Hmmm, Abit's nForce uses a Realtek NIC controller too...

[Strafe]

From the frontpage story. Does anyone know the real scoop on this? Is there a real problem with the nForce integrated NIC that no one is using or does the mobo manufacturer have to use a 3rd party controller to implement StreamThru? Anyone with an MSI know how that one works?

 

[gsiener]

Seems like they should be able to use Streamthrough with the nvidia nic. But it also seems like there are probs because of so many companies not using the integrated nic (Gigabyte is also using a realtek).

I really want this board though- I've been waiting for a mATX nforce for a long time, I've got this beautiful case just waiting for a mobo...

 

[Leokor]

People, this is so simple. nForce's integrated NIC *is* the Realtek! Or did you think nVidia developed it in-house? 🙂

The StreamThru technology does not depend on the actual NIC used. It is implemented in the chipset and applies not only to networking.

Leo

 

[Strafe]

I wish the answer was that simple, is that a guess? However, the Abit uses the Realtek 8201 and the Asus uses the Realtek 8139 which seems to imply something else.

Edited after your edit : I really would like to verify that, I didn't find anything in the documentation on NVIDIA's site. Where did u get your info?

 

[Leokor]

Here is a quote from Anandtech's nForce review:



<< One feature of AMD's Hyper Transport bus is the ability to support multiple virtual channels. We believe that a particular implementation of this is what NVIDIA is calling StreamThru as a part of their nForce technology.

StreamThru basically guarantees that regardless of what other demands are placed on the chipset, the devices that are latency and bandwidth critical will receive the ultra fast access and bandwidth to main memory that they need in order to operate properly.

Devices that are latency and bandwidth dependent are known as isochronous devices, those that aren't latency dependent (meaning they can be interrupted for a bit in order to let another device occupy some time) are known as non-isochronous devices.

An example of an isochronous device is the integrated 10/100 network controller in the MCP. NVIDIA's internal architecture, made possible courtesy of Hyper Transport's support for virtual channels, will allow the 10/100 network controller to always get the bandwidth and low latency access to the graphics, CPU and main memory that it needs to operate without any interruption.

This is what NVIDIA is calling StreamThru but really the technology is made possible by Hyper Transport. It is useful nonetheless.
>>



As you can see, the NIC is only an example of device that is treated as isochronous by the chipset. Basically, it means that one can slap any NIC, and make a good use of the StreamThru technology. My guess is that nVidia has an agreement with Realtek to supply NICs with the chipset. Abit simply got the newer version.

Leo