VIA to Showcase Dual Opteron K8T800 Chipset Running 64-bit Mandrake Linux at LinuxWorld Expo 2003

Taipei, Taiwan, Date, - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today made its first public demonstration of the VIA K8T800 chipset running the 64-bit Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 2.1 Operating System in a dual AMD Opteron™ processor configuration at booth #1776 at the LinuxWorld Expo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

In addition to supporting a choice of single or dual AMD Opteron processors, the VIA K8T800 also features an AGP8X graphics port to provide the scalability required for advanced workstation applications as well as server designs. Other leading edge features in the chipset include HyperTransport™ technology and the world’s first integrated multi-configuration Serial ATA/RAID controller in the VT8237 South Bridge.

“LinuxWorld provides the ideal location for demonstrating the market leading features, performance, and scalability of the K8T800 chipset,” commented Richard Brown, Associate Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Combining support for a choice of single or dual Opteron processors with its advanced architecture, it provides the ideal solution for powering the advanced 64-bit Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 2.1 server O/S.”

“MandrakeSoft and VIA share a common goal to provide scalable, reliable and affordable Linux-based solutions for the enterprise," said Francois Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft," We are excited that with VIA's K8T800 we were able to demonstrate a dual Opteron system. We look forward to continued collaboration with VIA to enable rapid and efficient ports of 64-bit Linux based applications and systems."

The VIA K8T800 demo system is based around the new MS-9130 Serverboard, produced by leading motherboard manufacturer MSI. The combination of dual 64-bit AMD Opteron processors and dual channel DDR333 memory, with the advanced architecture of the VIA K8T800 North Bridge and high-performance storage technologies integrated in the VIA VT8237 South Bridge, enables a powerful, scalable, and reliable system with the ability to run a complete range of mission critical server applications such as web-servers, database deployment, and application & file servers.

Paired with the new VT8237 South Bridge, the VIA K8T800 also delivers comprehensive support for the most advanced storage technologies through its integrated VIA DriveStation™ Controller Suite, containing V-RAID, the industry's first full-featured native Serial ATA/RAID controller. Featuring a high-speed 150MB/s dual channel Serial ATA controller with support for RAID Level 0, RAID Level 1, and RAID Level 0+11, as well as connections for up to four additional Parallel ATA-133 devices, V-RAID enables system designers to provide optimal data integrity and storage performance.

Furthermore, as the world’s first chipset to combine dual AMD Opteron processors with support for AGP 8X, the VIA K8T800 also serves as the ultimate platform for power hungry workstations running today’s most demanding design and engineering applications, including graphics rendering, data asset management and CAD based design.

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft is the publisher of the popular Mandrake Linux operating system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems available. The company offers its enterprise, government and educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source software and related services. MandrakeSoft products are available in more than 120 countries through dedicated channels and from MandrakeStore, the company's online store.

Number 1 in several countries, MandrakeSoft has been awarded many times for quality and the technical innovation of its products. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, MandrakeSoft has established headquarters in the U.S.A. and in France. MandrakeSoft is traded on Paris Euronext Marche Libre (Euroclear code: 4477.PA; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF). Please visit the MandrakeSoft website: http://www.mandrakesoft.com for more information.

About VIA Technologies, Inc.

VIA Technologies, Inc. is the foremost fabless supplier of market-leading core logic chipsets, low power x86 processors, advanced connectivity, multimedia, networking and storage silicon, and complete platform solutions that are driving system innovation in the PC and embedded markets. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA’s global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world’s top OEMs, motherboard vendors and system integrators. VIA is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE2388) and achieved annual revenues of over US$720 million in 2002. www.via.com.tw