PT894 Specific Features and Specifications:
• Targeted at performance mainstream segment, considered alternative to i915 based motherboards
• Supports latest Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron processors, up to 1066MHz FSB
• StepUp technology allows easy DDR to DDR-II migration. Supports:
• DDR 400/333/266
• DDR-II 667/533/400
• Flex Express Architecture:
• PCI-Express x16 graphics connections
• 2 direct to Northbridge PCI-Express connections
• High bandwidth PCI-Express peripherals, 2 PCI-Express x1 connections to the Southbridge
The graphic below illustrates the VIA PT894 chipset architecture.
PT894 Pro Specific Features and Specifications:
• Targeted at workstation and high-end enthusiast segment, considered alternative to i925 based motherboards
• Supports latest Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron processors, up to 1066MHz FSB
• StepUp technology allows easy DDR to DDR-II migration. Supports:
• DDR 400/333/266
• DDR-II 667/533/400
• Flex Express Architecture:
• VIA DualGFX Express Graphics - ready for all dual GPU standards
• Enhanced multi-display support for up to 4 monitors
• High bandwidth PCI-Express peripherals, 2 PCI-Express x1 connections to the Southbridge
The graphic below illustrates the VIA PT894 Pro chipset architecture.
PT894 and PT894 Pro Performance:
The drivers for the PT894 and 894 Pro chipsets are in the same boat with those for the PT880 Pro, and hopefully they will be developed even further by the time the boards reach production. The graph below shows a PT894 based board put head-to-head against a 915P (with DDR), a 915P (with DDR-II), a 925X (with DDR-II), and a 925XE (with DDR-II) in 3DMark05 and PCMark04. The 3DMark05 results show that the PT894 can hang with any of the other boards, regardless of what system memory technology is used. The PCMark04 results are a little disappointing, as the PT894 performs much better with DDR than DDR-II. Hopefully it is just a matter of fine tuning the drivers, as the DDR results are right up there with the results of the 915 and 925 boards, and one would expect the DDR-II results to be higher, not lower.
The next set of results compare a PT894 based system with the same 915/925 based systems when benchmarked with Comanche, Aquamark3, and Doom3. The results here are equally impressive, as the PT894 with DDR-II is able to outscore most of the competition, and is within a fraction of the performance experienced on the high end 925XE.
All of the benchmarks presented are based on developmental versions of VIA's drivers, and improvements should be expected. Based on what has been shown, that is very promising.
PT894 and PT894 Pro Value:
PT894 based motherboards can be expected to be just over $100 (US) and PT894 Pro based motherboards can be expected to be under $200 (US), depending on what extras the individual manufacturers choose to include. The estimated price for PT894 boards matches up well with 915 motherboards and with many 925 based motherboards selling for more than $200, the PT894 Pro should have a strong advantage when it comes to price. Given both the price and performance comparisons with the comparable Intel based motherboards, the PT894 and PT894 Pro should readily find acceptance in the market place.
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