Northbridge (computing)

The northbridge has historically been one of the two chips in the core logic chipset on a PC
motherboard, the other being the southbridge. Increasingly these functions have migrated to
the CPU chip itself, beginning with memory and graphics controllers. In Intel "Sandy Bridge"
CPU designs introduced in 2011, all of the functions of the northbridge reside on the chip
itself.[1] When the separate northbridge is employed in older Intel systems it is named
memory controller hub (MCH) or integrated memory controller (IMCH) if equipped with an
integrated VGA.

Separating the chipset into the northbridge and southbridge is common, although in some
instances the northbridge and southbridge functions were combined onto one die when design
complexity and fabrication processes permitted it.

Overview

The northbridge typically handles communications among the CPU, in some cases RAM, and
PCI Express (or AGP) video cards, and the southbridge.[2][3] Some northbridges also contain
integrated video controllers, also known as a Graphics and Memory Controller Hub
(GMCH) in Intel systems. Because different processors and RAM require different signaling,
a northbridge will typically work with only one or two classes of CPUs and generally only
one type of RAM.

There are a few chipsets that support two types of RAM (generally these are available when
there is a shift to a new standard). For example, the northbridge from the Nvidia nForce2
chipset will only work with Socket A processors combined with DDR SDRAM, the Intel
i875 chipset will only work with systems using Pentium 4 processors or Celeron processors
that have a clock speed greater than 1.3 GHz and utilize DDR SDRAM, and the Intel i915g
chipset only works with the Intel Pentium 4 and the Celeron, but it can use DDR or DDR2
memory.

[edit] Etymology

The name is derived from drawing the architecture in the fashion of a map. The CPU would
be at the top of the map comparable to due north on most general purpose geographical maps.
The CPU would be connected to the chipset via a fast bridge (the northbridge) located north
of other system devices as drawn. The northbridge would then be connected to the rest of the
chipset via a slow bridge (the southbridge) located south of other system devices as drawn.
Intel i815EP northbridge

[edit] Recent developments

The overall trend in processor design has been to integrate more functions onto the chip
which decreases overall motherboard cost and improves performance. The memory
controller, which handles communication between the CPU and RAM, were moved onto the
processor die by AMD beginning with their AMD64 processors and by Intel with their
Nehalem processors. One of the advantages of having the memory controller integrated on
the CPU die is to reduce latency from the CPU-to-Memory so the CPU can control the
memory directly.

Another example of this kind of change is Nvidia's nForce3 chipset for AMD64 systems that
is a single chip. It combines all of the features of a normal southbridge with an AGP port and
connects directly to the CPU. On nForce4 boards they consider this to be an MCP (Media
Communications Processor).

Intel's "Sandy Bridge" processors feature full integration of northbridge functions onto the
CPU chip, along with processor cores, memory controller and graphics processing unit
(GPU). This was a further evolution of the Westmere architecture, which also featured a CPU
and GPU in the same package.[4]

[edit] Northbridge and overclocking

The northbridge plays an important part in how far a computer can be overclocked, as its
frequency is used as a baseline for the CPU to establish its own operating frequency. This
chip's temperature typically increases as processor speed becomes faster, requiring increased
cooling measures. There is a limit to CPU overclocking, as digital circuits are limited by
physical factors such as propagation delay which increases with (among other factors)
operating temperature, therefore most overclocking applications have software limitations
which limit the multiplier and external clock setting

Southbridge (computing)
A typical north/southbridge layout

The southbridge is one of the two chips in the core logic chipset on a personal computer
(PC) motherboard, the other being the northbridge. The southbridge typically implements the
"slower" capabilities of the motherboard in a northbridge/southbridge chipset computer
architecture. In Intel chipset systems the southbridge is named Input/Output Controller Hub
(ICH).

The southbridge can usually be distinguished from the northbridge by not being directly
connected to the CPU. Rather, the northbridge ties the southbridge to the CPU. Through the
use of controller integrated channel circuitry, the northbridge can directly link signals from
the I/O units to the CPU for data control and access.

[edit] Overview

Because the southbridge is further removed from the CPU, it is given responsibility for the
slower devices on a typical microcomputer. A southbridge usually works with several
different northbridges, but these two kinds of chip must be designed to work together; there is
no industry-wide standard for interoperability between different core logic chipset designs.
Traditionally the interface between a northbridge and southbridge was simply the PCI bus,
but because this created a performance bottleneck, most current chipsets use a different (often
proprietary) interface with higher performance[citation needed].

[edit] Etymology

The name is derived from drawing the architecture in the fashion of a map and was first
described as such with the introduction of the PCI Local Bus Architecture in 1991. At Intel,
the authors of the PCI specification viewed the PCI local bus as being at the very center of
the PC platform architecture (i.e., at the Equator).
The northbridge extends to the north of the PCI bus backbone in support of CPU,
Memory/Cache, and other performance-critical capabilities. Likewise the southbridge extends
to the south of the PCI bus backbone and bridges to less performance-critical I/O capabilities
such as the disk interface, audio, etc.

The CPU is located at the top of the map at due north. The CPU is connected to the chipset
via a fast bridge (the northbridge) located north of other system devices as drawn. The
northbridge is connected to the rest of the chipset via a slow bridge (the southbridge) located
south of other system devices as drawn.

Although the current PC platform architecture has replaced the PCI bus backbone with faster
I/O backbones, the bridge naming convention remains.

[edit] Functionality

Diagram of a modern motherboard, which supports many on-board peripheral functions as

The functionality found in a contemporary southbridge includes:

 PCI bus. The PCI bus support includes the traditional PCI specification, but may also
include support for PCI-X and PCI Express.
 ISA bus or LPC Bridge. Though the ISA support is rarely utilized, it has interestingly
managed to remain an integrated part of the modern southbridge. The LPC Bridge
provides a data and control path to the Super I/O (the normal attachment for the
keyboard, mouse, parallel port, serial port, IR port, and floppy controller) and FWH
(firmware hub which provides access to BIOS flash storage).
  SPI bus. The SPI bus is a simple serial bus mostly used for firmware (e.g., BIOS)
flash storage access.
 SMBus. The SMBus is used to communicate with other devices on the motherboard
(e.g., system temperature sensors, fan controllers).
 DMA controller. The DMA controller allows ISA or LPC devices direct access to
main memory without needing help from the CPU.
 Interrupt controllers such as 8259A and/or I/O APIC. The interrupt controller
provides a mechanism for attached devices to get attention from the CPU.
 Mass storage controllers such as PATA and/or SATA. This typically allows direct
attachment of system hard drives.
 Real-time clock. The real time clock provides a persistent time account.
 Power management (APM and ACPI). The APM or ACPI functions provide methods
and signaling to allow the computer to sleep or shut down to save power.
 Nonvolatile BIOS memory. The system CMOS, assisted by battery supplemental
power, creates a limited non-volatile storage area for system configuration data.
 AC'97 or Intel High Definition Audio sound interface.
 Out-of-band management controller such as a BMC or HECI.

Optionally, a southbridge also includes support for Ethernet, RAID, USB, audio codec, and
FireWire. Rarely, a southbridge may also include support for the keyboard, mouse, and serial
ports, but normally these devices are attached through another device referred to as the Super
I/O.

Desktop PC Parts Checklist

List Of Components That Make Up A Desktop PC

Before embarking on building your first computer system, it is important to make sure that
you have obtained all of the necessary components to make a functional home computer.
Below are a list of the key components that will be necessary for building a complete system.
Some items are not mentioned on the list such as internal cables as they are generally
included with other components such as the motherboard. Similarly, peripherals such as a
mouse, keyboard and monitor are also not listed. It is best to check and make sure you also
have them as well.

 Case - This is the basis of a desktop computer system. All the other parts of the
computer will reside within it. The choice of a case size may impact what other
components will be able to fit inside of it. This is also the visible portion of the
system, so selection should be based on functionality and aesthetics.
 Power Supply - Some computer cases will come with a power supply pre-installed
inside them but most do not. As a result, it is necessary to get a power supply that
works with your components and has sufficient power. Newer features such as
modular cabling and efficiency ratings are also something to consider.
 Motherboard - The motherboard is the backbone of the system. It determines the
type of components that can be used with the system and the number of internal
peripherals the system can support. It will directly impact the processor used and total
amount of memory that can be supported.
  Processor - The brain of the computer system. This will be the primary factor in how
fast the system is. Choices were fairly simple before but with the advent of multiple
cores there is a bit more to consider then before.
 Heatsink - If the processor was purchased via the retail packaging, it will include the
manufacturer heatsink. But for those who purchased an OEM processor, it will also be
necessary to have a CPU cooler. Without it, your CPU will quickly burn itself out.
Make sure that any heatsink you use is properly rated for your processor as well.
 Memory - Without memory, the computer will not be able to function. The CPU
needs it to store the code to tell it how to properly process data. You will need to
know the type that your motherboard uses and also determine how much you need as
it directly impacts performance.
 Hard Drive - The primary method of storage in all desktop computer system is a hard
drive. Typically it will be a 3.5" hard drive with either a Serial ATA interface. Some
performance users may consider using solid state drive.
 DVD or Blu-ray Drive - Optical drives are the component used to install most of the
software on a computer system. Without one, it will be hard to even get an operating
system installed. Most drives these days are DVD burners that can also playback and
record CDs as well. Blu-ray is an option for those wanting to watch HD movies.
 Video Card - Unless the motherboard comes with a video connector, it will be
necessary to install a video card into the computer system. Graphics cards are
typically only needed these days to deal with PC gaming, high definition video and
multiple displays.
 Sound Card (Optional) - Most motherboards now feature some form of built-in
sound controller on them. As a result, sound cards are not required unless you want
higher fidelity computer audio or less reliance upon the CPU to assist with the
computer audio.
 Network Card (Optional) - Ethernet has become so common a media for networking
computers that this should be a standard feature on all motherboards. Some
motherboards even feature wireless network adapters built in. A network card will
only really be required if you want to networking wirelessly and it isn't built onto the
motherboard.

While this is a focus on the hardware of the computer system, it is important to also
remember that the computer needs to have an operating system. In terms of the Microsoft
software, it is generally possible to purchase an OEM version of the Windows 7 operating
system at a significantly reduced cost if it is purchased at the same time as hardware
components such as the CPU, motherboard and memory. Of course, there are also free
options such as Linux as well.