Sapphire Technologies today unveiled two graphics cards based on the ATI Radeon X1300 and X1800 XL graphics processing units (GPUs). ATI Technologies’s recently introduced X1000 series features the latest 90nm chip technology and has been designed to deliver efficiency and high performance in Shader Model 3.0, according to the company. The Radeon X1800 family now delivers the highest graphics performance with a new architecture featuring 16 pixel processors and a new ring-bus based 512-bit memory controller, claims the company. Sapphire will introduce several models based on the X1000 series, with the X1800XT and XL models at the top of the range. Based on the same architecture, but offering more affordable pricing at a slightly lower performance level will be the Sapphire RADEON X1600 series, according to the company. The company says that the RADEON X1300 line will deliver unbeatable performance for competitive pricing and that there will also be versions to support dual GPU operation in CrossFire systems. New Sapphire X1000 series graphics card breakdown Item RADEON X1800 RADEON X1600 RADEON X1300 Engine clock Up to 625 MHz Up to 590 MHz Up to 600 MHz Shader unit 4 12 16 Memory clock Up to 750 MHz Up to 690 MHz Up to 400 MHz Memory interface 256-bit 128-bit 64/ 128-bit Memory support 128/ 256/ 512MB 128/ 256/ 512MB 128/ 256MB Bus interface PCI Express Variable display output DVI/ VIVO VGA/ DVI/ TV out VGA/ DVI/ TV out Maximum 3D resolution 2048X1536, 85Hz (VGA) 1024X768, 200Hz (TV out) Hardware feature DirectX 9, Shader Model 3.0 Software feature Avivo Source: Sapphire, compiled by DigiTimes, October 2005 Sapphire RADEON X1800XL graphics card Source: Company Sapphire RADEON X1300 graphics card Source: Company

VIA Technologies today announced sponsorship of Team Jefferson, contenders for the US$2 million DARPA Grand Challenge 2005 autonomous vehicle race through the harsh terrain of the Mojave Desert from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Saturday 8th October with their VIA EPIA Mini-ITX mainboard-based vehicle, "Tommy." The team's vehicle, "Tommy", features the advanced PRI-MAX software navigation platform from Perrone Robotics running on Sun Microsystems' Java technology, powered by the VIA EPIA Mini-ITX mainboard. Together with UGV application software, Tommy is imbued with the intelligence needed to survive, drive, and navigate the tough DARPA Grand Challenge course, a VIA press release stated. However, survival is not easy in the Darpa Challenge. According to the latest news posting on the Team Jefferson website, Tommy suffered a devastating crash on October 3. But Tommy was brought back to life, with parts sourced from all over southern California and if Tommy could pass a 7:00am inspection on October 5, it would be the last robot to run in the qualifying event, and the only bot to run on Wednesday. News updates on Tommy’s progress can be found here. Team Jefferson’s Tommy Photo: VIA Technologies

Gigabyte Technology today introduced two versions of its flagship 90nm GV-RX18 series graphics card, the GV-RX18T512VB with 512MB of memory and the GV-RX18L256VB with 256MB, based on the ATI Radeon X1800 (codenamed R520) graphics processing unit (GPU). Gigabyte’s GV-RX18 line in two versions will be ready for volume shipment later this month, but a suggested retail price has not yet been set, according to the company. ATI Technologies announced the availability of its 90nm Radeon X1000 family worldwide yesterday. In addition to Gigabyte, other graphics card makers, including Asustek Computer, Micro-Star International (MSI) and Tul, have 90nm cards ready for debut. In addition to the GV-RX18, Gigabyte will unveil the GV-RX16 and GV-RX13 series, which feature ATI’s Radeon X1000 (codenamed RV515, RV530) GPUs sometime this month, said the company. All of Gigabyte’s 90nm graphics cards include an ultra-threaded 3D core architecture and full support for Microsoft Direct X 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 for better performance and graphics processing speeds, according to the company. In addition, the company said that its new series is equipped with ATI’s “Avivo” video and display platform, which enables PCs to connect all kinds of digital devices including home theater systems, LCD monitors, HDTVs, projectors and notebooks. Gigabyte GV-RX18L256VB graphics card Source: Company

Nikon announced the availability in Taiwan yesterday of two compact digital still cameras (DSCs) which feature WiFi capability. The 8.0-megapixel Coolpix P1 model is priced at about NT$16,990 (US$510) and the suggested price for the 5.1-megpixel Coolpix P2 is NT$14,590 (US$440). In 2005, Nikon is looking to grab 15-20% of the Taiwan DSC market, up from 12% last year, according to its local distributor, Lin Trading. Nikon Coolpix P-series compact DSCs with WiFi connectivity Item Detail Model Coolpix P1 Coolpix P2 Photo Effective pixels 8.0 megapixels 5.1 megapixels (effective), CCD sensor 1/1.8-inch type (8.31 million total pixels) 1/1.8-inch type (5.26 million total pixels) Lens 3.5x optical, 4x digital Screen 2.5-inch 110,000-pixel TFT LCD Memory 32MB internal, SD memory card 16MB internal, SD memory card Interface WiFi (802.11b/g), USB2.0, audio/video output Power Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (for up to 180 shots on a single charge) Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (for up to 190 shots on a single charge) Weight 170g Dimension 91×60×39mm Source: Nikon website, compiled by DigiTimes, October 2005

Micro-Star International (MSI) yesterday introduced the 915GM Speedster-FA4 motherboard for Intel’s Pentium M CPUs, featuring an Intel 915GM-series chipset, dual-channel DDR2 memory and SATA standard. The motherboard maker also debuted its P1-104A2 1U server based on the 915GM Speedster-FA4 motherboard for server use in the small-to-medium size enterprise and SOHO sectors. Measuring only 24.5×24.5cm in dimension, the compact 915GM motherboard can be assembled in desktop PCs or mini-PC systems, according to the company. The P1-104A2 1U server, with dimensions of 432×42.5×355mm, has two built-in Gigabit LANs providing 10/100/1000 Mbps of network connectivity over a single lane on the PCIe bus. MSI 915GM Speedster-FA4 motherboard Item Details Photo CPU 478-pin Intel Pentium M Dothan (up to 2MB L2 cache)/ Celeron M Dothan (up to 1MB L2 cache) Chipset Intel 915GM northbridge, ICH6/ ICH6R southbridge Graphics core Intel Graphic Media Accelerator (GMA) 900 Main memory Two 184-pin 333MHz non-ECC DDR DIMMs or two 240-pin 400/533 MHz non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs (up to 2GB) Slots Two 32-bit/33MHz PCI, PCIe x1, PCIe x16 Onboard LAN Two Marvell 88E8053 Gigabit Ethernet controllers Onboard audio Realtek ALC880 8-channel codec Onboard IEEE 1394 VIA VT6307 IEEE 1394 controller Dimension Micro ATX form factor: 24.5×24.5cm Source: MSI, compiled by DigiTimes, October 2005 MSI P1-104A2 1U server featuring the 915GM Speedster-FA4 motherboard Source: Company

VIA Technologies and Mini-box.com, a subsidiary of Ituner Networks, recently announced the VoomPC family of x86 car PC kits for the telematics market. Based on the low-power EPIA-series Mini-ITX mainboards from VIA Technologies, the x86-based PC barebone is specifically designed for the ultra-power sensitive conditions of in-vehicle applications, say the companies. With prices ranging from US$299 to US$399, the VoomPC barebone platform is ideal for automotive enthusiasts and vehicle manufacturers alike to integrate a wide range of GPS navigation, communication, entertainment and information functionality into private cars or vehicle-dependent professional service vehicles, such as law enforcement, rescue and commercial transport, where access to data on the road is essential, according to the companies. According to VIA and Mini-box.com, the VoomPC integrates the Mini-box M1-ATX 12V power supply unit to prevent system damage from power surges and eliminate car battery drain by monitoring car battery levels, even when the car is turned off. The VIA C3 processor provides heat dissipation to enable the VoomPC to consume between 15-30 watts, less than the dimmest car parking lights, claim the companies. The VoomPC also features advanced audio control, with 'anti-thump' technology that keeps car amplifiers turned off while the PC starts, eliminating annoying speaker thumps and pops, while the VIA Vinyl Audio Six-TRAC audio codec enables stunning six-channel surround sound for a more authentic listening experience with greater depth, the companies stated. Compatible with Linux or Microsoft Windows operating systems and built within Mini-box’s compact 21x25x6.7cm chassis, the VoomPC is equipped with rich peripheral connectivity, multimedia and telematics options afforded by the VIA’s EPIA Mini-ITX mainboard, including USB2.0, Firewire, Ethernet, PCMCIA types I and II CardBus interface for GPRS or WiFi, S-Video, VGA and six-channel audio, said the companies. The VoomPC Source: Mini-box.com

Albatron announced the launch of its K8NF4X-754 motherboard, which features the Nvidia nForce4 4X chipset and supports dual-graphics card solutions for the AMD Socket-754 Athlon 64 and Sempron CPU lines. According to the company, the motherboard is slated to hit markets in the beginning of November worldwide. Similar to the PX945P motherboard based on the Intel 945P chipset, the two PCIe graphics card slots on the K8NF4X-754 are comprised of one x16 PCI Express (PCIe) slot and one x4 PCIe slot, allowing users to install two x4 PCIe cards at the same time. A suggested retail price is not yet available. Albatron K8NF4X-754 motherboard specifications Item Details Photo CPU Socket-754 AMD Athlon 64/ Sempron FSB 800 MHz Chipset Single-chip Nvidia nForce4 4X LAN chip Broadcom MCSAC131 PHY (up to 10/100 Mb/s) Audio chip Realtek ALC655 I/O chip Winbond Smart I/O W83627THF Memory Two DDR sockets: DDR 333/400 non-ECC DDR SDRAM (up to 2GB) Expansion slots Two PCIe x16 (supports dual graphics x16+x4), two PCI slots (PCI 2.3 compliant) IDE/ SATA connectors Two ATA133 channels (up to four ATA 133 IDE devices), four SATA channels (up to four SATA hard drives) Onboard I/O connectors Floppy connector, four USB 2.0/1.1 header, S/PDIF in/out header, CPU fan header, two system fan headers, two 5-pin system panel header, 3-pin power LED header, front audio header, ABS header Form factor ATX: 293x198mm Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, September 2005

Epox Computer yesterday introduced the EP-8NPA SLI motherboard, which features Nvidia's nForce4 SLI (scalable link interface) dual-graphics chipset and is the world’s first SLI motherboard for the AMD Socket-754 platform, claims the company. In the SLI motherboard market, most consumers buy a Socket-939 board plus a 6600TD or 6600GT graphics card, according to the company. Epox said that the 8NPA SLI provides the opportunity of saving on the cost of the CPU and instead upgrade the graphics card for better 3D performance. Besides standard SLI specifications, the EP-8NPA SLI is also the first 754 motherboard to support SATA2 with RAID. Epox EP-8NPA SLI motherboard Item Detail Photo CPU socket Socket-754 Athlon 64/ Semporn up to 3700+ with 1.6GTs HyperTransport processor Chipset Nvidia nForce4 SLI System memory Two 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM memory slots, single/double-sided 2.5v DDR-333/400 DIMMs in 128/256/512Mb technologies (for up to 2GB) Expansion slots Two PCI compliant with PCI v2.2, two PCIe x1 compliant with PCI e 1.0a, two PCIe x16 compliant with PCIe 1.0a to support SLI technology (without SLI MXM connector) Connectors Ten USB ports, two IDE ports (up to 4 IDE devices), four SATA2 ports Audio 2/6-CH audio from onboard RealTek ALC65X AC¡¦97 v2.3 compliant CODEC LAN 1Gb Ethernet from onboard VITESS VSC8201RX Gigabit Ethernet PHY Form factor ATX: 305x225x40mm Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, September 2005

Asustek Computer on September 27 unveiled the DRW-1608P2S, a new Super-Multi DVD DL (single-sided double-layer) burner that will be available for sale under the ASUS brand name in the Taiwan market early next month at a recommended retail price of NT$2,100 (US$63-64). Pioneer will launch a 16x Super-Multi DVD DL burner in the local market next month as well, while Lite-On IT and Sony will do so in November, according to local retail channels. DRW-1608P2S read and write speeds Writing (burning) Reading DVD+R 16x DVD-ROM 16x DVD-R 16x DVD+R DL 8x DVD-R DL 8x DVD-RAM 5x DVD+RW 8x DVD-RW 6x DVD-RAM 5x CD-ROM 40x CD-R 40x CD-RW 32x Source: Asustek, compiled by DigiTimes.com, September 2005 The ASUS DRW-1608P2S Super-Multi DVD DL burner Photo: Company

Shuttle yesterday released final details of its newest small-form factor PC, the XPC SN26P. The XPC SN26P is powered by NVIDIA’s nForce4 SLI and includes full support for AMD socket 939 processors, SATA 3Gb/s hard drives with RAID, and gigabit Ethernet with hardware acceleration and firewall, according to company information. The compact PC has been approved to be compatible with NVIDIA GeForce 7 series graphics cards in SLI configuration, and will not require a specially designed SLI heat-pipe cooler as seen in prerelease models, said the company. The XPC SN26P has begun shipping around the world and should be available in stores in less than one week, according to the company. The Shuttle XPC SN26P Photo: Company