Tech News

• Dual-channel P4X600 and SiS655

  Published: Tuesday, August 27, 2002 | By: Dennis

  I knew this was coming but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. DigiTimes is reporting that P4X600 and SiS655 samples will be going out in September with an expected market date in the 4th quarter.
  
  Intel is working on a Dual Channel DDR solution according to their roadmap but have yet to finalize the release schedule.

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• Piracy, Windows XP SP1, and You

  Published: Monday, August 26, 2002 | By: Dennis

  Some information about the pending WindowsXP SP1 has surfaced at Microsoft in an attempt to field the question of, "What if my install of WindowsXP is pirated??"
  
  Here is what Microsoft claims will happen if you try to install SP1 on a priated version of WinXP
  " They will be unable to install the update until they have acquired genuine software and installed that software with a valid product key. Nothing will happen to their underlying Windows XP installation. Access to upgrades and service releases is a benefit that Microsoft offers to those who have acquired and use genuine Microsoft products only. There are no exceptions to this."
  
  Here is how you can tell if you will be screwed or not
  "What are the product keys that are affected by this?"
  We are not publishing the product keys themselves, however the product IDs generated from these product keys are (where X may be any numeric value):
  XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
  XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX
  The product ID can be found by right clicking on My Computer and choosing Properties and viewing the General tab.
  http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp#wxpsp1

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• Pentium 4 2.80GHz Released

  Published: Monday, August 26, 2002 | By: Dennis

  Processor reviews galore! Just about every hardware site on the net has posted a review for this new processor and only a select few even mention the other 3 processors in the announcement.
  2.50GHz 400MHz FSB
  2.60GHz 400MHz FSB
  2.66GHz 533MHz FSB
  2.80GHz 533MHz FSB
  
  So what does this mean for the consumer?? Faster, and yet Cheaper Pentium 4's. That us until the 3.06GHz processors are released which should happen in a few months.
  
  Here is some reviewage for your viewing pleasure.
  The Tech Report
  AnandTech
  Lost Circuits
  ]H[ard|(Opal Covered, Pinto)

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• Pentium III to be Discontinued

  Published: Friday, August 23, 2002 | By: Dennis

  Intel has finally decided to discontiune the Pentium 3 line of processors something that should have been done quite some time ago.

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• Chipset Makers Ready for AMD FSB Change

  Published: Friday, August 23, 2002 | By: Dennis

  "Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has reportedly decided to change the FSB (front-side bus) standard of its upcoming Athlon XP 2700+ processor from the current 266MHz to 333MHz, contrary to its previous announcement that it would not alter the architecture of its K7-core Athlon XP products."
  
  This is some pretty good news. Though it makes you wonder, did the chipset market drive this change? or was it something else?

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• Wanna Win a Motherboard??

  Published: Thursday, August 22, 2002 | By: Dennis

  VIA will be giving away 10 P4PB 400 motherboards as a prize for filling out a questionnaire. Winners will be drawn on Sept. 20th.
  
  For more infomation on the VIA P4PB 400 motherboard click here.

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• 3GHz P4 Requires New Powersupply

  Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 | By: Dennis

  The word from motherboard makers is that the 3GHz Pentium 4 will require a 70W onboard power supply, which means that current motherboard designs are not compatible with the new processor.
  
  "Requiring 70W power supplies, the new P4 processor is incompatible with present motherboards, which only support the 60W standard, board manufacturers said. For the technology update, companies need to change the on-board PWN (pulse width modulation) controller IC design from three-phase mode to four-phase. In addition, to pack in an increased number of components, board makers have to rearrange the circuit layouts as well."

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• New AMD Processors Released

  Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 | By: Dennis

  It would appear that more hardware sites received samples of the new AMD chip (XP2400+ & XP2600+) than did R300's (Radeon 9700). The word is these new processors are a milestone for the Athlon by being able to break 2GHz and still remain cool enough to run at 2.5GHz.
  
  The short list of posted reviews thus far.
  hardocp
  Anandtech - yes listed twice
  Hot Hardware
  amdmb.com
  AMB Zone.com

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• SiS 648 chipset Reference Review @ t-break

  Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 | By: Dennis

  This chipset from SiS is very similar to the VIA P4X400 they both support AGP 8x, and DDR333 but the SiS648 shines a little in the DDR400 realm.
  
  "Look at those DR400 memory scores! They're very close to 32bit RDRAM 1066 and faster than all other chipsets at DDR333. Performance at DDR333 was just about average on the 648."
  
  They seem impressed.

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• Radeon 9700 Release Day

  Published: Monday, August 19, 2002 | By: Dennis

  Hardware sites across the net lucky enough to obtain the awesome Radeon 9700 have released their reviews. The first to be linked here is the "always good" review by Anandtech.
  
  As usual some sites are pretty slow today so, if you come across some other 9700 reviews send them in and we'll make a collection.

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