Sunday, 29 January 2012
Old system architecture diagram
Northbridge (nowdays integrated on chip)
Northbridge is one of the chipsets on a PC motherboard which handles communications among CPU, Southbridge, Graphics unit, System memory and PCI Express.
AMD Fusion processors and Intel 2nd generation core i3/5/7 series have integrated Northbridge on their chip. In older processors the CPU, Graphics and Northbridge were separate chips. This Northbridge chip had integrated memory controllers and was known as Integrated memory controller hub (IMCH).
In newer designs the Northbridge also integrated Graphics processor into it and the chip was called as
Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH). The overall trend in processor design has been to integrate more functions onto the chip which decreases overall motherboard cost and improves performance.
AMD Fusion processors and Intel 2nd generation core i3/5/7 series have integrated Northbridge on their chip. In older processors the CPU, Graphics and Northbridge were separate chips. This Northbridge chip had integrated memory controllers and was known as Integrated memory controller hub (IMCH).
In newer designs the Northbridge also integrated Graphics processor into it and the chip was called as
Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH). The overall trend in processor design has been to integrate more functions onto the chip which decreases overall motherboard cost and improves performance.
Southbridge (controller hub)
Southbridge is one of the chipsets on a PC motherboard which handles communications among Northbridge, peripheral device interfaces such as USB, Sata, PCI and Ethernet.
The Southbridge implements the slower capabilities of the motherboard in a typical northbridge/southbridge chipset configuration. A Southbridge chipset handles all of the computers I/O functions, such as USB, audio, serial, the system BIOS, the ISA bus, the interrupt controller and the IDE or SATA channels.
Intel names Southbridge as Input/Output Controller Hub (ICH). AMD, beginning with its Fusion APUs, has named it as Fusion Controller Hub (FCH). The Southbridge is not directly connected to CPU but is linked to it via the Northbridge.
What is a DisplayPort
DisplayPort is display interface standard made by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). The specification defines a royalty-free digital interconnect for digital audio and video. DisplayPort can provides the similar functionalities like HDMI but is not expected to displace HDMI in high-definition consumer electronics devices.
DisplayPort uses a self-clocking micro-packet-based protocol that allows flexible allocation of bandwidth between audio and video. It is the first display interface to rely on packetized data transmission similar to other data communication protocols such as Ethernet, USB, PCI etc. Due to the use of data packets, DisplayPort are extensible, that means additional features can be added over time without significant changes to the interface itself.
The DisplayPort signals are not directly compatible with HDMI/DVI but analog they can be supported using powered adapters which perform active conversion. Some related technologies derived form DisplayPort are :-
DisplayPort uses a self-clocking micro-packet-based protocol that allows flexible allocation of bandwidth between audio and video. It is the first display interface to rely on packetized data transmission similar to other data communication protocols such as Ethernet, USB, PCI etc. Due to the use of data packets, DisplayPort are extensible, that means additional features can be added over time without significant changes to the interface itself.
| version | data rate | capability |
|---|---|---|
| DisplayPort 1.0 | max 8.64 Gbit/s | sufficient for 1920×1200(30 bpp) @ 60 Hz |
| DisplayPort 1.2 | max 17.28 Gbit/s | 2560×1600(30 bpp) @ 60 Hz and 3840×2160 in CVT-R(Reduced blanking mode) |
The DisplayPort signals are not directly compatible with HDMI/DVI but analog they can be supported using powered adapters which perform active conversion. Some related technologies derived form DisplayPort are :-
- Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) defines standardized display panel interface for internal connections ( like graphics unit to laptop display panels ).
- Wireless DisplayPort will have bandwidth and features similar to DisplayPort 1.2 for cable-free applications operating using 60 GHz radio band.
HDMI can do high quality audio and video
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the latest standard that is used for high-definition video and audio in consumer electronics. HDMI implements the EIA/CEA-861 standards, which define video formats and waveforms, transport of compressed, uncompressed, and LPCM audio (a type of modulation) and auxiliary data. HDMI is a Licensed standard and is manufactured by HDMI Adopters (over 1,100 companies).
( HDMI 1.4 also supports several stereoscopic 3D formats )
HDMI connects digital audio/video sources (such as set-top boxes, DVD players, HD DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, AVCHD camcorders, personal computers (PCs), video game consoles , tablet computers, and mobile phones) to compatible digital audio devices, computer monitors, video projectors, and digital televisions.
DisplayPort is another type of audio/video interface but it is royalty-free and is supported by many computer companies. Advantages of HDMI over DisplayPort are, support for Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) signals, and electrical compatibility with DVI.
| HDMI version | pixel clock rate | capability |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI 1.0 | 165 MHz | supports 1080p and WUXGA (1920×1200) at 60 Hz |
| HDMI 1.3 | 340 MHz | higher resolution (such as WQXGA, 2560×1600) |
| HDMI 1.4 | 340 MHz | 4096 × 2160p at 24 Hz (resolution used in digital theaters) |
HDMI connects digital audio/video sources (such as set-top boxes, DVD players, HD DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, AVCHD camcorders, personal computers (PCs), video game consoles , tablet computers, and mobile phones) to compatible digital audio devices, computer monitors, video projectors, and digital televisions.
DisplayPort is another type of audio/video interface but it is royalty-free and is supported by many computer companies. Advantages of HDMI over DisplayPort are, support for Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) signals, and electrical compatibility with DVI.
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