The nForce2 series was a great success for NVIDIA and they have continued to gain momentum with the nForce3 chipset. The latest addition to the nForce3 clan is the Ultra version featuring support for 939-pin processors. This chipset has a number of impressive features that are not necessarily found on all motherboards. Currently the only other serious competitor in this market segment is VIA and they have also had great success with the AMD64 platform. VIA was the first to present a viable AMD64 solution in the form of the K8T800 chipset.

The NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra chipset is difficult to label for a certain category or market segment as it can be easily adapted for a number of applications. For example, when using a 939-pin connector it is essentially a Desktop Performance Chipset, designed to offer the enthusiast the highest level of performance. As a result of using the 939-pin connector, this chipset will support Athlon 64 processors with a 128-bit Dual-Channel DDR memory controller that is integrated directly into the processor. However, it is also a Server/Workstation based chipset when coupled with a 940-pin connection. It will now support either single or dual Opteron processors, with a 128-bit Dual-Channel DDR memory controller that is also integrated directly into the processor.

Due to the memory controller being integrated into the processor, there is less the chipset can offer performance wise. In the past chipsets such as the nFoce2 and KT600 have been alienated by their memory controllers. For this reason I have been seeing very little variance in performance with AMD64 chipsets. If performance has been removed from the scene as a deciding factor for which motherboard a particular user should purchase, what should we base our decision on? Value and features of course, these factors should be considered when purchasing a motherboard of any kind.

The nForce3 Ultra incorporates native Gigabit Ethernet, providing over 200% more networking bandwidth when compared to older PCI-based Gigabit Ethernet solutions, yet uses 20% less CPU overhead in the process. The chipset features the industry's first and only hardware-optimized Firewall solution, delivering personal PC protection against network level hacking attacks, viruses, worms, and other common security risks, and additional advanced features, including anti- hacking features, logging capability, domain name filtering, and remote manageability for experienced users and IT professionals.

This chipset also provides advanced storage capabilities, including native support for multiple disk RAID environments, a unique "spare disk" feature for additional back-up and data integrity. There is integrated support for up to four Serial ATA and four Parallel ATA hard drives simultaneously, meaning a total of up to eight drives at once. Due to the increased popularity for Serial ATA hard drives, the ability to support a total of four is an important feature. The VIA VT8237 Southbridge currently supports just two Serial ATA ports.

Without a doubt the AMD Athlon64 has become the most popular platform for gamers and the 939-pin version has simply enforced its supremacy. Unfortunately, the AMD Athlon64 platform is yet to receive PCI Express support, though this will change in coming days/weeks. Nevertheless, Gigabyte is making the most of the nForce3 Ultra chipset with the K8NS Ultra-939 motherboard. This board is designed to offer the very best performance with every feature possible for the 939-pin platform at a very modest price. Costing just $110 US makes this performance motherboard a hot item.