Intel 820E 1.3.1. Chipset Components

Intel® 820E Chipset
R
16 Design Guide
1.3.1. Chipset Components
The Intel 820E chipset consists of the Intel® 82820 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) and the
Intel® 82801BA I/O Controller Hub (ICH2). Additional functionality can be provided through the use of
a PCI-to-ISA bridge.
Memory Controller Hub (MCH)
The MCH provides the interconnect between the Direct RDRAM and the system logic. It integrates the
following functions:
• Support for single or dual Intel PGA370 processors with a 100 MHz or 133 MHz system bus
• 256 MHz, 300 MHz, 356 MHz or 400 MHz Direct RDRAM interface supporting 1 GB of Direct
RDRAM
• 4×, 1.5 V AGP interface (3.3 V 1×, 2×, and 1.5 V 1×, 2× devices also supported)
• Downstream hub interface for access to the ICH2
In addition, the MCH provides arbitration, buffering, and coherency management for each of these
interfaces. Refer to Chapter 2 Layout/Routing Guidelines for more information regarding these
interfaces.
I/O Controller Hub 2 (ICH2)
The ICH2 provides the I/O subsystem with access to the rest of the system. Additionally, it integrates
many I/O functions. The ICH2 integrates:
• Upstream hub interface for access to the MCH
• Two-channel Ultra ATA/100 bus master IDE controller
• Two USB controllers (expanded capabilities for 4 ports)
• I/O APIC
• SMBus controller
• FWH interface (FWH Flash BIOS)
• LPC interface
• AC’97 2.1 interface
• PCI 2.2 interface
• Integrated system management controller
• Alert on LAN*
• Integrated LAN controller
The ICH2 also contains the arbitration and buffering necessary to ensure efficient utilization of these
interfaces. Refer to Section 2 for more information on these interfaces.