Chipset Specification and Features

A Revolution in Chipset Technology
The 820 chipset supports the RDRAM* memory technology, 133-MHz system bus, and delivers significant graphics performance enhancements through the 4X capability of the AGP 2.0 Interface Specification.

• The 82820 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) provides the CPU interface, DRAM interface, and AGP interface in the 820 chipset platform. The MCH supports a single processor (82820) or two processors with up to 1 GB of memory (82820DP).
  
  
• The 82801 I/O Controller Hub (ICH) utilizes IntelŪ Hub Architecture to make a direct connection from the graphics and memory to the integrated AC97 controller, the ATA66 controller, dual USB ports, and PCI add-in cards.
  
  
• The 82802 Firmware Hub (FWH) stores system BIOS and video BIOS, as well as the IntelŪ Random Number Generator (RNG). The Intel RNG provides truly random numbers to enable stronger encryption, digital signing, and security protocols. This baseline security is provided across Intel's entire 800 chipset series product line.

• The IntelŪ Hub Architecture provides twice the bandwidth of the PCI bus at 266 MB per second. This allows a wider flow of rich information from the I/O controller to the memory controller. With optimized arbitration rules, more functions run concurrently, enabling more life-like audio and video.
  
  
• RDRAM provides the memory bandwidth necessary to obtain optimal performance from the Pentium III processor as well as a high-performance AGP graphics controller. The RDRAM supports PC600, PC700, and PC800 RDRAM, delivering 1.6 GB/s of theoretical memory bandwidth in the PC800—twice the peak memory bandwidth of 100-MHz SDRAM systems. With faster throughput and a more efficient protocol, RDRAM allows many more open memory pages, which increases opportunity for page hits and better memory access.
  
  
• RDRAM memory upgrade for Intel 820 chipset-based systems
  Intel 820 chipset-based personal computers incorporate the latest high performance RDRAM memory technology. Two RIMM sockets are available to support 512 MB of total system memory and up to 1 GB of total system memory as 256 Mbit RDRAM technology becomes available.
  
  
• The AGP interface allows graphics controllers to access main memory at over 1 GB/s—twice that of previous AGP platforms. In conjunction with RDRAM and Pentium III processors, AGP 2.0 delivers the next level of 3D graphics performance.
  
  
• The System Manageability functions are designed to report errors, diagnose the system, and recover from system lockups without the aid of an external microcontroller. The Intel 820 chipset platform integrates several functions designed to manage the system and lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the system, including CPU Present Indicator, Intruder Detect, Function Disable, and TCO Timer.

A New Design with Big Benefits
The Intel 840 chipset utilizes the new modular design of the 800 family of chipsets. Like other 800 series chipsets, the 840 chipset has three core components:

• The 82840 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) differentiates the Intel 840 chipset from other Intel 800 series chipsets. The MCH provides graphics support for AGP 2X/4X, dual RDRAM* memory channels, and multiple PCI segments for high performance I/O.
  
  
• The 82801 I/O Controller Hub (ICH) utilizes IntelŪ Hub Architecture to make a direct connection to the MCH. The ICH supports 32-bit PCI, IDE controllers and dual USB ports.
  
  
• The 82802 Firmware Hub (FWH) stores system BIOS and video BIOS, as well as an IntelŪ Random Number Generator (RNG). The Intel RNG provides truly random numbers to enable stronger encryption, digital signing and security protocols.
  
  

• The 82806 64-bit PCI Controller Hub (P64H) supports 64-bit PCI slots at speeds of either 33 or 66 MHz. The P64H connects directly to the MCH using Intel Hub Architecture, providing a dedicated path for high performance I/O.
  
  
• For systems needing high RDRAM capacity, an 82803 RDRAM-based memory repeater hub (MRH-R) may be utilized. The MRH-R converts each memory channel into two memory channels for expanded memory capacity.
  
  
• For systems needing high SDRAM capacity, an 82804 SDRAM-based memory repeater hub (MRH-S) may be utilized. The MRH-S efficiently translates the RDRAM protocol into SDRAM-based signals for system memory flexibility.

New Features Maximize Performance

• Dual memory channels, operating in lock-step, provide up to 3.2 GB/s of either RDRAM or SDRAM memory bandwidth.
  
  
• A 16-bit wide implementation of Intel Hub Architecture allows high performance concurrent PCI I/O with a P64H.
  
  
• The Direct AGP port provides up to 1 GB/s of graphics bandwidth.
  
  
• Supports processors using a 133 MHz system bus.
  
  
• A prefetch cache, unique to the 840 chipset, allows highly efficient data flow and helps maximize system concurrency.

The 810E chipset embraces the stability of the 810 chipset by reuse of solid integrated technology. The 810E chipset provides flexibility to support all IntelŪ processors including those with the recent 133 MHz system bus available as well as previous Intel processors which support both 66 and 100 MHz system bus. The 810E chipset features IntelŪ Graphics Technology which further enhances performance boost by supporting both 133 and 100 MHz local display cache. The 810E chipset also utilizes the 810 chipset stable graphics software drivers and support. The 810E chipset provides stability and value with Intel graphics performance and smart integration.

Performance Benefits at a Value Price
The 810E chipset is built on Intel's 800 chipset series integrated design technology, and offers all the features and benefits of the 810 chipset. Like the 810 chipset, the 810E chipset offers integrated graphics, IntelŪ Hub Architecture, direct AGP and AC97 audio controller.

The Intel 810E chipset features a unique internal gear arbitration, allowing it to run seamlessly with 66 MHz, 100 MHz and 133 MHz processor busses. Validated and tuned for both Celeron and Pentium III processors, the Intel 810E chipset offers a one-stop solution with a single, flexible motherboard, for Intel's value and mainstream processors.

An Integrated Design With Big Benefits
At the core of the 810E chipset is a memory controller with built-in graphics technology. By optimizing crucial memory arbitration, the 810E chipset is a more responsive and cost-effective system.

• The 82810E Graphics Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) features IntelŪ graphics technology and software drivers, using Direct AGP (integrated AGP) to create vivid 2D and 3D effects and images. The 82810E features integrated Hardware Motion Compensation to improve soft DVD video quality and a digital video out port that enables connection of traditional TVs or the new space-saving digital flat-panel displays.
  
  
• IntelŪ Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) is an architecture that offers break-through integrated graphics performance with more efficient memory utilization and direct AGP. The system O/S uses the Intel software drivers and intelligent memory arbiter to support richer graphics applications.
  
  
• The System Manageability Bus allows networking equipment to monitor the 810E chipset platform. Using ACPI specifications, the system manageability function enables low-power sleep mode and conserves energy when the system is idle.
  
  
• The 82801 I/O Controller Hub (ICH) employs IntelŪ Controller Hub Architecture which makes a direct connection from the graphics and memory to integrated AC97 controller, the IDE controllers, dual USB ports and PCI add-in cards. At 266 MB per second, the Hub Architecture provides twice the bandwidth of the PCI bus.
  
  
• The Integrated Audio-Codec 97 Controller enables software audio by using the processor to power integrated sound and modem software. Reusing existing system resources adds flexibility, improves sound quality and lowers system BOM costs by eliminating components.
  
  
• The 82802 Firmware Hub (FWH) stores system BIOS and video BIOS, eliminating a redundant, nonvolatile memory component. In addition, the 82802 contains an IntelŪ Random Number Generator (RNG). The Intel RNG provides truly random numbers to enable fundamental security building blocks for stronger encryption, digital signing and security protocols.

• The 82810 Graphics Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) features IntelŪ graphics technology and software drivers, using Direct AGP (integrated AGP) to create vivid 2D and 3D effects and images. The 82810 features integrated Hardware Motion Compensation to improve soft DVD video quality and a digital video out port that enables connection to traditional TVs or the new space-saving digital flat panel displays.
  
  
• IntelŪ Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) is an architecture that offers breakthrough performance with integrated graphics which provides efficient memory utilization and Direct AGP. The system OS uses the IntelŪ software drivers and intelligent memory arbiter to support richer graphics applications.
  
  
• The System Manageability Bus allows networking equipment to monitor the 810 chipset platform. Using ACPI specifications, the system manageability function enables low-power sleep mode and conserves energy when the system is idle.
  
  
• The 82801 I/O Controller Hub (ICH) employs the IntelŪ Hub Architecture to make a direct connection from the graphics and memory to the integrated AC‘97 controller, the IDE controllers, dual USB ports, and PCI add-in cards.
  
  The IntelŪ Hub Architecture provides twice the bandwidth of the PCI bus at 266 MB per second. This allows a wider flow of rich information from the I/O controller to the memory controller, with optimized arbitration rules allowing more functions to run concurrently, enabling more lifelike audio and video.
  
  
• The Integrated Audio-Codec 97 controller enables software audio and modem by using the processor to run sound and modem software. By reusing existing system resources, this feature adds flexibility, improves sound quality, and lowers the system BOM cost by eliminating components.
  
  
• The 82802 Firmware Hub (FWH) stores system BIOS and video BIOS, eliminating a redundant nonvolatile memory component. In addition, the 82802 contains a hardware Random Number Generator (RNG). The IntelŪ RNG provides truly random numbers to enable fundamental security building blocks supporting stronger encryption, digital signing, and security protocols.