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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.


Ian's SGI Depot: FOR SALE! SGI Systems, Parts, Spares and Upgrades

(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]