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Athlon64 Motherboards and Computex 2003
Hello,
PCstats is live on location in sunny Taipei, Taiwan
for Computex 2003. Over 63,000 people attended this massive
technology showcase which was spread out over three buildings, and featured thousands of high tech exhibitors hawking the latest computer goodies.
Alongside the launch of AMD's Athlon64 processor, and Athlon64
motherboards, was some of the coolest technology yet to hit the stores. Nvidia's FX5700 NV36 videocard was one item, and we
have an exclusive look at this to-be-announced videocard just for
you. Asus saw fit to demo a concept board of Intel's upcoming Socket
775 Tejas processor; the replacement for the Intel Pentium4. Other than
the completely new CPU formfactor (the chips' pins have been replaced with
tiny solder balls), PCI slots are going to be replaced by PCI-express x1, and the successor to AGP, PCI express x16. ATI's PCI express x16 videocard was also exhibited - though not in a functional
computer.
 On the small form factor front, more than a few dozen new models were on display, each with their own variation on the tiny little hometheatre PC theme. That means we can expect prices to fall and the variety of features to skyrocket. SFF PCs now include MP3 players, dial-in overclocking, DVD, and audio playback all independent of the OS. Gigabyte even has a CDROM with a fancy car-stereo like interface up front! There is much more to tell you about, so grab a coffee, sit back and see PCstats' latest articles from Computex 2003. If the 64-bit Athlon64 3200+ is news to you, and you'd like to see how this brand new generation of AMD processors stacks up against the Intel 3.2GHz Pentium4, then be sure to read our review of the Athlon64 3200+ CPU here. If that wets your whistle, you can see the results for one of the few socket 754 Athlon64 motherboards available; the MSI K8T Neo. I got up close and personal with 44 of the latest Athlon64 and Athlon64 FX
motherboards on the showroom floor, and of course we can't forget the unreleased nVidia NV36 graphics processor that will soon be called the FX5700.
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 |  With
the K8, AMD has even more ambitious goals than in the past; they're simply
trying to revolutionize the computer industry. The K8 is the first
64-bit desktop processor which is fully compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit
software! With 64 bit software obviously
the way of the future, the Athlon64 processor allows users to migrate
their software over to 64-bit when they're ready. This contrasts pure
64-bit processors which translate into expensive purchases of new hardware
and new software. With the Athlon64 processor capable of running 32-bit
software now, you can even still use your favorite 32-bit applications
under a 64-bit OS later. Continue -- Click
Here>>
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Taipei, Taiwan in september is a warm and
perpetually busy place. Postponed from its original time slot in June,
Computex 2003 had easily put SARS behind it and the focus was now turned
to providing results. The last year has not been an easy one for the
computer industry, and ensuring that 2004 is, belies the point that real
jobs are on the line in the computer manufacturers. As the press milled about with their translators
waiting for the AMD Athlon64 launch to begin, two AMD models gracefully
showed off the tiny processors that have come to represent salvation for a
chip manufacturer that posted nearly $900Million in losses in the earlier
part of 2003. Also on display where a plethora of motherboards and a few
small form factor Athlon64 computers from Fujitsu, and other OEM
manufacturers. Already the
lifespan of the newborn socket 940 Athlon64 FX51 is in question, as there
have been announcements of a socket 949 Athlon64 FX chip in the very near
future; perhaps ready in time for the onslaught of DDR2-667 or DDR2-800
for the Intel Pentium 4 in Q1 2004 and Q3 2004 respectively. It would seem
to be the case, especially if we consider that SIS have road mapped the
SIS756 chipset for the socket 949 Athlon64 FX for March 2004. The SIS 756
will support PCI Express x16, and a 1GHz FSB (2000MT/s). Continue -- Click
Here>>
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 Walking by the seven story high poster of
"Dawn," the 'sexed-up' spokes-pixie for nVidia every day at the arrival to
Computex 2003 sets the tone for what has undoubtedly continued to be an
unabrashed battle against between nVidia and arch rival ATI. As it stands, ATI has the better mainstream
graphics card solution, and there are rumors floating around that it may
even be working on new GPUs to compete in the high-end workstation
segment. Nvidia on the other hand, has a larger profile to support its
products, and perhaps more resolve to snatch the 'best graphics card' title away from ATI.
On a side note, I'd be curious to know what
the Taipei NewYork NewYork is going to do with the 3/4-naked nVidia mascot
once Computex 2003 has finished. How much do you think that piece of
memorabilia would go for on Ebay to some nVidia fan? ;) Before we get too off topic, let's return to the whole
point of this report from Taipei, Taiwan; a little model number called
"NV36."
Continue -- Click
Here>>
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Which should come first, the
Athlon64 motherboard or the Athlon64 processor? The answer depends on who
you ask; ask AMD and they'll say the chip, ask motherboard manufacturers
and they'll say the chip.... wait, did I get that right? In spite of all the glory AMD are now reveling in
having produced the world's first desktop 64-bit processor, until January
2004 arrives, it is going to be darn difficult for consumers to actually
purchase an Athlon 64 processor by the sound of it. When asked how the AhtlonXP figures into the equation
now, Jacky Huang, General Manager of DFI estimated that there was still
roughly 6-12 months left in the lifespan of the K7 AthlonXP processor. Given the
excitement which has maintained itself surrounding the Athlon64 launch,
PCstats has compiled a comprehensive assortment of the many Athlon64
motherboards from over a dozen different manufacturers; and here they
are... 44 Athlon 64 motherboards! Continue -- Click
Here>>
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|  Now
that the Athlon64 era is upon us you will soon be bombarded with all types
of Athlon64 based peripherals. From motherboards to CPU coolers, a whole
new market has just opened and there's a void of goodies at the moment.
When it comes to motherboards, most
manufacturers were ready to go public last year with their Athlon64
products, but due to AMD having manufacturing delays, no one could release
their goods. After all how successful are you going to be at selling a
motherboard when the processor's are not even available? The
MSI K8T Neo-FIS2R is one of the
first socket 754 Athlon64 motherboards on the market, and believe me, it's
one heck of a package! Continue -- Click
Here>>
 Fresh
from penning our Firewall and Virus Alert article, PCStats would like to
present the second part of our beginners guide to the less savoury aspects
of the internet experience; dealing with the subject of "Spyware." If
you've installed a peer-to-peer sharing program such as 'Kazaa Media
Desktop' or 'Morpheus', or accidentally said yes to a 'Gator' pop-up, or
gone on an excursion to some of the darker corners of the
Internet, chances are your PC has developed an internet life of its own
through one or more spyware applications. Once installed, spyware software
can easily send any required information out to the Internet using the
system's current connection. Such transactions occur in the background and
are difficult to notice or trace, since most firewall hardware and
software, including Windows XP's built in firewall, does not interfere
with information going out of the protected computer or network.
Continue -- Click
Here>>
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PCstats Issue
No.105
Circulation: 269,340
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The High Tech
Low Down |
| Having just returned from Taipei, Taiwan, host of Computex 2003, I can confidently claim that motherboard manufacturers are worried about AMD's ability to satisfy demand for its high-end Athlon 64 FX-51 processor. Granted, the chip's $700+ price tag will deter all but the most passionate enthusiasts. But board makers don't like to hear that their Socket 940 motherboards may sit on store shelves indefinitely. Especially since the 939-pin revision, which doesn't require registered DDR memory, is set to appear in the middle of next year.
Of the many manufacturers I met with at the show, only a handful was willing to announce Socket 940 boards. The rest openly admitted that they were waiting for the Socket 939 refresh. Others were still up in the air, speculating that Athlon XP would inevitably move to the new Socket 754 interface for the duration of its life. If that occurs, most manufacturers indicate they will gravitate towards Socket 754 platforms that might support Athlon 64 and Athlon XP processors.
"What was the most bizarre rumor of Computex," you ask? Well, one manufacturer suggested that if Athlon 64 doesn't go well for AMD, we might see NVIDIA purchase the firm. All's fair in love and war, I guess.
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| Written By |
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Editor-in-Chief
. M. Page
Weekly Tips
. C. Sun
HTLD Columnist
. C. Angelini |
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