A day after the RADEON 9100 IGP introduction Silicon Integrated System unveils its new SiS655FX core-logic for Intel Pentium 4 processors with 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus. The new chipset from SiS succeeds the well-known SiS655, but adds support for more advanced processor bus as well as dual-channel PC3200 memory.

Generally speaking, there is nothing really new in SiS655FX North Bridge except 800MHz PSB and dual-channel PC3200 support. Just like the predecessor, it provides AGP 8x and MuTIOL 16-bit*533MHz I/O to connect South Bridge.

In contrast, new I/O controller from SiS brings dozens of new features previously unavailable from SiS. SiS964 South Bridge that will be supplied with SiS655FX implements practically all I/O capabilities needed today, including 6 PCI slots, 8 USB 2.0 ports, 2-channel integrated Parallel ATA-33/66/100/133 controller and 2 Serial ATA-150 connectors. Among standard features we should mention 10/100Mb/s Ethernet, Home PNA 2.0, 6-channel audio-solution, MC’97 Modem and AC’97 Audio. In addition, it boasts with FireWire (IEEE1394) support. Moreover, the new SiS964 also provides a number of Serial ATA RAID modes, including RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD.

SiS655FX will compete with Intel’s own 865PE and maybe even 875P chipsets as well as with ATI’s RADEON 9100 IGP. The company will not face rivalry with VIA Technologies because dual-channel DDR SDRAM-supporting product from the Taipei-based chipset designer will come only in September or October, whereas mass production of SiS’ novelty will begin in July. Expect mainboard makers to start selling actual SiS655FX products in August.