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The SiS 630 chipset, combined with an IBM PGA370 motherboard, represents a classic example of late-90s integration in PC hardware. Designed to cut costs and simplify builds, this platform merged graphics, audio, and I/O into one chip, reducing the need for separate expansion cards. It supported Intel Pentium III and Celeron processors on the Socket 370 interface, with SDRAM memory and ATA/66 storage options.
The integrated SiS 630 GUI graphics provided enough power for 2D applications and older 3D games, though it struggled with anything beyond late-1990s titles. For its time, however, this setup was perfect for general productivity, educational software, and even some light entertainment.
IBM’s implementation was known for stability and quality—common in business environments like the NetVista series. Expansion was modest with 3 PCI slots, and some models included an AGP slot for a GPU upgrade. Its major strengths were cost-effectiveness, integration, and ease of use.
Today, the SiS 630 + PGA370 board is valued by retro PC enthusiasts for its nostalgic simplicity and as a platform to relive early Windows and DOS-era software.
