Cases, Ethernet, and RIMMs

Gigabit Ethernet

New on the Intel networking side is the introduction of three single chip Gigabit Ethernet chips. Covering the range from server to desktop PC these chips provide absurd transfer rates while at the same time reducing size and power consumption. The new controllers are dubbed the Intel 82546EB, 82546EM and the 82540EM. The first two controllers are meant to enter the server market, providing dual port access with a single chip. The 82540EM is meant for the desktop PC, the current size of the chip is smaller than a dime, resulting in minimal changes for motherboard manufacturers and thereby reducing the time to market.

While these chips have little direct affect on the little guy surfing the web at home. It is only because of advances in technologies such as these, that he is able to do so. According to the report by Sean Maloney (Executive Vice President, Intel Communications Group), the amount of data tossed around has grown at an alarming rate. Starting in the year 2000, under 40,000 Terabits were sent by Enterprise level companies. By the year 2002 we have approached 120,000 Terabits. Using projected growth rates, by the time we reach 2006, that number will have increased by over thirteen times, reaching 1,600,000 Terabits. The need for greater bandwidth is indeed there; just wait till the rest of the world gets online.

More on the Intel networking side is a little thing called XScale. In an attempt to make modular designs in the communications sector, where most products are normally of proprietary nature, Intel has designed the XScale processor. This would be the server side equivalent of their gigabit network chips. These new server chips will bring about some really nifty things. With XScale enabled hardware, just about anything under the sun will be able to interact with each other.

Form Factors

Not too much information was available on this rather interesting tidbit. There are quite a few different case form factors in the pipeline at the moment. All want to reduce the noise, and space requirements taken up by the modern PC. New designs in power supplies, heat flow and case design will help to reduce noise and improve on aesthetics that have been shoved under the mat for nearly two decades.

Intel has two programs running at the moment: Tidewater and Big Water. Tidewater is supposed to make the microATX standard even smaller, while Big Water is supposed to shoot for the stars and come up with something in the revolutionary.

Rambus

While Rambus and Intel seemed to have parted like a pair of scorned lovers out of some Jerry Springer rerun, Rambus is still trying to put out. On display were RIMMs capable of 1066 and 1200. Soundly trumping anything DDR has to offer for quite a while, and at the same time seemingly an afterthought to the company that has had 800 out for years now. According to Rambus, 1066 should be cakewalk to manufacture. It seems to only be waiting on the release of the 533MHz Northwood.

Why do we care? The lower clocked Northwoods are almost demon-like in their overclocking abilities. With reports of 1.6-1.7GHz versions revving up to 2.3-2.4 GHz, it’s no wonder that people are excited about Intel. Currently most of the success has been had on the 845DDR, but once the i850E is out, 1066 is sure to cause a stir. With costs nearly on par with DDR, if not lower, better performance and stability could be had out of these systems. People have already started calling it the second coming of the 300A, and with any luck we’ll have them by Easter.

Also on display at the Rambus booth were 32-bit RIMMs. Another major complaint with Rambus has pretty much been leveled. Many a person complained about having to purchase two RIMMs in order to make a system function with the dual channels. Now that 32-bit RIMMs are here you only need one RIMM to make a system function.

Alas

That should be wrap for our IDF coverage. IDF plans on coming around twice a year; with any luck we’ll have better coverage of it in the fall. Until then wait patiently for the new toys. As a teaser, stay tuned for a new 1066 article paired with the Northwood.