Tech

Compaq tests PCI-X connections

It's over a year late, but the computer maker is finally close to launching a technology that will double the speed of the PCI data pathway.

Written by Stephen Shankland, Contributor Dec. 11, 2000 at 4:00 p.m. PT

Compaq Computer Corp. has released its first prototype computers to let hardware companies start testing a new connection technology called PCI-X.

PCI-X was developed by Compaq (cpq), Hewlett-Packard Co. (hwp), and IBM (ibm) as a way to double the speed of the current PCI data pathway. The companies announced the technology in September 1998, and Intel eventually signed up to support it as well.

However, PCI-X is late. Compaq originally projected it would arrive in 1999. A long list of corrections has been compiled since the first version of the specification was released.

Not surprisingly, early 2001 is the most recent projected arrival date.

Compaq has released a developer kit--an upgrade to its Proliant 8500 servers--that lets hardware makers such as those who build network cards work with PCI-X. However, the PCI-X system runs at only 100MHz, slower than the promised top 133MHz speed of the technology.

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Compaq tests PCI-X connections

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