MSI has launched its P965 Platinum Motherboard with ATI CrossFire compatibility. Based on Intel P965 chipset, it supports socket 775 for Intel Core2 Extreme, Core2 Duo, Pentium 4; FSB 533/800/1066 MHz and dual channel DDR2 533/667/800 memory interface up to 8GB. It includes two PCI Express 16X slots with 1x16 and 1x4 operations and two PCI Express 1X slot. It also can connect up to 7 Serial ATA II drives and 8 USB 2.0 ports and features a an onboard Audio codec Realtek 883.
MSI has launched G965/Q965 series motherboards with support fot the new generation Core 2 processor. The new MS-7241, MS-7276, MS-7278 motherboards support DDR2-800, the fourth generation graphics-Intel GMA X3000/3000 family, DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0. Check the specifications below:
ATI this week announced the Radeon Xpress 1250, a notebook-aimed Intel chipset, supporting Avivo architecture and HDMI interface. Formerly known as RS600, it carries a Radeon X700-derived GPU, capable of using 16 MB to 512 MB of system memory. The chipset supports up to 16 GB of DDR2-800 SDRAM and includes a PCI Express x16 slot. It is paired with ATI’s own SB600 south bridge (ten USB 2.0 ports, four Serial ATA 3 Gb/s, ATA-133, six PCI slots and high-definition audio).
Abit this week officially introduced its AW9D and AW9D-MAX motherboards aimed at Core 2 Duo processors. The maker also claims the two models are quad-core (Kentsfield) ready. Both boards are based on Intel’s 975X chipset, but the MAX version features additional Serial ATA ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet and Silent OTES 2 cooling technology in place of the older Silent OTES used by the standard AW9D. Specifications are the following:
ASUS has introduced three motherboads based on Intel’s G965. The chipset, aimed at Core 2 Duo processors, includes on-board GMA X3000 graphics and incorporates Clear Video Technology for enhanced 3D and multimedia. The P5B-V series - consisting of the P5B-V itself, the P5B-VM and the top-of-the line P5B-V DH DELUXE/HDMI - also offer a set of ASUS’ proprietary performance control tools (AI NOS, AI Gear and AI Nap). Specifications are as follows:
VIA today announced its EPIA EK-Series mini-ITX mainboard, packing a Luke CoreFusion processor running at either 800 MHz or 1 GHz, as well as UniChrome Pro Graphics (with MPEG-2/4 acceleration), six-channel Vinyl audio and hardware-based security (PadLock). Paired with a VT8237R south bridge, it includes support for 1 GB of DDR400 memory, two ATA-133 connectors, two Serial ATA connectors, one PCI slot, eight USB ports and Ethernet 10/100 or GbE LAN (VT6122). Power consumption is said to top at 19 W.
ASUSTeK and Gigabyte today announced plans to form a joint-venture involving its motherboard and video card businesses. The resulting company, which will operate under the Gigabyte brand, will become official on January 1, 2007. Gigabyte will hold 51% of the joint-venture with ASUSTeK controlling the rest. The deal will allow the mobo makers to fend off competition from other top-tiers ECS, MSI and Foxconn (Hon Hai).
ASUS has announced its new Republic of Gamers (ROG) enthusiast motherboard series. The first model is an nForce 590 SLI (AM2) dubbed Crosshair. Special features include LCD Poster, a diagnostic display which uses full text to describe errors, instead of an alphanumeric code. The mobo also brings 8-phase polymer aluminum electrolyte capacitors, back I/O panel lighting and SupremeFX audio capable of 24-bit/192 KHz quality on eight channels. It supports DDR2-800 memory, Nvidia’s SLI scheme (with full x16 speed), eight Serial ATA 3 Gb/s ports and dual Gigabit LAN. The Crosshair is bundled with 3DMark06 Advanced Edition.
ASRock has launched another motherboard based on VIA’s K8T890 “CF” chipset, which is very similar to the old K8T890, but officially supports AM2 processors and the upcoming Windows Vista operating system. The ALiveSATA2-GLAN upgrades the recently released AM2V890-VSTA by adding Serial ATA II and Gigabit Ethernet support. Complete specifications are as follows:
Gigabyte is now bundling a three-month trial version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0 with selected motherboards. The initiative starts with Core 2 Duo-aimed P965 Express models such as the recently introduced GA-965P-DQ6 (“6-Quad”). After the stipulated period users can buy the product in Kaspersky Labs online store with a 20% discount.
Intel has launched two mainstream chipsets that update the current 945 Express family. Both the 946PL and 946GZ Express support upcoming Core 2 Duo processors, 800 MHz frontside bus and DDR2-667 memory. The 946GZ also brings the new GMA 3000 integrated video. Other specifications include a PCI Express x16 interface, four Serial ATA 3 Gb/s, Matrix Storage Technology (RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10) and high-definition audio.
EPoX this week officially announced its EP-MD580 XR motherboard. It is based on ATI’s RD580 (CrossFire Xpress 3200) and aimed at socket AM2 processors. The RD580 is paired with the SB600 south bridge which solves some problems found in the SB450. EPoX’s board includes hardware monitoring software (Thunder Probe and Ghost Monitor), BIOS tool Thunder Flash, led debugging system (Ledion) and on-board power switch (EZ Button). Complete specs are:
Intel introduced today, at Computex, its first Broadwater chipset, the P965 Express, pitched at Core 2 Duo processors (Conroe). It brings some new technologies, such as Fast Memory Access (FMA), to optimize system memory bandwidth, and Quiet System, which promises to reduce noise and heat. Other specs include DDR2-800 support, 1,066 MHz FSB, PCI Express x16, six Serial ATA 3 Gb/s ports, six PCI Express x1 slots, ten USB 2.0 ports, high-definition audio and Gigabit Ethernet LAN. Diagrams showed that Intel dropped PATA and PCI support. The Broadwater model with on-board graphics, dubbed G965, should arrive soon. Conroe is expected to launch on July 23.
EVGA, which entered the mobo segment about a year ago, recently added an nForce 4 SLI model to its lineup. The NF44 (131-K8-NF44-AX) is aimed at socket 939 AMD processors and supports two VGA cards in SLI mode (but with just x8 effective bandwidth in each PCI Express slot). The Micro ATX board features diagnostic LED and on-board reset switch. Suggested retail price is USD 200. Complete specifications are:
ASUS this week introduced its P5W DH Deluxe motherboard, aimed at Core 2 Duo processors, featuring a series of digital home features activated with a remote control. The i975X-based model includes an on-board wireless connection (WiFi-AP Solo) and extended functionality even when the computer is turned off. The mobo also uses ASUS’ exclusive fanless cooling technology Stack Cool 2. CrossFire multi-GPU mode is supported. Complete specs are as follows:
