Here is some info from Aces hardware about Via roadmap: aceshardware.com
It originated here: ixbt-labs.com
For the Intel platform north bridges:
+Apollo Pro 133A will be replaced by Apollo Pro266 (mass production in Q3) and Apollo PX266 (sampling in Q4)
+Apollo Pro266 features DDR266 support, NB/SB bandwidth 266MB/s (V-Link), etc.
+PX266 is a high-end chipset for workstation, multi-processor server and high-end desktop, featuring up to 4 CPUs support and dual V-Links.
+Integrated solutions will include PM133, PL133, and PM266 with Savage4 graphics core.
+PL133 (sampling this month) is a light version of PM133 with no external AGP port support. PM 266 will debut in Q4 together with Apollo Pro266.
For the Athlon platform north bridges:
+KX133 will be replaced by KZ133 (sampling in May) and KX266 (sampling in August)
+KX266 features 266 Mhz EV6 bus, but otherwise similar to Apollo Pro266
+Integrated solutions will include KM133 and KL133 ( KM133-lite without external AGP, sampling in May) and KM266 (sampling in Jan 2001)
For south bridges:
+686A will be replaced by VT8231 with PCI-LPC, ATA100 support, integrated Ethernet and HomePHA controllers. VT82C686B (pin-to-pin compatible with 686A) with dual-channel ATA100 controller will follow in September (2000??)
+596B will be replaced by VT8233 with V-Link support, high performance AC'97 sound, Ethernet and HomePNA controllers, 6 USB ports and ATA100 support
It still looks like Via's commitment to bail out Intel is higher than commitment to AMD and Athlon, based on the fact that the KZ will only start sampling in May, KX266 in August, while they expect mass production of Apollo Pro 266 in Q3. Their Intel roadmap has a quad CPU chipset, while there is nothing comparable on Athlon roadmap.
Joe |
