Tiny Tower
Yeong Yang is known for it's popular Mini-Server Cube. Now, they have a Tiny Tower, which looks like it's going to be just as popular as the Mini-Server.
You can use a Flex ATX or MicroATX motherboard in a Tiny Tower. ESC offers the case for $65. It comes with a 150 W SFX power supply.
Rolling Blackouts
Yes, ESC is in California. And yes, we're in a Stage 3 Emergency again. If you'd like to read the notices issued for today, check out www.pge.com.
If /when our grid is turned off, we will be back as soon as possible. Online shopping system should not be affected.
Gracie: Why are all the flashlights in the dog-house?
AJ (guilty look, shaking): I - I - I'm preparing.
Gracie: AJ, it's still day time! We'll have sunlight for a few more hours.
Which Boards Work With AMD's New Processors?
"Which motherboards work with the AMD Athlon processor? Which motherboards work with the AMD Athlon processor operating at 266 MHz FSB?"
These two questions topped our email and phone call list the last couple of days. Why? Motherboard manufacturers are announcing and releasing new product for AMD Athlon processors.
Overview
1. Current AMD Athlon processors use a "Socket A" to connect to the motherboard.
2. Computer systems using these processors operate at 200 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB).
3. Current motherboards supporting AMD Duron and Athlon processors use 168-pin SDRAM memory.
Changes occurring:
1. AMD will release an Athlon processor to work at 266 MHz FSB.
2. Motherboard manufacturers are designing product to work with Athlon processor working at 266 MHz FSB. (Late February to late March.)
2A. Motherboard manufacturers are designing product to work with a new VIA chipset, KT133A, which supports Socket A AMD Athlon� processors with a 200 MHz or 266 MHz Front Side Bus running at speeds of 1, 1.13, and 1.2GHz, PC133 SDRAM and VC133 DRAM.
2B. Motherboard manufacturers are designing product to work with a new VIA chipset, KT266, which supports Socket A AMD Athlon processors with a 200 MHz or 266MHz FSB, and supports up to 4.0GB of the latest high-speed DDR200/266 SDRAM at a peak bandwidth of 2.1GB per second.
2C. Motherboard manufacturers are designing product to work with AMD-760� chipset, of which the AMD-761 system controller supports Socket A AMD Athlon processors with 200 or 266 MHz FSB, and supports DDR-SDRAM at a peak bandwidth of 2.1GB per second. Note: Some motherboard manufacturers are using the AMD-761 controller combined with VIA PSIPC controller.
Today
As with all new product developments, changes in products are in steps. Today, we have motherboards that use chipsets designed to support future processors. Adjustments will be made to many of these products as the products mature. To use a cliche, change is constant. Little advancements are constantly being added to products to improve them, then there is a jump to the next product type and that product is then modified slowly. This hybridization, if you will, is the impetus of change in the computer industry.
Where do you go for information about which motherboards to use for which processors? AMD.
AMD has an excelent overview of System Integration Steps and Recommended Motherboards. You may see the Recommended Motherboard list at: http://www1.amd.com/athlon/mbl. This page is updated as product changes occur.
Which products are available today?
- AMD Athlon processors 200 MHz FSB
- Epox EP-8KTA3 motherboard - using VIA KT133A chipset and PC133 SDRAM
- FIC AD11 motherboard bundled with 128MB nonECC PC2100 SDRAM - using AMD-760 chipset and DDR-SDRAM
- Gigabyte GA-7DXC motherboard - using AMD 761 controller and VT82C686B controller and PC1600 DDR-SDRAM. This motherboard supports 200 MHz FSB only.
Why do some of the new products say they support 200 MHz FSB only?
AMD Duron and Athlon processors that are available today are 200 MHz FSB. When AMD releases Athlon processors with 266 MHz FSB to manufacturers, testing and product development will continue.
Some motherboard manufacturers will release motherboards known and approved to work with current processors then release a second model for future products.
For instance, Gigabyte's GA-7DXC is now shipping. A sticker is on the top of box marked, "This mainboard supports FSB200 CPU and DDR200 memory." Gigabyte and AMD have approved GA-7DXC revision 2.4 for use with the AMD Duron processor or AMD Athlon processors operating at 200 MHz FSB -- processors that you can buy today.
Gigabyte will release the GA-7DX revision 3.0 (or higher) motherboard at a later date. The GA-7DX will support the 200 MHz FSB, and eventually will support the the future 266 MHz FSB. Note: GA-7DX revisions may change and BIOS updates may be issued.
Which products work with Athlon processors 266 MHz FSB?
Good question. As products are released and approved by AMD for use with this future product AMD will post their recommended list at http://www1.amd.com/athlon/mbl.
Suggestions
1. Buy what you will use today.
2. As you are shopping, make a list of compatible components. Use AMD.com and motherboard manufacturers as a resource. (Use ESCstore.com too.)
Sample Lists:
Processor - AMD Athlon 1.2 GHz and Cooler Master fan
Motherboard - FIC AD11 motherboard
Memory - 128MB PC2100 DDR memory (bundled with motherboard)....
Or
Processor - AMD Athlon 900 MHz PIB (includes fan)
Motherboard - Epox EP-8KTA3 motherboard
Memory - 128MB nonECC PC133 SDRAM memory....
Take your time, read, ask questions, make lists. Then, when you receive your system you'll be able to plug it in and go.