Previews - NVIDIA's ION platform aims to make Atom netbooks better

[HEXUS]

Netbooks need more 3D power and a better chipset. NVIDIA reckons it has the answer.

Read more.

[kalniel]

when run via the power-frugal 945 chipset

I've never heard it being described as such before - most commentators lambast it for it's inefficiency.

LOL at the size of the nVidia chip compared to the Atom processor though

[Tarinder]

Power-frugal compared to any discrete games-playing solution though?

945-class mobile chipsets have better battery life than discrete GPUs, obviously.

[Methanoid]

By any measure 945G is NOT a frugal chipset! Its hite compared to Nvidia and AMD's integrated VGa solutions which are miles faster and more economical. Its not even frugal compared to say a Radeon 3450.

Just face it, 945G (and derivatives) are plain ****e!

[kalniel]

So, you're not a fan of the 945 chipset then I take it?

[this_is_gav]

Just face it, 945G (and derivatives) are plain ****e!

They're also 3 and a half years old now.

[Biscuit]

did anyone notice DDR3 SO-DIMM...? Whats the point, there is no way the atom chip has enough bandwidth for that. If its for the GPU is that really necessary for what these systems will do?

[aidanjt]

did anyone notice DDR3 SO-DIMM...? Whats the point, there is no way the atom chip has enough bandwidth for that. If its for the GPU is that really necessary for what these systems will do?

The IGP needs it for framebuffer space. You're right though, the Atom wouldn't be able to max DDR2 bandwidth, much less stretch DDR3 bandwidth, but the IGP will make good use of it. Hopefully nVidia's chipset wont need a whopping great fan on top, like the i945.

[wildwestgoh]

Maybe they want to make use of the low voltage of DDR3? It'll interesting to see the result!

[Biscuit]

thats a good point i forgot ddr3 was lower voltage!