The ECS PF88 Extreme Hybrid motherboard enables the use of AMD and Intel technology on the same platform.
Long known as the 'king of motherboards, Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has again enhanced its reputation as an industry-leader by unveiling the hottest product at CeBIT 2005: The PF88 Extreme Hybrid with the SIMA (‘Simply Smart’) converter card that enables the use of AMD and Intel technology on the same platform.
Tech savvy end users have long dreamt of employing processors from both AMD and Intel on a single PC. ECS has made this dream a reality with the new PF88 Pentium 4 motherboard that can run both chips with a converter card (SIMA) for an AMD K8 processor. The SIMA card enables users to utilise the features of AMD K8 architecture on an Intel LGA775 platform without the expense and hassle usually associated with keeping up to date with technology. The PF88’s user friendly and flexible plug and play functionality allows users to convert to the K8 AMD platform without the need to remove their Intel motherboard. It’s as easy as plugging in a graphics card!
The first ECS motherboard designed for dual compatibility is based on the Intel P4 LGA775 socket. Including four DDR2 667 memory slots, a 1066FSB, SATAII, GigaLAN, and 1394a Firewire, the PF88 makes use of the SiS656 Northbridge and a SiS965 Southbridge. The SiS965 Southbridge is shared with the converter card, which is based on the AMD socket 939 and has its own dedicated SiS756 Northbridge, two DDR400 slots, power management circuits and a FSB2000T, all required to run AMD K8 technology. The PF88 motherboard supports the latest dual core technology from Intel and AMD. Furthermore, the P4 LGA 775 socket also supports EM64T from Intel.
ECS will release the new converter card to support AMD socket 754 and Intel Pentium M at the end of May. In the near future, almost all major types of CPUs will be compatible with the ECS SIMA card on the same platform. Better yet, this PF88 converter card will retail at a third of the cost of purchasing an additional motherboard and ECS will sell its PF88 and compatible motherboards separately to allow users to convert cost effectively from an Intel platform to the latest AMD technologies at a later date.
ECS is committed to developing creative ideas that enhance today’s motherboard technology, leading the way and setting high standards for tomorrow.
