Last Athlon XP Socket A Chipset.

[Birdman]

Via started off strong with the KT133A and then the ddr supporting KT266A.

 

 

Then came the KT333 and KT400.

 

These chipsets along with others along the way helped VIA be a strong contender for the largest maker of AMD chipsets around. Nvidia stole all the glory in the end though with the Nforce 2 and Nforce 2 ultra 400.

 

VIA looks to be making a final stand(a lil late but itll work) in order to show they still care about what is now considered a budget platform.

 

If its anything like the original KT266A then the boards based on this new chipset will be a great way to end the Socket A platform.

 

Good luck to VIA on this new release.

 

http://www.via.com.tw/en/Digital%20Library...040212KT800.jsp

 

"About the VIA KT880 Chipset with DualStream64

The VIA KT880 chipset brings DualStream64â„¢ dual channel DDR400 memory performance and VIA VT8237 South Bridge connectivity to the AMD Athlon XP processor platform. Building on the market leading position of the VIA KT Series, the KT880 offers additional category-leading features such as AGP 8X, 400MHz FSB, Native Serial ATA/RAID, in addition to 8-channel audio and Gigabit Ethernet when paired with VIA companion controllers.

 

The VIA DualStream64 dual channel DDR400 memory controller achieves impressive memory bandwidths of up to 6,400 MB/s by harnessing intuitive technologies such as an enhanced data prefetch protocol, improved memory branch prediction with a larger on-chip branch table, and tighter read/write turn-around for improved clock timings. Furthermore, the high throughput V-Link North/South Bridge interconnect enables a 533MB/s link with the VT8237 South Bridge, allowing maximum system flexibility and optimization options, as is often demanded by today's power users.

 

In combination with the acclaimed VIA VT8237 South Bridge, the VIA KT880 offers the most complete range of storage, multimedia and connectivity features for the AMD Athlon XP processor. In addition to enabling native support for two Serial ATA Hard Drives, as well as up to four IDE devices, the VIA DriveStation Controller Suite provides optimal data transfer rates and data integrity through V-RAID, a revolutionary integrated RAID controller with support for RAID Level 0, RAID Level 1, RAID 0+1, and JBOD configurations.

 

The VT8237 also features the VIA Vinyl Multichannel Audio Suite for superlative 6-channel and 8-channel immersion audio support, while VIA's Advanced Connectivity Suite offers a host of high-bandwidth connectivity options, including support for the VIA Gigabit Ethernet companion controller, integrated 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet and up to eight high-speed USB 2.0 ports.

 

The VIA KT880 is part of VIA's unique Modular Architecture Platform (V-MAP) that reduces design times and shortens time-to-market for motherboard partners through pin-compatibility with VIA core-logic solutions, and allows motherboard partners to cover multiple market segments with a single design"

 

 

This thing should be cheaper than the nforce 2 boards and offer the same performance.

 

Cant wait to see some reviews.

It better not suck like the KT600, KT400A, KT133, and the KT266 though.

[All Kill3r]

This thing should be cheaper than the nforce 2 boards and offer the same performance.

 

i would hope so lol. coming this late to the game they are going to need all the luck they can muster... i personally dont know why they wasted time and money on it since its so far benhind Nforce already. Should have been working on and researching something better.

[Birdman]

It was prolly already in the pipes when the nforce 2 ultra 400 hit.

 

Not a bad move to release it though cause socket A will continue to sell for another year.

 

Might as well take the market over for that year.

 

And nvidia doesnt have anything planned that I know of, so it may be a good thing for everyone.

 

Unless of course the AGP and PCI busses arent clock locked, which would limit the ability for us 2500+ lovers to take cheap processors to high speeds on dirt cheap motherboards.