The most affordable chipset for the Socket 1150 platform with the basic functionality is Intel H81. It is about the possibilities of this set of system logic that will be discussed later.
Chipset and its main characteristics
First, let's figure out what is hidden behind the word “chipset”. This is the chipset that is installed on the computer motherboard. Its second name is a set of system logic. Until recently, it without fail included two components: the north and south bridges. Now the north bridge is integrated into the central processor. The south bridge remained on the motherboard , which provides the interaction of computer system components with peripheral devices and expansion cards in the PCI and PCI Express slots. The main parameters of any chipset are as follows: socket, list of supported processors, set of interface ports and type of supported RAM.
What socket is this set of system logic oriented to?
A socket is a processor socket on the motherboard. A central processing unit is installed in it. As a rule, the designation indicates the number of contacts. Any Intel H81 motherboard is focused on processor solutions based on socket 1150. Moreover, only the generation of Haswell and Haswell Refresh CPUs are supported. In the latter case, it may be necessary to update the BIOS, so that a set of system logic began to determine the central processing unit. But the most productive solution for socket 1150 - BroadWell - cannot be installed in such motherboards: they are not supported by this set of system logic.
Chipset niche
As noted earlier, the H81 is the base chipset of the processor socket 1150, which in its functionality is inferior even to the Intel B85. Accordingly, the niche of this set of system logic is the most affordable computer systems with a low level of performance by today's standards. That is, the most often found in such motherboards are CPUs of the Celeron and Pentium series, and much less often, Cor Ay3. Such PCs are used in offices, educational institutions and in other cases when there are no special requirements for computer processing power .
Estimated cost of solutions based on this set of system logic
Since H81 is the most affordable set of system logic, its cost is relatively low. Even the Intel B85 costs a lot more. The most affordable H81-based motherboards can be bought for $ 50. But there are also slightly more functional solutions that can be bought for $ 63. Well, more expensive motherboards based on this chipset are inappropriate. A niche over 63 dollars is occupied by more functional sets of system logic, the capabilities of which are significantly better than those of the H81.
Features
Intel H81 boasts the following list of technical specifications:
It is possible to overclock only the processor and graphics accelerator. But support for increasing the frequency of RAM is not implemented. Therefore, to maximize the potential of any Intel CPU with an index of "K" (that is, with an unlocked multiplier) will not work out. And installing something more productive than the budget Celerons or Pentiums on such a motherboard is completely impractical.
The motherboard is equipped with only 2 slots for installing RAM. Accordingly, the maximum amount of RAM in such a computer system is 16 GB (2 modules of 8 GB). The supported type of random access memory is DDR3. The maximum allowable working memory frequency is 1600 MHz. You can, of course, try to install faster modules on such a motherboard, but this will not give a significant gain in performance. The frequency of RAM will automatically decrease to 1600 MHz and the performance level will remain exactly the same as if the PC had RAM with a frequency of 1600 MHz.
The maximum number of USB 2.0 ports is 8, and USB 3.0 is 2.
There are two SATA 2.0 ports for connecting a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and an optical drive. Exactly the same number of SATA 3.0 ports for similar purposes.
6 PCIe version 2.0 ports for installing expansion cards are provided in the H81 Express.
Asus motherboards
Many entry-level motherboards are based on the Intel H81. Asus, for example, immediately offers 6 similar solutions based on this set of system logic. The most affordable of them is the H81I-Plus. This motherboard is made in the mATX form factor. It has 2 slots for RAM, one slot for a video card and very small dimensions that allow it to be used in compact computer systems.
The Asus H81M-Plus has a similar layout, but only the size is increased and there are three additional PCI Express 1.0 slots. But the form factor is the same - mATX. This motherboard can no longer be used in compact systems. Three more motherboards - H81M-A, H81M-C and H81M-E - differ from the H81I-Plus only in a set of interface wired ports. Otherwise, these are almost identical solutions based on Intel H81, mATX-format and with the same level of functionality.
Asus H81-Plus, which is manufactured in ATX format, differs significantly from all the previously listed motherboards. It additionally has three PCI slots.
MSI Solutions
The situation is similar with the Intel H81 chipset and another leading motherboard manufacturer - MSI. Most of them are made in the mATX form factor. The most affordable of them are H81M-E33 and H81M-P33, which can now be purchased for $ 50. The difference between the two is in the graphics ports installed on the system board. The former is DVI-D and D-Sub, while the latter has HDMI instead of DVI-D. The rest are identical motherboards. The most affordable ATX format board is H81-P33. It differs from the previously considered H81M-P33 only in size and three additional slots for PCI expansion cards.
Gigabyte and its motherboards
Intel chipsets have always allowed us to find various solutions based on one set of system logic. But for another reason, another leading manufacturer of Gigabyte motherboards for some reason makes all of their motherboards based on H81 almost identical. They are all designated GA-H81M (for the mATX form factor) and GA-H81 (ATX motherboards). At the end of the designation, a prefix is added that characterizes the BIOS version and the presence of additional wired interfaces. Otherwise, the level of functionality for solutions based on H81 from this manufacturer is similar to Asus and MSI.
Reviews
The Intel chipsets of the last few generations are tied to specific market segments. So the hero of this article is an entry-level solution. It is perfect for budget computer systems.
One should not expect anything unusual from him. The same can be said about the level of performance of solutions based on this set of system logic. As a result, owner reviews highlight primarily the availability of such motherboards and their low cost. At the same time, the level of functionality is sufficient for any educational or office PC based on the H61 motherboard.
Summary
An excellent Intel H81 solution is to build a basic computer system. It is perfect for undemanding users. In the future, of course, it will not be possible to upgrade it - the 1150 platform cycle is coming to an end, and solutions based on 1151 are replacing it.