Platform controller hub
Block diagram of a Platform Controller Hub-based chipset architecture
The Platform Controller Hub ( PCH ) is a chipset family introduced by Intel in 2008 . It is the successor to the Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) introduced at the time of the Pentium III , which connects CPUs to the system using a northbridge and a southbridge . It first appeared on the Intel 5 series .
The PCH is controlled via Intel's Direct Media Interface (DMI) and provides a wide range of data paths and functions. In essence, it takes over the functions of the previous southbridge, since the functions of the northbridge have moved to the CPU. In the case of CPUs with integrated graphics, the PCH is additionally connected via the Flexible Display Interface (FDI) in order to transport the image content of the graphics.
Functions
- PS / 2 keyboard
- PS / 2 mouse
- Sound
- parallel interface
- serial interface
- SATA interfaces
- P-ATA interfaces
- Network, wireless network
- USB interfaces
- PCIe interfaces with 1, 2 or 4 lanes
- Board diagnostics
- Provision of clocks, interrupts, real-time clock, reset signals
- Provide video interfaces
- System boot, BIOS