What's on the Horizon: Upcoming Releases

Recently, computers have been getting less and less expensive. Today, there are several good computer systems for under $1,000, and one can get a nicely loaded system for under $2,000. With all these great prices, is it a good time to buy? Well, yes and no. Computer prices are at some of their all-time lows, which makes buying a computer very attractive. However, Intel and AMD are always designing newer and faster chips. In fact, within two months, both AMD and Intel will release new chips.

AMD is readying the release of their K6 3D processor, a new version of the K6, running on a 100-mhz bus and with increased FPU promises. Additionally, the K6 3D has new instruction sets that is supposed to help complete more of the 3D operations, to allow video cards to handle more advanced operations (and handle them faster). The K6 3D is supposed to be released within one to three months, with faster versions (clock speeds and the K6 3D+) coming out later this year.

Not to be outdone, Intel is gearing up a new chip release themselves. On Apr. 15, Intel is scheduled to release new versions of the Pentium-II processor. Code-named "Deschutes," it will run on a 66-Mhz or 100-Mhz bus speed. Initially it will be released with 350-Mhz and 400-Mhz speeds available, with faster chips planned for release later this year.

Looking ahead at future chip releases, the best situation in purchasing a new computer would be to wait until a little after (two weeks to one month) the new chips hit the market. Those who can afford to wait will benefit either by getting the latest and fastest computer or save a bundle of money on a computer with one of today's processors. The price on a Pentium-II 233 is supposed to drop $75 by April, the P-II 266 is supposed to drop about $170 by April, and the P-II 300 is supposed to drop $230 by June.

In the 3D-accelerator field, several new options are expected soon as well. The first being 3Dfx's Voodoo 2. The 3Dfx Voodoo processor has won numerous awards and is still one of the fastest 3D graphics accelerators available. Creative Labs, Diamond Multimedia, Canopus, California Graphics, and Jazz Multimedia are releasing Voodoo 2-based cards within a month or so. Creative Labs has already released its 3D Blaster Voodoo 2 and it should already be in stores. The Voodoo 2's performance is expected to be anywhere from two to three times faster than the original Voodoo. Early reviews of the Voodoo 2 have shown that it is rather CPU-dependent, whereas it will go much faster on a P-II 300 than on a Pentium 166. Additionally, the Voodoo 2 supports SLI mode (Scan Line Interleave), where two Voodoo 2 cards are used together to double the speed.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic