Audio Subsystem, Management Extension Hardware

Motherboard Description

1.10 Audio Subsystem

The AP440FX motherboard features a 16-bit stereo audio subsystem as a factory installed option. The audio subsystem is based on the Crystal CS4236 multimedia codec. The CS4236 provides all the digital audio and analog mixing functions required for playing and recording of audio on personal computers. These functions include:

∙Stereo analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters

∙Analog mixing

∙Anti-aliasing and reconstruction filters

∙Line and microphone level inputs

∙Digital audio compression using selectable A-law / μlaw

∙Full digital control of all mixer and volume control functions

The CS4236 also provides support for four major sound standards including AdLib†, Sound Blaster Pro 2.0, Windows Sound System, and MPU-401. The CS4236 also supports full-duplex operation which ensures support for applications such as video conferencing.

The CS4236 includes a Plug and Play compatible ISA interface and is comprised of seven logical devices including:

∙Synthesizer

∙Game Port

∙Sound Blaster

∙Sound System

∙MPU-401

∙CD-ROM

∙CS4236 device

Each logical device is configured into the host environment using the ISA Plug and Play configuration methodologies. The audio subsystem requires up to two DMA channels and one interrupt. The computer can be configured to use either DMA channels 0, 1, or 3. The interrupt can be mapped to use interrupt 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, or 15.

1.11 Management Extension Hardware

The Management Extension hardware provides low-cost instrumentation capabilities designed to reduce the total cost of PC ownership. The Management Extension hardware incorporates features that support the requirements of the Desktop Management Interface (DMI) compliant areas of the BIOS, as well as those of the LANDesk® Client Manager software. The hardware implementation is a single-chip ASIC with the following features:

∙An integrated temperature sensor plus support for an external temperature sensor

∙Support for one fan speed sensor

∙Power supply voltage monitoring to detect levels above or below acceptable values

∙Registers for storing POST hardware test results and error codes

∙Remote reset capabilities from a remote peer or server through LANDesk Client Manager, Version 3.0 and service layers (when available)

∙Hardware compatibility with Windows NT†.

AP440FX specifications

The Intel AP440FX is a pivotal motherboard that was released in the late 1990s, designed to support the Intel Pentium II and Pentium III processors. Known for its robust performance and versatile functionalities, the AP440FX became a popular choice among computer enthusiasts and system builders during its time.

One of the defining features of the Intel AP440FX is its support for the Intel 440FX chipset. This chipset provided improved system performance through its use of a 66 MHz front-side bus, which allowed for faster data transfer between the CPU and the memory. The motherboard was equipped with two DIMM slots capable of supporting a maximum of 512 MB of SDRAM, providing users with the flexibility to choose the amount of memory they required for their applications.

Another notable characteristic of the AP440FX motherboard is its integrated support for various peripheral interfaces. It comes equipped with multiple ISA and PCI slots, allowing users to expand their system capabilities through the addition of various cards. The presence of two USB ports, which were relatively new at the time of its release, gave users access to a wider range of peripherals and external devices.

The Intel AP440FX also features an integrated IDE controller, enabling connection for hard drives and optical drives without the need for additional controller cards. This integrated solution simplified storage management for users and contributed to the overall efficiency of the system. The motherboard also supported SCSI through optional daughter cards, catering to users who required high-speed data transfer and reliable disk storage solutions.

Moreover, the AP440FX was designed with future upgrades in mind. Its BIOS supported plug-and-play installations, allowing users to easily configure new hardware components without extensive troubleshooting. Additionally, the ATX form factor of the motherboard contributed to its compatibility with a wide range of cases and power supplies.

In terms of power management, the Intel AP440FX incorporated advanced features such as ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), which allowed for better power efficiency and management of power states. This feature was particularly beneficial for users looking to reduce energy consumption and improve the overall longevity of their systems.

All in all, the Intel AP440FX represented a significant advancement in motherboard technology during its era. Its combination of robust performance, upgradeability, and support for new technologies made it a popular choice for users looking to build powerful and efficient computing systems.