Via to rev up P4X266 chipset

INFORMED SOURCES said Via will release a re-vamped version of its Pentium 4 P4X266 chipset next month.

That will be called the P4X266A. At the same time, it will introduce a new version of the 8233, the 8233A.

The P4X266A will support the 533MHz front side bus while the 8233A will offer support for ATA 133MHz, the INQUIRER understands.

While the P4X266A is pin to pin compatible with the existing P4X266, which upsets Intel so much, apparently the 8233A will not be pin to pin compatible with the 8233, meaning some changes in motherboard layouts will be required.

While designs are likely to be finished in November, we'd expect to see the first boards supporting 533Mb FSBs in December and January. µ