Freeware utility developed by VIA analyzes HyperTransport link on AMD64 architecture supporting motherboards, enabling users to choose optimal 16-bit/1.6GHz HyperTransport implementations

Taipei, Taiwan, 4 September 2003, - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today announced the free availability of the HyperTransport Analyzer, a utility that accurately measures and displays the frequency and bit-rate of the processor-to-chipset HyperTransport link on AMD64 based motherboards.

At full-specification, the HyperTransport link between the AMD64 processor and chipset allows for 16-bit data packages traveling at 800MHz both upstream and downstream, providing an effective 16-bit/1.6GHz data transfer rate for a total bandwidth of 6.4GB/s. To counter the massive data loads and high propensity for signal interference of a 16-bit/1.6GHz link, several AMD64 supporting motherboards currently available feature a below-spec HyperTransport implementation. By reducing the processor-to-chipset HyperTransport link to a 16-bit/1.2GHz or 8-bit/1.6GHz implementation to deal with signal interference, total bandwidth is reduced from 6.4GB/s to as little as 3.2GB/s.

VIA’s unique Hyper8™ technology incorporated into VIA K8 Series chipsets eliminates signal interference on the HyperTransport bus to ensure maximum signal quality, removing the need to scale down bus speed or data package size and ensuring that motherboards based on VIA K8 Series chipsets feature a full-specification 16-bit/1.6GHz HyperTransport link to AMD64 processors.

“Anything less than a full-speed, full-spec 16-bit/1.6GHz implementation of the processor-to-chipset HyperTransport link will clearly compromise the performance of AMD64 based systems,” commented Richard Brown, Associate Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “We believe that people have a right to know exactly what implementation of the HyperTransport link is offered by the various AMD64 supporting chipsets available, so they can make an informed decision and ensure their AMD64 system achieves its full performance potential.”

The HyperTransport Analyzer utility is available for free download from VIA Arena, VIA’s technical support and information portal at the following address:

http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=336.

Further information on VIA K8 Series chipsets for AMD64 architecture is available from http://www.via.com.tw/en/k8-series/k8t800.jsp.



About VIA Technologies, Inc.

VIA Technologies, Inc. is the foremost fabless supplier of market-leading core logic chipsets, low power x86 processors, advanced connectivity, multimedia, networking and storage silicon, and complete platform solutions that are driving system innovation in the PC and embedded markets. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA’s global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world’s top OEMs, motherboard vendors and system integrators. VIA is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE2388) and achieved annual revenues of over US$720 million in 2002. http://www.via.com.tw