Heart of the future systems

Features of the organisation of the architecture of processors of Pentium 4, their considerable potential possibilities, and also new standards of hooking up of processors, high frequency data transfer and usage of more high-speed types of memory have demanded depositing of appropriate corrective amendments in the architecture of motherboards. Motherboards together with processors of Pentium 4 became a basis of a new generation of modern high-powered multimedia computers.

Considering and parsing computer characteristics, it is necessary to remember, that the major part, perhaps, on the value to the central processor unit, the motherboard is not conceding. On it all main components of system and the processor are allocated.

The motherboard with expansion cards hooked up to it in many respects defines productivity and functionality of the computer. High parametres of motherboards, and eventually and all system of the computer, are reached at the expense of their constant perfection grounded on usage of the newest computer processing techniques. From design, qualities of manufacture, and also accessories entering into its structure depend both productivity, and stability of system operation. That is why to the architecture and the analysis of possibilities of motherboards the most steadfast attention is paid at computer configure.

Each generation of processors made the demands to the architecture of the motherboards which basis are appropriate chip sets — the specialised sets of system logic released simultaneously with processors.

Was not an exception and Pentium 4 which support is carried out now only by one chip set i850 (i850 Chipset). The Inner pattern and a high operating frequency of the processor have demanded depositing of respective alterations in algorithm of operation of the main bus — processor buses, FSB.

Data transfer is carried out on quadruple clock rate — 400 MHz (processing technique Quad-pumped). Transmission and processing of an address part is fulfilled with frequency of 200 MHz. Such organisation considerably increases capacity of the bus of the processor, however it superimposes essential limitations on design of motherboards. Besides, does not facilitate the task to implementators of such cards and high frequency of operation of RIMM units of memory Rambus. Clock rate of two channels RIMM makes (depending on used 300 units or 400 MHz) 600 and 800 MHz. Capacity of the given buses of memory reaches 3,2 Гбайт/c, that corresponds to capacity of the bus of the processor and allows to be to system as a whole more depthbalanced concerning existing informational streams.

However high frequency, characteristic for modern accessories, could become very much a challenge for designers of appropriate motherboards. It, in turn, could decelerate their release on the market and limit implantation of perspective processing techniques and products. Realising to the full the given problems, experts of the corporation of Intel have decided to simplify the task. They have developed standard design (referens-design) of the motherboard under the processor of Pentium 4 which basis was made by a chip set i850. This design was taken for a basis by all main corporations-manufacturers of motherboards, during the short period adjusted release of the products oriented to processors of new and perspective generation of Pentium 4. A series of these cards has received marking D850GB.

The motherboards set forth above grounded on referens-design from Intel, provide practically equal productivity. The possibilities of the dispersal which has been put in pawn in the cards from ASUSTeK and Giga-Byte, are not essential advantage as do not provide considerable increase of productivity. It is linked by that existing and accessible models of processors of Pentium 4 practically have no spare for increase clock frequency FSB over the guaranteed value. Therefore the given functions have now more likely advertising character and actually are not claimed.

At the analysis of productivity of the systems which basis makes Pentium 4 and the card with a chip set i850, it is necessary to consider, that Intel oriented the given products mainly to the market of the multimedia applications which share steadily increases. Coding and decoding of audio and video, operation concern such tasks with a 3D-drawing, the Internet, processing of video maps etc. The architecture of the processor of Pentium also is calculated for such tasks 4. Under indications of preliminary testing of system from Pentium 4 concede in a number of the tests modelling office tasks, to the predecessors of Pentium III with the architecture of kernel Coppermine, the given new systems show very much high efficiency in tasks of multimedia, with a minimum quantity vetvle - ny. In many respects results of testings do not need to be accepted as 100 % reflexion of a situation. Operating systems existing today do not understand the expanded set of instructions applied in Pentium 4 and for this reason many tests show so underestimated rezul - taty. Earlier similar situation was added from Pentium 166 MMX which also has quitted, a little anticipating time, and only after half a year from the moment of its output operating systems have got MMX extension support.

The processing technique, certainly, will improve, the architecture — to be perfected, and productivity metrics — to increase. Such in history of development of computer equipment already it was observed repeatedly and, as a rule, stimulated development not only concrete products, but also all branch, forcing adequate image to react not only allies, but also competitors. By the way, support of the architecture of the processor of Pentium 4 was declared practically by all main manufacturers of motherboards and computers.

VIA corporations, ALi and SiS, releasing chip sets, carry on negotiations for acquisition of appropriate licences and prepare for release alterna - tivnyh specialised sets for systems from Pentium 4. Thus planned alternative chip sets of the specified corporations are calculated for support not only memories Rambus, as i850, and memory modules DDR SDRAM. However, as it is clarified recently, and Intel is not gathered to be limited only to one set supporting processors of Pentium 4. As follows from a number of press releases of implementators of motherboards, in the end of 2001 the chip set output i845, calculated for memory modules PC133 SDRAM is expected. As it is expected, that the systems which basis will be made by chips of the given chip set, will receive a wide circulation in sector of computers of mass application. The sector of efficient computers will be presented by high models of Pentium 4 which operating frequency will reach 2 GHz already in the end of 2001

Key parametres of motherboards D850GB

Processors: Intel of Pentium 4 with processor Socket 423 plug, clock rate of bus FSB of 100 MHz at a transmission frequency of the given 400 MHz.
Chip set: i850 Chipset — 82850 Memory Controller Hub (MCH), 82801BA I/O Controller Hub (ICH2), 82802AB 4 Mbit Firmware Hub (FWH).
Dynamic storage: to 2 Gbytes in 4 RIMM units, 2 channels DRDRAM PC600/PC800, frequency of the channel of memory of 300/400 MHz.
BIOS: Intel/AMI BIOS (in Intel 82802AB 4 Mбит FWH), support Advanced Power Management (APM), Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), Plug and Play, SMBIOS.
Video: support of 1 arrangement AGP 4X (1,5).
Input/output resources (I/O): SMSC LPC47M102 LPC bus I/O controller, 2 ports IDE (to 4 arrangements Ultra DMA/66/33), 2 PS/2 plugs for keyboard and mouse hooking up, 1 floppy-port, 1 parallel port, 1 serial port, 4 ports USB etc.
Diagnostics: four two-coloured light-emitting diodes (dual-colour LED).
Additional possibilities: Hardware Monitoring, Audio (Analog Devices AD1881 analogue codec for AC ' 97), LAN (82562EM 10/100 Mbit/sec Platform LAN Connect device),
Slots: 1 AGP, 5 PCI (SMBus in PCI 2), 1 CNR (shared with PCI 5).
Forms the factor: ATX (305x238 mm).
The power supply unit a part of the computer has power not less than 250 W. Besides, according to requirements of power supplies of processors of Pentium 4, the power supply unit has an additional line and a plug plug with which help through the special plug close Socket 423 on motherboard, on the processor power supply moves 12 Century

ASUS P4T

The variant of motherboard ASUS P4T created on the basis of a chip set i850 and intended for processors of Pentium 4, ASUSTeK corporation has presented also. From features of design of this card we will mark layout of main i850 unit and RIMM units. It is easy to notice, that unlike referens-design processor Socket 423 plug and the specified units are developed to the left on 90 ° at saving of their relative positioning. As experts of ASUSTeK corporation consider, such layout of units improves temperature modes of maintenance of the processor, a chip set and memory modules at the expense of their additional cooling by the power supply unit fan.
Processors: Intel of Pentium 4, Socket 423, 100 MHz FSB at a transmission frequency of the given 400 MHz.
Chip set: i850 Chipset — 82850 Memory Controller Hub (MCH), 82801BA I/O Controller Hub (ICH2), 82802AB 4 Mbit Firmware Hub (FWH).
Dynamic storage: to 2 Gbytes in 4 RIMM, 2 channels DRDRAM, PC600/PC800 ECC/non-ECC DRDRAM.
BIOS: 4 Mbit Award BIOS c PnP, ACPI, SM, BIOS 2.3, Green, Boot Block, Trend ChipAway Virus (TCAV) and Boot Block BIOS.
Video: support of 1 arrangement AGP Pro / AGP 4X (1,5).
Input/output resources (I/O): 2 ports IDE (to 4 arrangements Ultra DMA/100/66/33), 2 PS/2 plugs for keyboard and mouse hooking up, 1 floppy-port, 1 parallel port, 2 serial ports, 2 ports USB, 1 RJ45 etc.
Additional possibilities: Power Loss Restart, ASUS JumperFree, CPU Throttle, SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection), Vcore and Vio Adjustable, WfM2.0, DMI2.0, WOL, WOR, Chassis Intrusion, SMBus.
Possibility of installation of clock rates FSB: 100, 103, 105, 108, 110, 112, 115, 118, 120, 122, 125, 130, 133 MHz.
Possibility of a supply variation of a kernel in a band 1,7–1,85 Century
Slots: 1 AGP Pro, 5 PCI.
Form factor: ATX (305x244 mm).

MSI 850 Pro (MS-6339)

As the following representative of motherboards for Pentium 4, a basis for which the chip set i850 has served, is the product of known MSI corporation (Micro-Star International) — 850 Pro (MS-6339).
Processors: Intel of Pentium 4, Socket 423, 100 MHz FSB at a transmission frequency of the given 400 MHz.
Chip set: i850 Chipset — 82850 Memory Controller Hub (MCH), 82801BA I/O Controller Hub (ICH2), 82802AB 4 Mbit Firmware Hub (FWH).
Dynamic storage: to 2 Gbytes in 4 RIMM units, 2 channels DRDRAM.
BIOS: BIOS with ACPI, PnP, APN etc.
Video: support of 1 arrangement AGP Pro.
Input/output resources (I/O): Winbond W83627HF-AW I/O controller, 2 ports IDE (to 4 arrangements Ultra DMA/100/66/33), 2 PS/2 plugs for keyboard and mouse hooking up, 1 floppy-port, 1 parallel port, 2 serial ports, 4 ports USB etc.
Additional possibilities: Creative CT5880 PCI sound chip (Optional).
Form factor: ATX (305x244 mm).
Giga-Byte corporation has not stood aside. It also has developed and has released motherboard GA-8TX on the basis of a chip set i850, oriented to processors of Pentium 4.

GA-8TX

Processors: Intel of Pentium 4, Socket 423, 100 MHz FSB at a transmission frequency of the given 400 MHz. Are in addition supported frequency 105, 110, 113 MHz. Autodetection and installation of powers of the processor.
Chip set: i850 Chipset — 82850 Memory Controller Hub (MCH), 82801BA I/O Controller Hub (ICH2), 82802AB 4 Mbit Firmware Hub (FWH).
Dynamic storage: to 2 Gbytes in 4 RIMM units, 2 channels DRDRAM, PC600/PC800 ECC/non-ECC DRDRAM.
BIOS: Dual BIOS; 4 Mbit flash RAM BIOS with ACPI for PC99/Win98/WinME/Win2000, Green, PnP, DMI, INT13 (> 8.4GB) and Anti-Virus, SCSI, LS120, ZIP and CD-ROM etc.,
Video: support of 1 arrangement AGP Pro / AGP 2X/4X (1,5).
Input/output resources (I/O): 2 ports IDE (to 4 arrangements Ultra DMA/100/66/33), 2 PS/2 plugs for keyboard and mouse hooking up, 1 floppy-port, 1 parallel port, 2 serial ports, 4 ports USB (2 on the card, 2 through a cable), 1 Joystick, 1 Line-in, 1 Line-out, 1 MIC etc.
Additional possibilities: Creative CT5880 PCI sound chip; AC97 codec Winbond W83627HF LPCIO + health monitoring, STR, WOL, WOR.
Possibility of installation of clock rates FSB: 100, 105, 110, 133 MHz.
Slots: 1 AGP Pro, 5 PCI, 1 CNR (shared with PCI).
Forms the factor: ATX (305x244 mm).