dagger - I got to test the SiS735/745 in the context of
my work. We're developping video editing platforms, and
these babies are real PCI-bandwidth hogs.
(720 x 240 pixels x 60 fields per second is a lot of data!)
We wanted to support AMD AthlonXP CPUs really hard, since
these processors are amazing computing powerhorses. However,
the Via chipsets clearly held the platform back, with PCI
bursts scoring no higher than 40 MB/s when two bus master
devices try to perform simultaneous transactions (IDE does
count for one!). This could get pretty technical, but let's
just say that in these particular tests, Via scored 40,
Intel 90 and SiS managed to pull out an amazing 92 MB/s
burst rate (out of a theoretical 128 MB/s).
Before someone asks about the Via issue, YES, this relates
to the PCI latency bug Via has acknowledged recently, and NO,
it cannot be fixed by a software patch like they would like
you to believe. The PCI core has an hardware bug, and no
driver nor bios update can fix this. Also, since the new
KT333 will have the same PCI core as the KT266A, PCI
bandwidth will be no better in the newer chipset.
That being said, KT266A/KT333 platforms perform just fine
when equipped only with an AGP card looping Quake3 demos.
That's exactly why most hardware review sites sing praises
for the KT266A. But, honestly, is this really all you intend
to do with your computer ? Not me
This pretty much leaves SiS sole provider of a 'real' high
performance AMD chipset. Let's just hope they keep it up,
and that Chaintech can get this superb 7SJR to us ASAP !
Admin - can you update us on the presence/absence of
FireWire connectors on your sample board ?
Cheers !