Intel® Processors

Most recently the development of industry characteristics, determined mainly rivalry two processor giants Intel and AMD, slowly rise to in the evolutionary way. Evolution - so if someone does not know the process, when the vast majority of computer enthusiasts, it is usually not encumbered ultra-high-income, not just remember what the term "upgrade" computer, but also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice. Alas, these "blessed" the times seems to depart in the field of computer tradition ... Naturally, the new processor-requires new sets of system logic - andthe producers are not forced to wait. We struck a real avalanche of new chipset announcements, sometimes simply duplicative and sometimes frankly "paper" so that even many professionals are head range. With much talk about us, unsophisticated user's! Let's try, is not going into the swamp of high technology, a bit streamline all available information to date on the most popular modern chipset for desktop Intel processors. Family Express 915/925 chipsets Happy birthday of a fundamentally new platform should be June 19, 2004, when the company formally announced the Intel chipsetsdiscrete 925 H, 915 R and integrated 915G for the Pentium 4 processorin small-FC PGA2 and LGA775, and the new "south bridge" ICH6, which is included in their composition . All they supported 200 - MHz system bus (the term "FSB 800 MHz" arose from the fact that for a four-stroke transmission of data signals), equipped with a dual universal memory (as working with DDR2-533, and with normal memory DDR400), and PCI Express interface, not only for graphic adapters, but also for the card expansion. The new memory controller, the greatest attention was paid to the convenience of the organization for two-mode users. The so-called Flex Memory Technology allows the three modules while maintaining dvuhkanalnosti - require only the same total amount of memory in both channels. Of course, the system safely carry nonsymmetrical and filling slots in different channels, but then there is speed, like the 865/875chipsets, drops markedly. In an improved version of its flagship 900 - the first family - recruiting 925 HE chips, Intel went further by increasing the frequency of up to 1066 MHz system bus and support for entering the most productive to date DDR2-667 memory. In addition, how would implicitly means that all masthead chipsets will work only under the Socket 775 processors. South Bridge connects to the northern ICH6/ICH6R through bi-directional tires polnodupleksnoy DMI (Direct Media Interface), an electrically modified version of PCI Express x4, and ensuring a capacity up to 2048 Mbps. Among other technological innovations in the southern bridge ICH6 appears support 4 - x PCI Express x1 ports, designed to work with traditional audio peripherals and the new generation of Intel HDA, which supports 24 - bit 8 - channel audio (with the frequency discretization 192 kHz). Curious feature of the standard is a function of HDA Jack Retasking - automatically detect audiorazemu connected to the device and reconfigure the entrances / exits, depending on its type. Disk Subsystem Intel Matrix Storage Technology, the activated in the southern bridges "with the symbol" R ", allows for the creation of dual-RAID array that combines the advantages of RAID 0 and RAID 1. "Topovy" 955X, in contrast to the "massive" 945 R, deprived of support "low" processor (533 MHz with tyres), and memory (DDR2-400), while it can handle a large volume (up to 8 GB) of memory (possibly use modules with ECC), and is equipped with a proprietary system memory subsystems improve productivity Memory Pipeline. C aim of popularizing maximum dvuyadernoy architecture in the budget sector, the company Intel plans to soon expand 945 - yu series of entry-level chipsets. This should be integrated (no graphic port PCI Express x16) 945GZ chipset with the single controller DDR2-533/400 memory and discrete 945PL. As the name indicates, the latest chipset will be "leaner" version of 945P, in which the maximum frequency is limited system bus 800 MHz and dual memory controller will support only DDR2-533/400. Thus, from an ordinary 915 new R 945PL will differ only official support binucleated processor Pentium D (if not take into account the non-DDR). NVIDIA Chipsets One of the most high profile events of the past year was the news of the "admission" by NVIDIA, one of the leading players in the market system logic for AMD processors, to a much more "piece" of the Intel market. Thus for the first time in history in the niche chipsets for hard-fast decisions previously controlled exclusively Intel itself, there is also another player, and not just a "second room", and immediately declared the claim for leadership. And, judging by the successes NVIDIA to "front" solutions for AMD64 platform, a claim is not unfounded. After allchipsets nForce4 SLI Intel Edition, despite not most, to say the least felicitous name - terribly unwieldy and trudnootlichimoe of ordinary nForce4 SLI, is essentially the same so well nForce4 SLI, which has been changed only tire processor and memory controller added . Recall that on AMD64 memory controller integrated into the CPU, so it unnecessarily chipset, which, of course, it's a lot easier to Northbridge. That is why the family of chipsets nForce3 / 4, in contrast to the "Intel Edition" are odnokristalnymi. The only, as you can popenyat MCP - is the lack of modern audiokontrollera HDA. The existing AC'97 though 7.1-channel, but its quality is hopelessly outdated. Unlike in previous years, when the producers of "alternative" chipsetsfor Pentium 4 released their new products almost immediately after Intel (and sometimes even ahead of it), with the introduction of new standards PCI Express/DDR2 Taiwanese "triumvirate" VIA, SiS and ALi / ULi and primknuvshaya to them "© ATI especially not in a hurry, limited only announces decent enough, but unfortunately, or no market demand, or simply" paper "chipsets. Such a "disregard" for whether it is due to progress every obstacles Intel in licensing new tyres multiplied to the power of marketing chief competitor, or second-tier manufacturers really appreciate its too limited competition with a truly advanced Intel chipsets. But it is not deleted, and a simple version of events, when the "alternative" simply awaiting final acceptance DDR2/PCI Express, and only then take seriously for the development of this market. However, according to information available on the Net on the plans of competitors Intel, the majority of their decisions will be aimed at Mainstream or, more likely, the Low-End sectors.