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**Definition of a chip set:
In short it is a set of chips that allow a system designer to build a
computer. If we restrict the term 'chip' to that of a microchip then
technically any microcomputer contains a chip set, even one based of
7400-series logic alone.
In the context of this document, a chip set is defined as any group of
chips used to implement an IBM or IBM-compatible PC/XT/AT/386/486/etc
system.
There are 2 main categories that these chips fall into:
1. Direct copies or re-implementations of Intel chips
2. Chip sets sold as a set of chips to implement an IBM-compatible
that differ in some way to those used in an IBM system, e.g. not
pin compatible.
An example of the former would be some early chips built by VLSI
Technology (at the time known as VTI, to implement a 286:
o VL82C37A is a: 82C37A DMA controller
o VL82C59A is a: 82C59A interrupt controller
o VL82C54A is a: 82C54 timer
o VL82C612 is a: 74LS612 memory mapper
o VL82C84A is a: 82284 clock generator and ready interface
o VL82C88 is a: 82288 bus controller
These are all direct replacements for the parts used in an IBM AT.
Many companies had compatible versions of these chips.
An early example of the latter is the Chips & Technology NEAT chip set:
o 82C211 CPU/Bus controller,
o 82C212 Page/Interleave and EMS Memory controller,
o 82C215 Data/Address buffer
o 82C206 Integrated Peripherals Controller (IPC).
The description does not map directly to the parts used in the IBM AT.
Later chip sets are often even more integrated sometimes consisting of
just one chip, although two seems to be the most common.
The latter is generally considered the definition of a chip set, and
the former is not generally considered a chip set per-se. However when
looking at the early chip sets this distinction can be very
slight. Because of this, sets of chips meeting the criteria for (1.)
have been included where possible.
**'chip set', 'chip-set' or 'chipset'?...
**What's not included:...
**Who made the first chip set?
By the criteria of (2.) in 'Definition of a chip set' many sources
state this to be the Chips and Technologies NEAT chip set. I don't
know why this is stated as it is most definitely incorrect. The CS8221
NEW Enhanced AT (NEAT) chip set consisting of the chips;
82C211/82C212/82C215/82C206 was as far as I can establish, first
released sometime in 1986.
C&T itself have an earlier chip set called the CS8220 PC/AT compatible
Chip Set, and consists of the following chips; 82C201/82C202/
82A203/82A204/82A205. It was first available in OCT-85. (see:C&T>
CS8220>Notes for further info.)
That is, AFAIK, the first motherboard chip set from C&T and AFAIK the
worlds first chip set that meets the criteria of (2.). However C&T did
already have on the market their popular EGA chip set, but that isn't
a motherboard chip set.
By the criteria of (1.), IBM, or Intel, see IBM>PC/XT chip set.
Another pre-'86 chipset is the Faraday FE2010. The datasheet includes
a schematic on the very last page dated 11/22/85. This only indicates
the chip set was on paper at that date. An acutal release date has not
been found.
**Spelling errors/mistyped words
Yes, I know there are spelling errors, and things are mistyped. It
seems no matter how hard I try my fingers hit 't' twice when typing
'compatible' rendering it 'compattible' numerous, (thousands actually)
times. I don't have the time or the will to check the spelling of
everything. Basic spell checking has been peformed. Please let me know
if there is anything that would lead to incorrect information, or
something is so mangled that it needs revising. But if you can
basically understand what was intended, just cope with it. Just
cope:-)
BTW, "110" port is an "I/O" port that has been OCRed badly, as is an
"1/0" port.
**Info needed on:...
**A note on VESA support of 486 chipsets....
**Datasheets:...
*_IBM...
*ACC Micro...
*ALD...
*ALi...
*AMD . . . . . . . [no datasheets, some info]...
*Chips & Technologies...
*Contaq . . . . . [no datasheets, some info]...
*Efar Microsystems [no datasheets, some info]...
*ETEQ...
*Faraday...
*Forex . . . . . . [List only, no datasheets found]...
*Intel...
**82496/491 Cache Controller / Cache RAM (for P5 Pentium) 03/22/93
***Notes:...
***Info:...
***Configurations:...
***Features:...
**82497/492 Cache Controller / Cache RAM (for P54 Pentium) <Nov94...
**82498/493 Cache Controller / Cache RAM (for P54 Pentium) <Nov94...
**
**Later chipsets (basic spec):
**440 series:...
**450NX (?) 06/29/98:...
**????? (Profusion) c:99
Chips:
Memory Access Controller (MAC)
Data Interface Buffer (DIB)
CPUs: 8x P-III Xeon Oct
DRAM Types: SDRAM PC100 2-way Interleave dual channel
Max Mem: 32GB
ECC/Parity: ECC
AGP speed: N/A
Bus Speed: 100
PCI Clock/Bus: 1/3 PCI-66/64
**800 series...
*Headland/G2...
*HMC (Hulon Microelectronics)...
*Logicstar...
**SL6012 Memory Mapper for PC-AT (74LS612 compatible) <Jul87
***Info:...
***Versions:...
***Features:...
**SL9010 System Controller (80286/80386SX/DX, 16/20/25MHz) <oct88...
**SL9020 Data Controller <oct88...
**SL9025 Address Controller <oct88...
**SL9090 Universal PC/AT Clock Chip <oct88...
**SL9250 Page Mode Memory Controller (16/20MHz 8MB Max) <oct88...
**SL9350 Page Mode Memory Controller (16/20/25MHz 16MB Max) <oct88...
**Other:...
*Motorola...
*OPTi...
*PC CHIPS/Amptron/Atrend/ECS/Elpina/etc...
*SIS...
*Symphony...
*TI (Texas Instruments)...
*UMC...
*Unresearched:...
*VIA...
*VLSI...
*Western Digital...
*Winbond...
*ZyMOS...
*General Sources:...
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