Components of The North Bridge

THE NORTH BRIDGE:

COMPONENTS, EVLOUTION
AND
WORKING PRINCIPLE

Shanique Thompson

School of Computing and Engineering, University of Technology

Jamaica
-Computer Hardware
Mr Eze Theophilus
February 22, 2023
 Components of The North Bridge

The North Bridge

The main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer is known as the motherboard; which

can be found in almost all computers. The motherboard serves as the computer's central

communications backbone, connecting all components and external peripherals. It houses

many of the computer's critical components, such as the central processing unit (CPU),

memory, and connectors for input and output devices.

According to an article published by the International Journal of Science and Research

(IJSR) in 2015 there are two main chipsets located on the computer’s motherboard—the

Southbridge and the Northbridge. This paper, however, will primarily focus on the

Northbridge and its components .The North Bridge, also called the Memory Controller Hub

(MCH), is a part of a computer's motherboard that controls communication between the

processor, memory, and other peripherals. As cited by the Intel Corporation, Intel R 64 and

IA-32 Architectures Software Developer’s Manual Volume 3: in the late 1990s, Intel 440

chipset series, which was designed to work with Pentium III and Pentium 4 processors,

debuted the first Northbridge chipsets. The initial Northbridge chipsets were independent

chips that controlled communication between the CPU, memory, and high-speed expansion

components like graphics cards. As processors grew faster and more potent, Northbridge

functionality was built directly into the CPU, giving rise to chipsets that could only handle

slower Input and Output functions like USB and Ethernet.

The Northbridge underwent additional integration into the chipset and was renamed the

Platform Controller Hub (PCH), which further led to the combination of all computer

components onto a single chip, with the help of advanced manufacturing processes.

The Northbridge chipset has transformed over time, allowing for faster and more efficient

communication between the various components of a computer.

 Components of The North Bridge

RAM-Random Access Memory

The first Random Access Memory, according to Cuff, Thomas. (2019), was created using

the Williams Tube in late 1947, which was used in cathode ray tube. This was followed by

the invention of magnetic-core memory, which was comprised of small metal rings and

wires, each capable of storing one bit of data that could be accessed at any time. Today's

RAM is a solid-state memory invented by Robert Dennard in 1968; also known as dynamic

random access memory (DRAM); where transistors are used to store bits, a constant power

supply is required to keep the transistors operational. The increasing demand for faster and

more powerful computers in the late 1990s and early 2000s led to the development of even

faster forms of memory, such as Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) and DDR SDRAM (Nair 2015).

The introduction of DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM in the mid-2000s increased the speed and

efficiency of computer memory even further. Computer RAM is still evolving today, with the

development of new technologies such as DDR4 and DDR5, which offer faster speeds, larger

capacities, and improved power efficiency.

The working principle behind how RAM works is quite simply. RAM offers the working

area that a CPU uses. It consist of a numbered address for each location, and RAM is solely

accessible by that address (Qi Zhu , Ying Qiao 2012). It operates on the concept of volatile

memory, which means that when the power is turned off, the stored data is lost. RAM's basic

operation is to store binary data in a series of capacitors or transistors that represent the 0s

and 1s of digital information. Each of these capacitors or transistors has the ability to store a

single bit of data. When the computer requires access to a specific piece of data, it sends an

address to RAM, which then retrieves the data stored at that address. RAM (Random Access

Memory) is a crucial component within the CPU that enables the processor to access data

efficiently.
 Components of The North Bridge

FSB (The front side Bus)

The Front-Side Bus (FSB), also known as the processor bus or system bus, was utilized in

Intel-based personal computers during the late 1990s and early 2000s to connect the CPU to

the primary memory (M. Maxson, B. Fox, etal 2006). The first FSB architecture was

launched with the Pentium Pro processor in 1995, which had a clock speed of 60-66 MHz.

Over time, with the release of each new processor generation, the FSB clock speed increased,

allowing for more efficient data transfer and improved system performance. However, the

limitations of the FSB became evident with the advent of multi-core processors and rising

CPU clock speeds. To tackle these limitations, Intel introduced the Quick Path Interconnect

(QPI) bus architecture in 2008, which replaced the FSB. As a result of QPI's widespread

adoption, the FSB has since been retired and is no longer used in modern computer systems.

According to T. Pham, B. Koehler 2006 etal the basis for the front bus's operation, is

that it serves as a communication link between the CPU and other computer system

components. It enables the CPU to send and receive data to and from other components, such

as the Northbridge chip, which was in charge of connecting the CPU to memory, graphics

cards, and other peripherals. Additionally, the rate at which data could be transmitted

depended on the FSB's clock speed, which was expressed in megahertz (MHz). As such, the

higher the clock speed, the faster the data transfer rate and the better the system performance.

The FSB functions as a critical component in the computer system, providing a quick and

efficient communication pathway between the CPU and other components.

 Components of The North Bridge

PCI- Express Cards

The Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard was first presented by Intel

Corporation in 1992 as a means of standardizing the connection of peripheral devices to the

computer motherboard. Prior to PCI, there were several different expansion BUS standards,

each with its own unique connector and architecture, which made upgrading or adding new

components to a computer more difficult (Bhatt. 2002). A 32-bit data path and a maximum

transfer rate of 33 MHz were permitted by the original PCI specification. In later PCI

specifications, the clock speed and data path width were increased, enabling faster data

transfer rates and better system performance. In 1999, the PCI-SIG (PCI Special Interest

Group) began work on a new standard to address PCI's limitations. Because of this, the PCI

Express standard was created and formally introduced in 2004.

Initially, PCI cards were first used in desktops and workstations before making their way

into laptops and other mobile devices. PCI cards' role evolved from providing a general-

purpose expansion bus to a specialized interface for high-performance devices such as

graphics cards and solid-state drives with the introduction of the PCI Express (PCIe) standard

in 2004. A PCI Express (PCIe) card connects the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer

to peripheral devices such as graphics cards, sound cards, network cards, and storage devices.

The PCIe card is installed in a PCIe slot on the motherboard and communicates with the CPU

via the PCIe bus. When a PCIe card is connected to the CPU, it can begin communicating

with the CPU via the PCIe bus. The PCIe bus employs a hierarchical architecture in which

the CPU communicates with the card via a series of intermediaries known as root complexes

and switches. In summary, the card connects peripheral devices to a computer's CPU in a

fast and efficient manner.

 Components of The North Bridge

(AGP)-Accelerated Graphics Port

The Accelerated Graphics Port expansion cards were specifically designed for video

cards. According to Tomljanovic, Jasminka & Turina, (2013) it was introduced in 1996 to

address the limitations of the PCI bus, which did not provide sufficient bandwidth for high-

performance graphics. AGP was developed to provide a dedicated pathway for graphics data,

separate from the PCI bus, in order to enable faster high-end graphics applications like

gaming and video editing, the AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) standard quickly gained

popularity. As a result, many computer systems started using video cards and motherboards

that supported AGP. The AGP standard underwent numerous updates to improve

performance; the most widely used versions are AGP 2.0 and AGP 3.0. These updates

increased the bandwidth that was available and enhanced the functionality of AGP video

cards enabling more effective transfer of graphics data between the video card and the

computer's CPU.

The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is a video card interface that connects the graphics

card to the motherboard directly. This connection uses various protocols and allows for faster

data transfer speeds than the Peripheral Component Interconnect. The AGP also has its own

power supply for the graphics card, ensuring that it has enough power to perform demanding

graphics tasks. AGP's goal was to improve access to system memory and graphics

processing, thereby improving both performance and user experience. Generally speaking,

AGP was created to offer quicker and more effective access to system memory and graphics

processing capabilities, improving performance and the user experience. However, with the

introduction of PCI Express (PCIe), AGP has largely become obsolete.

 Components of The North Bridge

References

 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064Index

Copernicus Value (2015)-
https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v4i10/SUB158622.pdf

 Tomljanovic, Jasminka & Turina, T. & Krelja Kurelovic, Elena. (2013). Motherboard
and user experience. 689-694.-
https://www.bib.irb.hr/646512

 Qi Zhu , Ying Qiao , "A Survey on Computer System Memory Management and
Optimization Techniques", American Journal of Computer Architecture, Vol. 1 No. 3,
2012, pp. 37-50. doi: 10.5923/j.ajca.20120103.01. -
http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.ajca.20120103.01.html

 Cuff, Thomas. (2019). Computer Memories, A History, Revision 2.

10.13140/RG.2.2.36686.41282.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
334233647_Computer_Memories_A_History_Revision_2

 Ajay. V. Bhatt. 2002. Creating a PCI Express interconnect.

https://docplayer.net/12290447-Creating-a-pci-express-interconnect-ajay-v-bhatt-