Today Overclockers.ru described all R300-based variants to orient you in their diversity.

1. RADEON 9700 Pro: RADEON 9700 PRO feature only 128Mb memory, ATI reference design and 256-bit bus. All 8 pipelines are operable, GPU/memory clock is 325/620MHz. Nothing to remake, only for overclocking.
2. RADEON 9700: also feature only 128Mb; design differs slightly from RADEON 9700 Pro, though repeats it sometimes. RADEON 9700 feature 256-bit bus, all 8 pipelines work, leaving nothing to remake. RADEON 9700 have lower clocks — 275/540MHz. The o/c block can be removed by patching into the tweaked BIOS, enabling slightly lower o/c clocks than those of RADEON 9700 Pro.
3. RADEON 9500 Pro: feature own design, 128-bit bus, and only 128Mb for now. The memory has two banks like in NVIDIA GeForce Ti4600 and no way you remake RADEON 9500 Pro into 256-bit solution. 8 operable pipelines – nothing to remake. RADEON 9500 Pro GPU/memory clock is 275/540MHz. Overclocking block can be disabled by tweaked BIOS as well.
4. RADEON 9500 128MB: all known RADEON 9500 board have RADEON 9700 design. 128Mb RADEON 9500 feature 256-bit bus and the same 8 memory chips identical to RADEON 9700. The RADEON 9500 GPU itself is pared-down with only 4 pipelines left operable. The remake enables all 8 pipelines transforming the GPU into the complete RADEON 9700. The memory bus is left alone as it’s 256-bit already, but besides the re-soldering you will need to repatch RADEON 9500 BIOS for all 8 pipelines to work — RADEON 9700 BIOS fits nice.
5. RADEON 9500 64MB: feature the same RADEON 9700 design, but twice fewer memory chips. 64Mb RADEON 9500 cards have 128-bit bus and no way you double it. These cards have RADEON 9500 chips and 4 working pipelines. It’s possible to physically enable all 8 pipelines but, you must also change BIOS to work with the enabled half. Pity, there’s no BIOS found suitable for this purpose. Theoretically, in case of success these boards can be turned into something like RADEON 9500 Pro: 8 pixel pipelines, 128-bit bus. But unlike RADEON 9500 Pro, such 64Mb solutions will not feature 2 memory banks. [Our video section editor, Andrew Vorobyev, said that in order to make a card like R9500Pro 64MB from R9500 64MB (you won´t make R9700 because of the bus) one will need the R9700 BIOS changed for working with another bus and memory.]

The complete story with figures is here(in Russian).

Crusoe SE: Transmeta enters the embedded processor market

The new Crusoe SE (Special Embedded) will offer performance from 667 to 933MHz in low and standard power versions with low operating temperatures. Crusoe´s LongRun power and thermal management feature is present in the SE model, allowing embedded systems to automatically scale operating frequency and voltage up or down, depending on processing needs. (According to the above, this might be the modified Crusoe TM5800, I guess).

Crusoe SE will undergo more rigorous reliability testing to stand up to Transmeta´s guarantee of 24/7 operation for 10 years, and is it’s also guaranteed to be available in production for five years. Transmeta said the sample shipments have already started and approximately 20 embedded software and silicon vendors, including Microsoft Corp., MontaVista Software Inc., and Silicon Motion Inc. already show interest to these devices.

Transmeta hopes the low cost will be a significant advantage of the new solution. Typical embedded processors range from $50 to $100, and Transmeta said volume pricing for its 667MHz Crusoe SE will start under $50.

Transmeta mentioned about possible entry into the embedded market in October along with the announcement that Microsoft had certified Crusoe processors for the Windows CE.NET. Crusoe SE is designed to take advantage of the Windows XP Embedded OS as well.

Source: EB News

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies officially launched along with four new hard drive series

Actually, it’s not that new information except for the specified aims: HGST plans to release the industry-broadest hard disk lines for all segments from consumer 1" to server-class 3.5" solutions. Currently the new company has 5 development centers in USA in Japan, 8 production facilities in 7 countries, including USA, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Mexico, China and Thailand. The staff totals for about 21.5 thousand people.

But that’s only the beginning. Newly-born HGST has as once posted a number of press releases about new hard disk solutions.

First, the company announced plans to release 4Gb 1" Microdrive solutions with expected availability in the Fall of 2003. These novelties will utilize the improved Pixie Dust Media and feature CompactFlash Type II interface.

The next novelty from HGSÅ – 3.5" 15,000 RPM high-performance server-class hard disk drive — Hitachi Ultrastar 15K73, utilizing Pixie Dust, antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) media and fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) motors.

Ultrastar 15K73 specifications:

• 73.9, 36.9 Gb
• 1" in height
• 15,037 rpm
• 31 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density
• 5/3 glass disk platter(s)
• 10/5 GMR recording head(s)
• 250 G/2ms non-operating shock
• 15 G/11ms operating shock
• 2 ms average latency
• 3.9 ms average seek time
• 960 Mbits/sec maximum internal transfer rate
• 77.2 Mbytes/sec maximum sustained data transfer rate
• Ultra 320 SCSI and 2 Gb FCAL
• 750 weight in grams
• 3.6 Bels typical idle acoustics
• 4.2 Bels typical operating acoustics
• About 12W energy consumption
• Expected availability: Q1 2003

The next one is new 2.5" Travelstar A4K20 hard disk drives, designed specifically for automotive applications, with the expected availability in Q2 2003.

Travelstar A4K20 specifications:

• 20 Gb capacity
• 70mm width, 100mm depth, 9.5mm height, 107 grams weight
• 4,200 rpm
• 1 glass disk platter
• 2 GMR recording heads
• -20 degree Celsius to 85 degree Celsius operating temperature
• -40 degree Celsius to 85 degree Celsius non-operating temperature
• 100G/11ms operating shock
• 800G/1ms non-operating shock
• 2.4 Bels acoustic noise at idle
• ATA-5 (ATA 100) pin compatible
• Fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) motors

Finally, the new 1.8" Travelstar Compact Series C4K40 suited for a variety of mobile applications. Initially, Travelstar Compact Series C4K40 will be bundled with adapters for usual 2.5" form-factor.

Travelstar C4K40 specifications:

• 20/40 Gb capacity
• 1-platter — 7mm height, 47 grams weight
• 2-platter — 9.5mm height, 62 grams weight
• 4,200 rpm
• 67 gigabits per square inch
• 1/2 glass disk platter(s)
• 2/4 GMR recording heads
• 300G/2ms operating shock
• 1,000-1,200G/1ms non-operating shock
• 1.8-2 Bels acoustic noise at idle
• ATA-5 (ATA 100) pin compatible
• 29.9 MB/s data transfer rate
• 7.1ms latency time
• Expected availability in April 2003

HP Alpha 21364 first test results

Alpha 21364 were featured in 16-processor Hewlett-Packard’s AlphaServer GS1280. Packed into 1443-pin LGA, 1150MHz Alpha 21364 feature 1.75Mb L2 ECC cache, 64Kb data and 64Kb L1 cache. The front side bus provides theoretial 19.2Gb/s. Alpha 21364 processor core features RDRAM controller (8 channels per CPU).

The posted SPEC test results of 21364 processors were obtained in SPEC OMP2001 Suite, running OpenMP apps under Tru64 UNIX V5.1B (Rev 2650) + IPK.

SPEC OMP2001 (16 threads, 16-way)

SPEC OMP2001 (8 threads, 8-way)

SPEC OMP2001 (4 threads, 4-way)

Featured testbed configurations:

Source: Tweakers.net

About fake Athlon XP with 333MHz FSB

Personally, I wouldn´t accuse AMD packing pipeline, I guess such re-marking more often happens outside production facilities.

So, how do you distinguish a real Athlon XP with 333MHz FSB from a fake? The authors adduced two photos (fake to the left, correct marking to the right; click to enlarge).

P.S. Authors claim such fakes appeared after December 23, 2002.

Source: AthlonXP.com

Legend QDI releases S4LE motherboard on SiS651

Unlike the traditional design, CPU socket is turned 90° clockwise for better heat sharing in the processor area and in-case airflow optimization.

Being mostly aimed at OEM companies and system builders, the motherboard has mATX form-factor. QDI S4LE (Superb 4L series) brief specifications:

• SiS651 (SiS315 integrated graphics) + SiS962L chipset
• Socket 478 Pentium4 with 533/400MHz FSB, Celeron supported
• 2 DIMM sockets, up to 2Gb DDR333/266
• AGP 4x slot
• 3 PCI slots
• CNR slot
• 2 USB2.0 ports onboard, 4 optional
• 5.1-ch. Controller (only S4LE-6A)
• Southbridge-integrated 10/100Mb Ethernet LAN

Trident Microsystems announces new digital video processor

The sample shipments to OEM partners have already started. Samsung, Sampo and Vestel have already informed about intentions to release products on DPTV 3D PRO.

XG SSGS-500: 5.1-channel sound system from Monster Game

XG SSGS-500 5.1 specifications:

• Dolby Digital
• 5 dual-speaker satellites
• 6.5" 80W (40W RMS) subwoofer
• Max 130W (65W RMS) total system power
• Wireless remote
• 5 satellite stands + 3 wall mounts
• A pack of THX-certified cables (color scheme corresponding to console type: blue for PS2 and green for Xbox)
• The suggested retail price: $199

Source: Team Xbox

Telit announces two new MMS handsets: G80 and G82

Telit G80 has usual features including alarm clock, calendar, organizer (SyncML-enabled), calculator, games, measure converter, etc. It will have black or gray body.

Model specifications:

• Tri-band E-GSM 900/1800/1900MHz
• GPRS class 8 (4+1)
• 160x120x65K display
• Built-in 320x240 digital cam
• MMS (JPEG, GIF)
• WAP 2.0 (GPRS or CSD)
• E-mail (GPRS or CSD)
• Built-in GPRS / FAX / CSD for PC connectivity
• SMS, EMS
• T9
• Vibrocaller
• Voice dialling
• Three fonts
• Built-in barometer and altimeter
• 600mAh Li-Ion battery
• Up to 6.5 hours active operation
• Up to 160 hours standby
• 104x60x23 mm dimensions
• 96 g weight
• Approximate price: about 350 euro

Telit G82 is simpler, features lower-resolution/color display. The phone will have black or gray body with blue, black or gray buttons and front panel.

Model specifications:

• Tri-band E-GSM 900/1800/1900MHz
• GPRS class 8 (4+1)
• 126x96x4096 color display
• WAP 2.0 (GPRS or CSD)
• E-mail (GPRS or CSD)
• MMS (JPEG)
• SMS, EMS
• T9
• Vibrocaller
• Voice dialling
• Calc, three games, phone book
• Three fonts
• 550 mAh Li-Ion battery
• Up to 6.5 hours of active operation
• Up to 250 hours standby
• 113x53x21 mm dimensions
• 90 g weight (w/battery)
• Appromixate price: about 200 euro

Source: Mobil.cz

MSI to ship K7N2G-ILSR on NVIDIA nForce2 IGP

Brief motherboard specifications:

• ATX form-factor
• Socket A Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron with 200/266/333MHz FSB supported
• 3 DIMM sockets (up to 3Gb DDR200/266/333 SDRAM, up to 2 modules of 128-bit dual-channel DDR SDRAM)
• AGP 8x slot
• 5 PCI slots
• ACR slot
• Dual-channel Serial ATA
• 4 USB 2.0 ports (+ 2 optional)
• Ethernet 10/100BaseTX
• FireWire (optional)
• Bluetooth (optional)
• Expected availability in British shops: within four days
• Approximate price: 135 pounds (about 208 euro)

Source: INpact-Hardware

AMD K7 and K8 roadmap

• Thoroughbred-based: 2400+, 2600+, 266MHz FSB, 256Kb L2 cache
• Thoroughbred-based: 2700+, 2800+, 333MHz FSB, 256Kb L2 cache
• Barton-based: 2800+, 3000+ *, 3200+ *, 333MHz FSB, 512Kb L2 cache

* — K7 AMD Athlon XP 3000+ and higher (Barton-based) require special cooling (<0.60°C/W thermal resistance)

K8 roadmap:

• ClawHammer-based: 1Mb L2 cache, 0.13-micron, SOI
• Paris-based, 256Kb L2 cache, 0.13-micron, SOI
• San Diego-based, 512Kb L2 cache, 0.09-micron, SOI

Perhaps, AMD (after JEDEC adds DDR400 specs to DDR-I) will also raise FSB up to 400MHz (200MHz DDR).

Source: Planet 3DNow!

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