Chipset

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A chipset is a group of integrated circuits ("chips") that are designed to work together, and are usually marketed as a single product. In computing, the term chipset is commonly used to refer to the specialized motherboard chips on a computer or expansion card. When discussing personal computers (PCs) based on recent Intel Pentium-class systems, the term "chipset" often refers to the two main motherboard chips: northbridge and southbridge. The manufacturer of a chipset often is independent from the manufacturer of the motherboard. Examples of manufacturers of PC motherboard chipsets include NVIDIA, ATI, VIA Technologies, SiS and Intel. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

In home computers, game consoles and arcade game hardware of the 1980s and 1990s, the term chipset was used for the custom audio and graphics chips. Examples include the Commodore Amiga's Original Chip Set or SEGA's System 16 chipset.

Computer systems produced since the late 1980s share commonly used chipsets, even across widely disparate computing specialties. For example, the NCR 53C9x, a low-cost chipset implementing a SCSI interface to storage devices, could be found in Unix machines (such as the MIPS Magnum), embedded devices and personal computers.

[edit] See also

• Northbridge
• Southbridge

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Intel chipset product list.
2. ^ VIA chipset product list.
3. ^ SiS chipset product list.
4. ^ ATI chipset product list.
5. ^ NVIDIA chipset product list.
6. ^ ULi chipset product list - purchased by NVIDIA.