After several technical hurdles and some controversy with Intel, NVIDIA was able to go ahead with its Ion platform initiative, where partners are allowed to use Intel Atom processors (both single and dual-core variants) with NVIDIA MCP79-class chipsets. The most distinct feature on offer is the powerful integrated GPU in the form of GeForce 9400M. NVIDIA partner Zotac is ready with two ULPC-friendly mini-ITX motherboards based on the platform, that promise features filled to their brims.

The Zotac IONITX-A-U and IONITX-B-E are powered by Intel Atom 330 dual-core or Atom N230 single-core processors respectively. The only other difference is that the former features an onboard DC-DC power supply. Both feature NVIDIA MCP79 chipset with onboard GeForce 9400M graphics, that comes with clock speeds of 450/1100 MHz (core/shader). Two 240-pin standard DDR2 DIMM slots support DDR2-667/800 MHz memory. There are three SATA II ports provided on the board, with the fourth one placed as an eSATA connector. RAID 0/1 modes are supported. Display outputs are taken care of by D-Sub, DVI and HDMI connectors. The 8-channel audio also provides co-axial and optical SPDIF connections. Six USB 2.0 ports on the back, four through headers, a gigabit Ethernet and WiFi make for the rest of the concoction. It is indicated that the two will hit Japanese stores at prices of JPY 29980 (US$303) for the IONITX-A-U and JPY 19980 ($202) for the IONITX-B-E.

Amidst a virtual faceoff between Intel and NVIDIA over what the ideology behind a ULPC should be, NVIDIA's Ion platform gains another taker, the Acer Hornet. NVIDIA's Ion platform consists of a ULV/ULPC processor made by Intel (soon VIA), paired with NVIDIA's MCP79-derived core-logic that bundles NVIDIA's powerful integrated graphics, system management, features and energy efficiency that the company claims to dwarf anything Intel has to offer as far as platform technologies go.

Acer Hornet builds on the basic Ion nettop design. It uses an Intel Atom processor, paired with NVIDIA chipset. The main unit is designed in a way that allows it to be placed on a desk with a stand, or mounted on any display panel that supports the VESA wall-mount standard. It is expected to use a single-core or dual-core Intel Atom processor. It's MCP79-derived chipset features a GeForce 9400-class IGP that can provide smooth HD video playback, and also some light-gaming thrown in. Furthermore, it supports a certain motion-sensing game controller that lets you play certain Wii-style games. The same controller can be used as a pointing device (what Acer calls "air-mouse"), and also a media center remote control. We will know more in the weeks to come. Head over to DonanimHaber for more pictures.

Barely a week into its announcement, the NVIDIA Ion platform, finds itself amidst a potential controversy that has trouble written all over it, reveals a DigiTimes report. The Ion platform is NVIDIA's attempt to bring to market, products incorporating the Intel Atom processor and its own core-logic with embedded GeForce graphics technologies. The controversy involves an internal statement distributed by Intel to hardware manufacturers that they will be able to purchase stocks of Atom processors bundled with homegrown i945GSE and i945GC chipsets, and not just the processor itself.

This leaves manufacturers with inability to buy just the processor. While manufacturers can work around this by buying the entire bundle per unit, in order to use the processor on products based on the Ion platform, it is an expensive way of doing it and substantially increases manufacturing costs. This would then render Ion based products too expensive to fit in the market segment originally conceived. NVIDIA's executives have been lobbying with Taiwanese PC makers to garner support for the Ion platform. Intel responded to the report, saying that it had no plans to validate NVIDIA MCP79 on netbook or nettop platforms. Intel also has no plans to form a partnership with Nvidia to support nettop or netbook platforms based on the Intel Atom CPU, the company added. A response is awaited from NVIDIA.

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.

Picture this: a nettop/netbook/ULPC chipset that supports a gamer-grade feature such as NVIDIA SLI. Well, that's about become a reality with a certain variant of the MCP7A chipset NVIDIA is preparing for the Intel Atom processor. VR-Zone has learned that the chipset would offer all features essential to platforms it caters to, plus offering integrated GeForce graphics and supporting external graphics, including support for 2-way NVIDIA SLI. The root complex would connect to two discrete graphics devices with 8 PCI-Express lanes each.

The 'essential' features this chipset brings to the table include support for PC2-6400 memory standard (up to four DIMM slots), six SATA II channels, twelve USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE 1394 and HD Audio. There is yet another chipset in the pipeline, the MCP79 for pico-ATX and SFF platforms, which supports a single DDR3 memory channel, integrated GeForce graphics with DVI-D and HDMI support.

NVIDIA will have the opportunity to design platform core logic (chipsets) for the Intel Atom processor, in the weeks to come. The visual computing giant has had a fair bit of success with its MCP79 chipset for mainstream PCs, which could be ported to platforms with much smaller footprints, such as netbooks and nettops. The starting point in its roadmap could well be the MCP79 itself which has architectural superiority over Intel chipsets in the same range, for being of a monolithic design.

Intel's own chipset for the Atom processor faced quite some criticism from the media for being dated in both design and manufacturing processes, resulting in its high TDP. Major players in the industry, ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI have said they welcome the partnership between Nvidia and Intel and believe the cooperation would give them more pricing flexibility.

NVIDIA has had a fair bit of success with its MCP7A, MCP79 chipsets. Where the Intel-compatible nForce 730i/740i embeds a GeForce 9300/9400-class IGP, the AMD compatible nForce 730a embeds a GeForce 8200-class IGP. EVGA has released its offering based on the 730a (model 113-M2-E113-TR). The motherboard uses the typical EVGA colour scheme. It has an AM2+ socket, supporting the latest AMD processors with the HyperTransport 3.0 system interface.

The board features a single PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. It supports Hybrid Power with compatible graphics cards. Display output from its IGP comes in the form of DVI, D-Sub and HDMI connectors. It provides 8-channel audio with optical and coaxial SPDIF outputs. Depending on the processor used it supports DDR2 memory, with speeds of up to PC2-8500 (1066 MHz). The CPU is powered by a 5+1 phase power circuit. Six SATA II ports with RAID support are provided. For a complete list of specifications, please refer to the company whitepaper. The motherboard is available from the EVGA store for US $94.99 +shipping.

VIA and NVIDIA have had a decent association going their way for some time now, with the latter offering to design platform core logic (chipset) embedding the GeForce Integrated graphics, which gives VIA's Nano processor, an edge over Intel's Atom platform using obsolete core logic technologies.

Sources at VIA tell DigiTimes, that the deal between the two companies, to work on an inexpensive netbook platform, may have been shelved. The two companies had earlier planned to pair VIA's Nano processor with NVIDIA's MCP79 IGP (which now seems to have a fair bit of success in its Intel Core 2 microprocessor-supportive avatar). Although cooperation on the platform is suspended, VIA said the two are still continuing to cooperate and will showcase co-developed desktop PC (read: nettop) products at CES 2009.

NVIDIA seems to be striking gold with its newest platform core logic, the MCP7A, MCP79 chipsets, with the mobile version of MCP79 especially taking the limelight. This is the chipset that Apple uses in its updates to the Macbook Pro. Several PC industry majors such as Acer, ASUS, HP, and Dell, are planning to launch several notebook models based on the MCP79. Some players even project the chipset to grab a 20% share among Intel CPU-based notebook platforms.

ASUS is planning to launch the F50GX notebook using the said chipset with a 16-inch 16:9 aspect ratio panel, and GeForce 9600M discrete graphics card, targeting the gamer market. The company is also planning to launch more MCP79-based notebooks by the end of this year or beginning of next year, according to Tony Chen, general manager of notebook business in ASUS. The general manager of GeForce products at NVIDIA, Ujesh Desai, pointed out that over 10 models of notebooks from global first-tier notebook vendors, will be launched by the end of the year.