2 System Board

Chip-Set

Chip-Set

The chip-set comprises three chips. These interface between the three main buses (the Processor-Local bus, the PCI bus and the ISA bus).

• The TXC chip (82439HX) is a combined PL/PCI bridge and cache

controller and main memory controller and PCI-to-PL bus data path.

• The PIIX3 chip (82371SB) is a combined PCI/ISA bridge and IDE

controller and USB controller.

• The Super I/O chip (37C932) is a combined serial interface and parallel

interface and keyboard controller and mouse controller and flexible disk drive controller.

 

The TXC and PIIX3 chips are PCI 2.1 compliant, and provide for PCI

 

Concurrency. Concurrent data transfers that do not contest for the same

 

resources (such as processor to memory concurrent with PCI peer to peer,

 

or processor to ISA device concurrent with PCI device to memory) are

 

allowed to interleave their transfers more finely than with previous chip

 

sets. This has little effect on the throughput of the system, but results in a

 

greatly reduced worst-case latency. This leads to a much smoother

 

operation of video capture, MPEG clips and audio clips.

 

To find out more about how this is achieved, the reader is referred to the

 

Intel documentation on the 82430HX chip set. Relevant key words include:

 

the multi-transaction timer (MTT), the passive release mechanism, and

 

the PCI delayed transaction mechanism.

 

PL/PCI Bridge Chip (82439HX)

 

The bridge between the Processor Local Bus (PL Bus) and the PCI Bus is

 

encapsulated in a 324 pin ball grid array (BGA) package.

PL Bus Interface

The TXC chip monitors each cycle that is initiated by the processor, and

 

forwards those to the PCI bus that are not targeted at the local memory. It

 

translates PL bus cycles into PCI bus cycles.

 

The chip supports the SMM mode of the Pentium processor, the CPU stop

 

clock hardware function, and the keyboard lock function. These are used by

 

the LittleBen chip, as described on page 73.

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HP Vectra VL 5/xxx 5 manual Chip-Set, PL/PCI Bridge Chip 82439HX, PL Bus Interface
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Vectra VL 5/xxx 5 specifications

The HP Vectra VL 5/xxx was a series of desktop personal computers introduced by Hewlett-Packard in the mid-1990s. These machines were designed for both business and professional environments, making them suitable for a range of applications from basic office tasks to more demanding computing needs. This series played a significant role in HP's efforts to strengthen its market presence in the PC sector during a time when competition was intensifying.

One of the standout features of the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx line was its versatility. The series included various configurations designated by the '5/xxx' nomenclature, which indicated different performance levels and specifications. The performance was driven primarily by Intel Pentium processors, widely acclaimed for their reliability and efficiency. This allowed users to choose a model that suited their specific requirements, whether for everyday tasks or more resource-intensive applications.

In addition to its strong processing capabilities, the Vectra VL 5/xxx featured advanced graphics support, which was critical for visual applications and presentations. Many units in this series came equipped with onboard graphics capabilities that supported a range of resolutions, enhancing the user experience in both standard office environments and more creative settings.

Storage options were another highlight of the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx series. The machines typically featured a variety of hard drive configurations, allowing for ample data storage. Some models included the option for expanding storage through additional hard drives or external devices. Coupled with considerable RAM options, these machines ensured smooth multitasking and efficient performance across various applications.

Connectivity was also a core aspect of the Vectra VL 5/xxx. The systems typically included multiple USB ports, parallel and serial ports, and integrated networking capabilities. This made it easy for businesses to integrate the Vectra machines into their existing infrastructure, facilitating seamless interaction with peripherals and networks.

In terms of design, the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx series presented a robust yet compact form factor, which was ideal for office environments with limited space. Additionally, HP emphasized the reliability and serviceability of these machines, which included easy access to internal components for maintenance and upgrades, thereby extending the product life cycle.

Overall, the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx line offered a balanced combination of performance, flexibility, and reliability, making it a solid choice for organizations looking to leverage computing power for a range of professional applications. The series embodied HP's commitment to delivering quality and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing.
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