MSI launched P965 Platinum and P965 Neo motherboards, which are made for use with 64-bit Intel’s Core 2 (Conroe) processors. Based on Intel P965 Express Chipset, the new motherboards support Intel’s Viiv Technology.
“Besides running at FSB 1066MHz and supporting Dual-Channel DDR-2 800, MSI P965 series motherboards fully support many Intel technologies, such as Fast Memory Access, QST, etc.” the MSI’s press release says.
ActiveWin reviewed AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ processor. They also installed Windows Vista 64-bit edition on PC featuring Athlon 64 X2 5000+. Here are some quotes from this review with links to its pages.
AMD has been the king of 64-bit computing for some time now and no matter what Intel has attempted to throw in front of them, AMD have hurdled over it. With the release of the new AMD AM2 Motherboards and processors AMD are now not only pushing the envelope on the 64-bit and Dual Core front, they are reducing the amount of energy and power that the processors take up, thus producing quieter and cooler PC’s. The big question is, has the wait for the new AM2 processors and motherboards been worth it? Do we see any benefit from using DDR2 memory compared to the old DDR2 on the previous Socket 939 processors, read on and we’ll find out. This review will also concentrate on the future impact the processor will have when used with Windows Vista, we’ll be putting it through its paces on the newly released beta 2 version of the upcoming Microsoft operating system.
ActiveWin: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Processor- Review
One major enhancement in Windows Vista 64-bit edition is that they provide much improved security features over the plain 32-bit versions. thanks to the No Execute (NX) technology and Data Execution Protection (DEP) which help to try and prevent buffer overflows that are the most common used attacks around today. So all in all everything looks very promising for Windows Vista performance on the latest AMD based processors, personally I can’t wait for the new operating system to come out.
If your computer is a workstation, then Cinebench is a great reference benchmark. The faster your CPU can render the image, the higher the score. The 64-Bit version of the program was used under the 64-Bit OS’, and made a very noticeable difference. Between Vista and x64 though, the performance difference is rather minute.
Super Pi calculates a specified about of digits past the decimal place. In our case, I ran the 8 Million test, which turned out to be in x64’s favor. Overall, x64 shaved 12 seconds off what the 64-Bit version of Vista could do. For minor multi-media benchmarking, I used Nero Recode to recompress a DVD video. I first extracted the video, in this case “Bad Religion - Live At The Palladium”, and used Recode to compress it so that it could be burned to a standard 4.5GB DVD.
The results are odd here. There was a huge hike in 64-Bit Vista with 2GB, but that didn’t happen with 4GB installed. In the end, x64 proved to compress the video more than 2 minutes faster than Vista.
Absoft Corp. announced it is shipping its Fortran compiler for 64-bit Windows XP and Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003.
Version 10 of the Absoft Fortran Compiler implements the complete Fortran 95 standard and is based on the same release that the Rochester Hills, Michigan-based company shipped earlier for Linux, the company said in a statement.
The new compiler supports 64-bit memory addressing available in workstation and server CPUs such Intel’s Xeon and AMD’s Opteron processors.
Absoft said that code generated by the compiler is fully source-compatible with Absoft 32-bit Pro Fortran version 9.0 for Windows and is designed to help migrate existing 32-bit applications to 64-bit Windows to take advantage of the extended 64-bit memory capabilities and performance.
The compiler is also source-compatible with Absoft Fortran compilers for Linux and Mac OS, supporting applications for all of those platforms from a single code base. Additionally, Absoft Fortran compilers are fully compatible with Microsoft’s .NET Framework, the company said.
MSI released 975X Platinum PowerUp Edition motherboard. The new edition of the MSI 975X Platinum is made for use with Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors. Based on the Intel 975X chipset, the new MSI’s mainboard supports Intel’s Viiv technology and has ATI CrossFire support.
MSI 975X Platinum PowerUp Specifications
Based on Intel 975X Express Chipset
Supports LGA775 Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme Processors
Supports 1066/800/533 MHz FSB
Supports DDR2-1066/800/667/533
2 PCI Express x16 and 2 PCI Express x1 slots
Support ATi CrossFire Technology
4+1 SATA2 3Gb/s Support RAID
Support 7.1 Channel Dolby MS HD Audio
Support Intel PRO Gigabit LAN
Communication Slot
Dual CoreCell on Board
A Viiv compliant computer is generally comprised of a dual core, 64-bit Intel processor running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition. The motherboard chipset must also support 7.1 channel surround sound. Like Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition, the idea behind Viiv is to provide for a better, more refined user experience when watching movies and TV on a PC, as well as listening to music, gaming, viewing photos, and the capability to access on-demand entertainment services that deliver content straight to your PC. Viiv compliance requires a specific set of hardware dictated by Intel Corp. Current supported processors include Intel Pentium D, Intel Core Duo, and Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition. Current chipsets required to achieve the Viiv experience include Intel Express 975X, 955X, 945G, 945P, 945GT, and Mobile 945GM. LAN connections include Intel Pro/1000M, Intel Pro/ 100VE, and Intel Pro/100 VM.
Viiv Spec’d Alienware Area 51 3550
So, is Viiv what it is touted to be? Or is it just another computer? To experience the Viiv effect, I took a look at one of the latest offerings from Alienware that is Viiv-compliant, the Alienware Area-51 3550 Media Center Edition. The system ships with a 2.8GHz Intel Pentium D processor 920 with dual core technology running on an 800MHz frontside bus, 1GB 533MHz dual channel DDR2 SDRAM, a 3Gb/s 250GB SATA 7200 rpm hard drive with 8MB cache and native command queuing. Graphics is provided by an NVIDIA PCI Express x16 GeForce 6600LE with 128MB RAM.
Here is a part of Windows Vista x64 review with link to full story. Vista was installed on 64-bit laptop and 64-bit desktop PC.
I have been running Windows Vista for the last couple of months now on my main work laptop (64-bit AMD Turion, 2Gb ram, ATI Radeon Xpress 200M graphics), which I am typing this up on now, and it’s been running on my Dual Opteron workstation (Dual 2Gz Opteron, 2Gb ram, NVidia 6600 Graphics) at home since I got it and 3 months ago. Since then I have had some minor issues with different builds, but the system works without flaw 99% of the time, if not more. There are some driver issues (namely lack of a sound driver and card reader for my laptop, and I think the issues with the noise from the Opterons may be caused by an older system driver), but this is to be expected for beta software. I haven’t had my system Crash fully in a while now with it running. I have had one or 2 graphics driver crashes, but this did not cause an issue because the graphics driver was unloaded and reloaded and the system stayed up, and everything where I left it.
There is not a lot about x64 (64-bit) I can tell you that you probably don’t already know, but the thing that interests me most about it is the fact that Vista is fully supportive of x64 (64-bit). With Windows XP, x64 did not ship at RTM time, and it was a different kernel to XP. XP was version 5.0 of the kernel, but X64 XP was 5.1, the same kernel as windows 2003 server. This is not a bad thing, as Servers are generally more stable then client machines, but it caused some issues. Also drivers where a problem. Now I know I just said I had driver issues, but if all goes to plan, these will go away. At the moment there are a lot of machines selling with x64 (or EMT64) processors, but a lot of these ship with Windows XP 32 bit edition. I hope that the release of vista will solve this problem and give us some proper support for X64 as a platform.
Tiernans Comms Closet : Windows Vista Review: Part 1: Stability, performance, x64
Synopsys, Inc. announced the availability of a new Sentaurus TCAD release that adds significant process and device modeling capabilities for accelerated development of advanced technologies, as well as full support for 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon CPUs. With continued device migration to smaller process geometries and new technology nodes, TCAD tools are essential for developing and optimizing semiconductor processes and devices, thereby significantly reducing technology development time and cost.
Increased computing power makes it less expensive for semiconductor manufacturers to perform large-scale TCAD simulations as diverse as deep-submicron 3D effects, CMOS image sensors, nonvolatile memories, radiation single-event effects and ESD protection devices, thereby helping reduce experimental costs significantly. The 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors offer the performance and throughput required to run large-scale TCAD simulations efficiently. Customers involved in the technical development in manufacturing can also take advantage of parallel computing benefits of dual-core Intel Xeon processor-based platforms with the Sentaurus Parallel option to reduce simulation time.
Synopsys Delivers New Release of Sentaurus TCAD Tool Suite on Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processors
Intel is ready to attain leadership in performance and energy efficiency over rival Advanced Micro Devices during the coming months, with processors that continue to be built differently than those of other companies, according to an official with the chip-making giant.
Speaking at a conference June 13 in New York hosted by analyst firm Bear Stearns Security, Dileep Bhandarkar, architect at large for Intel, in Santa Clara, said that when Intel’s quad-core “Clovertown” is released in the first half of 2007, it will be a single package of two dual-core chips, and that the chips will not have the memory controller integrated into the chip.
Intel over the past couple of years has seen AMD make inroads into its dominant market share, mostly by beating Intel to the market with 64-bit features and dual-core capabilities on its Opteron processors.
Opteron processors also continue to be more energy-efficient than Intel’s Xeon chips, though Bhandarkar said that gap is closing with the upcoming introduction of such dual-core chips as “Woodcrest,” which will launch June 26. He said Woodcrest will give users an 80 percent performance improvement over current Xeon processors while lowering power consumption by 35 percent.
AMD announced today that AMD Opteron and AMD Athlon 64 processor-based systems and AMD Turion 64 mobile technology have achieved YES Certification from Novell, further validating the company’s commitment to interoperability and customer-centric innovation.
Novell YES Certification demonstrates the highest level of compatibility and interoperability with Novell products, including SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. The certification assures users that systems powered by AMD processors are compatible with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and backed by support offerings from both Novell and AMD.
Windows Vista Beta 2 download is now available. The download is an ISO file of Windows Vista Beta 2, which is about 3.5 gigabytes (GB) for the 32-bit edition or 4.4 GB for the 64-bit edition.
There is also option to have the Windows Vista Beta 2 and RC1 DVD kits sent to your home or office. This option requires payment to cover DVD production, shipping, and handling costs.
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According to Edge Software, UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced Version 19 of Solid Edge(r) software, its industry-leading, 3D computer-aided design (CAD) solution.
* New 64-bit version - Solid Edge users create assemblies in excess of 100,000 parts, and the new 64-bit edition, introduced with Version 19, expedites the creation of massive assemblies and their associated drawings.
Hewlett-Packard has announced its latest generation Consolidated Client Infrastructure (CCI) Solution for key markets in Asia Pacific. The new blade PC based virtual computing offering will now be available in Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. HP said it will also enhance the CCI solution offering that is currently offered in Australia and Japan.
The new HP bc1500 Blade PC - powered by the AMD Athlon 64-bit processor - is a ‘one-to-one’ blade PC-to-thin client infrastructure based on the Windows platform in a geographically distributed environment.
“HP’s CCI solution can deliver up to 50 per cent reduction in the total cost of ownership(1) over a four-year lifecycle, while also maintaining a high-quality, personalized desktop experience for end-users,” said Joergen Jakobsen, Vice President, Business PC, Personal Systems Group, HP Asia Pacific and Japan.
The industry-standard HP CCI solution consists of an access device at the user site, such as an HP Compaq Thin Client, through which the user connects to a HP blade PC using a secure log-in.
The HP bc1500 blade PC features an ultra-low power AMD Athlon 64 processor that delivers improved performance and the flexibility to easily transition from 32- to 64-bit(2) computing.
Sophos has incorporated several new features in a security software package released Wednesday that allows network administrators to manage security for thousands of computers from a single console.
Sophos Endpoint Security can detect, remove and block adware and applications that may have been downloaded by users but are not permitted on a network, said John Shaw, Sophos group product manager.
The product is aimed at enterprises, as Sophos does not make a consumer product. Its customers requested adware and unwanted application removal functions wrapped in one product, Shaw said.
It also includes a client firewall that stops worms and controls unauthorized application communication, Shaw said. The firewall technology comes from Agnitum, a security company in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Endpoint Security includes Antivirus 6.0, an upgraded version of it antivirus software. Antivirus 6.0 receive regular virus signature updates for desktops, laptops and servers. Sophos says its antivirus product has technology called Genotype that protects against new threats by comparing them against known ones.
Antivirus 6.0 is compatible with 64-bit versions of Microsoft’s Windows 2000, XP and 2003 operating systems.
HP announced today its latest thin and light laptop, the Compaq nx6325. Designed for the high–flying road warrior, this relatively small and lightweight machine weighs a manageable six pounds (starting weight; actual weight depends on which configuration you select). This business-minded laptop is also one of the first to feature AMD’s latest Turion 64 X2 mobile CPU, a 64-bit multiple processor platform designed to compete head-to-head with Intel’s Pentium Core Duo chips.
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