

[insider]

The Intel ITX boards with the dual core Atom chip cost around £70, if they could sell this as just a board only for under £100 then it could be a big hit, the Intel boards though does have space for an PCI slot to install a high end sound card.

 

[DarkMatter]

Finally an Atom box worth buying.

There's more about it at Anandtech:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3478&p=1

 

[insider]

Dang the thing is tiny!

 

[DarkMatter]

Dang the thing is tiny!

Yep, and that's what I like about it.
That and the HD video capabilities of course.

I was going to reply to you on the high-end sound card thing, but lately thought that a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[insider]

There are high end external USB DACs we could use for sound, but they cost a lot

 

[cdawall]

thats pretty cool cable box to the MAXXX

secondary PC in your 5.25 bay?

 

[KBD]

i think it looks sexy, that black and green, ummmm

but its a great idea on their part, there is a big market out there for this stuff and nvidia hasnt tapped it yet.

 

[Katanai]

If that thing is under 400$, I'm so getting one.


Think MAME.

 

[Dark_Webster]

Why DDR3 on an Atom?

 

[btarunr]

Why DDR3 on an Atom?

Economical, performs better. It's economical to have a single memory channel (less wiring, usually only one module), while DDR2 can't reach 1333 MHz at acceptable voltages. You end up with higher memory bandwidth. The 'competing' i945 operates on a single memory channel as well.

 

[Dark_Webster]

Economical, performs better. It's economical to have a single memory channel (less wiring, usually only one module), while DDR2 can't reach 1333 MHz at acceptable voltages. You end up with higher memory bandwidth. The 'competing' i945 operates on a single memory channel as well.

And also heat reduction...

 

[Icewind31]

And also heat reduction...

And probably performance for the IGP as well if no "sideport" memory is included

 

[DrPepper]

Where's the monitor connection.

 

[btarunr]

Where's the monitor connection.

Behind, with the power line-in

 

[DrPepper]

Behind, with the power line-in

Thanks for the clearup, Seems kinda odd that it is on the opposite side.

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

I remember a certain company firing of from the hip and the lip ... nvidia needs intel, not as much the other way around

 

[Castiel]

Wow that is a really awesome. I wonder if it will be pricey?

 

[Black Hades]

if this is 250-300$ I'd love to stick this in my CM Stacker as a non gaming pc... I'm imagining a 5'25 bay mod for quite a while now.

 

[lemonadesoda]

WOW. That's not a mini-ITX, not a nano-ITX but a pico-ITX with ZOMG! Excellent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nano-ITX

That thing is perfect for all sorts projects.

But it's a rather inelegant double sandwich PCB. Never mind, so long as there arent heat issues. (nV seems to be fond on sandwich products this month!)

 

[DarkMatter]

WOW. That's not a mini-ITX, not a nano-ITX but a pico-ITX with ZOMG! Excellent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nano-ITX

That thing is perfect for all sorts projects.

But it's a rather inelegant double sandwich PCB. Never mind, so long as there arent heat issues. (nV seems to be fond on sandwich products this month!)

PS. No room in that design (box) for a HDD/SSD! LOL

You mean another one? Already has a 2.5 one inside...

I remember a certain company firing of from the hip and the lip ... nvidia needs intel, not as much the other way around

In fact this proves Nvidia right on their claims. Look at the size of the CPU and the size of the GPU+chipset. Look at what makes this box better than previous ones...

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

IMHO, very cool, and would be very cool as a second computer... minus the NVIDIA logo.