News for the weekend
Poster: Aron Schatz
Posted on April 14, 2002 at 2:34:41 PM
I'll put this in one big news post.
Mikailtech, Epox 8k3A+ Get the Best Prices on the 8K3A+
The KT333 has been one of the most controversial chipsets ever, and this is mainly VIA's fault for not disclosing any information about the chip and for allowing the rumors to spread. Initially, the plain KT333 was supposed to be only a KT266A with DDR333 support, as it is in its current version. The KT333A, an improved version of the KT333 was to follow shortly, featuring AGP 8X, a new southbridge, VT8235 with V-Link 533MHz and USB 2.0 support, and, of course, improved performance. Later on, this year, the KT400 were to be the final chipset for AMD Athlon series, with support for DDR400 memory and AMD Thoroughbred (that's AMD Athlon XP manufactured in 0.13 micron technology). Before the actual launch, KT333A was renamed to KT333CE but the features didn't change.
AMD3D, Shuttle AK35GTR 2.2 Get the Best Prices on the AK35GTR
Following it's predcessor's footsteps, the AK35GTR revision 2.2 from Shuttle is a great performing board. If you own the original AK35GTR ... I wouldn't rush ahead and buy this board. As I've already said in my other KT333 reviews, the performance between the KT266A and KT333 is only marginal ... not enough to warrant an upgrade. However, if you're on a tight budget and thinking of upgrading from the older KT133/133A, and want to use an Athlon XP with DDR ram ... then this is the board to go for.
AMDWorld.co.uk, Corsair and Crucial PC2700 and PC3000 Memory Get the Best Prices on PC3000 memory
Drawing a conclusion for these two modules falls into two categories, firstly the PC2700 modules from both manufacturers offer the best performance in memory terms widely available what may dictate your choice is availability and reasons.
AMDZone, Falcon NW Mach V Athlon XP 2000+ Get the best prices on computers
Falcon NW started building high end gaming systems way back in 1992 that are custom made to order. Today Falcon is one of the top computer makers focused on the gamer market. So what is the secret to the success of Falcon? They build the fastest PCs based on the latest technology without the use of assembly lines. Yes, actual computer technicians build every box that comes down the line instead of temp or inexpensive overseas labor. Falcon has provided us with one of their Mach V custom systems for testing. This system is based on the Asus A7V266-E and the Athlon XP2000+. Don't fret however as the Asus A7V333 with the Athlon XP 2100+ is already available from them.
Gideontech, EL Custom Shop Lightstrip
EL Custom Shop adds in a lot of features that you don't typically see, like customized labels for the retailer, or in this case GideonTech. A fold out brochure with package contents, specs, installation instructions, and a few location suggestions.
Planet Savage, Chaintech 7VJDA VIA KT266A Get the Best Prices on the 7VJDA
The variety of KT266A boards really gave AMD a nice opportunity to popularize themselves in the market. The various Socket A chipsets gave users more options but in the end, VIA would again take the crown for the best performing chipset. Like the KT133A is to the KT133, so is the KT266A to the KT266 which is basically an improvement from the previous chipset. The KT333 is out but the performance gains are not that big yet since the FSB of AMD CPU's is still at the most, only at 133MHz DDR. As it stands right now, the KT266A is still a very good option to go for and now that the KT333 is out, expect prices of KT266A boards to become more affordable.
Tweaker's Asylum, Epox 8K3A+ Get the Best Prices on the 8K3A+
After looking at the diagram above, it's probably fair to say the "new" KT333 chipset is just a "tweaked" KT266A chipset. As a matter of fact, quite a few VIA KT266A based motherboards were able to hit 333 MHz and come back to tell about it. Luckily for VIA, the KT333 chipset doesn't appear to suffer from any major bugs, but then again performance could (and probAbly will) be better.
Overclocker's Online, P4 Nothwood architecture Get the Best Prices on the Pentium 4
I already told you that a Northwood P4 doesn't show that much of a difference compared to an older Willamette CPU, but then again, there are some major differences that we would like to discuss in this review. We'll also have a look at how the Northwood stacks up in our benchmarks. And what do you think about having a look at the architecture?
Mikailtech, Epox 8k3A+ Get the Best Prices on the 8K3A+
The KT333 has been one of the most controversial chipsets ever, and this is mainly VIA's fault for not disclosing any information about the chip and for allowing the rumors to spread. Initially, the plain KT333 was supposed to be only a KT266A with DDR333 support, as it is in its current version. The KT333A, an improved version of the KT333 was to follow shortly, featuring AGP 8X, a new southbridge, VT8235 with V-Link 533MHz and USB 2.0 support, and, of course, improved performance. Later on, this year, the KT400 were to be the final chipset for AMD Athlon series, with support for DDR400 memory and AMD Thoroughbred (that's AMD Athlon XP manufactured in 0.13 micron technology). Before the actual launch, KT333A was renamed to KT333CE but the features didn't change.
AMD3D, Shuttle AK35GTR 2.2 Get the Best Prices on the AK35GTR
Following it's predcessor's footsteps, the AK35GTR revision 2.2 from Shuttle is a great performing board. If you own the original AK35GTR ... I wouldn't rush ahead and buy this board. As I've already said in my other KT333 reviews, the performance between the KT266A and KT333 is only marginal ... not enough to warrant an upgrade. However, if you're on a tight budget and thinking of upgrading from the older KT133/133A, and want to use an Athlon XP with DDR ram ... then this is the board to go for.
AMDWorld.co.uk, Corsair and Crucial PC2700 and PC3000 Memory Get the Best Prices on PC3000 memory
Drawing a conclusion for these two modules falls into two categories, firstly the PC2700 modules from both manufacturers offer the best performance in memory terms widely available what may dictate your choice is availability and reasons.
AMDZone, Falcon NW Mach V Athlon XP 2000+ Get the best prices on computers
Falcon NW started building high end gaming systems way back in 1992 that are custom made to order. Today Falcon is one of the top computer makers focused on the gamer market. So what is the secret to the success of Falcon? They build the fastest PCs based on the latest technology without the use of assembly lines. Yes, actual computer technicians build every box that comes down the line instead of temp or inexpensive overseas labor. Falcon has provided us with one of their Mach V custom systems for testing. This system is based on the Asus A7V266-E and the Athlon XP2000+. Don't fret however as the Asus A7V333 with the Athlon XP 2100+ is already available from them.
Gideontech, EL Custom Shop Lightstrip
EL Custom Shop adds in a lot of features that you don't typically see, like customized labels for the retailer, or in this case GideonTech. A fold out brochure with package contents, specs, installation instructions, and a few location suggestions.
Planet Savage, Chaintech 7VJDA VIA KT266A Get the Best Prices on the 7VJDA
The variety of KT266A boards really gave AMD a nice opportunity to popularize themselves in the market. The various Socket A chipsets gave users more options but in the end, VIA would again take the crown for the best performing chipset. Like the KT133A is to the KT133, so is the KT266A to the KT266 which is basically an improvement from the previous chipset. The KT333 is out but the performance gains are not that big yet since the FSB of AMD CPU's is still at the most, only at 133MHz DDR. As it stands right now, the KT266A is still a very good option to go for and now that the KT333 is out, expect prices of KT266A boards to become more affordable.
Tweaker's Asylum, Epox 8K3A+ Get the Best Prices on the 8K3A+
After looking at the diagram above, it's probably fair to say the "new" KT333 chipset is just a "tweaked" KT266A chipset. As a matter of fact, quite a few VIA KT266A based motherboards were able to hit 333 MHz and come back to tell about it. Luckily for VIA, the KT333 chipset doesn't appear to suffer from any major bugs, but then again performance could (and probAbly will) be better.
Overclocker's Online, P4 Nothwood architecture Get the Best Prices on the Pentium 4
I already told you that a Northwood P4 doesn't show that much of a difference compared to an older Willamette CPU, but then again, there are some major differences that we would like to discuss in this review. We'll also have a look at how the Northwood stacks up in our benchmarks. And what do you think about having a look at the architecture?