X-bit labs

Asustek, Gigabyte to Start Producing New AMD Platforms in September.

Category: Mainboards

by Anton Shilov

[ 08/30/2007 | 04:01 PM ]

Asustek Computer and Gigabyte Technology, two large makers of computer mainboards, plan to release mainboards powered by Advanced Micro Devices’ new-generation AMD 790 core-logic set already in September. The new chipset will support innovative technologies like PCI Express 2.0 and will support AMD’s new microprocessors based on the improved K10 micro-architecture.

According to a news-story by DigiTimes web-site, mainboards powered by AMD 790 core-logic from Asustek and Gigabyte have already “delivered design verification test (DVT) samples” to the chipmaker. The new chipset will be launched in late September and the two of the world’s largest makers of motherboards will be able to commercially released new platforms soon after the formal launch.

Earlier media reports claimed that AMD’s RD790 north bridge supports HyperTransport 3.0 bus with up to 2.6GHz clock-speed as well as 42 PCI Express 2.0 lanes (two x16 lanes for graphics cards, one x4 lane to connect to I/O controller, one x4 lane for add-in boards and two x1 lanes for add-in cards). AMD RD790 is projected to be compatible with future microprocessors in AM2+ form-factor. The chip itself is rumoured to be made using 65nm process technology by TSMC.

AMD 790, which was originally developed by ATI Technologies, will be AMD’s first high-end core-logic by AMD in years, as previously the company relied on chipsets from companies like ATI (now part of AMD), Nvidia Corp., Silicon Integrated Systems Corp., Via Technologies and so on. The new chipset will support four-way multi-GPU CrossFire technology as well as CrossFire Physics technology and will pose a threat to Nvidia nForce chipsets for AMD platform. AMD790 will be the base for next-gen AMD dual-processor FASN8 platform for enthusiasts.

Officials for AMD did not comment on the news-story.