Seventh-Generation (Pentium 4) Chipsets
| Because of its long-time integration of processor and chipset design, Intel dominates the Pentium 4 chipset market as it has the markets for Pentium (P5) and Pentium II/III/Celeron (P6) markets. Although Intel has licensed Socket 423 (used by early Pentium 4 processors) and the current Socket 478 to rival vendors such as SiS, VIA, and ALi, Intel is still the leading developer of Pentium 4 chipsets. Third-party chipsets for Pentium 4 and Celeron 4 processors are discussed later in this chapter. The Pentium 4 and Celeron processors using Socket 423 and those made for Socket 478 are essentially the same processors with different cache designs and minor internal revisions, so the same chipset can be used for both processors. The Pentium 4 processor in Socket 775 is very different from its predecessors; consequently, most 9xx-series chipsets support only the Socket 775 version of the Pentium 4. Tables 4.26 and 4.27 show the 8xx-series chipsets made by Intel for Pentium 4 and Celeron 4 processors. These chipsets use Intel's hub architecture, providing an interconnect speed of 266MBps between the MCH/GMCH and the ICH chips.
The Celeron D desktop processor (a successor to the Celeron 4) was introduced after the chipsets listed in Table 4.26. However, it is supported by the 845E, 845G, 845GE, 845PE, and 845GV chipsets. The Celeron D is also supported by all the chipsets listed in Table 4.27. Table 4.28 lists the ICH chips used by 8xx-series Pentium 4/Celeron 4 chipsets made by Intel.
Starting in mid-2004, Intel introduced a new 915/925 series of chipset for the Pentium 4 and Celeron 4. These chipsets, codenamed Grantsdale and Alderwood before their introduction, are optimized for the Pentium 4 Prescott design introduced in early 2004. They are the first Intel chipsets to support several new technologies, including DDR2 memory and PCI-Express for both video and other high-speed I/O uses (such as Gigabit Ethernet). They also include support for the new Socket 775the first LGA processor socket (also known as Socket-Tinstead of Socket 478). Note The low-end 910GL Express chipset supports both Socket 478 and Socket 775 processors. In 2005, Intel introduced its first dual-core chip for desktop processors (the Pentium D) as well as a new processor designed for maximum single-core performance (the Pentium Extreme Edition). To support these new processors as well as Socket 775 Pentium 4 processors with HT Technology, Intel developed the 945, 955, and 975 chipset families. Because of the greater performance needed to support these high-speed technologies, the 9xx-series chipsets use a faster version of the HI 1.5 hub architecture used by the 8xx-series chipsets. The new interconnect design, known as Direct Media Interface (DMI), runs at 1GBps in each direction, making it comparable to the latest non-Intel interconnects listed in Table 4.12. Table 4.29 lists the 9xx-series chipsets for the Pentium 4; Table 4.30 lists the 9xx-series chipsets for the Pentium D and Pentium Extreme Edition (they also support the Pentium 4); and Table 4.31 lists the ICH6 and ICH7 families of I/O controller hub chips used with 9xx-series chipsets.
Intel 850 FamilyThe Intel 850 family contains two members, the original 850 and an enhanced version called the 850E. The 850 is the first chipset for the Intel Pentium 4 processor and thus is also the first chipset to support the NetBurst microarchitecture. The 850 is designed for high-performance desktop computers and workstations and uses the same hub architecture and modular design as the rest of Intel's 8xx family of chipsets. See Figure 4.37 for a photo of the Intel 850 chipset. Figure 4.37. The Intel 850 chipset. Photo used by permission of Intel Corporation. The 850 has two main components, down from three in earlier 800-series chipsets:
Optionally, the Intel 82562ET/82562EM Platform LAN communication chips can be added to the 850 chipset to provide support for 10BASE-T and Fast Ethernet networking, building on the LAN features in the 82801BA ICH2 chip. The 850 chipset, similar to most recent Intel and non-Intel chipsets, also supports the CNR card for integrated audio, modem, and network capabilities. See Figure 4.38 for a diagram of the 850's chipset architecture. Figure 4.38. Architecture of the Intel 850 chipset. The 850E is an enhanced version of the 850. Its 82850E MCH adds support for dual 533MHz Rambus RDRAM memory channels and support for PC1066 RIMM modules to the 850's standard features. It also uses the same ICH2 hub as the original 850. Intel 845 FamilyUnlike the 850 and 850E chipsets, the 845 family of chipsets is widely used by both Intel and third-party motherboard makers. If you purchased a Pentium 4 system from late 2001 through mid-2003, it probably uses some version of the 845 chipset. The 845, code named Brookdale during its development, was the first Pentium 4 chipset from Intel to support low-cost SDRAM instead of expensive RDRAM. Subsequent variations support DDR SDRAM at speeds up to DDR333, ATA/100, and USB 2.0. The 845-series chipsets include the following models:
All members of the 845 family use the same hub-based architecture developed for the 845 family, but they also have onboard audio and support the communications and networking riser (CNR) card for integrated modem and 10/100 Ethernet networking. However, they differ in their support for different types and amounts of memory, integrated graphics, external AGP support, and which ICH chip they use. Although the original version of the 845 supported only PC133 SDRAM memory, the so-called 845D model (a designation used by review sites but not by Intel) also supports 200/266MHz DDR SDDRAM. The Intel 845's 82845 MCH supports Socket 478based Celeron or Pentium 4 processors and can support up to two DDR SDRAM modules or three standard SDRAM modules (depending on the motherboard). When DDR SDRAM is used, the 845 supports either 200MHz (PC2100) or 266MHz (PC2700) memory speeds, with an FSB speed of 400MHz. The 845 also supports ECC error correction when parity-checked memory modules are used and offers an AGP 4x video slot, but it has no onboard video. The 845 uses the same ICH2 I/O controller hub chip (82801-BA) used by the Intel 850 and 850E chipsets in Rambus-based systems and the 815EP in low-cost SDRAM-based systems. The ICH2 supports ATA/100 hard disk interfacing, basic AC'97 sound, and four USB 1.1 ports. All G-series 845 models feature Intel Extreme Graphics integrated video, which has faster core speeds and adds 3D performance to the bare-bones integrated video used by the 810 and 815 chipset families. Two chipsetsthe 845G and 845GEalso offer support for AGP 4x video cards. The 845E is an updated version of the current 845 model with ECC error correction and support for 533MHz FSB, whereas the 845PE supports the 533MHz FSB, DDR 266, and 333MHz memory, but it doesn't support ECC error correction. All models except the 845 (845D) use the enhanced ICH4 I/O Controller Hub 82801DB, which offers six USB 2.0 ports as well as integrated networking. Additionally, all models except the 845 and 845GL offer enhanced 20-bit audio. Figure 4.39 compares the system block diagrams of the 845 and 845GE models. Figure 4.39. The 845GE (right) adds support for faster FSB speeds, memory, integrated graphics, and USB 2.0 to the basic 845 chipset architecture (left). Intel 865 FamilyThe Intel 865 chipset family, code named Springdale, was released in May 2003. As the name might suggest, the 865 series is designed to replace the 845 series with chipsets that feature dual-channel memory support, the new communications streaming architecture (CSA) that provides a dedicated connection for the integrated network controller, faster performance, and support for the latest technologies (including optional Gigabit Ethernet and Serial ATA). The features of the 865 and 875 families are summarized in Table 4.28. The 865 family includes the 865P, 865PE, 865G, and 865GV chipsets. The 865PE, 865G, and 865GV support single-channel or dual-channel DDR266, as well as dual-channel DDR333 and DDR400 SDRAM with FSB speeds up to 800MHz. Dual-channel memory provides a wider memory bandwidth for faster performance. The 865P model supports DDR266/333 and FSB speeds up to 533MHz. All models except the GV support AGP 8x, and the G and GV models include Intel Extreme Graphics 2a faster version of the integrated graphics technology found in G-series versions of the 845 chipset family. Finally, an optional Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) port is connected to the MCH/GMCH and requires the use of an optional Intel 82547 Gigabit Ethernet controller chip on the motherboard. All members of the 865 family use the ICH5 or ICH5R I/O controller hub described earlier in this chapter. Intel 848PThe Intel 848P, code-named Breeds Hill, was introduced in February 2004 as an economy version of the 865 (Springdale) chipset family. Unlike the 865 family, though, it supports only single-channel memory and has a maximum memory size of just 2GB. The 848P also omits Gigabit Ethernet support. Compared to the 845 family, the 848P offers faster AGP (8x), faster memory (up to DDR400), and the more advanced ICH5 I/O Controller Hub (South Bridge) chip and the Hub Link 1.5 (HL 1.5 or HI 1.5) MCH/ICH interconnect. However, if your intent is to build a new system or upgrade an existing one, your money is better spent on a more modern chipset and motherboard. ICH5 and ICH5RICH5 and ICH5R (RAID) are the latest generation of Intel's I/O controller hub for its AHA and HI 1.5 hub-based architecture, which is the equivalent of the South Bridge in Intel's hub-based architecture introduced with the 800 series of chipsets. Intel added the ICH5 and ICH5R I/O controller hubs for its AHA and HI 1.5 hub-based architecture chipsets. Both feature four USB 2.0 controllers with eight external ports, two ATA/100 ports, and two Serial ATA/150 ports. ICH5R models add support only for RAID 0 (striping) and RAID 1 (mirroring) on the SATA ports. ICH5/ICH5R also support the PCI 2.3 bus and include an integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN controller. Note RAID 1 (mirroring) support for ICH5R-equipped motherboards requires the installation of the latest version of the Intel Matrix Storage Manager (previously known as the Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition). In some cases, you might also need to install the latest edition of the Intel RAID Option ROM first. For more information and to download driver and option ROM updates, go to http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/. The Intel Matrix Storage Manager also supports motherboards with ICH6R and ICH7R I/O Controller Hub chips. Intel 875PThe Intel 875P chipset, code named Canterwood during its development, was introduced in April 2003. The 875P chipset supports Intel's HT Technology (hyper-threading), so it fully supports 3.06GHz and faster Pentium 4s, including the newer Prescott (90nm) core versions. For faster memory access, the 875P supports four standard or ECC memory modules (up to 4GB total) using DDR333 or DDR400 memory in a dual-channel mode, and it offers a new Turbo mode that uses a faster path between DDR400 memory and the MCH to boost enhanced performance. Because multiple memory modules aren't always the same size or type, the 875P also features a new dynamic mode that optimizes system memory when different types or sizes of memory are used at the same time. The 875P also includes both Serial ATA and RAID support and uses the same ICH5/5R I/O controller hub family used by the 865 series. Intel 915 FamilyThe Intel 915 chipset family, code named Grantsdale during its development, was introduced in 2004. The Grantsdale family comprises six members (910GL, 915PL, 915P, 915G, 915GV, and 915GL), all of which support the 90nm Pentium 4 Prescott core. These chipsets are the first to support the Socket 775 processor interface outlined in Chapter 3. These chipsets are intended to replace the 865 Springdale family of chipsets. The 915P, 915G, 915GV, 915GL, and 915PL models are all designed to support the HT Technology feature built in to most recent Pentium 4 processors and to support bus speeds up to 800MHz. All five chipsets support dual-channel DDR memory up to 400MHz and PCI-Express x1 and as well as PCI version 2.3 expansion slots. The 915P, 915G, and 915GV chipsets also support the new DDR2 memory standard at speeds up to 533MHz. The 915P and 915PL use a PCI-Express x16 slot for high-speed graphics, whereas the 915G has a PCI-Express x16 slot as well as integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 (originally known as Extreme Graphics 3). The 915GV, 915GL, and 910GL use Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 but do not include a PCI-Express x16 slot. Graphics Media Accelerator 900 is a partial implementation of DirectX 9, but it lacks the vertex shaders found on fully compatible DirectX 9 GPUs from ATI and NVIDIA. The 910GL is the low-end member of the family, lacking support for DDR2 RAM, 800MHz bus speeds, and PCI-Express x16 video. The 910GL is designed to be matched with Intel Celeron or the new Celeron D processors to produce a low-cost system. All 915-series MCH/GMCH chips use the new ICH6 family of South Bridge replacements detailed in Table 4.32. Note that the wireless versions of ICH6 (ICH6W and ICH6WR) originally announced were discontinued by Intel before being released, and only the standard (ICH6) and RAID (ICH6R) versions are actually available. Intel 925X FamilyThe Intel 925 chipset family includes two members: the 925X and the 925XE. The Intel 925X chipset, code named Alderwood, was released in 2004. It was designed to replace the 875P Canterwood chipset. Unlike the 915 series of chipsets, which continue to support older DDR memory, the 925X supports only DDR2 memory. The 925X also supports ECC memory, providing a fast and accurate platform for mission-critical applications. To further improve performance, it uses an optimized memory controller design. The 925X supports the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition and the Pentium 4 in Socket 775 form factors. It also includes PCI-Express x1, PCI-Express x16 (video), and PCI version 2.3 expansion slots. The I/O Controller Hub uses the ICH6 family of South Bridge replacements detailed in Table 4.31. The 925XE is an updated version of the 925X, adding support for 1066MHz FSB speeds; however, it dropped support for the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor and for ECC memory. Intel 945 Express FamilyThe Intel 945 Express chipset family (code-named Lakeport) was released in 2005 and includes three members: the 945G, 945P, and 945PL. These chipsets, along with the 955X and 975X, are the first to support Intel's new dual-core Pentium D processors, but they also support Pentium 4 HT Technology processors using Socket 775. The 945G and 945P are aimed at what Intel refers to as the "performance PC" market segment. They offer FSB speeds up to 1066MHz and up to 4GB of dual-channel DDR2 memory (two pairs) running at up to 667MHz. Both feature PCI Express x16 support, but the 945G also incorporates Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 integrated graphics. The 945PLaimed at what Intel refers to as the "mainstream PC" segmentsupports only two memory modules (one pair of dual-channel modules) running at up to 533MHz and a maximum memory size of 2GB. It also supports PCI-Express x16. All members of the 945 family support the ICH7 family of I/O controller hub chips listed in Table 4.31. The ICH7 family differs from ICH6 in the following ways:
Figure 4.40 compares the features of the 945G and 915G chipsets. Figure 4.40. The 915G chipset (left) was the first Intel chipset to support both PCI-Express x16 and integrated graphics. The 945G chipset (right) offers similar features but supports faster integrated graphics, faster SATA hard disks, and more PCI-Express x1 slots than the 915G. Intel 955X and 975X FamilyThe Intel Glenwood chipset family was released in 2005 and includes two members: the 955X and 975X. These chipsets, along with the 945 family, are the first to support Intel's new dual-core Pentium D processors, but they also support the new high-performance single-core Pentium Extreme Edition processors as well as existing Pentium 4 HT Technology processors using Socket 775. Intel categorizes these chipsets as entry-level workstation and performance PC chipsets. Although these chipsets are numbered in different series, most of their features are identical. Both support FSB speeds of 800MHz and 1066MHz and support up to four DDR2 667/533MHz memory modules (two pairs of dual-channel modules) for a maximum 8GB of system memory. Both support ECC memorya must for workstation operationand both use the ICH7 family of I/O controller hub chips listed in Table 4.31. The 955X and 975X differ from each other in their video support. The 955X supports a single PCI-Express x16 video card, whereas the 975X supports two PCI-Express video cards in x8 mode. Currently, the 975X supports ATI graphics cards that support CrossFire dual-slot operation, but NVIDIA will likely develop driver support for its SLI dual-slot solutions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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