What is a motherboard chipset?

Each owner of a personal computer periodically encounters specific terms from the field of computer technology. A vivid example is the motherboard chipset. Despite the fact that understanding the meaning of this term is not necessary for daily use of the computer, this information expands the outlook of the user. Understanding what a chipset is, makes it easy to classify motherboards over generations, which makes it possible to exclude attempts to deceive by unclean sellers.

The basic computer nodes are familiar to everyone. It's a CPU, video card, RAM modules, motherboard, etc. All these components are implemented in the respective stores, so visitors have at least a general idea, which can not be said about the chipset. Not surprisingly, the Internet as often asks the question "what is the chipset". In this case, there is nothing difficult to understand. To get a good understanding of this issue, we'll start from afar.

As you know, almost all accessories are connected to the motherboard. It is the basis by which it is possible to link all the nodes together. Obviously, the banal placement of connectors on a rectangular plate of textolite is not enough. The processor must have access to all ports and connectors of peripheral devices. Without intermediary in this case can not do. Although, for the sake of justice, it should be noted that there was a special VESA bus, many of whose lines were connected directly to the cascades of the processor, but this solution had a number of limitations. The answer to the question about what a chipset is, is as follows: it is a node that connects all the main data lines of the motherboard.

Physically, motherboard chipsets are represented by one or more microcircuits. Until quite recently there were two of them, bearing the names of the North and South Bridges. Such unusual names are due to the peculiarity of placement on the board - one chip (chip) at the top, and the other at the bottom. Accordingly, the first is the North Bridge (North Bridge), and the second is the South Bridge. In the light of the above, the answer to the question about what a chipset is, can be this: it is a set of integrated circuits that ensure the smooth operation of all components.

The North Bridge is the link between the central processor, RAM (the controller is located here) and the bus of the video adapter. The speed of operation is relatively high, therefore, due to heat dissipation, a cooling system is often located on this chip.

The South Bridge performs more functions, but at lower speeds. Interaction with the BIOS chips, support for the audio codec, synchronization with the chips of additional features (USB 3.0, iTE) is the incomplete list of tasks. In addition, the South Bridge contains USB and SATA controllers, and a common system bus connects network controllers, a bridge and a central processor.

In order to reduce signal transmission delays and improve overall performance, all major CPU manufacturers in their latest models integrate memory controllers and video directly into the processor chip. In fact, this means the abolition of the classical concept of the "North Bridge", since now its functions are assigned to the processor. That's why on all modern motherboards there is only one large chip (except the processor) - the South Bridge. In the instruction manual there is always a sheet with a block diagram. It schematically denotes the communication lines of all components among themselves. It is enough to at least get acquainted with it, so that part of the questions about the chipset will disappear by itself.