The nVidia ION is a motherboard or system platform which is made of nVidia’s GeForce 9400M (MCP79) chipset and also has DDR3- 1066 or DDR2- 800 SD RAM. The processor was Intel Atom and the system was originally based on the nettops and notebooks. In February though, the nVidia ION went Windows Vista capable and ION based computers went on sale at as retail pricing starting at about $300. It’s a good Graphic system considering its compact size and capable of Open GL 3.2 and DirectX 10.0; thus allowing 1080p resolution and Third Generation HD video and 7.1 Surround Audio. While the ION LE also has all the above features, it lacks MS Vista and DirectX 10 support.

For larger systems than nettops and notebooks, the nVidia ION performs even better, 5X faster graphics and video transconding cutting CPU usage by 80% compared to the Intel GM45 and 10X faster graphics and video transconding compared to the 945GSE chipset. All accounted, this new age entry – level motherboard system can provide much better audio compared to contemporaries and has resolution of up to 2560 X 1600. While technically we could discuss a number of things like its 300MHz RAMDACs and 3.6 billion/per second Texture Fill Rate; all that could be pulled off the net by anyone. But to truly understand and scrutinize nVidia ION motherboard system in a hardware review; we have to understand the functions and features of this new system.

Considering available systems today, this really isn’t the most high end available platform; but it can be rather compact and light. Mostly developed for smaller systems like nettops and notebooks as discussed; later ION was also modified for PC usage and provides more output in a hardier system. It’s performance is something dependable and rather consistent; while allowing more presentable audio – video output; it also ensures that it’s shared common memory doesn’t cause compromise on RAM performance or put too much pressure on the CPU usage. When used in a smaller system like a notebook or smaller compact laptop, the nVidia ION does out do its contemporaries quite so; and many models like ASUS and ZONTAC have opted for this system; but Macintosh has clearly expressed that they do not wish to involve this new chipset with their hot selling MacBook line of notebooks. NVidia is going more for the nettop and notebook market as explained, but they do not exclude using the ION or ION LE on larger systems either. Acer AspireRevo Nettops and, ASUS Eee Boxes and Asrock ION 330 series are already using this system well on some very well selling models.

The smaller carbon footprint and low power usage are true advantages of he nVidia ION; but let us also look at some of the added hardware features of this platform. Used in multi-system ‘home cinema’ boxes and one has to understand that graphic and HD streaming output has to be a strong point in this system. With a 200 GB Seagate Momentus 7200.2 and stacked PCBs, you can understand well where nVidia has saved all that space. There is also a daughter board with the main HD SATA, two eSATA ports, 6 USB 2.0 hubs, eight channel digital audio panels and digital optical. But one thing that really pushes function but also is a part of the fundamentals is that the motherboard isn’t independent, but connected to the daughterboard. Overall, this is good working system platform hardware.

Tags: DirectX, GeForce, GPU, graphic card, HD video, nVidia, nVidia ION, Open GL