Chipset Overview | American Megatrends X6DVA-EG, X6DVA-4G manual

Chapter 1: Introduction

1-2 Chipset Overview

Built upon the functionality and the capability of the E7320 (Lindenhurst- VS) chipset, the X6DVA-4G/X6DVA-EG motherboard provides the perfor- mance and feature set required for dual processor-based servers, with configuration options optimized for communications, presentation, storage, computation or database applications. The Intel E7320 (Lindenhurst-VS) chipset consists of the following components: the E7320 (Lindenhurst-VS) Memory Controller Hub (MCH), the I/O Controller Hub (6300ESB ICH), and THE PCI-X Hub (PXH).

The E7320 (Lindenhurst-VS) MCH supports single or dual Nocona proces- sors with Front Side Bus speeds of up to 800 MHz(*Note). Its memory controller provides direct connection to two channels of registered DDR266, DDR333 with a marched system bus address and data bandwidths of up to 6.4GB/s. The E7320 (Lindenhurst-VS) also supports the new PCI Express high speed serial I/O interface for superior I/O bandwidth. The MCH pro- vides configurable x8 PCI Express interfaces which may alternatively be configured as two independent x4 PCI Express interfaces. These interfaces support connection of the MCH to a variety of other bridges that are com- pliant with the PCI Express Interface Specification, Rev. 1.0a. The MCH interfaces with the 6300ESB I/O Controller Hub (6300ESB ICH) via Hub Interface. The PCI- Bus provides connection between a PCI Express inter- face and two independent PCI bus interfaces that can be configured for standard PCI 2.3 protocol, as well as the enhanced high-frequency PCI-X protocol. The PXH can be configured to support for 32- or 64-bit PCI de- vices running at 33 MHz, 66 MHz, 100 MHz, and 133 MHz.

6300ESB ICH System Features

In addition to providing the I/O subsystem with access to the rest of the system, the 6300ESB I/O Controller Hub (6300ESB ICH) integrates many I/ O functions.

The 6300ESB integrates: 2-channel Ultra ATA/100 Bus Master IDE Control- ler, two Serial ATA (SATA) Host Controllers, SMBus 2.0 Controller, LPC/ Flash BIOS Interface, PCI-X (66MHz) 1.0 Interface, PCI 2.2 Interface and System Management Controller.

(*Notes: The CPU FSB speed is set at 800 MHz by the Manufacturer. Please do not change the CPU FSB setting.)

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X6DVA-EG, X6DVA-4G specifications

American Megatrends is renowned for its innovative server and motherboard solutions. The X6DVA-4G and X6DVA-EG motherboards are notable examples that cater to enterprise-level applications and high-performance computing environments. Both motherboards are designed to support the latest advancements in technology while providing robust features for reliable performance.

The X6DVA-4G is an ATX motherboard that boasts dual Socket 604 configurations, allowing it to support dual Intel Xeon processors. This dual-processor setup significantly enhances computing power, making it suitable for resource-intensive applications, such as virtualization, high-performance computing, and database management. Its support for up to 64GB of DDR2 ECC memory ensures data integrity and stability during critical operations, providing an additional layer of reliability that is crucial for enterprise environments.

On the other hand, the X6DVA-EG offers similar capabilities while integrating different feature sets that cater to specific needs. Both boards support PCI-X and PCIe expansion slots, which allow for flexible hardware configurations. This expandability is vital in businesses where evolving technology demands can lead to the need for additional peripherals and components.

A standout feature of these motherboards is their comprehensive support for RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 10, and 5. This functionality enhances data security and recovery, ensuring that critical information remains intact in the event of hardware failure. Additionally, both motherboards come equipped with multiple SATA interfaces for robust storage options, which are essential for handling large volumes of data.

Furthermore, Intel's Xeon processors, paired with the X6DVA series motherboards, enable advanced thermal management and power efficiency features. This is essential not only for maintaining optimal performance but also for reducing operational costs in data centers.

In conclusion, American Megatrends' X6DVA-4G and X6DVA-EG motherboards maintain the company's reputation for quality and reliability in high-performance computing solutions. With their dual-processor capabilities, extensive memory support, RAID functionality, and flexibility for expansion, these motherboards are exceptional choices for businesses looking to enhance their computing infrastructure. Their combination of performance, efficiency, and reliability makes them integral components for modern server solutions.