nForce2: An Overview Of Features
Before we look in detail at the individual features of the nForce2 and compare them to the established chipsets, let's look at a summary of its specs.
Northbridge: IGP And SPP Compared
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| Northbridge | Integrated Graphics Processor | System Platform Processor |
|---|---|---|
| Alias | IGP | SPP |
| Image | Row 1 - Cell 1 | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| Graphics Interface | AGP 8x (AGP 3.0) | AGP 8x (AGP 3.0) |
| Graphics Unit | GeForce4 MX, w/up to 64 MB Shared MemorynView Multiple-Display | - |
| Memory Controller | Dual DDR400Dual-channel, 64-Bit eachalso DDR333, DDR266, DDR2003 GB RAM max. | Dual DDR400Dual-channel, 64-Bit eachalso DDR333, DDR266, DDR2003 GB RAM max. |
| Video Encoder for TV-Out | Up to 1024x768Composite and S-VideoMacrovision 7.1L1 | - |
| DVI Interface | Up to 165 MHzMultiplexed with AGP 8x | - |
| Power Management | ACPI 2.0(S1, S3, S4, S5, C0, C1, C2), AMD Power Now! | ACPI 2.0(S1, S3, S4, S5, C0, C1, C2), AMD Power Now! |
| CPU Interface | 133/100/66 MHz FSB | 133/100/66 MHz FSB |
| Other | FSB, memory, AGP can be operated asynchronously and independently of one another. | FSB, memory, AGP can be operated asynchronously and independently of one another. |
Apart from new aspects of the technology, one of the most important differences from its predecessor is in the Northbridge. While the IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) of the first nForce has always been equipped with integrated graphics, the customer can now opt for an nForce2 withouth integrated graphics, namely, the System Platform Processsor (SPP) . The SPP is a "pure" version of the Northbridge, without graphics, and therefore significantly lower in price.
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