Desktop Chipset And Processor Overview

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Last Updated: 16Oct07 | Published: 12Oct07 | Status: Discontinued

1. Introduction
2. Intel Desktop Chipsets
1. 2.1. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By Intel
2. 2.2. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By NVIDIA
3. 2.3. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By VIA
4. 2.4. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By SiS
5. 2.5. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By ATI
3. AMD Desktop Chipsets
1. 3.1. AMD Desktop Chipsets: By AMD
2. 3.2. AMD Desktop Chipsets: By NVIDIA
3. 3.3. AMD Desktop Chipsets: By VIA
4. 3.4. AMD Desktop Chipsets: By SiS
4. Intel Desktop Processors
1. 4.1. Intel Core Processor Family: Performance
2. 4.2. Intel Pentium Processor Family: Mainstream
3. 4.3. Intel Celeron Processor Family: Value
5. AMD Desktop Processors
1. 5.1. AMD Athlon 64 Processor Family: Performance
2. 5.2. AMD Sempron Processor: Value
6. Additional Reading

1. Introduction

A chipset specifies/defines the performance and functional capabilities of a motherboard. The two primary components of a chipset are the northbridge chip and the southbridge chip. The northbridge chip sits between and interfaces with the central processing unit (CPU), the graphics processing unit (GPU), and the system memory (RAM). The northbridge buses are high bandwidth. Each northbridge chip supports specific types of CPU, GPU, and RAM. Since the type of CPU, GPU, and RAM determines overall system performance, it is the northbridge chip which defines the performance capabilities of a chipset.

Graphics processing unit (GPU) refers to an integrated graphics processing unit (integrated GPU) or a graphics card processing unit (add-in GPU) installed to a graphics-dedicated AGP or PCI Express slot. Both integrated GPUs, and add-in GPUs installed into the graphics-dedicated AGP or PCI Express slots, interface with the northbridge.

The northbridge chip also interfaces with the southbridge chip. The southbridge chip sits between and interfaces with the computer's additional devices, including; hard disks and optical drives (PATA/SATA), cards installed in PCI/PCI Express expansion slots, integrated audio and ethernet, USB and Firewire devices, serial and parallel devices, and any other devices that can be used. The southbridge buses are lower bandwidth than the northbridge buses. Each southbridge chip supports specific types and numbers of additional devices that can be used. Since the types and numbers of other devices that can be used determines system functionality, it is the southbridge chip which defines the functional capabilities of a chipset:

Example Chipset Diagram

PC-compatible chipsets are divided into two types: 1.) Intel chipsets, which use an Intel processor, and 2.) AMD chipsets, which use an AMD processor. Intel chipset manufacturers include Intel, NVIDIA, ATI, VIA, and SiS. AMD chipset manufacturers include AMD, NVIDIA, ATI, VIA, and SiS.

ATI, known primarily for their graphics cards, started producing Intel and AMD chipsets a couple years ago. AMD acquired ATI in October 2006. Since AMD and Intel are competitors in the chipset and processor market, there are mutual conflicts of interest in ATI continuing to produce Intel chipsets. As a result, ATI is not likely to produce any more Intel chipsets and it is suggested that one interested in an Intel chipset obtain a motherboard with a non-ATI Intel chipset.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked chipset developments over the past year or so is the advancement in GPU technology, including both integrated GPUs and add-in GPUs. For mainstream users the newer integrated GPUs support the Windows Vista Aero graphical user interface (GUI), multiple monitors, HD video, and other graphics/video features, which should more than suffice. These newer integrated GPUs include the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 (Intel GMA 3000) Family (intel.com), the NVIDIA GeForce Motherboard GPUs for Intel and AMD Platforms (nvidia.com), and the AMD Radeon X1250 GPU (amd.com). For extreme gamers, there are a number of newer chipsets which support dual add-in GPUs installed into graphics-dedicated PCI Express slots. These include the high-end Intel performance desktop Intel 975X Express chipset (intel.com) and Intel X38 Express chipset (intel.com), the NVIDIA nForce SLI chipsets (slizone.com), and the ATI/AMD CrossFire chipsets (ati.amd.com).

Like a CPU accesses data loaded in system memory, a GPU accesses data loaded in graphics memory. Add-in GPUs come equipped with graphics memory on the graphics card itself. Integrated GPUs, on the other hand, do not come equipped with graphics memory. Instead, integrated GPUs use system memory to fulfill their graphics memory requirement. Hence, integrated GPUs reduce the amount of system memory available for the operating system and applications and, if one decides to use an integrated GPU, one might consider installing more system memory.

A motherboard is simply an implementation of a chipset. There are numerous motherboard manufacturers and many of them produce Intel chipset motherboards as well as AMD chipset motherboards. Some of the more well known desktop motherboard manufacturers include abit (abit.com.tw), ASUS (asus.com), EPoX (epox.com), GIGABYTE (giga-byte.com), Intel (intel.com), and MSI (msi.com.tw).

If interested in running the graphics intensive Aero GUI of Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, and Premium, make sure the motherboard carries or qualifies for the Certified for Windows Vista Logo. For additional information on the Windows Logo Program, see Additional Reading (below).

2. Intel Desktop Chipsets

2.1. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By Intel (intel.com)

2.2. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By NVIDIA

2.3. Intel Desktop Chipsets: By VIA