ALi MAGiK 1: The Athlon gets a second DDR platform

While DDR is definitely the name of the game when it comes to high performing Athlon solutions, we have pointed out time and time again that the Athlon platform in general and the Duron in particular isn’t being taken seriously enough in the value market.  This is unfortunate because there is such a large market for AMD here, and it is even more unfortunate because it isn’t directly AMD’s fault that they are in this position, rather it is the lack of any third party chipsets that promote a value platform that is holding AMD back here. 

Although the MAGiK 1 does not feature any sort of integrated video as you would expect to find in a value solution, the M1647’s DRAM controller features SDRAM support in addition to the DDR SDRAM support we just talked about.  This is a very strong feature for system builders and OEMs since they can implement one system design, based around a single motherboard, and simply switch out the type of memory they are planning on using according to the needs of their customers.  Using DDR for the high end and performance market segments, while resorting to conventional single data rate SDRAM for the rest of the market. 

While this won’t thrust ALi’s solution into the sub-$1000 market, it definitely makes it more attractive than AMD’s 760 which only supports DDR SDRAM. 

Obviously with single data rate SDRAM the memory bus can be operated asynchronously from the system bus.  The memory controller integrated into the M1647 Northbridge supports 66/100/133MHz memory bus operation.  The latter two operating frequencies we have had with VIA’s KT133 chipset, however the support for PC66 SDRAM doesn’t make much sense since it would severely cripple the Athlon’s performance.  We find it highly unlikely that a motherboard manufacturer would opt to support PC66 SDRAM on a MAGiK 1 based design.

ALi lists the maximum supported DRAM size as being 3GB on the MAGiK 1, however with most boards shipping with no more than 3 DIMM slots, it is unlikely that motherboard manufacturers will guarantee support for DIMMs in 1GB densities, at least not at first. 

We will also be able to find boards that have both 168-pin SDRAM and 184-pin DDR SDRAM slots on them, allowing for the greatest flexibility however you will not be able to populate both types of slots at once. 

Other than the aforementioned unique characteristics, the MAGiK 1’s M1647 Northbridge offers the same features that we have seen since VIA first introduced the KX133.  The chipset supports AGP 4X, and when using the M1535D+ Southbridge it boasts ATA/100 support as well.  Most, if not all, MAGiK 1 based designs will use this Southbridge.