Wireless Modem Router: AMD's SB850 Chipset Specifications

California-based Advanced Micro Devices is expected to update its desktop computer platform with the release of the highly anticipated RD890 chipset, accompanied by the southbridge chip SB850. The SB850 Southbridge chip will integrate the new-generation SATA 3 controller with speed of 6Gb/s, and support 6 SATA 3 interfaces and 14 USB ports.

RD890 northbridge and SB850 southbridge chips are both set to launch in Mid Q4 as well as RS880D. RS880D will include RV620 (Radeon HD 3400) chip with 700MHz clock, supporting DX10.1, UVD2.0 and Hybrid CF. The southbridge will be one of the first ones to feature the third-generation SATA interface, that offers a maximum bandwidth of 6 Gbps between the system and the storage device, in comparison to 3 Gbps SATA II offers.

Before the launch of 8 series IGP chipset, AMD will push 785G as the last 7 series IGP chipset at the beginning of Q3. Sharing similar specs with 780G, 785G can support DX10.1 and UVD2.0.According to the images, the SB850 will be the last south bridge chipset using the new SATA 3 controller with speeds of 6 GB/s this year. Reports speculate that the chipset will only support AM3, and offer Gigabit MAC, AHCI 1.2, 6 SATA 3 interfaces, 14 USB ports, and RAID 5 and possibly the second generation PCIe 4X.

Before the release of this high-performance product, AMD will announce the new AMD 785G mainstream chipset, the last of the company's 7-series IGP chipsets. This is a product that shares its specifications with the current 780G northbridge, offering a 500MHz core speed, DX10, UVD, HDMI and PCIe Express 2.0 support. However, the 785G will introduce the support for DirectX 10.1 and UVD2.0, when it will launch at the beginning of the third quarter.