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[SemiconEng]

VIA Tries Again : The P4X400 Chipset for Pentium 4
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=p4x400&page=10

The Final Word
If you've read through our article to this point, you most likely know that our impressions of the VIA P4X400 chipset and the Soyo Dragon Ultra Platinum Edition motherboard haven't been entirely favorable. While the P4X400 seems to be a step up from what we've seen with VIA's previous Pentium 4 chipset, the P4X266A, it seems as soon as the P4X400 finally hits the market, it's practically out of date already.
The performance of the chipset simply isn't up to par. Even with CAS 2/2/2 DDR-333 memory at the highest speeds certified for the chipset and motherboard, performance of the Soyo Dragon Ultra board couldn't outpace our SiS 648 DDR-333 or Intel 850-E RDRAM platforms. With Intel's upcoming DDR-333 and Dual Channel DDR-333 products on the near horizon as well, it looks like the P4X400 will be pushed further down the totem pole in no time at all. It's a pity. If it had actually hit the market in volume a month ago, it would have been touted as a true performance player. By today's standards, it's surprisingly mediocre.

---Not good for VIA, IMO. The CEO is making the same mistake that Jerry Sanders made, letting his personal feelings get in the way of business. When you try to rub Goliath's nose in it, you better be sure that your slingshot kills with the first blow. If not, it's unlikely you'll get another chance.

Semi