The most significant PC bus architecture change in over a decade, PCI Express is a next-generation system bus providing a high-speed interconnect designed to evolve current PCI technology and address the increasing bandwidth demands of emerging graphics in such next-generation applications as 3D games, professional 3D content creation, high-definition video editing, and more.
Over the last few years, graphics processing units have become so advanced that they now require more bandwidth than all other PC subsystems – more than storage, audio, communication….even processor and memory subsystems.
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PC graphics has experienced in recent years a dramatic evolution. The current bandwidth provided by yesterday’s AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus is a gating factor in the performance of today’s graphics sub-systems. PCI Express architecture addresses this issue by providing a high-frequency, scalable path of communication between next-generation graphics, video, storage, and processing systems.
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3D Gaming
Alienware high performance gaming systems with PCI Express graphics usher in a new era of 3D gaming. With up to 4 times the bandwidth of AGP, PCI Express graphics allows game designers to work with incredibly detailed textures and models, the results of which can be seen in forthcoming next-generation games
The additional bandwidth provided by PCI Express will allow complex digital light sources and realistic shadows – bringing games to life and blurring the line between digitized worlds and reality.
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Digital Content Creation
For professional applications, Alienware high performance workstations powered by PCI Express graphics enable creative professionals to reach their fullest artistic potential. Gone are the limitations imposed by yesterday’s AGP architecture, imposing creative and technical limitations alike. PCI Express enables digital artists to fully tap the imagination and create stunning visual masterpieces.
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HD Video Editing
Alienware high performance workstations with PCI Express extend the digital landscape of video editing to the world of High Definition. Emerging enthusiasts of professional film-maker? High-definition video is the future. Alienware DV workstations with PCI Express enable this new standard in digital film editing by providing the bandwidth required to work with vast amounts of high-resolution video with ease.
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Not limited to graphics, PCI Express architecture will also usher in higher bandwidth for a new generation of gigabit Ethernet, high-performance storage controllers, High-Definition video capture controllers, and many other high-performance PC devices.
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Alienware high-performance systems feature DDR2 SDRAM. This new memory technology is designed to shatter the limits imposed by that of the current DDR memory architecture, enabling systems to process critical information at blistering speeds and achieve the highest possible performance in compute-intensive applications.
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The advanced physical architecture of DDR2 memory provides improved electrical performance, which means increased data rates of 533MHz and beyond. Operating at 533MHz, dual channel DDR2 memory provides up to 8.5 gigabytes per second of memory bandwidth – compared with 6.4 gigabytes per second provided by the previous generation of DDR memory architecture.
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A major component of next-generation PC design, dual channel DDR2 memory enables a new era of performance and speed in advanced PC games, professional 3D content creation, and high-resolution video editing and playback. Multitask between applications with unparalleled ease, command vast amounts of digital content without pause, and reduce load times in all of your favorite games and applications.
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Previous generation dual channel DDR architectures required memory to be installed in exact pairs – two 256MB or two 512MB memory modules, for example. This made memory upgrades difficult and costly. Alienware systems leverage Intel® Flex Memory Technology to enable dual channel performance without the need for matched memory, providing up to 8.5 GB/s system memory bandwidth with DDR2.
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Intel® Matrix Storage Technology provides RAID 0 for extreme storage subsystem performance as well as RAID 1 for data security. RAID Ready Technology allows a single Serial ATA hard drive to be pre-configured for RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 0+1 so you can add a second drive at any time to take full advantage of enhanced performance or improved data protection.
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Experience Outstanding Audio
Alienware high-performance systems with Intel® HD Audio are architected to eliminate sonic glitches or pops inherent in other audio solutions and deliver up to eight channels of pristine high-definition audio at 192 kHz/24-bit quality. Digital music such as MP3, WMA, and OGG are rendered with true high definition clarity; DVD-Audio brings your favorite music to life in up to 5.1 surround sound; and multi-channel 3D game audio provides the competitive edge you demand.
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Cinematic Sonics
Intel HD Audio provides Dolby-quality surround technologies sound in select Alienware high-performance systems. The combination of these technologies marks an important milestone in delivering high-fidelity digital PC audio. Alienware high-performance systems equipped with Intel HD Audio are able to support all Dolby technologies, including the latest Dolby Pro Logic IIx, which makes it possible to enjoy older stereo content in 7.1 channel surround sound.
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Share the Experience...
...or double your own...streaming two different audio tracks, such as a CD and a DVD simultaneously, simply can‘t be done using current audio solutions. Alienware high-performance systems featuring Intel HD Audio feature multi-streaming, providing the ability to send two or more different audio sources to different destinations at the same time, from the same PC.
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Powerful Audio that’s Easy to Use
With other PC audio solutions, plugging a microphone into a speaker jack can lead to confusion and frustration. With an Alienware system featuring Intel HD Audio, problems like this are a thing of the past. Alienware high-performance systems with Intel HD Audio are able to sense a device plugged into an audio jack, determine what type of device it is, and change the jack function to automatically accommodate the device. Enjoying powerful, high-definition audio has never been easier.
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PCI Express
- Delivers up to 3.7 times increased Input/Output bandwidth for improved system and application performance.
- Higher bandwidth for a new generation of gigabit Ethernet LAN cards, high-performance graphics, and other high-performance devices.
Dual Channel DDR2 Memory
- Dual channel DDR2 533 solutions provide the head room and bandwidth needed for the latest, most demanding applications.
- High-frequency memory operation increases overall system and graphics performance.
- Intel® Flex Memory Technology provides flexible memory configurations and easy memory upgrades.
Intel® Matrix Storage Technology
- Supports RAID mode 0 for storage system performance and RAID mode 1 for data security.
- New single-drive “RAID ready” configuration allows for Hard Drive hot-swapping or easy on-site RAID activation by simply adding a second drive.
Intel® High-Definition Audio
- New High-Definition Audio provides robust next-generation audio capabilities.
- Multi-channel technology provides versatile Dolby Digital 5.1/6.1/7.1 support and DTS ES/Discrete 6.1 support.
- Supports DVD-Audio
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