VIA Announces Highly Integrated VIA P4M800 Pro Chipset

Delivering high level graphics support and advanced DDR2 compatibility for Intel® Pentium® 4 & Celeron® processors, the VIA P4M800 Pro chipset is exceptionally tuned to the requirements of emerging markets

Taipei, Taiwan, 2 September 2005 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions today announced the VIA P4M800 Pro chipset, further extending VIA's leadership in providing affordable and scalable IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) solutions with rich multimedia and connectivity features for the mainstream and fast-growing entry-level PC markets.

Designed to support a full range of Intel® Pentium® 4 and Intel Celeron® processors with an FSB of up to 800MHz, the VIA P4M800 Pro also supports a choice of high performance DDR2 533/400 memory modules as well as DDR 400/333/266 SDRAM, providing OEMS and SIs with maximum flexibility for configuring their systems to meet a wide variety of price points.

The chipset's advanced multimedia features include the integrated S3 Graphics UniChrome Pro(TM) IGP core ensuring exceptional 2D/3D graphics performance and providing unmatched support for delivering the Hi-Def experience, with outputs to CRT, LCD and standard definition TV, and support for HDTV up to 1080p resolution with a compatible TV-Out or DVI encoder, flawless DVD playback and intelligent video rendering techniques through the Chromotion CE Video Display Engine, as well as six-channel VIA Vinyl(TM) audio.

"The VIA P4M800 Pro builds on the success of the VIA P4M line of chipsets, which have been widely adopted throughout the world, particularly in emerging markets such as India and China," commented Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "With its support for DDR2 SDRAM and rich digital media playback and connectivity features, the VIA P4M800 Pro provides an ideal solution for further expanding the proliferation of PC usage in these markets."

Combined with the VIA VT8237R South Bridge, the VIA P4M800 Pro offers a comprehensive range of integrated storage, multimedia and connectivity options, including native Serial ATA and V-RAID, with support for RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 0+1 arrays, as well as support for VIA Vinyl Audio, and high-throughput Gigabit Ethernet with the VIA Velocity controller.

The VIA P4M800 Pro chipset is part of VIA's unique Modular Architecture Platform (V-MAP), which minimizes design times and time-to-market for motherboard partners through a flexible, pin-compatible design approach for VIA core-logic solutions. Motherboard partners are able to cover multiple market segments with a single design, and also benefit from a single unified driver base.

VIA P4M800 Pro Chipset Availability

The VIA P4M800 Pro is currently shipping to all of the world's leading motherboard vendors and motherboards featuring the chipset are expected to be available soon.

Further information on the VIA P4M800 Pro chipset may be found on the VIA website.