Motherboard Description, Overview | Intel AP440FX specification

1 Motherboard Description

1.1 Overview

The AP440FX motherboard is a 64-bit, high-performance, mixed-voltage, energy-conscious, highly integrated platform. The AP440FX motherboard supports the following set of features:

∙Uses a 9-inch by 13-inch LPX form factor.

∙Uses a type 8 Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket to house the standard processor, and provides an upgrade path to future OverDrive®processors.

∙Accepts Pentium®Pro processors with core clock frequencies of 150 MHz, 166 MHz, 180 MHz, and 200 MHz.

∙Supports up to 128 MB of DRAM using four standard 72-pin, tin-lead SIMM† sockets. The modules can use Fast Page Mode (FPM) or Extended Data Out (EDO) memory. Non-parity (32-bit) and parity (36-bit) memory SIMMs are supported. With parity SIMMs, the board can be configured to support Error Checking and Correcting (ECC) memory operation.

∙Uses Intel's 82440FX chipset. The Intel 82371SB PCI/ISA IDE Xccelerator (PIIX3) provides an integrated Bus Mastering IDE controller with two high performance IDE interfaces for up to four devices (such as hard drives or CD-ROM).

∙Uses a flash BIOS with the following features:

−Uses both hardware and software Secure Flash features to protect flash contents from corruption.

−Uses a BIOS that complies with the Desktop Management Interface (DMI-compliant).

∙Uses the National Semiconductor Super I/O controller (the PC87307 or the pin-compatible PC87308 device) to integrate the following standard PC I/O functions:

⎯floppy interface, two FIFO serial ports and one EPP/ECP capable parallel port

⎯real-time clock

⎯keyboard controller

⎯support for an IrDA† and Consumer Infrared interface at both slow and medium speeds

∙Integrates a Crystal audio codec (CS4236) on the motherboard to provide 16-bit stereo, Sound Blaster† Pro compatible audio. Provides an onboard telephony (modem) connector to support the latest telephony applications.

∙Integrates an S3† ViRGE/DX† graphics controller onboard to support SVGA graphics at resolutions up to 1600x1200. An enhanced LBP VESA† feature connector supports external multimedia capabilities.

∙A hardware monitoring ASIC provides the following monitoring functions:

⎯Integrated temperature sensor

⎯Fan speed monitoring

⎯Power supply voltage monitoring

⎯Storage of power-on self test (POST) results and error codes

∙PCI and ISA expansion slots are supported by a connector on the motherboard designed to accept a riser card. An onboard jumper supports riser cards with either two or three PCI slots.

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.