User:ChosenOreo/Chipsets/Intel X58
| Type: | Northbridge (I/O Hub) |
| Manufacturer: | Intel |
| CPUs Supported: | Core i7 Xeon 5500 Series Xeon 6500/7500 Series |
| Socket: | LGA 1366 |
| Southbridge(s): | ICH10 |
| Release Date: | November 2008 |
The Intel X58 Northbridge is an Intel chip designed to connect Intel CPUs to peripheral devices using Intel's point-to-point processor interconnect interface, Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). The processors that support this chipset use the Nehalem microarchitecture, which means that the X58 does not have a memory interface (Nehalem-based processors have an integrated memory controller). The first processors to support this chipset were Core i7 processors, but the Xeon line of processors was soon included.
Description
The Intel QuickPath Interconnect architecture is radically different from earlier chipsets produced by Intel. At a lower level, this chipset is closer to AMD's HyperTransport architecture. The X58 has most common properties of a typical northbridge, except for the lack of a memory interface. It communicates with the ICH10 southbridge via Direct Media Interface, with the processor over the QuickPath Interconnect, and connect with high-bandwith peripherals via PCI Express. Since the X58 does not contain a memory interface, Intel decided to call it an I/O Hub (not to be confused with the southbridge, now called the Legacy I/O Controller Hub).
Using the Chipset
TODO: Add Details on interfacing with the chipset.
References
Articles
Wikipedia Article on Intel X58
Intel Specifications Quick List