Intel 440GX AGPset Platform Reference Design

Intel®440GX AGPset Platform Reference Design

Intel® 440GX AGPset Platform Reference

Design

This section describes the DP/Intel® 440GX AGPset 4-DIMM Reference Design Schematics. The description of each schematic page is named by the logic block shown on that page. The numbers after the schematic page name list the page number of the dual processor design.

Cover Sheet

The Cover Sheet shows the Schematic page titles, page numbers and disclaimers.

Block Diagram

This page shows a block diagram overview of the Intel® Pentium® II / Intel® 440GX AGPset system design. Also included is a device table listing every major component in the design, its reference designator, and location.

Intel® Pentium® II Slot 1 processor connector (part 1)

3 and 5

This page shows the first part of the Slot 1 connector (up to the key). SLP# connection comes directly from the PIIX4E. Intel recommends placing 0 ohm resistors on the EMI signals. A thermal sensor (the MAX 1617 ME) which connects to an internal processor diode has been included to monitor processor temperature.

Intel® Pentium® II Slot 1 processor connector (part 2)

4 and 6

This page shows the remaining part Slot 1connector. Also shown are the optional connections for overriding the VID pins from the processor.

Clock Synthesizer and ITP connector

This page shows the new clock synthesizer component the CK100 plus recommended decoupling. The clock synthesizer components must meet all of the system bus, PCI and other system clock requirements. Several vendors offer components that can be used in this design.

This page also shows the In Target Probe (ITP) Connector. The ITP connector is recommended in order to use the In Target Probe tool available from Intel and other tool vendors for Intel® Pentium® II Processor based platform debug.

Note: Some logic analyzer vendors also support the use of the ITP connector. This connector is optional.

It is recommended to design these headers into the system for initial system debug and development, and leave the connector footprints unpopulated for production.

Intel®440GX AGPset Design Guide

A-1

440GX specifications

The Intel 440GX chipset was launched in 1997 as part of Intel's series of chipsets known as the 440 family, and it served as a critical component for various Pentium II and Pentium III-based motherboard architectures. Specifically designed for the second generation of Intel’s processors, the 440GX delivered enhanced performance and supported a range of important technologies that defined PC architectures of its time.

One of the main features of the Intel 440GX was its support for a 100 MHz front-side bus (FSB), which significantly improved data transfer rates between the CPU and the memory subsystem. This advancement allowed the 440GX to accommodate both the original Pentium II processors as well as the later Pentium III chips, providing compatibility and flexibility for system builders and consumers alike.

The 440GX chipset included an integrated AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) controller, which supported AGP 2x speeds. This enabled high-performance graphics cards to be utilized effectively, delivering many enhanced graphics capabilities for gaming and multimedia applications. The AGP interface was crucial at the time as it offered a dedicated pathway for graphics data, increasing bandwidth compared to traditional PCI slots.

In terms of memory support, the 440GX could address up to 512 MB of SDRAM, allowing systems built with this chipset to run comfortably with sufficient memory for the era’s demanding applications. The memory controller was capable of supporting both single and double-sided DIMMs, which provided versatility in memory configuration for system builders.

Another notable feature of the Intel 440GX was its support for multi-processor configurations through its Dual Processors support feature. This allowed enterprise and workstation computers to leverage the performance advantages of multiple CPUs, making the chipset suitable for business and professional environments where multitasking and high-performance computing were essential.

On the connectivity front, the chipset supported up to six PCI slots, enhancing peripheral device integration and expansion capabilities. It also included integrated IDE controllers, facilitating connections for hard drives and CD-ROM devices.

Overall, the Intel 440GX chipset represented a balanced combination of performance, flexibility, and technology advancements for its time. Its introduction helped establish a foundation for subsequent advancements in PC technology and set the stage for more powerful computing systems in the years to come.

Intel manual Intel 440GX AGPset Platform Reference Design

Models: 440GX