Kendari Media

Physically, chipset or a small set of IC chips are designed to work together and have certain functions. On computer hardware systems, this chipset can be found on the motherboard, the cards (the cards) expansion, such as the graphics card (video card), or other computer equipment. Functions of the chipset on the motherboard is not the same as the chipset on expansion cards. Similarly, the function of the chipset on the other computer equipment. Each has its own specific function. Chipset is not necessarily consist of a set of IC or chip set, is sometimes found only consists of a chip alone.

Chipset on the video card is used to control the 3-dimensional graphics rendering and output an image on the monitor. While the chipset on the motherboard is used to control the input and output (input and output) are fundamental in the computer. Keep in mind, that are discussed in this chapter is focused on the chipset on the motherboard, not the chipset that is on the components of a computer or other device.

More specifically, it can be said that the chipset commonly found on the motherboard serves to regulate the flow of data from one component to another. For example, direct the data from the CPU (processor) to the graphics card (video card) or to the system memory (RAM), and directing the flow of data through the PCI bus, IDE drives and I / O ports In this case, can be likened to that chipset seemed to serve as a 'traffic cop' regulating the flow of data on the motherboard in a PC (Personal Computer).

In addition to regulating the flow of data, the chipset also determines what devices can be supported by the PC, and also determine the speed of the FSB (Front Side Bus), memory bus, bus graphics, capacity and type of memory that can be supported by the motherboard in question, and determine standard IDE, port types are also supported by the system.

Actually, more detail can be explained that the traditional chipset on the motherboard consists of two parts, the northbridge and southbridge. Common tasks chipset as described earlier, is divided to two parts of the chipset. Each piece chipset (northbridge or southbridge) has its own task-specific and work according to its function.

The origin of the term northbridge and southbridge

Appearance northbridge and southbridge term originated from the habit of drawing a chart or map on a component architecture. CPU is usually placed at the top (apex) chart. On a map, the top is always synonymous with the north. CPU is then connected to the chipset via a fast bridge or connecting lines that connect directly fast at the top of the chipset units. That is why part of that is directly related to the CPU is called the northbridge. Northbridge is then connected to the bottom of the chipset via a slow bridge or connecting line slower. Bottom chipset unit is then called southbridge. If the top symbolizes the north, by itself symbolizes the bottom of the south. That is why is called the southbridge.

1.Northbridge

Northbridge is also called by the name of the memory controller hub (MCH). The maker of chipsets that use the proper name of the MCH is Intel. Meanwhile, AMD, VIA and other companies use more proper name northbridge.

Northbridge has a special role is very important in a system motherboard. Northbridge is the part that connects the processor (CPU) to the graphics controller and system memory (AGP and PCI Express) via a high-speed bus, and to the southbridge. Thus, Northbridge in charge of control / handle communication between the CPU, RAM, AGP or PCI Express, and the southbridge. Even in some chipsets, in the northbridge also features integrated video controller (integrated video controller). In the term Intel integrated video system controller is called by the name of Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH).

Northbridge also serve to determine the amount, type and speed of CPU that can be attached to the motherboard, including determining the amount, speed and type of RAM that can be used. Each type of chipset, mostly designed only to support specific processor series, with the amount of RAM that can be paired and vary depending on processor type motherboards own design.

On the motherboard for the Pentium processor (Pentium II before), which can be paired RAM capacity is often limited to 128 MB only. While the motherboard for the Pentium 4, which can be paired RAM capacity is limited to 4 GB. Please note that since the Pentium Pro era emerged, Intel architecture processors are applied to accommodate the physical address greater than 32 bits, typically 36 bits, so it is capable of supporting up to 64 GB of RAM. However, there is rarely a motherboard designed to support up to 64 GB of RAM, and besides many other limiting factors that do not allow the implementation of the RAM features, such as limited support from the OS and the high price of RAM).

Until now, not so much the chipset is capable of supporting two types of RAM at once. Such new chipset is usually produced when the emerging new standards set by the factory because of the emergence of new technological developments. Examples northbridge that supports only one type of RAM is NVIDIA nForce northbridge of the chipset. This chipset can only be paired with AMD processors are designed using a socket combined with the use of DDR SDRAM. Another example is the Intel i875 chipset. This chipset can only work with Pentium 4 or Celeron processor which has a clock speed higher than 1.3 GHz, combined with the use of DDR SDRAM. While the examples chipset that can support two types of RAM are the Intel i915 chipset. The chipset can work with Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron are using use DDR or DDR2.

In further developments, the memory controller that handles communication between the CPU and RAM no longer be on the chipset, the memory controller is transferred to the processor, integrated with the processor die. Examples that have been equipped with processor memory controller is AMD64 processors. Consequently, the chipset for AMD64 processors (eg NVIDIA nForce3 chipset) into a single chip (single chip) which is a combination of all the features southbridge with an AGP port. This chipset is connected directly to the CPU (processor). While Intel will also do the same thing, namely integrating the memory controller into the processor production. The plan would later be applied to microarchitecture Nehalem-based processors.

2.Southbridge

Southbridge is part of the chipset that controls the IDE bus, USB, Plug and Play support, PCI bridge and Isa, keyboard and mouse control, power management features and a number of other devices.

Southbridge related to pheriperal, through a connecting line speed (bus speed) slower (eg PCI bus and ISA bus) than connecting line used by the northbridge. In some modern chipsets, the southbridge actually contains (load) peripherals are plugged into the integrated on chip, such as Ethernet, USB, and audio.