Chipsets

[NinjaKadet86]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forums! I've always been @ anandtech for reviews and stuff, but I've recently wanted to get involved with a tech forum because questions are always popping up.

Anyways, I wanted to touch base on Chipsets. I hear all these things about nforce and P35, 790GX, etc etc. I don't really get whats the difference.

Same thing with sockets.. but I believe this is a whole other topic.

Anyways..

From what I've seen in some light research is that its the configuration of the board as in how things are placed around and what's physically on the board and its stats (ex. FSB speed?) and what kind of processor the board can take?

The things I've picked up myself by just looking around is that they correspond to certain integrated VGAs. If this is true, would upgrading to an external GPU beat the whole purpose of choosing a certain chipset?

The funny thing is I know there are mobos with no integrated VGA...so that means that chipset has to do with something else.


Please, lend me your knowledge! If there is a website or anything that you can link me to learn more about chipsets that would be great!

Thanks!!

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: NinjaKadet86

Anyways, I wanted to touch base on Chipsets.

From what I've seen in some light research is that its the configuration of the board as in how things are placed around and what's physically on the board and its stats (ex. FSB speed?) and what kind of processor the board can take?

The things I've picked up myself by just looking around is that they correspond to certain integrated VGAs.

Have a look at this Schematic of a AMD 939 motherboard.

All motherboards have a Nothbridge and a Southbridge chips. These provide signal paths for interconnecting components to the motherboard. Note that AMD systems integrate the memory controller into the CPU so for all intents and purposed the memory connects to the CPU directly, while with Intel motherboards the memory controller is in the Northbrigde chip so the memory connects to the northbridge instad of directly to the CPU. This is the major difference between AMD and Intel motherboards.

Note in the schematic how various peripherals (HDDs, NICs, USB ports, etc.) connect to the chipsets. Motherboards with newer chipsets will allow for connection of different (hopefully better and better) components as newer motherboards are developed, for example SLI/Crossfire capabilities, DDR3 memory, additional USB ports, etc..

As to your question about integrated video (not shown on the schematic because there is non for that motherboard) vs an add on video card, it's just a matter of another thing that can be added to the motherboard through the chipset, whether it be integrated or add on.

 

[NinjaKadet86]

As to your question about integrated video (not shown on the schematic because there is non for that motherboard) vs an add on video card, it's just a matter of another thing that can be added to the motherboard through the chipset, whether it be integrated or add on.

How about this thing with Intel chipsets wit Crossfire and nforce with SLI.

If I'm not mistaken Crossfire is ATI's way of a dual or more GPU setup and nvidia has SLI which is their way of dual or more GPU setup, right?

I was wondering... if I had a mobo with an intel chipset with crossfire could I have a SINGLE nvidia GPU on it and would it work on that mobo and vice versa?

I don't plan on having a crossfire or SLI setup...all I play is World of Warcraft and it's not super demanding at all.

Thanx.