SAN JOSE, CA, November 15, 1999 - Supermicro has announced the release of four new boards based on Intel’s new 820 chipset. The 820 is a new generation chipset that supports a 133 MHz system bus and 4xAGP (Accelerated Graphics Port), which provides 1 GB per second of graphics throughput. The chipset also incorporates RDRAM (Rambus DRAM), the next generation of system memory. RDRAM enables a memory throughput of up to 1.6 GB/s at a high frequency of 800 MHz.

Coinciding with Intel’s official 820 release date, Supermicro has once again demonstrated its ability to get new technology to market without delay. Their four new boards, the PIIISCA, PIIISCD, PIIISCE and 370SCD, provide various configurations that offer a broad appeal. All share 4xAGP support, ATA/66, 5 PCI slots, AMR, AC97 sound and an ATX form factor. While the 370SCD also has 1 ISA slot and accommodates Flip Chip Pin Grid Array (FCPGA) and PPGA processors, these boards differ mainly in their memory options. The 370SCD and PIIISCD have 2 DIMM slots, the PIIISCE has 2 RIMM slots and the PIIISCA offers both 2 DIMM and 2 RIMM for greater user flexibility. All memory configurations provide support for up to 1 GB of main memory. The DIMM slots support PC100 SDRAM for a low cost memory solution.

All Supermicro 820 boards support the following features:

• Ultra DMA 66 - Also referred to as ATA66, this technology provides twice the IDE bus speed of previous chipsets. This effectively doubles the throughput to hard disk drives to speed up the overall performance of a system.
   
• Suspend to RAM (STR) - In suspend mode, STR shuts down a computer's components but maintains the current operating state in memory, which consumes a minimal amount of power. Users can then reactivate the system to its previous operating state within seconds.
   
• AMR (Audio/Modem Riser) socket - The AMR socket enables the modem function through a Software Modem Card to reduce total system costs.
   
• PC99 Certified - Color-coded I/O ports provide easy identification to make setup quick and hassle-free for users.
   
• AC97 Onboard Sound - Supports software 3D PCI-class sound and eliminates the need of a PCI sound card. You also have the option to bypass the onboard sound.

Supermicro is a leading supplier of desktop and high-end motherboards for servers and workstations. Since its founding in 1993, Supermicro has led the industry in delivering cutting-edge technology such as the first solution for the I2O architecture. Supermicro strives to build long-term relationships with its customers by providing outstanding engineering innovations, quality and reliability. Supermicro’s server building block solutions decrease systems integrators’ time-to-market by ensuring the interoperability of all components. All Supermicro products are available through OEMs and distributors.