[Future Technology Research Index]
[SGI Tech/Advice Index]
[Nintendo64 Tech Info Index]
[WhatsNew]
[Intro]
[Sys Desc]
[PR]
[CPU]
[RCP]
[GFX]
[Polygons]
[MIPS/MFLOPS]
[Res/Video]
[FPS]
(check my current auctions!)
N64 Controller CPU
The N64's main controller chip (MC for short) is a derivative of the
R4300i, from MIPS Technologies Inc. The R4300i is aimed at consumer
and embedded markets, but the chip in the N64 has been altered a
little from the usual R4300i design to tailor it for the N64 system
as a whole (eg. the clock speed is a little lower to match the clock
rate of the RCP).
The MC handles all general system functions and basic audio
operations. The more advanced audio operations and most graphics
functions are dealt with by the RCP. As far as I know, the MC also
handles data decompression from the cartridge; contrary to initial
expectation, the N64 does not have a dedicated data decompression
ASIC.
In the N64, the MC has a direct connection to the RCP (no glue logic
is used). Note that the clock speed of the RCP (62.5MHz) is a perfect
fraction of the MC's clock speed (93.75MHz), namely 2/3rds. This also
indicates a direct connection.
I'll add more to this when it becomes more obvious what people
actually want to know.
(check my current auctions!)
[WhatsNew]
[Intro]
[Sys Desc]
[PR]
[CPU]
[RCP]
[GFX]
[Polygons]
[MIPS/MFLOPS]
[Res/Video]
[FPS]
[Future Technology Research Index]
[SGI Tech/Advice Index]
[Nintendo64 Tech Info Index]