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I have recently been writing articles on Nvidia’s new processor range the Tegra and CSX. I was also going to investigate where this processor will be used, how will they compare to Intel’s counter-part the Atom.
I will be concentrating on the Tegra model processors, Nvidia are using these tiny processors for small laptops and notebooks.  As we are aware the processor can render high definition video but can also handle graphically heavy games.

Now I can release some information on what the processor is used for (Thank You Computex). At Computex Nvidia are set to release more details on the Tegra 650 and 600 series processors. The processors are aimed at light, portable based hardware which can be fitted with a 12” screen, a keyboard, high-speed wireless and a joy pad/Stick port (USB ?).

Nvidia has dubbed the devices Mobile Internet Devices ‘Mids’ not MIDI!. Other vendors have called the miniature laptops ‘netbooks’ which is the inherited new branded name for mobile hardware. If Intel and Nvidia never started battle would the so called netbook be created? I know Apple started the miniature laptop scene but I don’t see their products as direct competition, remember we are talking budget based laptops here!

One query I must highlight is Intel and Nvidia processors boast full 1080p running at 25/ 60 fps. When running these modes how will the 12” display justify the display quality?  Nvidia could be focusing some of their processors into other products. It’s not over yet! Nvidia could have other products in mind. Remember Nvidia have different series of processors So the Tegra 650 may be used in a multimedia intensive operations.

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In my previous post on Nvidia’s Processors I looked into the general capabilities of the two processors. Today I will be giving more emphasis into the Nvidia Tegra Processor. As we already know, the processor renders both 720p and 1080p high definition signals. The Tegra processor is also known for good power consumption considering the processor will run 720p HD for 26 hours compared to Intels 1 hour.

The Tegra 650 Specs:

• Processing ARM11 MPCore @ 800Mhz,16/32-bit LP-DDR NAND Flash support
• Audio/ Video Processing:1080p H.264 decode, 720p H.264 encode
  Supports multi-standard audio formats, including AAC, AMR, WMA and MP3. JPEG encode and decode acceleration
• Imaging Up to 12 megapixel camera sensor support, Integrated ISP, Advanced imaging features
• True dual-display support
  Maximum display resolutions supports:
  - 1080p (1920×1080) HDMI 1.3
  - WSXGA+ (1680×1050) LCD
  - SXGA (1280×1024) CRT
  - NTSC/PAL TV output

Tegra 600

• Processor ARM11 MPCore @ 700Mhz, 16/32-bit LP-DDR, NAND Flash support
• Audo/ Video Processing 720p H.264 and VC-1/WMV9 decode, 720p H.264 encode, Supports multi-standard audio formats, including AAC, AMR, WMA and MP3, JPEG encode and decode acceleration
• Imaging Up to 12 megapixel camera sensor support, Integrated ISP, Advanced imaging features
• True dual-display support
  Maximum display resolutions supports:
  - 720p (1280×720) HDMI 1.3
  - SXGA (1280×1024) LCD
  - SXGA (1280×1024) CRT
  - NTSC/PAL TV output

Even though the processor seems impressive Intel’s Atom processor uses the x86 architecture and so will be used on multiple of platforms within a mobile scope. The processor used is a ARM11 32 bit RISC which is usually used in mobile phone hardware. I’m still interested in where this processor will be used compared to Intels version.

I would put the Atom against the Tegra processor as such but you could say the Nvidia processor will be great for HD video but if Intel’s Atom processor can perform around the same level then Nvidia sales could be effected.

On the other hand, I will be interested in seeing what Nvidia will offer in the future. The Head man at Nvidia said the processor was created from the bottom up. The processor has no limit to its future because the architecture is new.

Hopefully I will have much more to talk about regarding the latest technology’s. Now that Intel and Nvidia are at war over more than GPUS where will they venture next?

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I know I keep posting about Nvidia and Intel but the battle is still strong between both vendors. Nvidia will be releasing two actual CPU’s (Central Processing Units). As I’m aware Nvidia primary concern has always been graphics based hardware, where did the move to main processing start?

In June Nvidia will be releasing the Tegra APX 2500 and the CSX 600/650. The APX chip is 144mm2 in size. The processor can encode in 720p and decode at 14Mbps not bad for a mobile based processor consider it can push out D ready based specifications.

The CSX 600/650 the big brother of the Tegra is aimed at larger machines such as handhelds and laptops. The chip had 256k of L2 Cache and runs at 700mhz and 800mhz for the 650. This processor will support 1080p but only at a bottle-necked 24FPS. The processor has hard disk compatibility and can run under 3watts of power, the mobile device trend!

Considering Intel Atom processor run between 800mhz to 1.8Ghz why create these processor knowing the competition has a faster and more technological product? Could this be Nvidia’s way of taking the market, well some of it? I really cannot wait until we see some movement on Tegra APX and the CSX. Who will be their main consumer?

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The p45 Intel ChipSet is the latest board created from MSI and other vendors. The motherboard will compete against Nvidia’s latest Chipset the 790i. I wont be comparing the differences between both boards but explaining how Intel are trying to hit back at Nvidia.

When Nvidia’s latest motherboard chipsets were released the high end versions came with EPP. EPP is a memory technology based on Nvidia and Corsair designs. EPP which stands for Enhanced performance profiles is a memory technology for PC’s designed by Nvidia. The technology was designed to overclock memory easier and is only a Corsair/ Nvidia based feature. The memory is said to be qualified for performance and stability in SLI gaming machines, ironically.

Now as I was mentioning earlier Intel have released DrMOS, I will give you one guess to what this actually encompasses. DrMOS is a total re-design of the MOSFET integrating Hi and LI-sided MOSFETS and a driver. This bundle of smart hardware/ software features delivers extra tools within the BIOS for overclocking possibilities, hmmm. Any who, I will post the features below!

memory-Z - This tool is very similar to CPU-Z except CPU-Z is a x86 based software application and so everytime the the BIOS needs to be changed a boot is required! This includes all functionality from the BIOS. cool.

Multi-step OS Booster - This helps n00b based overclockers, Multi-Step allows three modes; disabled, mode 1 and mode2. Mode 1 will load the os and then apply over Clocking setting. Mode 2 will apply slight over Clocking and then apply the OS after the OS has loaded the booster will then complete the OC.

Extreme Voltages - Due to balanced 2 phase memory chipsets power design, the system can be overclocked to extreme voltages. The motherboard allows 128 different levels of voltage.

There are more features such as ClockGen Tuner and Advanced Memory Timings, I will continue to contribute to this article and hopefully give viewers a look on both sides of the fence.

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Nvidia are in the process of changing their current product naming conventions. Over the past years Nvidia used a straight forward model naming structure such as the 6200 and 6600 obviously the latter having the highest specification. Nvidia can also mislead consumers because some versions of their 8800 series cards are faster than their 9600 series cards. To the majority of consumers this could be confusing.

Nvidia started to complicate model names when they created sub-model cards such as the 8800 GT, GS and GTS? What do all these mean? To the enthusiast this isn’t quite a problem because enthusiast will be familiar with their naming conventions from previous generation cards. The problem is obviously new consumers to the Graphics market. Nvidia may feel that because of the complicated model naming, new customers could easily buy products from alternative vendors.

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Has Nvidia really bought out VIA the eastern based hardware company? Well No! The CEO of Nvidia Jen-Hsun Huang today told Cnet that they have no interest what so ever in buying VIA. I can imagine why the hype was created within the hardware community, with Intel and AMD looking to offer integrated chipset graphics Nvidia need to strategically move into the C.P.U markets.

As we are aware VIA have pushed newer technology to all sectors of the computer market by moving ISA into PCI based bus systems. They have also created memory, motherboard based architecture and even processors.

Now I can imagine why speculation was created between the two companies. Huang had to disagree with the comment. He stated that his motive was to be totally devoted to the graphics market and that Nvidia is a visual computing technology company to which they are completely focused on.

With this said, what will happen to Nvidia’s future? Did Jen-Hsun feel interrogated and pressured by the community? Is the CEO under a lot of pressure because of competition?

Well, with Intels larrabee graphics on the horizon, could Intel take Nvidia’s share of the graphics market? With raytracing being implemented by multiple vendors could this affect nvidia markets further?

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