Taipei - The SiS656 is the first core logic chipset which supports DDR2-667 memory. It is also the first chipset from Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) to support PCI Express x16.

SiS positions the 656 as high-end product and targets several Intel platforms, including desktops, notebooks, workstations and servers. The Northbridge chip supports Intel's 400, 533 and 800 MHz FSB as well as Hyperthreading. Memory support is limited to 4 DIMMs with 1 GByte capacity each.

Dual channel DDR2-667 delivers transfer bandwidth of up to 10.6 GByte/s as compared to the 8.6 GByte/s rate of DDR2-533, which translates into nearly 20 percent increase in memory bandwidth.

According to SiS, DDR2-667 memory modules from Samsung and Micron have both successfully passed the firm's compatibility test. Other brands, such as Infineon, Hynix and Elpida, are currently undergoing compatibility testing.

Pricing and availability have not been released.