Each owner of a personal computer periodically encounters specific terms from the field of computer technology. A striking example is the “motherboard chipset”. Despite the fact that understanding the meaning of this term is not necessary for daily use of a computer, this information broadens the horizons of the user. Understanding what a chipset is, it makes it easy to classify motherboards by generations, which makes it possible to exclude fraud attempts from dishonest sellers.
Everyone is familiar with the main computer nodes. This is the central processor, video card, RAM modules, motherboard, etc. All these components are implemented in the respective stores, so visitors have at least a general idea, which cannot be said about the chipset. It is not surprising that the question “what is a chipset” is so often asked on the Internet. In this case, there is nothing difficult to understand. To understand this issue well, we’ll start from afar.
As you know, almost all components are connected to the motherboard. It is the basis due to which it is possible to connect all the nodes together. Obviously, banal placement of connectors on a rectangular PCB plate is not enough. The processor must have access to all ports and connectors of peripheral devices. In this case, you cannot do without an intermediary. Although, in fairness, it is worth noting that there was a special VESA bus, many of whose lines were connected directly to the processor cascades, but this solution had several limitations. The answer to the question of what a chipset is is as follows - this is a node that combines all the main data lines of the motherboard.
Physically, the motherboard chipsets are represented by one or more microcircuits. More recently, there were two of them, called the North and South Bridges. Such unusual names are due to the placement feature on the board - one microcircuit (chip) at the top and the other at the bottom. Accordingly, the first is the North Bridge, and the second is the South. In light of the above, the answer to the question of what a chipset can be like this is a set of integrated circuits that ensure the smooth operation of all components.
The north bridge is the link between the central processor, RAM (the controller is located here) and the video adapter bus. The speed of operation is relatively high, therefore, due to heat generation, a cooling system is often located on this chip.
The south bridge performs more functions, but at lower speeds. Interaction with BIOS chips, support for an audio codec, synchronization with additional capabilities chips (USB 3.0, iTE) - this is an incomplete list of tasks to be performed. In addition, the South Bridge contains USB, SATA port controllers, and a common system bus connects the network controllers, the bridge and the central processor.
In order to reduce signal transmission delays and increase overall performance, all major central processor manufacturers in their latest models integrate memory and video controllers directly into the processor chip. In fact, this means the abolition of the classic concept of "North Bridge", since now its functions are assigned to the processor. That is why on all modern motherboards there is only one large microcircuit (except for the processor) - the South Bridge. The board manual always has a block diagram sheet. It schematically indicates the communication lines of all components with each other. It’s enough to at least familiarize yourself with it so that some questions about the chipset will disappear by itself.