Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Intel 5x Series Chipsets
The Intel 5x series of chipsets is designed to support the original Core i Series processors.
These processors and chipsets have a distinctly different design from previous Intel chip-
sets and represent a new level of system integration. In fact, the 5x series actually has two
completely different subseries, with the first two examples being the X58 IOH (I/O Hub)
introduced in November 2008, and the P55 PCH (Platform Controller Hub) introduced in
September2009.Perhapsthebiggestdifferencebetweenthe5xserieschipsetsanditspre-
decessorsisthatthememorycontrollerisnolongerpartofthechipset,havingbeenmoved
directly into the Core i Series processors instead. Placing the memory controller in the
processor means that the memory modules are directly connected to the processor instead
of the North Bridge chipset component, allowing for a dedicated connection between the
processor and memory. Although this sounds like (and is) a good idea, it's not a new one.
This is something that AMD introduced in the Athlon 64 as far back as 2003.
With the memory controller integrated into the processor, the only function left for the
North Bridge is to act as an interface to the PCIe video card slots. Because the North
Bridge no longer controls memory, Intel changed the name from MCH to IOH in the 5x
series chipsets that support socket LGA1366 processors.
Figure 4.23
shows the block dia-
gram of a system with a socket LGA1366 Core i Series processor on a motherboard with
an X58 Express chipset. In the diagram, you can also see the use of the traditional ICH
(I/OController Hub),whichsupportsinterfacing toSATA,USB,andothercomponentsin
the system.
Figure 4.23
Block diagram of a system with a socket LGA1366 Core i Series processor and an X58 Ex-
press chipset.
