Via and S3 unveil chipset for mobile AMD processors
By Faith Hung, EBN
May 15, 2001 (9:56 AM)
URL: ebnews.com
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Via Technologies Inc. and S3 Graphics Inc. have introduced a graphics chipset developed specifically for the new mobile Athlon and Duron processors of Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Dubbed ProSavage KN133, the chipset is a fully integrated shared memory architecture (SMA) product, which targets the thin and light, ultra portable, entry level and mainstream sectors of the mobile marketplace, according to Taipei-based Via, which previously introduced chipsets for desktop AMD processors.
The introduction of the KN133 is aimed at competing with rival products of Intel Corp. and Silicon Integrated Systems Inc., analysts said. “Via is putting a lot of efforts in this new product, pinning hopes it will grab market share at the expense of Intel and SiS,” said Eric Chen, an analyst with SG Securities in Taipei.
Intel now owns more than 60% of the integrated graphics chipset market, while Via and SiS, based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, almost split the remaining market share, Chen said. Via is also the biggest competitor of Intel in the PC chipset industry.
Via previously launched three chipsets -- PLE 133, KLE133 and PE133 -- that have no shared memory architecture, analysts said. The products received a cold response from the market, making the new KN133 chipset important for the company in that business.
Wen-chi Chen, president and chief executive of Via, said the KN133 "is the first of many leadership SMA products to come from Via for the laptop market place."
SMA features, which include low power consumption and an integrated memory configuration, save real estate on the motherboard, reduce thermal considerations and reduce cost, the statement said. The features enable the manufacturing of smaller, thinner and lighter laptops with increased battery life.
The KN133 combines 2D/3D graphics capabilities of the S3 Savage4 graphics core with Via's KT133A's North Bridge features, such as 200/266MHz Front Side Bus and PC100/133MHz SDRAM support, it said.
The KN133 chipset brings mobile attributes such as integrated DSTN support, integrated Dual Channel LVDS, full PowerNow 2.0 support, and is configured for AMD's new lower voltage processors. |
