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.
Contents |
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
