![[Previous Page]](prevpage.gif)
![[Next Page]](nextpage.gif)
![[Up]](up.gif)
![[Home Page]](homepage.gif)
![[Mail]](mail.gif)
![[Search]](search.gif)
![[Contents]](contents.gif)
|
The Motherboard Guide Otherwise known as the "glue-logic" that links all the peripherals together, the motherboard chipset is of great importance. Most chipsets integrate a memory controller, EIDE controller, PCI bridge, clock, DMA controller, IrDA controller, keyboard controller and secondary cache controller. | |||
 |
Things to look out for in a good motherboard: For quite some time until the introduction of the Cyrix 6x86 PR200+, motherboards operated at a maximum FSB (Font-Side-Bus) speed of a 66MHz. This processor was the first to break the trend and it required a 75MHz Front Side Bus speed (75x2). Now most motherboards support up to a 100MHz FSB speed and the standard is slowly moving up toward 133MHz. The Intel Triton series does not officially support speeds above 66MHz, but they have been proven to work reliably at up to 83MHz. This feature is especially important for those who would like to perform overclocking on their systems. In the case of socket 7 processors, a higher bus speed result in higher Level 2 cache and memory performance. The performance of Slot 1 systems, such as the Pentium 2, are less affected by an increase in frequency of the FSB. This is due to the independance of their Level 2 cache frequency from the FSB frequency. It would be wise to avoid motherboards that don't support a minimum bus speed of 100MHz. In order to reduce the heat produced and power consumed by a processor, manufacturers are reducing the voltage that the processors run at. Voltages are expected to drop even further in the near future. To ensure that a motherboard will be compatible with the latest processors, it should be able to support a wide range of voltages. A good range would be from 2.1 - 3.52V. There is a memory performance hit of about 5% once more memory than is cachable is used. Where Socket 7 is of concern, the Intel Triton VX and TX chipsets only support a maximum cachable memory area of 64MB. This is a limitation of the motherboard chipset and those that intend to use large amounts of memory should consider alternative chipsets from VIA and SiS. Most Slot 1 motherboard chipsets on the other hand, are able to cache at least 256MB of memory, so this should be less of a problem. This will not only limit the maximum amount of memory a computer can have, but also its upgradability. Once the slots are fill up, the only way to increase the amount of memory would be to chuck out the old memory and replace it with memory modules with a higher capacity - a costly process. Those using SDRAM (which only comes in DIMM form) need not worry about the number of SIMM sockets on the motherboard because due to voltage differences, SIMMs cannot be mixed and used together with DIMMs. For a system featuring SDRAM, a good combination would be about 3 DIMM to 4 DIMM sockets. This really depends on what you intend to put into your computer. I personally don't see the need to have more than 3 ISA and 2 PCI slots. However, I'd stay away from motherboards that don't have too many slots. Never know when they'll come in handy one day. At higher bus speeds, a processor requires a "cleaner" source of power supply to function reliably. Large capacitors are usually able to provide a "cleaner" power output. Those who intend to run their motherboards at high bus speeds or do some overclocking should try to get a motherboard with large smoothing capacitors. The capacitors are usually located next to the processor socket. This affects how easily the computer can be put together and how good the air circulation and cooling inside the case is. Take note of the position of the memory sockets, hardisk controller and processor socket. ATX boards are usually better in this area. |
||
|
For more information, select a motherboard chipset: |
||
|
Socket 7|
|
Slot 1 (Intel) |
Slot 1 (non-Intel) |
|
A brief overview of some chipsets: |
| VPX/97 | VP2/97 | VP3 | TX | HX | VX | FX | 440LX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. L2 Cache | 2048KB | 2048KB | 2048KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | - NA - |
| DRAM | 512MB | 512MB | 1024MB | 256MB | 512MB | 128MB | 128MB | 512Mb |
| AGP | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y |
| SDRAM | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y |
| DDR SDRAM | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| ECC | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | ? |
| USB | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| UDMA/33 | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y |
| ACPI | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y |
For Pentium (socket 5 & 7) class motherboards, popular chipsets are as follows:
- Intel 430LX
The chipset used in motherboards for the 5V Pentium 60 and 66MHz. Note that this is for a socket 4 (5V Pentium) motherboard. No support for Pipeline burst cache, EDO Memory, Ultra DMA/33, SDRAM, USB and AGP
- Intel 430NX (Neptune)
Able to support dual Pentium processors (SMP). This chipset helped Intel push the PCI standard as well as raise the performance bar. No support for Pipeline burst cache, EDO memory, SDRAM, Ultra DMA/33, USB or AGP.
- Intel 430FX (Triton I)
This is the first generation Triton chipset released by Intel. Supports pipeline burst cache and EDO RAM. While earlier Pentium motherboard chipsets had numerous bugs, this proved to be very stable and bug free. No SDRAM, Ultra DMA/33, USB or AGP support. Officially supports a maximum bus speed of 66MHz. Single CPU support only. Up to 128MB main memory.
- Intel 430HX (Triton II)
The HX chipset is 10% faster than the FX. No SDRAM, Ultra DMA/33 or AGP support. Officially supports a maximum bus speed of 66MHz and 64Mbit DRAM, 8 RAS lines (for up to 512MB of system memory). The 430HX supports both parity RAM and ECC. It also support a large amount of main memory (up to 512MB).
- Intel 430VX (Triton III)
Described by reviewers as the "el cheapo" chipset, and being a value oriented design, the VX is slightly slower than the HX and doesn't support as large a cachable memory region as the HX. It does however support SDRAM. No Ultra DMA/33 and AGP support. Officially supports a maximum bus speed of 66MHz.
- Intel 430TX (Triton)
The last chipset released by Intel for Pentium class processors. Like the VX, this chipset has only 64MB of cachable memory. It supports SDRAM and Ultra DMA/33. No AGP support. Officially supports a maximum bus speed of 66MHz.
- Sis 5591
PC97 compliant with support for ACPI, AGP, USB, Ultra DMA/33 and SDRAM.
- Sis 5581
Officially supports up to a 75MHz bus speed with an integrated DRAM controller for FPM/EDO/SDRAM DRAM. Also works with USB, ACPI and Ultra DMA/33 but has no AGP support.
- Sis 5571
Officially supports up to a 66MHz bus speed. Supports the Cyrix/IBM/ST 6x86 and 6x86MX linear burst feature. This allows the above mentioned CPUs to run about 4% faster. No AGP support. Great for running 6x86MX processors.
- VIA Apollo VP1 Chipset (580VP)
Supports the Cyrix x86 linear burst feature and a maximum of 512Mb of memory. Able to use EDO, Burst EDO and SDRAM.
- VIA Apollo VP2 Chipset (590VP)
This chipset has nearly every feature you could dream of. Linear burst, SDRAM, Ultra DMA/33, 2MB Level 2 cache and 512MB of cachable memory. It however doesn't have AGP support. Officially supports a maximum bus speed of 75MHz. Very high performance when used with AMD K6 processors.
- VIA Apollo VP3 Chipset (597)
Similar in features and performance to the VP2, but with support for 100MHz bus speed, AGP and the emerging double-data-rate synchronous dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM) standard.
- AMD 640
Exactly the same as the VIA Apollo VP2. But sold under the AMD name.
- AMD 640 AGP
Initially planned to be identical to the VP3, plans were canceled due to a disagreement between AMD and VIA. Supposed to officially support the 100MHz bus speed.
- HX PRO
A clone chipset made by PC Chips. Poor documentation and driver support. Slower than the real Intel 430HX
- VX PRO
A clone chipset made by PC Chips. Poor documentation and driver support. Slower than the real Intel 430VX
- TX PRO
A clone chipset made by PC Chips. Poor documentation and driver support. Slightly slower than the real Intel 430TX but comes pretty close!
For Pentium 2 (Slot 1) class motherboards, popular chipsets are as follows:
- Intel Natoma 440FX
No support for SDRAM, Ultra DMA/33 or AGP. Early generation Pentium 2 motherboards were all sold with this chipset. This chipset has dual processor support meaning that you can have 2 processors on one computer. Large main memory support (up to 1GB).
- Intel 440LX
Supports AGP, SDRAM and UltraDMA/33.
- Intel 440BX
Plans for this AGP chipset to be launched in 1998 are to support 100MHz and perhaps even 133MHz bus speeds.
| [Previous] | Information on processors |
| [Next] | Main, cache and graphics memory |
| [Up] | Duane's Hardware Homepage |
| [Home] | Home Page |
| [Mail] | Send EMail to Duane's Homepage |
| [Search] | Search Duane's Homepage |
| [Contents] | Duane's Homepage Contents |
This site is optimized for viewing at 800 x 600 x 16 bit color with Internet Explorer 3.02 or later.
All content on this web page and its related pages is copyright © 1996-97 by Duane Bong.
Last modified on Wednesday, August 14, 1998