The ASUS P5NT WS is built on the NVIDIAC55+MCP55PXE chipset structure which supports a LGA775 Socket for running Intel Dual-core/Quad-core CPUs with 1333/1066/800 MHz FSB and two NVIDIA SLI graphic cards with Dual x16 speeds on the same platform. This allows the user to enjoy the best CPU and graphics for the system build. With the addition of the PCI-X interface, the P5NT WS motherboard provides much more options in I/O configurations for SOHOs and power users to custom-build their ideal working or entertainment environment.

NVIDIA is set to release one more nForce 680i variant that is slightly cheaper than the nForce 680i SLI. The cut-down nForce 680i will carry the nForce 680i LT SLI name and target extreme gamers. NVIDIA will manufacture the nForce 680i LT motherboards for various motherboard manufacturers. Unlike the heat-pipe endowed nForce 680i SLI motherboards, nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards will have active cooling. Instead of support for DDR2-1200 memory, NVIDIA has limited the memory controller to DDR2-800. Front-side bus speeds up to 1333 MHz remains supported. The nForce 680i LT SLI will continue to support NVIDIA's SLI multi-GPU technology, but only one Gigabit LAN and eight USB 2.0 ports instead of ten will be presented. NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards are expected to ship in early March.

DailyTech has revealed new details of NVIDIA's upcoming MCP72 single-processor chipset. This will be NVIDIA's first HT3(HyperTransport 3.0) compatible chipset and a successor to the current nForce 500-series MCP and the upcoming AMD MCP68 chipsets. MCP72 will support AMD's socket AM2 and HT3 enabled AM2+. Socket AM2+ will house AMD's upcoming Athlon 64 Agena and Opteron Budapest quad-core processors. Unlike the nForce 500-series, the upcoming MCP72 is a single-chip solution similar to the previous nForce 3-series and early nForce 4-series. It will also offer a small footprint and have low power consumption. MCP72 will also be NVIDIA's first PCIe 2.0 equipped chipset, making it ideal for next-generation PCIe peripherals and graphics cards. Other notable MCP72 features include support for six SATA 3.0Gbps and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports like the current nForce 500-series. As with all NVIDIA chipset architectures, expect MCP72 to spawn SLI and Ultra variants. There's also the possibility of MCP72-based integrated graphics offerings too. Expect MCP72 to launch in time for AMD's upcoming Agena and Budapest quad-core processors.

With the release date of Windows Vista drawing ever closer, ASUSTek Computer Inc. (ASUS) is now offering 4 motherboard models that are designed especially for the new operating system. Packed with ASUS special features like ScreenDUO, AI Remote, AP Trigger, TPM and ASAP (ASUS Accelerated Propeller), ASUS is proud to be the first motherboard manufacturer in the industry to attain the Windows Windows Vista Premium logo. The four new models include: M2N32-SLI Premium Vista Edition, P5B Premium Vista Edition, M2N-Plus Vista Edition and P5B-Plus Vista Edition. For more information on the new motherboards, please visit the company homepage.

New GIGABYTE v3.3 Boards to Support 1333MHz FSB

GIGABYTE will be launching their new revision 3.3 boards end of January and it is the first in the industry to deliver native 1333FSB support on 965P series. It will be able to support the next generation 1333FSB E6x50 Core 2 Duo processors like E6850 (3.0GHz), E6750 (2.66GHz), E6550 (2.33GHz) coming out in Q3 this year. The keyword here is "Future Proof". GIGABYTE claims a CPU performance jumps up to 5% comparing with FSB1066 and boost a 10% enhancement for Memory performance. Check out the VR-Zone interview with GIGABYTE United for more information.

GIGABYTE UNITED INC., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today launched the highly anticipated GIGABYTE GA-N680SLI-DQ6 high end gaming platform, featuring the advanced NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP chipset, support for the record-setting Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad Core processors and delivering the uniquely innovative GIGABYTE 6-Quad technologies.

GIGABYTE plans to introduce its latest NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP chipset based motherboard, the GIGABYTE N680SLI-DQ6 by the end of January 2007. Designed specially for enthusiasts and gamers, this motherboard has All-Solid Capacitors, Quad-Triple phase power, Quad BIOS and Quad Gigabit LAN, the first one to have four Gigabit LAN cards. Other features include Silent-Pipe2 and Crazy Cool2 technology by newly design Triple-Heat pipe, 3x PCIe slots (two x16 + one x8) for SLI+ Physics, 4x eSATA2 ports, 8 channel Realtek ALC888DD High Definition Audio.

abit today announced their latest Intel P965 chipset based motherboard for Core 2 Quad/Duo processors, the abit AB9 QuadGT. This motherboard has been specifically engineered for and around LGA775 quad-core CPUs with up to 1066 MHz FSB. It is equipped with abit's powerful µGuru technology for extensive hardware monitoring and control. The extreme tuning and overclocking capabilities of this exclusively abit engineered microchip stands unsurpassed in the industry. With the New Year, abit also ushers in an entirely new generation of extreme computing.

GIGABYTE announced today the launch of a full range of 945 series All-Solid Capacitor motherboards completing a total product line up of All-Solid Capacitor motherboards based on 945 through 965 chipsets. The brand new 945 series All-Solid Capacitor motherboards qualify GIGABYTE as the first motherboard maker to provide a full range of ultra durable motherboards from high-end to mainstream products. Generating less heat than their electrolyte counterparts, solid capacitors last on average 6 times longer, helping to ensure that PCs stay reliable for longer. Additionally, solid capacitors have a higher tolerance not only for higher temperatures, but they also perform better with higher frequencies and higher current than electrolytic capacitors. Adopting an all solid capacitor design include also Intel 946 and Intel 965 chipset motherboards made by GIGABYTE. All solid capacitor parts will be recognized by the new revision 2.0.

AMD's first chipset with integrated DX10 graphics has some very impressive features. Among them, the most important are...

• 52 PCI Express lanes, enough for 3 x16 slots and 1 x4 slot.
• HTX Support.
• Hypertransport 3.0 ready, meaning support for AM2+ and Socket F processors from AMD.
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet.
• Independant mainboard cache which should lower latencies and improve bandwidth.

AMD's RD790 should be released in 2007.

After [H]ard|OCP has published an article that discusses NVIDIA's nForce 680i chipset problems, NVIDIA stated that they have a BIOS for the reference 680i motherboards design that they "believe resolves the SATA problem." EVGA and others are working with 680i motherboard owners to validate if the fix actually works for all of those folks having issues. The P23 BIOS for EVGA motherboards can be found here for download.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS), the worldwide leader of motherboards, today introduced the Commando, a new addition to its R.O.G (Republic of Gamers) family of gaming motherboards. The Commando provides extreme overclock ability for enhanced performance, and unique features to jazz up the gaming features and simplify the DIY process.

Galaxy Technology is proud to announce that it enters the motherboard business. Galaxy decided to develop the most powerful motherboard based on the newest nForce 680i chipset. The GALAXY nForce 680i board follows NVIDIA's reference design as seen by the specifications and PCB layout. To obtain further information, please click here.

Apparently AMD have chosen United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) to produce its 80nm ATI RS690 chipset. When ATI was independent from AMD it worked with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for 80nm production, so this could well be a result of the merger.

The release of the LP UT ICFX3200-T2R/G combines power of ATI's chipset with support for the latest Intel CPUs, such as the Core 2 Extreme/Quad/Duo, it may very well be the grand finale of the ATI/Intel partnership but will never be forgotten. The performance of RD600 will easily surpass all previous ATI chipsets in every respect including overclockability, processing power and graphics quality. DFI's expertise in the development of ATI Crossfire motherboards is well known in the industry (the LANParty UT CFX3200-DR motherboard won first place in the ATI China DIY System Overclocking Competition). The latest LANParty UT ICFX3200-TR2/G motherboard using the RD600 chipset will naturally offer only even better overclockability and even more impressive graphics processing power. The engineers, in particular, have made an "epic" effort to give the board superb overclocking potential. DFI has also designed entirely new packaging for the LANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G to symbolize the company's intentions to reach all new heights in performance.

ASUS has released what could possibly be the finest i965 based motherboard with support for all Core 2 generation CPUs. Codenamed Commando the board is part of the ROG line of boards which also have Crosshair and Striker extreme as members. Head over here to see some early pictures of the board from the OCZ Overclocking summit.

NVIDIA Corporation, today introduced the immediate availability of the new NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI media and communications processor (MCP), designed specifically for the new AMD Quad FX Platform with Dual Socket Direct Connect Architecture. The exclusive core-logic launch partner for AMD Quad FX processors, the NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI MCP provides processing capabilities on a massive scale, by allowing multimedia and megatasking users to harness the power of up to 4 GPUs, 8 displays, 12 SATA hard drives, and 4 gigabit Ethernet connections, all from a single consumer desktop PC.

VIA Technologies, today announced that the VIA K8M890 and the VIA P4M900 chipsets have passed the Microsoft Windows Vista 32bit/64bit Basic logo tests, enabling customers get ready for Vista with confidence. This certification means that users can perform trouble-free installation of Windows Vista, including Ultimate, Enterprise, Business, Home Premium and Home Basic editions. The VIA K8M890 and VIA P4M900 North Bridges both feature the VIA Chrome9 IGP core which provides DirectX 9.0 graphics support with hardware pixel shaders, supported by a WDM driver for Microsoft Windows Vista. The VIA K8M890 and P4M900 chipsets are available now. Boards featuring the chipsets are available from all the world's leading motherboard manufacturers.

SiS today unveiled its latest chipsets the SiS671 series and the SiS771 chipsets ready for Windows Vista. The SiS671 series and the SiS771 chipsets are designed for Intel and AMD platforms respectively. To catch the trend of Microsoft's oncoming Windows Vista operating system, SiS has been actively involving in the development of new technology. The SiS671 series and the SiS771 chipsets are considered the most valuable products for customers.