Intel h55 chipset supported processors. "Integrated" chipsets. Two motherboards based on Intel H55 Express. PCI Express Configurations ‡

The date the product was first introduced.

Lithography

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

TDP

Thermal Design Power (TDP) represents the average power, in watts, the processor dissipates when operating at Base Frequency with all cores active under an Intel-defined, high-complexity workload. Refer to Datasheet for thermal solution requirements.

Embedded Options Available

Embedded Options Available indicates products that offer extended purchase availability for intelligent systems and embedded solutions. Product certification and use condition applications can be found in the Production Release Qualification (PRQ) report. See your Intel representative for details.

Integrated Graphics ‡

Integrated graphics allow for incredible visual quality, faster graphic performance and flexible display options without the need for a separate graphics card.

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

Intel® Clear Video Technology

Intel® Clear Video Technology is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture.

PCI Support

PCI support indicates the type of support for the Peripheral Component Interconnect standard

PCI Express Revision

PCI Express Revision is the version supported by the processor. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

PCI Express Configurations ‡

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link the PCH PCIe lanes to PCIe devices.

Max # of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number supported by the processor.

USB Revision

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard connection technology for attaching peripheral devices to a computer.

Total # of SATA Ports

SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a high speed standard for connecting storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives to a motherboard.

Integrated LAN

Integrated LAN indicates the presence of an integrated Intel Ethernet MAC or presence of the LAN ports built into the system board.

Integrated IDE

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) is an interface standard for connecting storage devices, and indicates the drive controller is integrated into the drive, rather than a separate component on the motherboard.

T CASE

Case Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS).

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O (VT-d) ‡

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I / O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I / O devices in virtualized environments.

Intel® vPro ™ Platform Eligibility ‡

The Intel vPro® platform is a set of hardware and technologies used to build business computing endpoints with premium performance, built-in security, modern manageability and platform stability.
Learn more about Intel vPro®

Intel® ME Firmware Version

Intel® Management Engine Firmware (Intel® ME FW) uses built-in platform capabilities and management and security applications to remotely manage networked computing assets out-of-band.

Intel® Remote PC Assist Technology

Intel® Remote PC Assist Technology enables you to request remote technical assistance from a service provider if you encounter a problem with your PC, even when the OS, network software, or applications are not functioning. This service was discontinued in October 2010.

Intel® Quick Resume Technology

Intel® Quick Resume Technology Driver (QRTD) allows the Intel® Viv ™ technology-based PC to behave like a consumer electronic device with instant on / off (after initial boot, when activated) capability.

Intel® Quiet System Technology

Intel® Quiet System Technology can help reduce system noise and heat through more intelligent fan speed control algorithms.

Intel® HD Audio Technology

Intel® High Definition Audio (Intel® HD Audio) is capable of playing back more channels at higher quality than previous integrated audio formats. In addition, Intel® HD Audio has the technology needed to support the latest and greatest audio content.

Intel® AC97 Technology

Intel® AC97 Technology is an audio codec standard which defines a high-quality audio architecture with surround sound support for the PC. It is the predecessor to Intel® High Definition Audio.

Intel® Matrix Storage Technology

Intel® Matrix Storage Technology provides protection, performance, and expandability for desktop and mobile platforms. Whether using one or multiple hard drives, users can take advantage of enhanced performance and lower power consumption. When using more than one drive the user can have additional protection against data loss in the event of hard drive failure. Predecessor to Intel® Rapid Storage Technology

Intel® Trusted Execution Technology ‡

Intel® Trusted Execution Technology for safer computing is a versatile set of hardware extensions to Intel® processors and chipsets that enhance the digital office platform with security capabilities such as measured launch and protected execution. It enables an environment where applications can run within their own space, protected from all other software on the system.

Anti-Theft Technology

Intel® Anti-Theft Technology (Intel® AT) helps keep your laptop safe and secure in the event that it's ever lost or stolen. Intel® AT requires a service subscription from an Intel® AT – enabled service provider.

Release of new intel processors The Core i3 / i5 with integrated graphics was instantly supported by major motherboard manufacturers who announced a number of products based on Intel H55 and H57 chipsets. Such a combination of the motherboard and the processor is a kind of revolution, since for the first time in the history of the x86 architecture, the graphics core is located not on a separate card, or even on the motherboard, but directly in the processor.

Until recently, Intel had at its disposal the GMA X4x00 core, which was part of the Intel G41-G45 chipsets. And when developing Clarkdale processors, engineers also used this core, but in a slightly modified version. The integrated memory controller was moved from the processor die to the video core die, and the PCI Express bus controller was also "sent" there. In addition, the number of shader processors in the video core has been increased from 10 to 12, and its operating frequency has also been increased. Note that the graphics and processor cores are separate crystals, which are made according to different technical processes (45 nm and 32 nm, respectively) and are interconnected by the QPI bus. User interface Intel video drivers have also been radically redesigned.

Of course, there will be no immediate transition of budget systems to a new platform. The reason for this is quite banal - new processors and motherboards are significantly more expensive than entry-level systems based on the G41 / G45 + LGA775 or AMD Phenom + 785G bundles. However on this situation can be viewed from the other side. First, the line of new Intel Core i3 processors is significantly cheaper than other processors with the Nehalem architecture. In particular, the price for the lower model Core i3 530 (2.93 GHz) is around $ 120 (3,500 rubles). This means that the transition to the LGA1156 platform has become somewhat easier. Secondly, the price of motherboards with Intel H55 and H57 chipsets is lower than the prices of similar products based on the Intel P55 chipset, which also facilitates migration to the new platform. At the same time, the user always has the ability to use the integrated graphics core in stock, which makes it easier to upgrade the video card (which can take several days).

Moving on to the Intel H57 chipset. In fact, the story about it will be very short, since its characteristics fully correspond to those of the Intel P55 chipset. The only difference between these chipsets is that Intel H57 has a Flexible Display Interface (FDI) bus, which is based on the DisplayPort protocol and is designed to transmit video signal from the GPU to external connectors. As for the Intel H55 chipset, it is a "stripped down" version of the Intel H57, which has reduced the number of USB 2.0 ports from 14 to 12 and disabled support for RAID arrays. Finally, the Intel H57 chipset costs $ 43, while the Intel H55 chipset costs the same as the Intel P55 - $ 40.

Thus, the new bundle of Intel Clarkdale processors and Intel H55 / H57 chipsets can be considered as an inexpensive alternative to the Intel P55 chipset and more expensive LGA1156 processors. At the same time, the main disadvantage of the new system is the slower memory subsystem, and the main advantage is the almost free graphics core.

⇡ Comparison table of characteristics of motherboards

Name	ASUS P7H55-M Pro	Biostar TH55XE	Foxconn H55MX-S	Gigabyte H55M-UD2H	MSI H57M-ED65	MSI H55-GD65	Intel DH55TC
Chipset	Intel H57
# Of DIMM Slots	4 (DDR3)	4 (DDR3)	2 (DDR3)	4 (DDR3)	4 (DDR3)	4 (DDR3)	4 (DDR3)
Cooling (points)	Passive (5+)	Passive (5+)	Passive (5)	Passive (5)	Passive (5+)	Passive (5)	Passive (5)
PCIE x16 / PCIE (\u003e x1) / PCIE x1 / PCI	1/0/1/2	1/1 (x4) / 0/2	1/1 (x4) / 0/2	2/0/0/2	2/0/2/0	2/0/2/2	1/0/2/1
AMD CrossFire	-	-	-	+	+	+	-
Power circuit (number of phases CPU + memory controller)	4+2	5+2	4+1	5+2	6+2	5+2	4+1
Power connectors	24+8	24+8	24+4	24+4	24+8	24+8	24+4
Number of capacitors	11x 560 uF and 5x 270 uF	21x 820 μF and 7x 270 μF	15x 820 μF and 4x 470 μF	13x 820 uF and 4x 270 uF	17x 820 μF and 6x 470 μF	14x 820 μF and 7x 270 μF	13x 820 uF and 6x 1000 uF
Sound	ALC889	ALC888	ALC888S	ALC889	ALC889	ALC889	ALC888S
Network (Gigabit Ethernet; bus type)	Realtek RTL8112L (PCI Express x1)		Realtek RTL8111DL (PCI Express x1)	Realtek RTL8111D (PCI Express x1)	Realtek RTL8111DL (PCI Express x1)	Realtek RTL8111DL (PCI Express x1)	Intel 82578 (PCI Express x1)
SerialATA	6: 6 channels H55	6: 6 channels H55	6: 6 channels H55	6: 6 channels H55	8: 6 channels H57 (RAID) + 2 channels (JMB363)	8: 6 channels H55 + 2 channels (JMB363)	6: 6 channels H55
ParallelATA	1 channel (JMB368)	1 channel (JMB368)	-	1 channel (JMB368)	1 channel (JMB363)	1 channel (JMB363)	-
USB2.0 (built-in / optional)	6 / 6	4 / 6	4 / 6	6 / 6	6 / 6	6 / 6	6 / 6
IEEE-1394 (embedded / optional)	-	1 / 1	-	1 / 1	1 / 1	1 / 1	-
Size, mm	244x244	244x244	244x218	244x230	245x245	305x225	244x244
BIOS	AMI BIOS	AMI BIOS	AMI BIOS	Award BIOS	AMI BIOS	AMI BIOS	Intel BIOS
Vcore	0.85V to 1.6V (0.00625V)	-0.08 V to +1.26 V (0.02 V)	-	0.5V to 1.9V (0.00625V)	0.9V to 2.1V (0.00625V)	+0.006 V to +0.303 V (0.00625 V)	-
Vmem	1.3V to 2.545V (0.015-0.05V)	1.6V to 2.53V (0.015V)	+0 V to +0.350 V (0.05 V)	1.3V to 2.6V (0.02-0.1V)	1.006 V to 2.505 V (~ 0.006 V)	0.906 V to 1.898 V (0.00625 V)	-
Vimc	1.15 V to 2.8 V (0.015 V)	1.10 V to 2.03 V (0.015 V)	-	1.05V to 1.49V (0.02-0.05V)	0.47 V to 2.038 V (0.00625 V)	-	-
Vpch	1.05V to 1.4V (0.05V)	1.1V to 1.25V (0.05V)	-	0.95V to 1.5V (0.02-0.1V)	0.451 V to 1.953 V (~ 0.006 V)	0.451 V to 1.953 V (0.00625 V)	-
Vpll	1.8V to 2.15V (0.05V)	1.8V to 2.73V (0.015V)	-	1.6V to 2.54V (0.02-0.1V)	1.0V to 2.43V (0.01V)	-	-
ViGPU	0.5V to 1.75V (0.0125V)	1.18 V to 1.78 V (0.02 V)	-	0.92 V to 1.4 V (0.05 V)	1.3 V to 1.93 V (0.01 V)	1.3 V to 1.448 V (0.0125 V)	-
Bclk (step), MHz	80 to 500 (1)	100 to 800 (1)	-	100 to 600 (1)	100 to 600 (1)	100 to 600 (1)	133 to 240 (1)
Real overclocking (Core i3 530), MHz	190	186	-	184	186	186	160
Memory subsystem (points)	5-	5	4	4+	4+	4+	2
System monitoring (points; fan-control)	5 (Q-Fan 2)	5 (Smart Fan)	5 (Smart Fan)	4+ (Smart Fan)	5- (Smart Fan)	5- (Smart Fan)	4+ (Intel Quiet System)
Package (features)	3-	3	4-	3	2	3-	2-
Number of FAN	3 (4 pin)	1 (4 pin) + 2 (3 pin)	3 (4 pin)	2 (4 pin)	1 (4 pin) + 3 (3 pin)	1 (4 pin) + 4 (3 pin)	3 (4 pin)
Features:	AI Proactive support (+); no support for LPT and FDD ports; ASUS Express Gate, TurboV EVO, EPU, EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, MyLogo 2, Q-Fan; BIOS profiles (8)	No FDD support; Power, Reset buttons; BIOS profiles (10); built-in MemTest utility	No VGA and ParallelATA support	No LPT and FDD support; support for DualBIOS, C.I.A2, EasyTune 6, Q-Flash, FaceWizard, @BIOS, BIOS profiles (8)	No FDD support; 12 out of 14 USB 2.0 ports are implemented; support for Control Center, M-Flash, Green Power, BIOS profiles (6); Power Button, ClrCMOS, OC Genie Technology	No FDD support; support for Control Center, M-Flash, Green Power, BIOS profiles (6); OC Genie button; shell winki	No support for ParallelATA and FDD; profile bIOS settings
Price, rub	No data
Name	ASUS P7H55-M Pro	Biostar TH55XE	Foxconn H55MX-S	Gigabyte H55M-UD2H	MSI H57M-ED65	MSI H55-GD65	Intel DH55TC

⇡ ASUS P7H55-M Pro

ASUS has the widest range of motherboards based on the Intel H55 chipset, which includes six models. Among them, the P7H55-M Pro model is a product middle category, without any unique features. Accordingly, its expandability and functionality will satisfy the needs of most users, as well as the price, which is about 3600 rubles.

To begin with, the configuration of the ASUS P7H55-M Pro expansion slots is the most optimal, and includes one PEG slot, one PCI Express x1 slot and a couple of PCI slots.

The rest of the expansion options fully match the capabilities of the chipset, which include a Gigabit LAN controller, an 8-channel audio subsystem, 12 USB 2.0 ports and six SerialATA links. Also, ASUS engineers installed an additional controller on the board to support the ParallelATA interface, which significantly increases its attractiveness.

We had no complaints about the rear panel configuration, although we would not have given up the additional DisplayPort video output.

The power supply subsystem of the processor is made according to a 4-phase scheme, and the power converter of the memory controller is made according to a 2-phase scheme.

ASUS P7H55-M Pro motherboard supports a large number of proprietary utilities and technologies. These include the Express Gate shell, the MyLogo 2 POST screen replacement function, and the BIOS firmware recovery system - CrashFree BIOS 3. Note the support for BIOS settings profiles - OC Profile:

And multifunctional utility TurboV EVO, which, in addition to overclocking the processor and memory, also allows the integrated graphics core to be overclocked:

As for the BIOS, the board boasts a very large set of RAM settings.

System monitoring is performed at a quite high level. In particular, the board displays the current values \u200b\u200bof the processor and system temperatures, monitors voltages, rotational speeds of all fans, which, using the Q-Fan2 function, can change the rotational speed depending on the processor and system temperature.

The overclocking capabilities are concentrated in the "AI Tweaker" section, and do not have any drawbacks:

In particular, on the ASUS P7H55-M Pro board, we achieved stable operation of the system at a Bclk frequency of 190 MHz.

It is quite easy to draw conclusions about the ASUS P7H55-M Pro motherboard, since the price of the product fully corresponds to its basic capabilities, and as a bonus the user gets support for the ParallelATA protocol, as well as a lot of additional ASUS technologies.

• 6-phase processor power supply;
• support for USB 2.0 interface (twelve ports);
• a wide range of ASUS proprietary technologies (PC Probe II, EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, MyLogo 2, Q-Fan, etc.);
• additional set of AI Proactive technologies (AI Overclock, OC Profile (eight profiles), AI Net 2, TurboV EVO, EPU, etc.).

• not detected.

Features of the board:

• no support for LPT and FDD interfaces;
• only one PS / 2 port.

• high stability and performance;
• serialATA II support (6 channels; H55);
• support for one P-ATA channel (JMicron JMB368);
• gigabit Ethernet network controller + FireWire support;
• a wide range of proprietary Biostar technologies (ToverClocker, BIOS Update, G.P.U., 10 BIOS profiles, etc.);
• The BIOS of the board has a number of additional functions (MemTest +, etc.);
• power and Reset buttons.

• the board only supports 10 out of twelve USB 2.0 ports.

• high stability and performance;
• serialATA II support (six channels; H55);
• support for USB 2.0 interface (10 ports).

• incorrect detection of the processor temperature.

• high stability and performance;
• 7-phase processor power supply;
• serialATA II support (six channels; H55);
• high Definition Audio 7.1 sound and Gigabit Ethernet network controller;
• support for USB 2.0 (twelve ports) and IEEE-1394 (FireWire; two ports);
• a wide range of proprietary Gigabyte technologies (EasyTune 6, Q-Flash, etc.);
• support for Smart6, Dynamic Energy Saver 2 technologies, BIOS profiles;
• DualBIOS technology (two BIOS chips).

• only two fan headers.

Features of the board:

• powerful overclocking functions and fairly high results;
• no support for LPT interface;
• only one PS / 2 port.

• high stability and performance;
• 8-phase processor power supply;
• the presence of two PCI Express x16 v2.0 slots;
• support for AMD CrossFireX technology;
• serialATA II / RAID support (eight channels; H57 + JMicron JMB363);
• support for one P-ATA channel (JMicron JMB363);
• high Definition Audio 7.1 sound and Gigabit Ethernet network controller;
• iEEE-1394 interface support (FireWire; two ports);
• a wide range of proprietary MSI technologies (OC Center, CMOS profiles, M-Flash, etc.);
• full set of video interfaces including DisplayPort;
• power and Clear CMOS buttons;
• oC Genie button and Bclk frequency change buttons.

• 12 USB 2.0 ports out of 14 are implemented.

• high stability and performance;
• the presence of two PCI Express x16 v2.0 slots;
• support for AMD CrossFireX technology;
• serialATA II / RAID support (eight channels; H55 + JMicron JMB363);
• support for one P-ATA channel (JMicron JMB363);
• high Definition Audio 7.1 sound and Gigabit Ethernet network controller;
• support for USB 2.0 (12 ports) and IEEE-1394 (FireWire; two ports);
• a wide range of proprietary MSI technologies (CMOS profiles, M-Flash, etc.).

• not detected.

Features of the board:

• powerful overclocking functions and fairly high results;
• no support for FDD interface;
• there is support for COM and LPT ports.

• high stability and performance;
• serialATA II support (six channels; H55);
• network controller Gigabit Ethernet;
• support for USB 2.0 interface (twelve ports).

• poor equipment.

Features of the board:

• very weak overclocking functions;
• there is support for LPT and COM interfaces;
• no support for FDD and ParallelATA interfaces;
• only one PS / 2 port.
Results in synthetic tests



We will not dwell on performance in detail, since all the boards showed approximately the same operating speed. Moreover, the difference in speed between the boards is quite small, and any BIOS version update can easily change the leaders. Therefore, we will make the choice of a motherboard according to other criteria, such as stability of operation, expandability, bundling, compatibility with various components, compatibility with memory, and we will also take into account the price of the boards themselves.

⇡ Conclusions

First of all, we will choose an entry-level motherboard for those users who do not need powerful expansion options and overclocking functions, and who are guided by low prices. The best motherboard of this type is Foxconn H55MX-S, which can be found for under $ 100.



Close to technical specifications intel board The DH55TC costs $ 25 more, and for this difference the user will receive only two "extra" DIMM slots, two not superfluous USB 2.0 ports and a VGA connector on the rear panel. As a result, Foxconn looks better for this category, although we don't like such a meager choice of two boards. Therefore, we will continue to search for the most optimal entry-level board.

Further consideration will be carried out without the MSI H57M-ED65 model, since it looks completely superfluous among the reviewed boards. And the point is not that it is based on the Intel H57 chipset (and not all of its advantages are fully realized), but that its price is more than one and a half times higher than the prices of other motherboards. At the same time, the expansion options of the motherboard surpass competitors only in terms of support for RAID arrays (Intel H57 chipset function).

Of the four remaining motherboards, we would like to note the ASUS P7H55-M Pro model, which we liked for its high level of technical performance and support for a large number of proprietary technologies.



This board will certainly not disappoint fans of ASUS products, and this model costs only $ 10 more than its competitors, which can only boast of built-in support for the FireWire bus. We are talking about such models as Biostar TH55XE and Gigabyte H55M-UD2H. Of these, we liked the Gigabyte board better:



Its strengths include support for AMD CrossFire technology and excellent expansion options. Biostar TH55XE is also made at a high technical level and has several interesting proprietary technologies. However, it has two fewer USB 2.0 ports (minor drawback) and costs the same (main complaint).

Separately, we note that all the above cards are made in the microATX form factor and, accordingly, have a small number of expansion slots (namely, four, counting one PEG slot). Therefore, if the user has a requirement to have more slots, then his choice is quite simple. This is the MSI H55-GD65 board, which is the only model presented in this review made in the ATX form factor.



Moreover, this board can be viewed as an inexpensive alternative to motherboards based on the Intel P55 chipset and can be used to build systems with high-performance processors without an integrated graphics core.

for budget Nehalem processors

So, at the very beginning of January 2010, Intel practically ended the glorious era of processors based on the Core microarchitecture. Now, ironically, only ultra-budget models under the Celeron trademark for Socket 775 will be produced on the Core (for some time yet), which will become the subject of one of our upcoming articles. Well, today - about Socket 1156, which got the lion's share of Intel desktop processors - Core and Pentium. As you already know from the presentation of processors based on the Clarkdale core, the updated platform implies the inclusion of new chipsets - H55 and H57 - in the number of possible applications. However, it cannot be said that the use of new chipsets is an indispensable condition or that it allows to fully reveal the potential of new processors: somewhere the potential will be revealed more fully, but somewhere it will be completely hidden :). Well, let's get acquainted with the first "integrated" chipsets for Nehalem (more precisely, Clarkdale).

Intel H55 and H57 Express

Well, why the chipsets are called "integrated" (in quotes), you obviously already well know: this is usually the name for solutions with integrated video, but now graphics processor left the chipset and moved to the central processor in the same way as the memory controller (in Bloomfield) and PCI Express controller for graphics (in Lynnfield) earlier. In accordance with this, the Intel product range has slightly changed: the previous letter G was replaced by H. By the way, we have a complaint about the range of new products. The fact is that the H55 and H57 are really very close in functionality, and the H57 from this pair is definitely the older one. However, if we compare the capabilities of the new products with the hitherto lone chipset for Socket 1156 - P55 processors, it turns out that the H57 is the most similar to it, having only two differences, just due to the implementation of the video system. H55 is the junior ICH PCH in the family, with reduced functionality. It is clear that our opinion of Intel is not a decree, and the chipsets are ranked in accordance with positioningfor which money is charged (the conditional selling price of the P55 and H55 is $ 40 versus $ 43 for the H57). However, in simple terms, the current H55 should be called the H53, and the current H57 should be released under its name. But enough words, let's take a look at the specifications.

The key features of the H57 are as follows:

• up to 8 PCIEx1 ports (PCI-E 2.0, but with PCI-E 1.1 data transfer rate);
• up to 4 PCI slots;
• the ability to organize a RAID array of levels 0, 1, 0 + 1 (10) and 5 with the Matrix RAID function (one set of disks can be used in several RAID modes at once - for example, on two disks you can organize RAID 0 and RAID 1, for each array its own part of the disk will be allocated);
• 14 uSB devices 2.0 (on two EHCI host controllers) with the possibility of individual shutdown;
• High Definition Audio (7.1);

As we promised in the P55 review, the newcomer's differences were minimal. The architecture has been preserved (one microcircuit, without division into the north and south bridges - de facto it is just the south bridge), all traditional "peripheral" functionality has remained unchanged. The first difference lies in the implementation of a specialized FDI interface in the H57, through which the processor sends the generated screen image (whether it is a Windows desktop with application windows, a full-screen demonstration of a movie or a 3D game), and the chipset's task is to pre-configure display devices to ensure the timely display of this image to the [desired] screen (Intel HD Graphics supports up to two monitors). Of course, we will talk in more detail about the capabilities and features of the new generation of integrated graphics from Intel in a separate article, but here we have nothing more to add, since the company, unfortunately, does not provide any additional information about the organization of FDI. However, the very fact of additional interfaces between the processor and the chipset (previously, between the chipset bridges) is nothing new, and when we talk about the DMI bus as the only corresponding communication channel, we mean only the main channel for broad data transmission, nothing more, and some highly specialized interfaces have always existed.

The second difference is impossible to notice on the block diagram of the chipset - however, it cannot be noticed in objective reality, since it exists only in the reality of marketing. Here Intel takes the same approach as segmented chipsets of the previous architecture: the top-end chipset (today it is X58) implements two full-speed interfaces for external graphics, a mid-level solution (P55) - one, but split into two and a half speed, and junior and integrated products of the line (these are just the heroes of today's review ) - one full-speed one, without the ability to use a pair of video cards. It is quite obvious that the actual chipset of the current architecture cannot in any way affect the support or lack of support for two graphic interfaces (yes, by the way, the P45 and P43 were clearly the same crystal). It is just that during the initial configuration of the system, the motherboard on the H57 or H55 "does not detect" options for organizing the operation of a pair of PCI Express 2.0 ports, while the motherboard on the P55 manages to do this in a similar situation. The real, "iron" background of the situation to the common user, in general, makes no difference. So, SLI and CrossFire are available on P55 based systems, but not on H55 / H57 based systems. (However, we will not exclude from consideration the option when CrossFire is organized by installing a second video card in the x4 slot (PCI-E 1.1) from the chipset - with a corresponding drop in operating speed.)

Now let's evaluate the capabilities of the H55:

• support for all Socket 1156 processors (including the corresponding Core i7, Core i5, Core i3 and Pentium families) based on the Nehalem microarchitecture, when connected to these processors via the DMI bus (with ~ 2 GB / s bandwidth);
• fDI interface for receiving a fully rendered screen image from the processor and a block for outputting this image to the display device (s);
• before 6 PCIEx1 ports (PCI-E 2.0, but with PCI-E 1.1 data transfer rate);
• up to 4 PCI slots;
• 6 Serial ATA II ports for 6 SATA300 devices (SATA-II, second generation of the standard), with support for AHCI mode and functions like NCQ, with the possibility of individual disconnection, with support for eSATA and port splitters;
• 12 USB 2.0 devices (on two EHCI host controllers) with the ability to individually disable;
• Gigabit Ethernet MAC controller and special interface (LCI / GLCI) for connecting a PHY controller (i82567 for Gigabit Ethernet, i82562 for Fast Ethernet);
• High Definition Audio (7.1);
• strapping for low speed and outdated peripherals, etc.

There are already changes in the support of traditional peripherals, though not too significant (it is almost impossible to determine by eye how many USB ports the chipset supports). It is clearly seen that the regression in this case "rolls back" the situation at the time of the south bridges ICH10 / R: the H55 is deprived of exactly those changes that allowed us (as a joke) to suggest the name ICH11R for the P55. The H55 is pure ICH10, and without the letter R: the junior chipset of the Intel 5x line also did not receive the functionality of a RAID controller. Of course, the FDI interface has been added to the list of ICH10 characteristics in this case, and it is just as obvious that the H55 does not support SLI / CrossFire, and indeed two [normal] graphic interfaces - however, we do not expect such capabilities from the south bridge ?

Summing up the differences: the most budgetary solution in the new line has 12 USB ports instead of 14 in the P55 / H57, 6 PCI-E ports instead of 8, and has no RAID functionality. The "peripheral" PCI Express controller still formally corresponds to the second version of the standard, but the data transfer rate over its lines is set at the PCI-E 1.1 level (up to 250 MB / s in each of the two directions simultaneously) - ICH10, unambiguously.

How bad or good is the peripheral support for the new chipsets? In the case of the H57, this is the same maximum, but not unique set for today. In the case of the H55, I suppose, many will notice the absence of RAID (but, of course, not the grandiose limitation of the number of USB ports to 12 pieces). Actually, buyers, perhaps, would not have noticed (very few people still need more than one hard drive at home), but how to sell motherboards without RAID? Well, very cheap microATX-models, of course, will be released this way - Intel, for example, offers such a solution as a reference for a new platform. But more serious products without the usual attribute ... hardly. This means that they will solder an additional RAID controller, bringing the already redundant number of SATA ports to 8-10. On the other hand, perhaps the H55 will have its own niche, and more demanding (or not knowing exactly what they want) buyers will be offered models based on the H57. The difference in the selling price of the chipsets ($ 3) is unlikely to significantly affect the price of the final product.

The new chipsets are not implementing any promising technologies, although motherboards supporting USB 3.0 and Serial ATA III are already on sale. But in the case of Intel, we can wait for serious innovations only in the new platform for Sandy Bridge, but for now manufacturers will test discrete controllers (on boards or expansion cards).

Let's just add a few more words about heat dissipation. There is no more need here, since there is no reason to change the heat dissipation of the same H57 in comparison with the P55 - formally, taking into account the applications introduced by the integrated chipsets, the TDP has been increased from 4.7 W in the "classic" P55 to 5.2 W in newbies. And this means - more motherboards of any rank with a moderate and completely Spartan cooling system; no - fanciful heat pipe compositions and overheating.

Conclusion

At the end of the article, let's try to answer the question posed 4 months ago: which motherboard should you choose when buying a processor with Socket 1156? First of all, you need to understand that the incompatibility between different chipsets and processors of this socket is non-fatal. Any of these processors will work in the motherboard on any of these chipsets, the only question is whether the owner of the integrated graphics, for which they have already paid for, will lose it. Everything seems to be simple: if you want to use the built-in graphics of Clarkdale - take the H57. If you want to create a normal (we do not say “full”, 2x16) SLI / CrossFire - take the P55. You can't do it together. And in the most likely intermediate case, when you plan to use exactly one external video card as video? In this case, there is no difference at all between the P55 and H57, and even the selling price does not matter here - you will buy a motherboard in a store, and not a chipset crystal near the gateway at an Intel factory. Probably, a model based on H55 would have cost you a little cheaper, but there is a suspicion that really attractive modern motherboards based on this chipset will not be released. There is a choice, and although there is no unambiguously more attractive choice (for which many would be ready to overpay, just in case), we can say for sure that all the wealth of processors for Socket 1156 has decent chipset support.

H55 and H57 Express are two "integrated" chipsets from Intel.

Integrated video solutions are commonly referred to, but now the GPU has left the chipset and moved to the central processing unit, as well as the memory controller and PCI Express controller for graphics, so these chipsets are “integrated” in parentheses.

The H55 and H57 are very close in functionality, but the H57 is the older one, and the H55 is the younger ICH PCH in the family, with reduced functionality.

If we compare the capabilities of these chipsets with the chipset for Socket 1156 - P55 processors, it turns out that the H57 is the most similar to it, having only two differences in the video system implementation.

Key features of the H57:

... up to 8 PCIEx1 ports (PCI-E 2.0, but with PCI-E 1.1 data transfer rate);
... up to 4 PCI slots;

... the ability to organize a RAID array of levels 0, 1, 0 + 1 (10) and 5 with the Matrix RAID function (one set of disks can be used in several RAID modes at once - for example, on two disks you can organize RAID 0 and RAID 1, for each array its own part of the disk will be allocated);
... 14 USB 2.0 devices (on two EHCI host controllers) individually disabled;

H55 specifications:

Support for all Socket 1156 processors (including the corresponding Core i7, Core i5, Core i3 and Pentium families) based on the Nehalem microarchitecture, when connected to these processors via the DMI bus (~ 2 GB / s bandwidth);
... FDI interface for receiving a fully rendered screen image from the processor and a block for outputting this image to the display device (s);
... up to 6 PCIEx1 ports (PCI-E 2.0, but with PCI-E 1.1 data transfer rate);
... up to 4 PCI slots;
... 6 Serial ATA II ports for 6 SATA300 devices (SATA-II, second generation of the standard), with support for AHCI mode and functions like NCQ, with the possibility of individual disconnection, with support for eSATA and port splitters;
... 12 USB 2.0 devices (on two EHCI host controllers) individually disabled;
... Gigabit Ethernet MAC controller and special interface (LCI / GLCI) for connecting a PHY controller (i82567 for Gigabit Ethernet, i82562 for Fast Ethernet);
... High Definition Audio (7.1);
... strapping for low speed and outdated peripherals, etc.

The architecture is one microcircuit, without division into north and south bridges (de facto, this is just the south bridge).

The H57 has a specialized FDI interface, through which the processor sends the generated screen image (whether it is a Windows desktop with application windows, a full-screen demonstration of a movie or 3D games), and the chipset's task is to pre-configure display devices to ensure timely display of this image on the desired screen ( Intel HD Graphics supports up to two monitors).

Any of the processors with Socket 1156 will work in the motherboard on any of these chipsets, the only question is whether the owner of the integrated graphics, for which they have already paid for, will lose it.
If you want to use the built-in graphics of Clarkdale - take the H57.
If you want to create a normal (2 x16) SLI / CrossFire - take the P55.

When you plan to use one external video card as video, there is no difference at all between the P55 and H57.

Today we will look at the first motherboard based on the Intel H55 Express chipset, designed to work with 1156-pin processors from the same manufacturer. This is the first such board that came to our laboratory, so let's start with the presentation of this set of logic and related ones. And let's go, as usual, from afar :).

With regard to computers intended for home use, the generally accepted classification includes four market segments: flagship, performance, mass and budget.

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When Intel introduced the new Nehalem architecture at the end of 2008, represented by core processors i7 on the Bloomfield core with 1366 pins and the corresponding X58 Express chipset, few people would have thought that this would be all. Several CPU models and a single chipset are all that the world's leading processor manufacturer in the top segment still offers.

However, the rest were left at the mercy of processors with a 775-pin connector, whose history stretches back to 2004, during the NetBurst architecture. Intel, indeed, had nowhere to rush to launch a new platform on the market: its CPU Core 2 still fared very well against AMD Athlon and Phenom.

But after the appearance of the Phenom II processors, thanks to which the main competitor managed to come close to the mass and productive Intel solutions both in specific performance (per GHz) and in frequency potential, the announcement of the new platform could not be postponed. Therefore, at the end of the summer of last 2009, a bundle of processors with an LGA 1156 socket and a P55 Express chipset was presented. There are only a few CPU models (all are quad-core, based on the Lynnfield core), and again only one set of logic. It seemed that history was repeating itself.

However, the processor socket with 1156 pins was originally conceived as a complete replacement for the "old man" LGA 775. And at the very beginning of 2010 the expected expansion took place. Intel presented a whole "pack" of processors based on the Clarkdale core, as well as several sets of logic at once intended for them. However, the P55 Express is also compatible with new CPUs - there are no exceptions in terms of supporting processors between the chipsets (yet). But they differ from each other still significantly. Let's try to summarize these differences in one table.