Intel Fast Memory Access
Intel I/O Controller Hub (ICH8/R/DH)
Intel Flex Memory Technology
Intel Matrix Storage Technology

Intel has a 25 history with chipsets supporting their CPUs. They have released new chipsets virtually every year with more features and supporting new CPUs. Intel has launched a new chipset to support their CPUs, the P965. There are a few new features on this chipset including a new Input Output Controller Hub, Intel Flex Memory Technology and Intel Fast Memory Access. I’ll briefly cover the new features here.

The ICH8/R/DH is Intel’s latest Input/Output Controller Hub. Intel introduced the 925X chipset with the ICH7/R in 2004 with Matrix Storage Technology. MST natively supports up to 4 SATA devices in RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 modes. The ICH8 I/O brings support for external SATA devices to an Intel chipset. SATA is rapidly overtaking the IDE interface, so that very few IDE HDDs are sold today. The ICH also controls the High Definition Audio and system heat through their Quiet System Technology.

Intel’s Fast Memory Access is a new feature for the 965 Express chipset to optimize the memory access of the system with features like Just In Time Command Scheduling, Out Of Order Execution, Opportunistic Writes, and Clock Crossing Optimizations to ensure optimal memory usage. Intel is likely to introduce a new integrated graphics architecture shortly that will take full advantage of the new memory controller.