Design Checklist

3.23Layout Checklist

3.23.1Routing and Board Fabrication

•VRM 8.2 Support: Is the VccCORE trace/power plane sufficient to ensure VccCORE meets specification. See the Intel® Pentium® II Datasheet for trace/power plane resistance and length requirements.

•VTT should be routed with at least a 50 mil (1.25mm) wide trace.

•VREF traces should be isolated to minimize the chance of cross-talk.

•VccCORE from the voltage regulator to Slot 1 should be an “island” as opposed to a trace.

•Decoupling capacitor traces should be as short and wide as possible.

•GTL+ signals should follow the layout guidelines, see AP-524 Intel® Pentium® Pro Processor GTL+ Layout Guidelines for further information. If the recommendations are not followed, simulations should be been run using the actual layout.

•GTL+ lines should be spaced as far apart as possible (at least 10 mils). Running GTL+ signals closer together (5 mils) for less than 1” (2.5cm) is acceptable.

•There should be no CMOS/TTL signals running parallel to GTL+ signals. If they must run in parallel, separate them on different layers with a well decoupled power or ground plane. If they must run parallel on the same layer, then separate the traces by a minimum of 25 mils.

•Proper operation of the IDE circuit depends on the total length of the IDE bus. The total signal length from the IDE drivers (PIIX4E pins) to the end of the IDE cables should not exceed 18”. Therefore, the PIIX4E should be located at close as possible to the IDE headers to allow the IDE cable to be as long as possible.

3.23.2Design Consideration

∙The BCLK trace to the ITP562 connector is not required to have a matched trace length to the other BCLK signals to the Slot 1 connector or AGPset.

3.24Applications and Add-in Hardware

3.24.1Design Consideration

•See the MMX™ Technology Developer’s Guide for information on the definition and use of Intel’s MMX™ technology instruction set extension. This guide provides optimization guidelines for developers of software utilizing the performance enhancement the instruction set offers.

•Contact your local Intel field sales representative for information on IHVs and ISVs utilizing Intel’s MMX™ technology.

•Contact your local Intel Field Sales representative for information on utilizing Intel’s latest AGP technology.

Intel®440GX AGPset Design Guide

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Intel 440GX manual Layout Checklist, Applications and Add-in Hardware, Routing and Board Fabrication, Design Consideration
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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.
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