Thread: Kt266 msi

DDR RAM (Double Data Rate RAM) is on everyone's lips, to bring a new performance boost for AMD Duron and Athlon-based computer systems, at least if we may the marketing departments of DDR RAM proponents believe. This benchmark test examines two motherboards based on the KT266 from VIA Technologies, the KT266 is next to the AMD760 and Ali Magik 1 is a member with support for DDR-RAM.

The KT266 Via Technologies is now available for some time, but are not too many motherboard manufacturers started to offer solutions with this chipset micro Star Technologies, Inc (MSI) was one of the first motherboard vendor to this chipset integrated into current products. We consider here the MSI K7T266 Pro-R as the longest on the market, KT266 solution in comparison with the Shuttle AK31 Rev.

The KT266 was struggling with performance problems at the beginning, this optimized motherboard Via Technologies to poor layout and inadequate BIOS pushed. To meet the performance problems under control, was continued via layout suggestions and tips for BIOS tweaks to the motherboard manufacturer, shuttle is one of the first vendor to offer with the AK31 Revision 2, a motherboard with an improved layout on the market.



The Via KT266 is divided into the VT8366 Northbridge and VT8233 Southbridge the southbridge solution of the SDRAM via (KT133) was by the infamous Via Bug fallen into disrepute, the current of the KT266 Southbridge are currently no known issues, this should also run in this connection more stable.

The VT8366 northbridge is responsible for the correct connection of up to 4 GB registered DDR RAM or PC100/PC133/VCM (Virtual Channel Memory) SDRAM. In addition, an AGP slot in AGP 2X/4X modes are supported the North Bridge also controls the communication with the VT8233 South Bridge over the so-called "V-Link".

The "V-Link" means the connection to the Northbridge to the Southbridge via a separate channel with 133 MHz clock, which up to 266 MB / s can transmit conventional chipsets combine the two bridges over the PCI bus that can transfer only 133 MB / s.

Completely different way is the highly anticipated chipset 735 SiS Silicon Integrated Systems Corp, which brings together North and South Bridge in a highly integrated chip, and by the extremely short signal paths, the communication between the two bridges of saturated 1.2 GB / s.