VIA stellt Chipsatz für AMDs Opteron vor

VIA hat heute zum Start des Opteron von AMD ebenfalls einen Chipsatz für eben diesen neuen Server-Prozessor vorgestellt. Der K8T400M soll, zumindest wenn es nach VIAs Plänen geht, in Zukunft die Basis für AMD Opteron Systeme sein.

Die Northbridge ist dabei wohlgemerkt nur noch für die Anbindung des AGP Ports verantwortlich und stellt die Verbindung zwischen Prozessor und Southbridge her. Da sich der Memory Controller direkt in AMDs Opteron befindet, wird der Arbeitsspeicher auch direkt von diesem angesprochen und nicht wie üblich über die Northbridge. Alles weitere zu VIAs neuem Chipsatz, dem K8T400M, der für die meisten privaten Heimanwender wohl weniger interessant sein dürfte, entnehmt bitte der offiziellen Pressemitteilung von VIA:

The VIA Apollo K8T400M chipset is the foundation on which AMD Opteron™ Systems will be built. An ultra fast HyperTransport™ link to the CPU, AGP 8X, Ultra V-Link, Serial ATA/RAID, ATA-133 and USB 2.0 combine to make the K8T400M the most feature rich, scalable chipset available for AMD's eighth generation server/workstation architecture.

The first chipset VIA have produced for the AMD Opteron™ processors, the VIA Apollo K8T400M, includes a complete range of the latest I/O technologies. The chipset North Bridge exchanges data with the CPU through an ultra fast 800MHz HyperTransport connection and features an AGP 8X controller enabling K8T400M based systems to derive maximum performance from the very latest professional and workstation 3D graphics cards.

The K8T400M North Bridge is connected to a VIA VT8237 South Bridge through the new Ultra V-Link connection, doubling the capacity of previous Chipsets by offering over 1GB/s of bandwidth allowing the processor to exploit the full potential of peripheral devices. With dual channel support for Serial ATA in the South Bridge supplying 150MB/s of bandwidth, integrated RAID (0, 1, 0+1 & JBOD) capability, as well as up to eight USB 2.0 ports, the VT8237 offers the highest possible peripheral performance for professional and home users.

The VT8237 also features support for up to 4 Parallel ATA-133 devices, extending flexibility to the system integrator by allowing for mainstream or value configurations leveraging the existing technology standard. Additional features include a VIA MAC for 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet, integrated PCI support, VIA Vinyl 6-Channel surround sound AC'97 audio and an MC'97 modem. The VIA Apollo K8T400M also benefits from the VIA Hyperion 4in1 Drivers delivering seamless compatibility with the latest software and hardware.

Key Features

• Supports AMD Opteron™ processors
• 800MHz HyperTransport FSB
• Support for AGP 2X/4X/8X
• Ultra V-Link 1.06GB/s high bandwidth North/South Bridge interconnect
• VIA Vinyl 6 channel Surround Sound AC'97 Audio
• Integrated MC'97 Modem
• Integrated 10/100 Ethernet MAC
• Dual Channel Serial ATA/RAID (0,1,0+1,JBOD)
• Dual Channel ATA 33/66/100/133
• USB 2.0, 8 ports, UHCI compliant
• Advanced power management capabilities
• including ACPI/OnNow
• 578-pin BGA VT8385 North Bridge
• 539-pin BGA VT8237 South Bridge

Benefits of VIA Apollo K8T400M:

Unparalleled System Bandwidth VIA Apollo K8T400M Chipset leverages HyperTransport™ technology and VIA Ultra V-Link, chip interconnect technology with the bandwidth necessary to feed demanding enterprise class applications.

The latest I/O innovation
The VT8237 is the latest in a series of market leading South Bridge chips integrating the latest in I/O innovation like Serial ATA and features the industry's first integrated dual channel Serial-ATA RAID controller supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 0+1 and JBOD, as well as dual channel Parallel ATA-133 for backwards compatibility, giving system designers unparalleled power and flexibility in designing storage configurations.

Unified VIA Hyperion 4in1 Drivers VIA's unified approach to chipset drivers has been established for 8 generations of chipsets, allowing end users to benefit from high performance and seamless compatibility when using any Microsoft® Windows® or Linux based operating system.