Intel Chipset Incorporates Network Connectivity

Electronic News, June 12, 2000 by Jayant Mathew

Intel Corp. underlined the importance of network connectivity last week with the introduction of a chipset for Pentium III microprocessors that has an integrated LAN interface.

The world's largest chipmaker introduced the 820E, an enhanced version of the much troubled 820 chipset, which uses the same RDRAM memory controller hub. The chipset features an I/O controller hub, which handles interaction with external devices and communications.

Intel said it was prompted to add the networking capability to the chipset because more and more users are connecting to the Internet and other networks. The integrated LAN controller on the chipset can work with one of the three physical layer components: 10/100Mbit/sec. Fast Ethernet, for connection for value segments; managed 10/100Mbit/sec. for businesses; and 1Mbit/sec. network connection over phone wires for home computing.

Customers also can use a network adapter card in lieu of an integrated LAN, Intel said. The network adapter card is based on communications and networking riser specifications and allows PC OEMs to configure systems either way.

"There are several improvements, which we think are going to benefit system manufacturers in terms of performance and flexibility," said Daniel J. Francisco, spokesman for Intel, Santa Clara, Calif. "It includes USB controllers, LAN connector interface and increased ATA controllers to 100 from 66. We also have six channels of audio capability."

The addition of another USB controller to the chipset gives ICH2 the capability to offer 24Mbit/sec. of bandwidth across four ports. This feature gives users more flexibility, as most PCs have just four ports.

"The 820E is the highest performing system right now," said George Iwanyc, senior analyst at Gartner Group Dataquest, San Jose. "An additional USB interface gives users added network capability."

As a result, users with multiple USB devices can improve performance by moving devices to alternate ports, Iwanyc said. For example, if you have a scanner, keyboard and mouse, you can keep the keyboard and mouse on separate ports and take advantage of the extra bandwidth of the USB.

In addition, Intel has added dual Ultra ATA/100 controllers, which enable faster disk drive performance than the 820 chipset. The company also boosted the AC'97 interface to include six channels of surround-sound for Dolby digital audio found on DVD. Francisco said the chipset supports a modem connection.

Intel intends to use the 820E chipsets exclusively with Rambus DRAM, and the company said that motherboard manufacturers have already begun chipset shipments. Systems featuring the 820E chipset are scheduled for the third quarter.