Some Words About VIA KT400A Peculiarities and Performance

by Cetera labs support account
03/04/2003 | 03:20 PM

VIA started to issue its marketing documents about performance of the KT400A chipset, probably the last core-logic for the Socket A processors from this Taiwanese chipset designer. The crown of all KT-series chipsets from VIA, the KT400A core-logic implements FastStream64 Technology to boost memory speed, TidalWave advanced onboard audio solution and also Serial ATA-150 in the new VT8237 I/O controller.

VIA claims that its FastStream64 Technology enables the single-channel 64-bit memory controller of the KT400A to outperform the nForce2 chipset from NVIDIA in 128-bit mode. VIA FastStream64 Technology uses an expanded array of prefetch buffers to reduce latency in the memory controller, extending performance at a lower transistor cost than dual-channel implementations. Basically speaking, FastStream64 Technology utilise the same conception, as NVIDIA’s DASP, AMD’s SuperBypass and even Intel’s PAT, though, no one is going to tell you how exactly does it work. In addition, KT400A is designed to maximise performance in both synchronous (PC2700/333MHz FSB) & asynchronous (PC3200/333MHz FSB) modes.

The list of technical features of the KT400A North Bridge looks as follows:

• Supports all Socket A Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron processors with 200, 266 and 333MHz EV-6 system bus;
• VIA KT400A North Bridge can be accompanied by VT8235 or VT8237 I/O Controller;
• 8x V-Link architecture to connect North and South Bridges;
• Up to 4GB of PC2100, PC2700 or PC3200 (DDR400) DDR SDRAM;
• AGP 8x slot;

Here are the specs of VIA VT8237 South Bridge:

• 6 PCI slots;
• 8 USB 2.0 ports;
• 2-channel integrated ATA-33/66/100/133 controller;
• 4 Serial ATA-150 ports;
• VIA Ethernet MAC;
• 6-channel audio-solution;
• MC97 Modem;
• LPC;
• Ultra V-Link;
• Pin-to-pin compatible with VT8235CE.

VIA Technologies will recommend its partners to utilise VIA TidalWave onboard audio-solution. According to VIA, the VT1616 codec in combination with VT8235/8237 SB with Sensaura Drivers can deliver higher quality and fidelity of sound compared to nForce2-based mainboards featuring “inferior codecs” (is that a new type of codecs, VIA?). VIA TidalWave also implements mysterious DualMax and CoolAmp technologies that also deal with sound.

As for the performance of the KT400A, VIA claims that it is faster than the arch-rival in the following applications, as published by AMDBoard web-site:

• KT400A Reference Board + AMD Athlon XP 2800+, 512MB Winbond DDR333, Maxtor DX740X-6L 40GBHDD, Windows XP.
• ASUS A7N8X + AMD Athlon XP 2800+, 512MB Winbond DDR400 (2x256MB for dual-channel set up),Maxtor DX740X-6L 40GBHDD, Windows XP.
• VIA KT400A is fantastically 0.65% faster than single-channel NVIDIA nForce2 and amazingly 0.43% quicker than dual-channel nForce2 in Winstone Content Creation test.
• VIA KT400A outperforms single-channel nForce2 by outrageous 2.93% and is 2.05% faster compared to dual-channel nForce2 in 3DMark 2001SE test.
• VIA KT400A is can boast with dazzling 0.82% of extra performance versus single-channel nForce2 and surpasses dual-channel nForce2 by unbelievable 0.25% in Quake III Arena (1600x1200) test.
• Somehow VIA KT400A is 2.20% faster than single-channel nForce2 and outdistances dual-channel NVIDIA nForce2 by formidable 0.48% in Quake III Arena (640x480) test.
• VIA KT400A outperforms single-channel nForce2 by marvelous 5.78% and dual-channel nForce2 by incredible 0.68% in Jedi Knight II test.
• Due to unknown reason VIA KT400A managed to outdo dual-channel nForce2 in CodeCreatures BenchmarkPro by shiny and astonishing 0.1fps in 1600x1200 resolution. I wonder how did it happen, given that CodeCreatures is a test fully for graphics cards?

As you see, VIA KT400A cannot boast with substantially higher performance compared to the nForce2 in dual-channel mode on the given test-beds, so, the only advantage VIA KT400A will be able to demonstrate is relatively low price, especially when accompanied with Serial ATA-supporting VT8237 I/O controller.