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AMR? CNR? No, ACR!
Almost every new motherboard has either AMR slots (audio modem riser) or CNR slots (communications/network riser). Each is supposed to host inexpensive sound or communication upgrades. Both standards might be based on good ideas, but two reasons speak against them: First it is not that easy to get AMR or CNR components (be careful, they are not compatible!). Second we think that a PCI-sound/network device will be a higher, but much safer investment. Nobody knows if next generation mainboards will still be equipped with AMR or CNR slots, but they will certainly offer several PCI slots.
ACR (Advanced Communication Riser) is another expansion slot. This time the developers seem to have spent more thought. ACR is backwards compatible with AMR. The developers avoided introducing another new slot by using a standard PCI connector turned by 180 degrees. If you should see a motherboard with a PCI slot that seems the wrong way around, it is the new ACR. Not all 120 pins will be assigned, leaving a margin for future enhancements.
Summary
Other topics on the VTF were the development of the PC architecture, the success of IEEE1394/Firewire, future network technologies and the Cyrix III. The main focus was of course on the new chipsets with DDR support, as it could extend VIA's new role of the world's largest PC chipset supplier.
VIA has done a very important job by carrying out the Tech Forum. Lots of companies were involved, showing their support of VIA. The Taiwanese company has a very big chance now. If VIA's new DDR-chipsets live up to the expectations, Intel will be beaten to the punch in the chipset market. I doubt that the Santa Clara company can afford any more defeats and failures this year.
AMD and ALi are not asleep and launching their own products shortly. AMD and VIA are not competing with each other here, as the Texan company does not want to fully step into the chipset business. However, AMD has to make sure that Athlon and Duron get DDR-support soon and VIA is well-known for serving customers with Intel processors first.
ALi has never been a player in the high-end arena. Of course we are looking forward to take a first look on their new chipsets, as they might mean a possible comeback for Ali in the chipset arena.
Ladies and gentlemen, faites vos jeux! At this point the chipset market is completely open. If Intel shouldn't move up the release of its 'Almador' chipset, ALi and VIA will have some extra time to eliminate bugs and to optimize their DDR-products in order to finally kick Intel out of the chipset market. I wonder if this is in the interest of Rambus Inc.