Intel 5 Series
Encyclopedia
Intel 5 Series is a computing architecture introduced in 2008 that improves the efficiency and balances the use of communication channels in the motherboard
. The architecture consists primarily of a central processing unit
(CPU) (connected to the graphics card and memory) and a single chipset
(connected to motherboard components). All motherboard communications and activities circle around these two devices.
The architecture is a product of adjustments made to the Intel 4 Series to deliver higher performance motherboards while maintaining efficiency and low power. The changes revolve around chipset and processor design, in conjunction with a rearrangement of functions and controllers. The result is the first major change in many years of computing.
chipset, as it was the intermediary between the CPU, memory, and, in most cases, graphics card. CPU would communicate with the Northbridge chipset when it needed data from the memory or when it needed to output graphics to the display. This arrangement caused the communication channel known as the front-side bus (FSB) to be heavily used. It was not long till either the FSB would reach full capacity or operate inefficiently with more cores. A rearrangement of design was needed.
and the PCI-E
graphics (PEG) card removing the FSB channel and reliance on the Northbridge chipset.
The Northbridge also housed an Intel management engine (ME) and a display controller for integrated graphics. These two functions are moved to a new chipset called the Platform Controller Hub
(PCH), part of the Intel 5 Series architecture. Along with a Northbridge chipset is a Southbridge
chipset called the I/O Controller Hub
(ICH). The ICH is integrated into the PCH, thus removing the Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets completely.
The PCH is connected to the CPU using a Direct Media Interface
(DMI) as a communication channel. In the case where motherboard has integrated graphics, there is a display controller in the PCH that uses a Flexible Display Interface
(FDI) for display communication with the CPU.
This setup allows for the CPU to directly communicate with the memory and graphics, which means no intermediary is involved. In comparison to before, the memory is given a separate connection to the CPU and graphics is given another connection. With a third line of communication going to the PCH, data traffic on all three lines should remain light for many years to come. In the mean time, power usage and heat dissipation will be low and efficient.
At least three server/workstation chipsets use an Ibex Peak family PCH and are not marketed under a "5 Series" chipset brand:
The Intel X58 Express chipset is marketed under a "5 Series" chipset brand but does not contain a PCH (much less Ibex Peak).
Motherboard
In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple...
. The architecture consists primarily of a central processing unit
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
(CPU) (connected to the graphics card and memory) and a single chipset
Chipset
A chipset, PC chipset, or chip set refers to a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that are designed to work together. They are usually marketed as a single product.- Computers :...
(connected to motherboard components). All motherboard communications and activities circle around these two devices.
The architecture is a product of adjustments made to the Intel 4 Series to deliver higher performance motherboards while maintaining efficiency and low power. The changes revolve around chipset and processor design, in conjunction with a rearrangement of functions and controllers. The result is the first major change in many years of computing.
Design concept
The concept of the architecture was to improve motherboard mechanics to keep pace with the CPU as it gained more speed and multiplied in number of cores. In the previous architecture, the CPU was communicating heavily with the motherboard’s central component, the NorthbridgeNorthbridge (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. For Intel Sandy Bridge and AMD Fusion...
chipset, as it was the intermediary between the CPU, memory, and, in most cases, graphics card. CPU would communicate with the Northbridge chipset when it needed data from the memory or when it needed to output graphics to the display. This arrangement caused the communication channel known as the front-side bus (FSB) to be heavily used. It was not long till either the FSB would reach full capacity or operate inefficiently with more cores. A rearrangement of design was needed.
Design solution
It was at one time proposed that the Northbridge be combined with CPU. This is almost what happened. The Northbridge housed the Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) and was given the designation Memory Controller Hub (MCH). It also housed the graphics controller (GFX). Both of these controllers have been moved to the processor. The CPU now has direct connections to the DDR3 memoryDDR3 SDRAM
In computing, DDR3 SDRAM, an abbreviation for double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory, is a modern kind of dynamic random access memory with a high bandwidth interface. It is one of several variants of DRAM and associated interface techniques used since the early 1970s...
and the PCI-E
PCI Express
PCI Express , officially abbreviated as PCIe, is a computer expansion card standard designed to replace the older PCI, PCI-X, and AGP bus standards...
graphics (PEG) card removing the FSB channel and reliance on the Northbridge chipset.
The Northbridge also housed an Intel management engine (ME) and a display controller for integrated graphics. These two functions are moved to a new chipset called the Platform Controller Hub
Platform Controller Hub
The Platform Controller Hub is a family of Intel microchips. I/O Functions have been reassigned between the PCH, a new central hub, and the CPU. Some northbridge functions, the memory controller and PCI-e lanes, were integrated into the CPU while the PCH took over the remaining functions in...
(PCH), part of the Intel 5 Series architecture. Along with a Northbridge chipset is a Southbridge
Southbridge (computing)
The southbridge is one of the two chips in the core logic chipset on a personal computer 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...
chipset called the I/O Controller Hub
I/O Controller Hub
I/O Controller Hub , also known as Intel 82801, is an Intel southbridge on motherboards with Intel chipsets . As with any other southbridge, the ICH is used to connect and control peripheral devices.- ICH :...
(ICH). The ICH is integrated into the PCH, thus removing the Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets completely.
The PCH is connected to the CPU using a Direct Media Interface
Direct Media Interface
The Direct Media Interface is the link between an Intel northbridge and an Intel southbridge on a computer motherboard. It was first used between the 9xx chipsets and the ICH6, released in 2004. Previous chipsets had used the Hub Interface to perform the same function. Server chipsets use a...
(DMI) as a communication channel. In the case where motherboard has integrated graphics, there is a display controller in the PCH that uses a Flexible Display Interface
Flexible Display Interface
FDI or Flexible Display Interface is an interconnect created by Intel in order to allow the communication of the HD Graphics integrated GPU found on supported CPUs with the PCH southbridge where display connectors are attached...
(FDI) for display communication with the CPU.
This setup allows for the CPU to directly communicate with the memory and graphics, which means no intermediary is involved. In comparison to before, the memory is given a separate connection to the CPU and graphics is given another connection. With a third line of communication going to the PCH, data traffic on all three lines should remain light for many years to come. In the mean time, power usage and heat dissipation will be low and efficient.
Variations
Intel 5 Series chipsets include:- H55 Express
- H57 Express
- Q57 Express
- X58 Express
- P55 Express
- Mobile HM55 Express
- Mobile HM57 Express
- Mobile PM55 Express
- Mobile QM57 Express
- Mobile QS57 Express
At least three server/workstation chipsets use an Ibex Peak family PCH and are not marketed under a "5 Series" chipset brand:
- 3400
- 3420
- 3450
The Intel X58 Express chipset is marketed under a "5 Series" chipset brand but does not contain a PCH (much less Ibex Peak).