AOpen Releasing Graphics Workstation Motherboard - AX4R Plus

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AOpen again leading the industry by releasing affordable entry-level graphics workstation motherboard - AX4R Plus. Here is the ripped PR: Taipei, Taiwan, November 18, 2002-AOpen Inc. announced today the availability of an entry-level graphics workstation motherboard based on Intel E7205 (Granite Bay) chipset that provides 8X AGP support, dual channel DDR266 memory architecture and 4 USB 2.0 ports... Taipei, Taiwan, November 18, 2002-AOpen Inc. announced today the availability of an entry-level graphics workstation motherboard based on Intel E7205 (Granite Bay) chipset that provides 8X AGP support, dual channel DDR266 memory architecture and 4 USB 2.0 ports.



The new motherboard is targeted at higher educational institutes and small business engineers who primarily use workstation for scientific purpose. "In the old days, if college student wants to do 3D modeling or simulation, it requires high-price tag workstation that costs at least 5-figure. With AX4R Plus motherboard, universities and colleges can spend just a friction of the money to pay for graphics workstation to have a graphics workstation for students to conduct all kinds of scientific experiments." Says AOpen, Inc.



- Turning One CPU to Two Hyper-Threading technology is an innovative design from Intel that enables multi-threaded software applications to process threads in parallel within each processor resulting in increased utilization of processor execution resources. To make it short, it is to place two logical processors into a single CPU die. As a result, an average improvement of ~40% in CPU resource utilization yields higher processing throughput.





Graphics Processing Power and Advanced Serial ATA Hard Drive Interface

AX4R Plus has an 8X AGP that complies with AGP Interface Specification 3.0 with maximum throughput of 2.1GB/s, this kind of performance is suitable for general graphical simulation. "Students will be able to see DNA molecular structure in 3D with vivid color. A new kind of teaching aid is provided where textbook just can't match!" commented by AOpen. Dual-channel DDR memory architecture is also helping performance gain, pumping two times of data within single cycle. "You want to demonstrate how earth quake shake skyscrapers and its massive force. Textbook can only provide an imaginary picture and video can not do simulation with different level of force. With an affordable entry-level workstation, all these tasks can be solved!"



Next generation of Serial ATA hard drive interface is also provided to further enhance it future upgradeability as well as providing high performance hard drive that will available earlier next year. "With Serial ATA hard drive, the overall performance gain can be tremendous. This performance gain will greatly enhance the AX4R Plus in a real world situation"







Thoughtful Design Concept

AOpen recognized that budget-tightening is faced by many higher educational institutes; therefore AOpen has set the course of providing a very affordable product with traditional AOpen quality and long-term reliability. "The AX4R Plus is designed with standard ATX form factor so that it can fit into typical desktop housing and compatible with desktop power supply. This dramatically reduces the initial investment and allows fast acceleration of devices deployment for university and college when the budget is tight."



As for small business application, AX4R Plus is also a very affordable tool when CAD/CAM, graphics design firms, engineering consultants, architecture firms, fashion company, and all other small businesses center on computer graphics.

"Animation house can now afford to have more graphics workstation installed at not only office, but also at employee's home should they choose to stay at home to work or situation requires them to work at home overtime."





Cool heart and Low Noise

AX4R Plus also comes with latest AOpen technology - SilentTek Noise Reduction Technology. By combining both hardware, BIOS and utility, AX4R Plus can operate with very low noise. "For most of the noise coming from CPU and Housing fan, we have found a way to lower down the fan speed and reduce noise without increasing motherboard and system thermal problem." Explained by AOpen. Inside the utility, an algorithm developed by AOpen software team is taking the charge of constantly monitoring the CPU and ambient temperature, when situation is needed, this algorithm and embedded code inside the BIOS will interact, thus provides optimum cooling solution to the system.



Power Reservoir

AX4R Plus design also complies with Intel's FMB2 design guide so that its power and thermal solutions are ready for the next generation Pentium 4 CPU with higher speed and power requirements.



AX4R Plus specifications and features also include 400/533MHz FSB, 6 PCI slots, 4 DIMM sockets totaling 4GB of on-board memory capacity, 10/100 LAN on-board, sound on-board and award-winning AOpen application software - EzRestore and EzWinFlash.



AX4R Plus Motherboard will be available through all authorized AOpen channel partners at early November, 2002. Detailed specifications and photos for website posting or publication are also available by request. More information on the AX4R Plus may also be found at: www.aopen.com.tw