Friday 17 February 2006

Samsung Developed 512Mb GDDR4


 Christo [PCD]    17 Feb : 09:01
 None    Hardware

amsung has developed the world’s fastest graphics memory - a GDDR4 graphics DRAM chip with much faster processing than an earlier Version that Samsung led the industry in prototyping only four months ago.

amsung has developed the world’s fastest graphics memory - a GDDR4 graphics DRAM chip with much faster processing than an earlier Version that Samsung led the industry in prototyping only four months ago. Designed with 80-nanometer process technology, the device has a 12.8GB/sec processing speed, 30 percent faster than the previous prototype, which allows it to transfer the equivalent of up to six DVD-quality movies every second. The 512Mb GDDR4 graphics DRAM comes with 32 input/output pins, each of which transfers data at 3.2Gb/sec.

In October, Samsung completed samples of a 256Mb GDDR4 that processed video (and accompanying audio) at 10 gigabytes per second. The computer industry is expected to greatly accelerate its switchover from 32-bit to 64-bit computing in the second half of 2006, which will trigger a surge in demand for GDDR4 chips.
[Submitted by tanka]

Thursday 16 February 2006

PS3 September release


 Christo [PCD]    16 Feb : 09:23
 None    Hardware

According to well-placed industry sources, PlayStation HUB will offer PlayStation 3 owners much the same services as Xbox Live, including chat, downloadable demos, independent games and online play.

According to well-placed industry sources, PlayStation HUB will offer PlayStation 3 owners much the same services as Xbox Live, including chat, downloadable demos, independent games and online play. The service is also designed to support PSP online play as well as PS3. It's a departure from PlayStation 2's online strategy, widely regarded as vastly inferior to Microsoft's.

PlayStation HUB is being described to developers as a 'subscriber service' suggesting a monthly charge. We understand the service is being created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, although this is unconfirmed.


Sony boss Howard Stringer is pushing for all media content to be available for distribution over PlayStation HUB, such as music and movies, thus opening up a powerful iTunes-like distribution network for Sony.


September launch

Developer sources are also suggesting that PlayStation 3 is currently scheduled to launch in September. A launch games release schedule seen by our sources states a September launch. Although the schedule does not explicitly state a hardware launch date, nor a launch territory, we understand Japan and U.S will both see the machine in September.

Some in the industry have taken this as a lead to speculate that September 16 would be a launch date in Japan (a Saturday before a national holiday) followed by September 21 in the U.S. These dates are not confirmed and, as always, launch dates are subject to constant revision.

A spokesperson for SCEA said the company does not comment on rumors. However, we understand Sony is preparing to announce HUB some time in the next few weeks.
[Submitted by RaZeaL]

Wednesday 15 February 2006

Intel Viiv Revealed: "Conroe" Not Compatible With Existing Motherboards


 Christo [PCD]    15 Feb : 08:31
 None    Hardware

Intel's roadmap reveals more about the Viiv platform, and Conroe's VRM problem

Intel's roadmap reveals more about the Viiv platform, and Conroe's VRM problem

Intel quietly released a list of Viiv specifications to its manufacturing partners last week. Intel's Viiv platform is an attempt to unify PC components into a concise, easily supported platform for media center PCs. Unfortunately, the project is already starting to show some missteps -- the Intel Conroe CPU, the workhorse of the Intel Viiv 1.5 and 1.6 platform, are not compatible with Viiv 1.0.

Documents from Intel mentioned that the next generation Intel desktop processor, Conroe, will require a platform refresh on existing chipsets. The upcoming Intel G965 and P965 chipsets will support Conroe, but any other Intel chipsets from 975X on down will require a modified VRM and BIOS updates. The VRM, or voltage regulator module, is the component on the motherboard that adjusts the voltages to the CPU. Even if today's chipsets are physically compatible with Conroe, no motherboard today will support the CPU if manufacturers followed the VRM guidelines set forth by Intel when those chipsets were designed.

The major software change to Viiv will be the operating system. Viiv 1.5 will feature Microsoft Windows XP MCE, while 1.6 will feature Microsoft Vista Premium. Windows Vista is due out later this year after the Intel Conroe processor launch. A footnote declares that the 1.5 Viiv software package will be available June or July of 2006.

Another new addition to the Viiv platform will be the addition of 802.11 a, b and g WiFi chipsets. The specification details that the 3945ABG or the 3965ABG WiFi chipsets may be added to a Viiv device and still receive support from the platform software.


[Submitted by Kcarrim]

1 1139985060 Intel

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