More on the nForce3 Professional Platform Processor
Core Optimization for Quadro Graphics Solutions
Since the AMD Opteron is designed for servers as well as high-end workstation roles, NVIDIA has taken this opportunity to optimize the nForce3 Professional for use with their line of Quadro graphics cards. However, neither is there an indication of how much gain we can expect from these optimizations nor what optimizations have been made to the chipsets. Nevertheless, it is a good idea that benefits customers when they pair the right components.
Known Chipset Variety
For now, we only have information of two nForce3 Profession platform processors - the nForce3 Pro 150 and the nForce3 Pro 250. The following are the known variances between them :-
The nForce3 Pro 250 version being the better model will offer Gigabit Ethernet support while the Pro 150 offers only Fast Ethernet support
Better Storage options on the Pro 250 model such as both SATA and ATA-133 storage interfaces with RAID but the Pro 150 will only be restricted to offering ATA-133 interface with RAID.
The Pro 150 model would be available now whereas the Pro 250 variant debuts at a later time frame.
NVIDIA nForce3 Professional logo
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The following are common features for the NVIDIA nForce3 Professional platform processors:
NVIDIAs enterprise-class networking technology (includes NVIDIA StreamThru technology)
NVIDIA RAID technology (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 on SATA and ATA-133 disk controllers)
Triple ATA-133 disk drive controllers (support for a total of six devices)
AGP 3.0 (AGP 8x and 4x) and AGP 2.0 (AGP 4x, 2x and 1x) support for 0.8V and 1.5V signaling respectively.
Hyper Transport Interface
USB 2.0 (support for six ports)
AC97 Interface (version 2.1 compliant)
SPDIF Output
PCI Interface (support for 6 PCI slots with bus mastering on all slots)
Overall, the nForce3 Professional platform processors in our opinion seem to be catering for high-end enthusiast and the general professional workstation markets. AMDs chipsets on the other hand, are targeted strictly towards high-end workstations and server platforms.
A product shot of a sample nForce3 motherboard
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