News NVIDIA release new nForce family

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/09/20/nForce_400_gf_6100/

 

I REALLY like the look of these.

However, I have one gripe. When building an HTPC, I don't like the breakout box. I don't understand why, on computers like these, they can't nix the PS2 ports and put in SVid/RCA. These boards can obviously be seen to target this market, particularly with the inclusion of purevideo. It would be nice to see them go the extra mile and eliminate ports that most people don't use anymore.

 

A fair point, and we have seen boards before that have ditched the PS2 and parallel port. It's all down to market demand really - if a big OEM want a legacy-free board, then someone will make one. For now, you'll need to make do with the break-out box.

You should be aware that the cheaper versions of this new design don't support HD connections, so that is why you don't see all board dropping PS2 in favour of HD connectors.

 

Interesting...and I notice that there's some OC potential, by the article. Did you get to try any of this out, or was there no review sample to work with yet?

And it seems like the format pictured is mATX...is there an ATX design in the plans? Seems like this is meant more for the HTPC market by their feature set, but maybe not since they support a rather weak audio support...

 

Reviews and benchmark results are under NDA for another couple of weeks - sorry guys!

 

sounds intresting, but weak on board audio still. Wheres my soundstorm 2?

its only possible to have s/pdiff RAW output with intel or socket A
(as no sound cards do it yet...)

 

What they said..... ^^^^

 

Any heads up on price?

 

I agree. I'd rather like the PS/2 ports myself (just beacuse I'd rather not waste a PCI bracket and add wiring for more USB ports because I needed the others for keyboard and mouse) but parallel is like the floppy drive - we just don't really know why it's still there. I suppose if there were six on the back and two 2-port headers I'd be more OK with PS/2 leaving, though my keyboard of choice is PS/2. Something like the current ps/2 location becomes two USB ports and either the S-video out for that board or maybe a firewire.

 

OH man this would apply greatly to so many family PC's, where some games and some movies are watched.

 

THIS IS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

I was looking at the ati chipsets with their IGp, but Id like a decent ocing board which they arnt, but with this i can save up the cash for a pci-e graphics vard after ive actually gota AMD64 rig

 

I actually have a parallel port printer that Im still using-but serial ports should be ditched completely. But PS2 should stay-PS2 Cheesecake!

 

maybe i missed it, or maybe i just dont know a lot about integrated graphics, but is the memory shared? thanks

 

I'll hold my final comments on the boards till we see some benches after the NDA's lifted.. but these look really promising. It'll be even cheaper to throw together an extra rig for chatting/emailing/browsing/etc. when playing on the main rig. And they should be great for family pc's (kind of like family PCs on pot, not crack since its a 6150)

 

Yea, it'll be based on Nvidia's memory tech they use on their gfx cards. Same as ATI (they wouldnt do any less than), where they provide the option of using a local memory chip next to the chipset, and use system ram for larger textures, however virtually no mobo companies will use a local memory chip because it pushes up prices of the mobos a lot compared to the respective return on power and how many people will actually benefit is negligable. IE: If people wanted better gaming they'd buy an actual gfx card.
No having azalia sucks. AC97 is dead, NV, for crying out loud. Providing HD video support then no HD video audio is idiotic. We can only hope people will employ creative 24bit PCI solutions, onboard, but that again pushes prices way up.

I doubt youll get great overclocking out of it, tbh either.

As for the breakout box - considering how many cables you already have at the back of your PC or TV i doubt it makes much difference. Mobo manuf. will move to use as much legacy ports as possible because it increases their market with very little cost, but still within keeping of the ATX spec. It's necessary as much as possible for them to keep to the standard placements because people (not us understand) prefer what they are familure with.

 

First review about the boards

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2539