NVIDIA introduced the immediate availability of the new NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI media and communications processor (MCP), designed specifically for the new AMD Quad FX Platform. The NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI MCP includes support for NVIDIA SLI multi-GPU technology, with four PCI Express slots that can be used to drive up to eight independent, high-resolution displays for extended work spaces; and advanced networking and storage capabilities, including support for up to 4 gigabit Ethernet connections and 12 SATA hard drives for a combined 8 terabytes of media storage, the company’s press release says.

Additionally, the NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI MCP has been architected to take advantage of the power behind AMD Athlon 64 FX-70 series processors, allowing users to also run multiple multi-threaded, CPU-intensive applications simultaneously without compromising performance.

According to the press release, system builders currently offering AMD Quad FX Platform-based computers include Cyberpower, iBuypower, Maingear, Vigor, and others. Also, the ASUS L1N64-SLI WS motherboard featuring the NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI MCP is available now through the system builder channel and regular e-tail outlets.

NVIDIA

Kingston Technology announced the immediate availability of 1.15GHz and 1.2GHz DDR2 HyperX memory modules. “Kingston is first to bring 100% production tested PC9600 HyperX memory to market and is concurrently bringing new high frequency PC9200 modules to market,” the press release says.

“Achieving the highest performance possible has always been the goal of both enthusiast gamers and AMD,” said Reuven Soraya, director, chipset marketing, AMD. “Kingston’s new high frequency HyperX DDR2 9600’s (1.200 GHz) and 9200’s (1.150 GHz), in combination with AMD processors and chipsets take gaming to new levels of performance.”

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VIA Technologies announced that the VIA K8M890 and the VIA P4M900 chipsets, both featuring integrated graphics processor (IGP), have passed the Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit Basic logo tests. This certification means that customers will enjoy the assuredness of digitally signed drivers and the ability to update drivers distributed via Windows update. The testing involved in the certification program also confirms trouble-free installation of Windows Vista, including Ultimate, Enterprise, Business, Home Premium and Home Basic editions, the company’s press release says.

The VIA K8M890 and VIA P4M900 North Bridges both feature the VIA Chrome9 IGP core which provides DirectX 9.0 graphics support with hardware pixel shaders, supported by a WDDM driver for Microsoft Windows Vista.

The VIA P4M900 chipset supports up to 1066MHz FSB Intel processors including the latest Intel Core 2 Extreme processors, as well as support for up to 667MHz DDR2 memory. The VIA K8M890 chipset supports the full range of AMD Athlon64 and AMD Sempron processors, including those supporting the latest AM2 socket.

Both chipsets feature the Ultra V-Link bus for connecting to VIA’s feature rich range of South Bridge chips including the VT8251 which supports high fidelity VIA Vinyl HD audio codecs featuring up to 24-bit/192KHz audio resolutions and up to eight audio channels.

VIA Technologies

Velocity Micro, the custom-built PCs manufacturer, recently announced the availability of computers based on Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 and Intel Xeon 5300 series processors. The new Intel’s processors, which fit four execution cores in a single CPU package, can be ordered in Velocity Micro’s workstations and gaming PCs.

For professional applications, Velocity Micro offers the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 quad-core processor in its ProMagix W160 high-performance workstations, and the Xeon 5300 series in its ProMagix Plus W250 line. Velocity Micro will also offer Intel quad-core processors in its Raptor Signature Edition and Raptor DCX custom gaming PCs.

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The 64-bit version of Windows Vista operating system is for about 10.9 percent faster than 32-bit Vista, according to the GeekBench benchmark for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows platforms.

Both 32-bit and 64-bit tests were done on a budget AMD Sempron 2800+ powered desktop PC, featuring Asus K8U-X motherboard with 512MB of main memory.

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AMD today announced the transition to 65nm process technology, beginning with the immediate availability of energy-efficient AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core desktop processors. The AMD’s new CPUS are Athlons 5000+, 4800+, 4400+, and 4000+.

“The move to 65nm process technology enables AMD to produce more processors on a 300mm wafer, for increased production capacity, while continuing to aggressively scale performance and reduce power consumption. AMD processors built with 65nm line-widths are designed to deliver exceptional performance when running multiple applications, as well as enable small form factor PCs that complement both home and office environments. By mid-2007, AMD expects to be fully converted to 65nm production at Fab 36. With the rapid conversion to 65nm process technology, AMD is scaling capacity intelligently to meet growing demand worldwide for x86 processors”, the company’s press release says.

OEMS offering systems with 65nm AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors immediately, and beginning in Q1 of 2007, include Acer, Dell, Founder, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, Packard Bell, and TongFang, as well as leading system builders worldwide.

Pricing for the 65nm AMD Athlon 64 dual-core processors 5000+, 4800+, 4400+, and 4000+ are $301, $271, $214, and $169, respectively in 1KU PIB. For pricing details, please visit www.amd.com/pricing.

Press Releases

Technalign released its new Pioneer Linux operating system to the community. The first release is the 32-bit version to be followed immediately by the 64-Bit version. The released community edition includes many features found previously in Frontier and is available for download at the www.tapioneer.com. The Pioneer 32- and 64-bit include Firefox 2.0, Thunderbird and Kmail email clients, OpenOffice.org, K3b for CD/DVD burning and other.

Technalign has partnered directly with Canonical and is using Kubuntu/Ubuntu as the base. Pioneer is a derivative of Ubuntu and not a fork.

The commercial versions have minor differences between the free version. Individuals may choose from either the free version or a boxed set available from the over 600 Technalign partners in the US and Canada. The boxed set, of course, comes with support while the free version is supported via the community on the TaPioneer website. CrossOver Office is included with several of the boxed sets allowing the end-user the ability to run their favorite Windows applications.

Pioneer EX, or Extended, will be available in the next several weeks as a beta. Plans for Pioneer on Apple G3, G4, and G5 processors is expected shortly as well.

TaFusion

SiS today unveiled its latest SiS671 and the SiS771 chipset series ready for Windows Vista OS. The SiS671 series and the SiS771 chipsets are designed for Intel and AMD platforms respectively.

SiS chipsets for Windows Vista can be adopted in desktop PCs and notebook PC, and are compatible with both Intel and AMD platforms. “For desktop solution, SiS provides the SiS671, the SiS671FX, and the SiS671DX for Intel platform. The SiS771 chipset, on the other hand, is for AMD platform. As for mobile solution, the SiSM771 chipset is your best choice for AMD platform,” the press release says.

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AMD demonstrated Quad-Core AMD Opteron 8000 Series processors (codenamed Barcelona), “the industry’s first native quad-core x86 server and workstation CPUs featuring four processing cores on a single die of silicon”. The Quad-Core AMD Opteron is manufactured on 65nm silicon-on-insulator process technology.

At the annual AMD Industry Analyst Forum, a server powered by four upcoming Quad-Core Opterons was shown utilizing all 16 cores. “By delivering a consistent thermal envelope while adding two more processing cores, along with micro-architectural enhancements, AMD expects to significantly advance the performance-per-watt capabilities of AMD Opteron processors,” the company’s press release says.

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ECS Elitegroup has recently released ECS KN3 SLI2 Extreme budget friendly gaming motherboard for the AMD Athlon64 socket AM2 processors. It is based on the NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI chipset with support for SLI graphics, integrated 8-channel audio, DDR2-800 memory support, eSATA, SATA II and NCQ.

The ECS KN3 SLI2 Extreme can be purcahased online for around $120.
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