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| current news on whatisnew.com
Thursday April 30, 1998
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We added the Procase
968A to our product line. This enclosure has three 3.5-inch exposed drive bays
as well as three 5.25-inch exposed drive bays. The unit includes a 300 Watt UL
approved ATX power supply. When you purchase a barebone system, we will include a
ball-bearing, auxillary fan. [Hint: Intel is also considering this enclosure
for it's barebone system.]
Note: The fourth DIMM socket on the ABIT BX6 cannot be used if
you have an In-Win mid tower. Our suggestion is to use the Procase 968A.
We are reviewing the Addtronics ET-7890A-300A for Entry level server
environments. Seven auxillary fans can be added to this enclosure. There is
also an optional redundant 300-watt ATX power supply available.
We have stock on the ABIT BX6, ASUS P2B, and SE440BX motherboards.
We still do not have an ETA for the ASUS P2B-S and P2B-DS
motherboards. [Did you know? There is one new piece of test equipment in
Taiwan that all Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers are trying to use. This has
delayed many companies from releasing Intel 440BX AGPset product.]
Crucial Technologies states that they are several weeks (plural)
from 32 MB ECC, PC100 SDRAM
We are still reviewing motherboards for the AMD K6-300 PIB products.
We have decided to only offer the processor with the purchase of a motherboard from
the AMD list.
ASUS TX97 series motherboards cannot use memory
socket 3 if you have a 64 MB or 128 MB memory module in either socket 1 or 2. |
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Wednesday April 29, 1998
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AMD
Meeting Update We met with AMD
yesterday and there are a couple of worthwhile items we'd like to review with you.
- AMD is a leader in this industry. They seem to
have a complex about this fact. Maybe it is humility. We aren't sure what we
were observing since being humble is rarely present in this industry.
- The people we met were relaxed, comfortable, and
honorable. We met wonderful people just walking onto their campus. Employees
who were outside relaxing were actually smiling. The AMD receptionist is polite and kind.
The people behind the products' designs were also polite and respectful. It just
gave us a warm fuzzy feeling. AMD is definitely a company about people and it shows.
- As a company, AMD has a policy for recycling
chemicals. That's smart. You need to know this because we happen to all live
on the same planet. And Al and Gracie happen to love their drinking water. Al
and Gracie claim that they could do without the bath water but don't believe them.
- AMD's headquarters is gorgeous. Al and Gracie
would love to spend some time on their campus lawn.
- AMD does not have a 0.25 micron K6/233 processor for
the desktop. People email us on this one all day long. No, according to AMD,
there was not a release of the K6/233 using this process. The best way to identify a
0.25 micron K6 from a 0.35 micron is the processor frequency. The 0.35 micron
processors are the K6/200 and 233 MHz. The 0.25 micron are the K6/266 and 300 MHz.
- Super7 starts with the K6-3D processor. AMD is
very excited about this product. Their excitement is infectious so watch for a May
release with dozens of major Industry backers.
- The AMD K6-3D is an internal "code name."
for the AMD 3D graphics processor The product release in May will also bring a branding
name. AMD suggests that we all watch for their press release next week for
the announcement of the new name. Is this a new strategy for AMD? No, as it
turns out, AMD was ready to use a brand name for the K6. At the last moment,
intelligence won out. We warned them not to go with Kumquat.
- The AMD K6-3D will add 21 instructions for improving
graphics.
The new 21 instructions developed by
AMD hasn't received enough attention. Legacy programs and new programs will benefit
from these instructions. The first AMD presenter slid passed the four times
improvement on the floating point. There wasn't an explanation. A second and
third time review of this timely idea, strongly suggests that AMD is onto something.
The Floating Point portion of the x86 processors has
been based on the x87. Intel added 57 instructions to the processor in order to
improve graphic pixel rendering. They coined these extensions MMX Technology.
AMD has a cross license and also uses the same 57 MMX instructions in the K6 processors.
The limitation of these extensions is in the history
of the x87 design. If you recall, some press was given to the Floating Point to
Integer math "context switching" required of the processor (and programmers'
implementation in order to take advantage of MMX.). Well, AMD has attacked the graphics
"bottleneck" a bit differently. They decided to improve the processor
prior to the Graphics accelerators, rather than try to replace them.
By using 2 operations (32-bit) in one 64 bit
register, and 2 pipelines, the AMD K6-3D will be able to improve their graphics
performance dramatically. There won't be any context switching between floating
point and integer math. That should get some programmers excited. There isn't
any overlap with the MMX technology. There also isn't any overlap with the Intel Katmai
Instructions that will be out in 1999.
The proof of a performance increase will be in the
final product - but the idea is exciting. Because these instructions are
"open" to their competitors, AMD demonstrated leadership. Cyrix and IDT
have stated they will work with the extensions. The "other" company
declined.
- Frontside, Backside, Upside, and Downside. 100
MHz Frontside Bus is the marketing term used by Intel to
promote their 100 MHz Bus. As you know, the L2 cache for the Pentium II runs at half
the speed of the core. The 100 MHz is the frequency from the processor to the main
system memory. The Downside to using the term "Frontside"
is the marketing nightmare. Do we really know what Intel is describing as a
Frontside 100 MHz bus? The "100 MHz" Backside bus
will be available from Intel on the Slot 2 processors. On Slot 2 processors, the L2
cache will be running the same speed as the core. On the Upside,
AMD happens to be in a good marketing position. Their 100 MHz bus will be for the
processor and the L2 cache. Yes, AMD has the Upside, the Downside, the Frontside,
and the Backside all on their side.
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Tuesday April 28, 1998
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AMD
Meeting Good morning. There will
be a short meeting with AMD this morning. Hopefully we will be provided with a more
clear picture of their roadmap as well as an idea of a time frame for their newer
products. We'll let you know.
New retention mechanism:
Intel will be changing all boxed AL440LX motherboard
product codes. At the end of April boxed AL440LX product codes will end with a
"C". The "C" indicates that the product includes the retention
mechanism required for the Intel Celeron processor in addition to the mechanism for the
Intel Pentium II processor. There is not a functional change to the motherboard with this
product code change.
To use the Celeron processor with these AL440LXC boards,
the BIOS needs to be upgraded to version P08 or higher.
Al and
Gracie have been reading the multiple Internet and TV headlines relating "Gorilla not impressed
with Net chat". Koko, a 26-year old, lowland gorilla, represented her species in
a unique Internet chat session. Dr. Patterson and the Gorilla
Foundation have been working with Koko and Michael trying to find a common way to
communicate. Koko and Michael know, understand, and use modified American Sign Language.
Using the Internet for a 'chat session' was an impressive way to help people who aren't
actively involved in behavioral research to learn more about the capabilities of other
animals in our world.
Here are a few places where you can learn more about other
primate behavior research:
Primate Info Net;
Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute; Jane Goodall Institute; Mountain Gorilla
Protection Project; La Suerte
Biological Field Station; Language in Apes; Discovery
Channel on The Think Tank; National Zoo; Yerkes; Language
Research Center
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Monday April 27, 1998
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Do
computers boost productivity? The
author of this article argues that the rapid growth of the economy as portrayed by Wired
magazine is fictional. A computer cannot increase productivity because it cannot
innovate. The economy cannot expand because there is no innovation. Well, you
can read it and decide for yourself.
The Web of the living dead
After installing and reinstalling, changing links
and fixing broken links ... we agree with this author. It's important for all of us
to clean up after ourselves. Please hang in there while we continue to fix our
links. Yes, some of the information is old. Some of the information you've
never seen before because it hasn't been linked in properly. For those of you
requesting more text and less graphics, we are listening to you. The technical
support website is slowly being updated with text only. The graphic will be a
thumbnail of the image. Do you have any
other ideas?
Pentium II Outpaces AMD K6
In March (techweb) |
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Sunday April 26, 1998
Saturday April 25, 1998
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New AMD chip to wait for fast bus The K6 3D processor, Advanced Micro Devices' next great hope for market share,
will debut at the E3 conference May 28, but the
chip's full potential may be delayed because of part problems.
This email is from Andrew Paul, Corsair Memory.
We hope it clarifies the issues on Samsung -GL and -GH parts.
There appears to be some confusion about memory/module
requirements of the new generation of motherboards using the Intel BX chip set to operate
at 100 MHz. I would like to send this letter to clarify Corsair's strict compliance to all
Intel specifications issued with regard to PC100 SDRAM modules.
- Intel issued a PC100 SDRAM Component Specification calling out
requirements for the memory chips used on PC100 modules.
- Chip vendors, including Samsung, created new parts in strict
compliance with this specification. These parts are neither -10 or -8 components. In fact,
PC100 SDRAM memory chips have some characteristics of both speed bins. Samsung calls their
new speed bins -L and -H.
- PC100 modules can meet the specification using -8, -H, or -L
components.
- Consider Samsung memory components and modules as an example
(You can obtain all of their data sheets on both memory components and modules at their
web site to confirm everything that I summarize in this E-Mail). The web site location is:
http://www.samsungsemi.com/Products/dram/mo_sync_d.html
On page 7 of this data sheet there is a table of module
performance characteristics for various speed SDRAM chips. The top two lines of this
table clearly show that
- -8 and -L chips can only function at clock cycle times of 10
ns. (100 MHz) with CAS latency 3. The -8 can, however, run at 8 ns. clock cycle
times (also at CAS latency 3). This is irrelevant because the BX motherboards operate only
up to 100 MHz. Neither chip can function with CAS latency 2 at 10 ns. (100 MHz) clocks.
- -H chips can function with CAS latency 2 at clock speeds of
100 MHz. They slightly outperform -L's or -8's at 100 MHz. The -H chips would offer
perhaps 1/2% more performance at 100 MHz, hardly enough to justify the added cost or
potential availability problems.
In summary:
Modules using memory chips with -8 chips and -L chips offer
equivalent performance (CAS latency 3). Modules using memory chips with -H chips are a
tiny bit faster than either of the above. We elect not to use -H chips because it would
raise the cost, reduce the availability, and offer only a marginal speed improvement.
Any module shipped by Corsair with a -BX suffix on the Part #
is fully compliant with the Intel PC100 specification for SDRAM modules. |
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Friday April 24, 1998
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USE Project
continues to expand. Field Teaching
Institute has graciously created a Computer
Buyer's Confidence Checklist based on the Uniform
Standards that we posted earlier this month. The founder of FTI created the R.E.A.L.
Scales used to implement state court decisions for the treatment of people served through
government funded programs.
"Field teachers have used tools of educators
in non-school settings since 1969." - FTI
Please send your suggestions to Hey, Doc! in care of webmaster@esc-tech.com
.
The new shopping cart is being uploaded. All
of our web resources are being dedicated to completing this installation.
Therefore we could not update this page yesterday. This also meant half of you
were still using the old cart and another half saw the new shopping cart. A third
half (*grin*) were lost while trying to move from one page to another.
All of the webmasters are
doing their best to correct all of the links. Please be patient. If you are
new to the ESC site - then we hope you understand that this is a major overhaul of
navigation. If you discover something isn't right, please let us know so that we can get it fixed.
If you enter from the wrong
location you can end up in a terrible mess. The best place to start is http://www.esc-tech.com . Please update your bookmarks.
Entering from any other domain name will cause you headaches. This will be corrected
throughout today.
While uploading
last night, several hundred people were online and either had pages disappear, change, or
appear in a strange format. It turns out that the main page was never viewed under
IE 4.0. Sorry, but we just don't use this browser. This led many people to
email us in anger or frustration. Please let
us know if you are experiencing any problems and we will try to get any problems
corrected immediately.
ASUS P2B Winstone 98
Benchmarks were completed. Using NT Server 4.0, Service Pack 3, 64 MB Corsair PC100
Compliant memory, ASUS AGP V3000 video (800x600, 256 colors), we varied the processor.
| |
233 |
266 |
300 |
333 |
350 |
400 |
| Browsers |
2.95 |
3.22 |
3.38 |
3.72 |
3.94 |
4.33 |
| Publishing |
2.38 |
2.57 |
2.69 |
2.85 |
3.13 |
3.39 |
| SS/Database |
2.22 |
2.36 |
2.43 |
2.5 |
2.63 |
2.75 |
| Task Switching |
2.26 |
2.39 |
2.5 |
2.61 |
2.77 |
2.94 |
| Winstone 98 |
24.2 |
26.1 |
27.3 |
28.7 |
30.6 |
32.7 |
| WP |
2.57 |
2.78 |
2.94 |
3.1 |
3.28 |
3.53 |
Yes, this section's format has changed again.
After a couple of people stated that the temporary layout is more difficult to read we
have taken their suggestions into consideration. If you have any ideas, then please
let us know. The idea is to get the database online so that updating can be faster.
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Wednesday April 22, 1998
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Title:
Product Availability Update
Source: ESC Technologies
Description: High demand for several products has continued. The
introduction of the Pentium II processors operating at 100 MHz has brought a strange
strain on LX chipset motherboards. Yes, motherboards using the LX chipset.
BX Chipset boards in stock
The following BX chipset
motherboards are available: Intel SE440BX, ABIT BX6, ASUS P2B. We are still
reviewing the A-trend ATC-6220.
These boards are being phased out:
GigaByte 586SG, 586SGX, 586SGM, ABIT PX5, TX5, AOpen AX6Lc.
Other product in stock
GigaByte 686dlx, ASUS P2L97-S
New shopping cart
The
revised shopping cart is almost complete. We have decided to add some javascript to
the pages. This has delayed our opening up the new site. However, we believe
that this will help navagate through the shopping cart. Our main concern is the
small percentage of people who still use browsers not capable of JavaScript. If
you are opposed to our using JavaScript then now is the time to speak up.
Special:
ABIT BX6 motherboard, Boxed
Intel Pentium II 333 MHz, Corsair 64 MB (one module, PC 100 compliant, non-ECC) $980.00.
Limited supply. Product can ship Thursday.
Questions of the Day:
When will Micronics release
their new BX motherboards?
The Redstone and Helios are expected to be
available late next week. The Redstone is a single processor Pentium II board. The
Helios is a dual Pentium II. We will have more information after the 27th.
When will Intel's N440BX be available?
We expect to see Intel's N440BX board
through authorized distribution after May 5th. The board will be offered in the $650 to
$700 range.
When will ASUS's P2B-DS be available?
The dual ASUS Pentium II board with SCSI is
expected to ship toward the middle of May. This board will sell in the upper $500 to low
$600 range.
When will GigaByte's AT BX board be
available?
GigaByte's AT form factor board is expected
to be released toward the end of May.
Al and Gracie went around their
neighborhood admiring all the roses today. There are so many varieties available that
they've had a tough time deciding which are their favorites. Al considers the basic color,
size, and fragrance. Gracie considers petal count, how long blooms last, subtle color
differences.
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Title:
Intel:
demand will return
Source: www.news.com
Description: The PC inventory glut and slower-than-expected demand will keep
a lid on second-quarter revenue growth for the PC industry, but it will return to form
during the second half of the year, Intel executives
said in a meeting with analysts in New York today.
roundup Intel is embarking on new initiatives designed to help PC makers
better estimate production and inventory needs. The chip giant plans to rapidly shift to
an advanced manufacturing process that promises to deliver 500-MHz chips in a year. Intel
also believes that the second half will bring a cyclical upturn in the market. Meanwhile,
Dell is phasing out PCs using the older Pentium chip in favor of exclusive use of Pentium
IIs.
Intel Scatters Chips Across
Enterprise (techweb.com)
Although Intel is expected to release its next-generation
chip, the 64-bit Merced, next year, 32-bit chip architecture will continue to be an
important part of its product line through the next decade, according to a report from
Aberdeen Group. |
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Tuesday April 21, 1998
Monday April 20, 1998
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Title:
PC Registered
DIMM Specification Revision 1.0
Source: www.intel.com
Description: Just when we were getting used to PC100 SDRAM. The N440BX server
motherboard from Intel requires registered DIMMs. Corsair is expected to produce
these modules.The registered DIMM specifications lists the requirements for designing
64 Mbyte, 128 Mbyte, and 512 Mbyte registered DIMMs. Registered DIMMs include a clock PLL
and register components to support up to 36 SDRAM devices on one DIMM.
[Intel] |
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Title:
Xeon Marketing Muscle
Source: ESC Technologies
Description: What were your impressions when you heard the brand name for the
Celeron and the Xeon?Xeon Marketing:
- Xeon ... Ya know... like "Ze On" button of the computer.
- Xeon ... That mighty woman of the Jungle. slobber.
- Xeon ... Why didn't they just call it the "Carrot"? Then we'd have a
whole salad!
- Xeon ... Do you mean the element?
- Atomic Number: 54
- Atomic Weight of 131.30
- Melting Point: -111.9 C
- Boiling Point: -108.1 C
- Number of Protons/Electrons: 54
- Number of neutrons: 77
- Classification: Noble Gas
- Crystal Structure: Cubic
THE
NOBLE GASES.
The Noble Gases can be found in the periodic table under column 0, group 0. These gases
are Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xeon (Xe)
(sic) and Radon (Rn).The discovery of the noble gases showed the real value of the
periodic table.In 1896, an orange line was noticed in the spectrum of light from the
Sun.This showed that the Sun's atmosphere contained an element that had not yet been found
on the Earth. The element was named Helium which comes from the Greek word helios meaning
Sun.
Intel Xeon chip
to boost profits (news.com)
As quoted in www.news.com
The name Xeon was created by Lexicon, a branding consultancy in Sausalito, California.
The name has no inherent or etymological meaning, but is supposed to connote speed, said
David Placek, president of Lexicon.
"It starts off with that very distinctive X. The P in Pentium is pretty deliberate
and the X is even more so," he said. "The X, which is pronounced 'zz,' is the
fastest-sounding letter there is in several languages. With the last three letters, we try
to balance that speed with a little smoothness."
THE WONDERFUL WEB WORLD OF
TONY!
Our project was written in FORTRAN, and encorporated various laws of physics and
chemistry. We input genuine masses (Krypton and Xeon (sic)) and particle sizes and
generated random positions for our molecules.
XUXA The Official Site is housed on http://www.novagate.com/~xeon/
and it is housed on an SGI MIPS processor.
[Note: Yes, it is Xenon. But
the joke isn't as funny if you know how to spell the element.]
Would you like to add your impressions?
[Webmaster] |
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Title:
Pentium
II Xeon™
Source: www.intel.com
Description: Intel introduces the new brand name for the Pentium II SVW. And
no they didn't name it 'Phil.'"For servers, the Pentium II Xeon has been designed
with larger and faster Level 2 caches, as well as multiprocessing capabilities, which
enable users to expand their systems." - CNET News
"For workstations, processor performance coupled with faster Level 2 caches
provide the higher performance needed to address the diverse needs of the workstation
market segment, it (Intel) said." - Ziff Davis News
Intel moves to accelerate
adoption of Xeon processors (PC Week)
[Intel Website] |
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Sunday April 19, 1998
Friday April 17, 1998
April 17, 1998
- Some vacations are better than others. Al and Gracie
took yesterday afternoon and spent their free time lounging in the sun. Well, not
quite. Al stayed in front of a particularly stubborn PC. Turned out that the
CD-ROM drive wasn't compatible with the Pentium II based Micronics board. After
exchanging the Toshiba 5602B CD-ROM with a newer model, the startup boot sequence was
faster, and there weren't any more hangs. Gracie slept.
- Thinking of interesting tid bits about PC compatibility - The
machine which houses MS FrontPage 98 has been modified for testing purposes. The
ABIT BX6 motherboard with an Intel Pentium II 233 MHz processor and Corsair 64 MB SDRAM
was placed in the unit. Running at this speed, the PCI video seems more than clear.
However, the ATI PCI video card with the 400 MHz processor and PC100 SDRAM wasn't
as clear. Maybe there is a little noise at work on this "problem."
- Taiwan
reports big haul of fake Pentium chips (San Jose Mercury News)
April 16, 1998
April 15, 1998
- The first shipment of ABIT BX6 motherboards sold quickly
this morning. Hopefully a new shipment will arrive either Friday or Monday.
We are accepting orders. ABIT Taiwan is doing it's best to supply the product in a
timely manner. Patience is a virtue. It is also appreciated.
3 PM update: We purchased more ABIT boards
this afternoon and they should arrive tomorrow. Current orders will be filled with this
shipment, and there are extra boards in the shipment! Quantity will be limited for the
first few weeks. Please place orders for these boards over the phone.
- We are having difficulty with a few of our phone lines.
If you happen to hear static we will try to transfer you to an open line.
- Thank you, AMD, for the telephone calls, information, help,
and prompt courtesy. Our clients greatly appreciate your forthright approach to business.
We will be offering the boxed AMD-K6/266 and boxed K6/300 in limited quantities when they
become available after April 22, 1998. The OEM/tray AMD-K6/266 is available when you
purchase an AMD approved motherboard (Al says "or if you can convince us
otherwise.").
- Good morning. Today is the day we have all been
waiting for - tax day. Naw. It's the Intel 440BX chipset introduction day!
We expect Intel to update their website after 10 AM PDT.
Intel
has updated their website.
- AMD updated the motherboard compatibility list for the
K6-266 and K6-300. Added several new boards, bringing the total to 11 motherboards
supporting the K6-266. Six of these boards support the K6-300.
- After 24 hours of interruptions, AT&T Corp. fully
restored service on its data network Tuesday afternoon. You can now have full access
to your ATM, once again
- Intel's
stumble 3,000 human beings, friends, and neighbors loose their jobs (news.com)
"The PC industry
seems to have gotten ahead of itself, building more product than end-customers purchased."
-- Intel CEO Andy Grove
Gracie:
Intel is in a transition. Their near death experience this quarter may allow them to
become closer to the consumer.
Al:
Closer is exactly what Intel needs to do - no more "we can't discuss this until
it is officially announced". No more, "that's gray market product - so we
can't support it." No more, "the boxed product is the official product.
" - yet they release pricing for quantity 1000 prices to the press and never
discuss the boxed product in their press releases. No more, putting the resellers on
the back burner. Give us the product and let us get it into the consumers hands.
Intel hasn't been listening to its customers. Which
would you rather purchase, a $3,000 PC which operates at X MIPS or a $1,000 PC which also
operates at X MIPS? We'd all be willing to only part with the $1,000. Like,
Duh. If the PCs operate at the same speed no one will purchase the more expensive
unit. We asked for the fastest possible PC and Intel responded by offering the
Celeron. We asked for meat and they gave us Celery.
But, Intel has technology that is faster than this - and they
need to get it into the market. Quit dinking with incremental increases in speed.
If the difference between a $3,000 PC also meant an increase in speed - well, we'd
all go for the faster PC. Yes, we would. We'd drool. We'd cry.
We'd all throw tantrums until we had it on our desks. Yes, even Corporate America
would purchase today.
ESC: Al you still seem a bit tense.
Why?
Gracie:
No comment.
Al: I
want my PC to work. It's too slow, keeps rebooting, and my USB port isn't seen
properly. And then my ISP for my Internet connection keeps kicking me off after 2 hours.
April 14, 1998
- A quick interview with Al and
Gracie:
ESC: Why has Intel stopped wafer starts
for Pentium® processors with MMX™ technology?
Gracie: As a
result of strong demand for Pentium II processors and the introduction of Intel Celeron
processors, Intel is converting production to P6 microarchitecuture for desktops.
Al: Cuz
they want to.
ESC: Will this mean that customers will
not be able to buy Pentium processors with MMX technology from Intel?
Gracie: Intel
will continue shipping these processors using wafer inventory and expects to fulfill
forecasted demand through 1998.
Al: Of
course.
ESC: This situation seems similar to when
Intel stopped wafer starts for the Pentium processor. If I recall, there were
shortages on that processor in the channel. How will it be different?
Gracie:
Intel's distribution customers currently have strong inventory on Pentium Processors with
MMX technology. The targeted level of inventory is based on historical sales at
corresponding price points.
Al: It
isn't.
ESC: Does this mean Intel is
discontinuing the Pentium processor with MMX technology?
Gracie: Not
at this point. The formal product discontinuance process for Pentium processors with
MMX technology in desktop is expected to start late 1998.
Al:
It's time to migrate to the Pentium II, 440BX chipset, and PC100 SDRAM.
ESC: Albert you seem a little tense.
Is anything wrong?
Gracie:
Albert is in a transition in his life. His opinions of the computer industry are
beginning to collide with an abundant desire to only eat and sleep. After his recent visit
to the vet, his visions of the future are a bit tainted. He is at times ill-at-ease
with the computer industry hype. Therefore, his answers may seem a bit terse. He
doesn't mean any harm.
Al: I'm
tired. I'm sleepy. I'm hungry. Besides, just get the dang PC to work, all
right already?
- Tomorrow Intel will launch the MU440EX motherboard and the
Celeron processor for the sub $1200 market. Sufficient supply to meet demand is expected
by early June.
- ABIT's BX6
press release on ABIT's Taiwan website.
- Intel price cuts due
(note: prices are in quantity 1000)
- The new ASUS motherboards based on the Intel 440BX chipset
support the full range of Pentium® II family processors, 233 MHz up to 400 MHz. This
includes support for the 66 MHz and newer 100 MHz frontside bus processors.
- The new ASUS motherboards are P2B, P2B-S, P2B-L, P2B-LS,
P2B-DS.
- The new shopping cart is being installed today and will
hopefully be completed by the end of this week.
- We have started to link the motherboard database to our
webpresence. We'd like to thank everyone who provided suggestions for improving the
fields. If you have any other ideas then please
let us know.
- We are expecting the ABIT BX6 and A-trend ATC6220 motherboard
tomorrow. We will review the board with the Pentium II 400 MHz processor.
- Download the NEW Version 5 of this full- featured painting and
image manipulation program. Jasc
Paint Shop Pro 5.0 $99.00
- The Micronics Redstone is schedule for release around the
27th of April. This is a Pentium II 100 MHz Frontside Bus motherboard based on the
Intel 440BX chipset. PCI audio is optional.
- Stealing thunder, Cyrix unveils low-cost M II microprocessor
- Windows 98 to debut at $109
April 13, 1998
- Where can I get more information on how Windows 95 works?
A gentleman answered this question in a listserv as follows:
"There is a wealth of information about how Win95 works in the MSKB
(www.microsoft.com/support, click Online Support). Pick Win95 and query for startup,
MSDOS.SYS, safe start etc. in turn. This will throw a carload of articles back to you and
almost every one has further links built into it. They explain the startup and
shutdown process, which files are where and needed for what, how to diagnose and fix
registry problems, what to do when Win doesn't start, why Win doesn't find a CD
drive, what can go wrong with hard drives, difference between real and protected
mode drivers etc."
- Engineer Wires a War-Torn Croatia
- Can you ship to an address which is different from my
billing address? American Express only allows shipments to the address on their
records. Other credit card companies are becoming just as stict. This policy
is for your protection. On-line fraud is very high and as companies react to this
condition, policies will be modified. It might seem harsh, but it is better to be
safe than sorry. You wouldn't want someone using a Pentium II 400 MHz system on your
credit card if it doesn't sit in your home, right?
- Korean Chip Makers Blame
Micron For Dynamic RAM Glut (techweb.com)
- Intel Cuts Production Costs
(techweb.com)
- 3 new Intel chips
due (news.com)
- Intergraph wins Intel injunction
- Are you thinking of purchasing a new system? Do you
want Al's advice or Gracie's advice? Al mixes and matches computer components.
Gracie, on the other hand, is a pure breed. She keeps everything color
coordinated. They both agree, though, that the Pentium II 400 MHz systems are the
fastest Intel units.
Al and Gracie's choice for the "perfect
desktop"
- Intel Brokered Pentium II 400 MHz
- Intel Boxed SE440BX
- 128 MB ECC, PC100, SDRAM
- Intel Express3D
- IBM Ultrastar 9ES
- Adaptec 2940UW
- In-Win Q500 with 300 Watt Power Supply
- Windows 95 OSR 2.5
- 17" or 19" monitor run at 1024 x 768 or higher
- favorite keyboard, speakers, and microphone
The boxed Pentium II 400 MHz is not shown because according
to some authorized locations the product won't be available until the end of July.
There is a warehouse with a limited supply. Once that product is gone it will be
awhile before we see the boxed product flowing in the channel.
April 10, 1998
- Warning
Alarm Sounds On Implications Of PC-100 Memory Bus (techweb.com)
- AMD can do Pentium
II, P6 chip (news.com)
- Reminder: Even though prices will
drop next week, most likely product availability for some items will be constrained or
dropped from our product line.
- Our thoughts and prayers are with our customers and others
who have suffered from the tornado.
- We closed at noon today. On-Line ordering is available.
Phone service will resume Monday morning at 9 AM Pacific Daylight Time. Enjoy your
weekend!
April 9, 1998
The following benchmarks appear in the Microprocessor
Report from September 15, 1997 (from Crucial Technology literature)
| Pentium II |
Cost $ |
Winstone 97 with 32 MB RAM |
Winstone 97 with 64 MB RAM |
| 233 MHz |
$317.00 |
51 |
67 |
| 300 MHz |
$615.00 |
54 |
71 |
The difference in cost between a 233 MHz processor and a
300 MHz processor is $298 ($615 minus $317), while the performance gain achieved is only
6% (54 minus 51 divided by 51). A 32 MB SDRAM module from Crucial costs $64 today, and a
64 MB SDRAM modules costs $174 ($110 difference). The benchmarks show that a 31% gain can
be achieved with an additional 32 MB of RAM (67 minus 51 divided by 51). A 32 MB upgrade
can be much lower than half of the cost of a processor upgrade.
- "Hey look, memory is memory...if I put that generic
stuff in my system and it boots up...what's the difference?"
- Intermittent failures
- Program conflicts
- Program failures
Yes, there is a difference! When a computer turns on,
counts up the amount of RAM you have, and opens Windows/Windows 95 it would seem logical
that everything is fine...BUT, if all the areas that store information on your module are
not working, your system will not initially detect a porblem. However, when you start a
program (Word, Excel, etc) and that program tries to store inforamtion in one of those
non-working storage ares...your program may be failing, without you even noticing it!
Attempts to perform a function of that program may / would not work. This is what is known
as an intermittent failure...the failure only happens whenever a computer tries to store
inforamtion in a non-working storage area. When your tech is checking video memory, cache
memory, hard drive, and software problems may also be the problem, make sure they check
the DRAM too. (source -- Crucial Technology)
April 8, 1998
April 15, 1998 will be the release of the new Pentium® II
and Celeron - A Wednesday. Hmmm. Intel sure loves to make things confusing.
Maybe that tactic works. Did anyone figure out how Intel managed to trademark
the name of a town, an individual's last name, and even a painting?
April 7, 1998
- Corsair Memory Inc. is a newly formed subsidiary of Corsair
Microsystems. It will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, and shipping all
memory products including Cache and DRAM modules.
- Making the PC and TV
one (news.com)
- Here is a sneak peek
at a new database we will hopefully have completed by next week.
- PC Data is a market
research firm. Their website houses product resale information that you might find
interesting.
- Challenging Intel
- IBM May Be Eyeing AMD Investment, Report Says
- We have extra ABIT PX5 and LX6 motherboards in stock.
- The new Intel Box SE440BXIA motherboard is available in
small numbers. We have about 70 available to us. If you are interested in ordering, please
call 800-427-3726. If you have questions, please email presales@esc-tech.com $232.62
- Which BX motherboards is ESC planning on offering?
When the manufacturers release their product, we'll bring
in boards to test. If technical team determines that the board should be added to our
product line, then we'll begin accepting orders.
April 6, 1998
- Are you curious what others are buying?
March 1998 Top Five Products |
| # |
Manufacturer |
Product |
| 1 |
Corsair Microsystems |
32 MB SDRAM |
| 2 |
Intel |
Pentium® II 333 MHz |
| 3 |
Intel |
Pentium® II 300 MHz |
| 4 |
AMD |
K6/233 Enhanced Processor |
| 5 |
ASUS |
P2L97 Motherboard |
According to news.com, McKinley is the
successor to Merced.
- Good morning! We hope all of you had a great weekend.
Al and Gracie spent most of
their time surfing the Internet. They were hoping to find information on the Pentium
II processors. Specifically, Al was curious how many companies were offering the
"soon to be released" 400 MHz Pentium II. It seems almost everyone claims
to have them in stock. Gracie wanted to know where she can sign up so that she can
sell non-released product too? Intel didn't answer :-( Maybe they don't know
how to talk to dogs. Al thought Intel would only allow it if they first signed that
"tough" NDA.
- National Semi
Will Deliver PC on a Chip By Mid-1999, CEO Says
April 4, 1998
- Al and
Gracie are planning their weekend around reading up on the new 440BX motherboards.
There are so many new products that will be introduced into the market in the next few
weeks. We've already had a sneak peak at Intel's new BXSE440BXIA board. We're pretty sure
that Al will sleep and Gracie will play with Henrietta instead of reading though. Enjoy
your weekend!
- We've had quite a bit of interest about developing standards
for evaluating computer components and reporting results for consumers. Please address
further inquiries and comments about USE to webmaster@esc-tech.com.
- Looking for more information about ESC?
www.esc-ca.com/esc/esc.html and www.esctechnologies.com/profile/
- Consumer information, product links, and more can be found
at www.esc-ca.com/company/places.htm.
April 3, 1998
Marcia Press coordinated and prepared background research for
the current PC
Upgrade and Repair Bible Professional Edition and other books. Barry Press has
designed leading-edge computer hardware, software, and networks for over 25 years,
including a unique cable television modem, campus-wide ATM networks, a desktop computer
capable of analyzing adverse drug interactions, and an artificial intelligence planning
system. He has taught as an adjunct professor of computer science at the University of
Southern California.
"Buses, Bridges, and Fast Traffic" is the first in
a series of articles. We have invited numerous professionals and authors to write
short articles on various topics in the Industry. The series is geared toward power
users interested in learning more about the PC Industry. Suggestions for topics, articles,
or authors to be featured may be emailed.
Watch our sites for further announcements.
| Interface |
Description |
Intel 430TX |
SiS 5591 |
| Chip Count |
|
2 BGA |
1 BGA, 1 PQFP |
| Processor Bus |
Supported CPU Supported Speed |
Intel MMX/K6/MX 50/60/66 MHz |
Intel MMX/K6/MX 60/66 (75/83) MHz |
| L2 Cache |
Cache Type Cacheable Memory |
PB (512K) 64 MB |
PB (512K/ 1 MB) 384 MB |
| DRAM |
RAS Lines Max. memory size
Memory type
SDRAM Cycle
EDO Cycle (66 MHz)
ECC Support |
6 256 MB
SDRAM/EDO/FPM
5-1-1-1
5-2-2-2
No |
6 384 MB
SDRAM/EDO/FPM
6-1-1-1
5-2-2-2
Yes |
| |
