Next Generation Motherboard Platforms - Part 2: Intel's 820

i820 Motherboards: What to Expect

You would think that it would be very easy to predict the future of the i820 based motherboard market. It should theoretically follow in the footsteps of the BX platform. But then again, when the BX chipset was released, there wasn't a true competitor to the chipset around. The i820 is a step in a different direction, the RDRAM platform has yet to be embraced by the industry and unfortunately for Intel, there are viable alternatives.

Micron has already launched a "we told you so" campaign praising their decision to pursue VIA's i820 alternative, the quietly released Apollo Pro 133A, over Intel's delayed i820. If we also take into account the fact that the i810 chipset was a huge disappointment in the minds of many motherboard manufacturers (it did begin to catch on after awhile but it was a very slow start), the future of the i820 chipset is a bit sketchy.

With no native PC133 support without the addition of a Memory Translator Hub (MTH) that will most likely not come without a performance penalty, the RDRAM prerequisite of the i820 platform will keep it out of the hands of many. At the same time, Intel has already made it clear that the upcoming Pentium III E (Coppermine) will be available in a Slot-1/100MHz FSB version which further extends the life of the BX chipset. It is unlikely that motherboard manufacturers will completely ignore the i820 chipset and continue to produce newer BX boards, but don't be surprised to see your favorite BX boards stick around for a little while longer while i820 becomes established.

Once the motherboard manufacturers, most of which are still recovering from the horrible earthquakes in Taiwan, do jump on the i820 bandwagon, you can expect quite a fewinnovations brought to motherboards based on this chipset.

The ISA-less motherboard, as we discussed before, will become a reality very soon. The ISA platform is dying and with audio and modem codecs already provided for on-board, supporting older ISA devices, in most cases, isn't the best idea for a motherboard manufacturer looking to do their part in pushing the industry forward.

Hopefully, the idea of the shared AMR slot will catch on because, it makes much more sense than including an AMR slot as an independent slot that, even if unused, will occupy a slot position which could be better used for another PCI slot. Once again, Tyan has already traveled down this road with the S2054 and with any luck, they won't be the last to walk down that path.

The AGP retention mechanism will shortly become standard on all AGP 4X compliant motherboards, including our beloved i820 boards. The idea of an AGP retention mechanism isn't a revolutionary one but it does help resolve an issue that was bound to come up. It's better now than never.

A standardizing of the front panel LED/switch connector seems to be slowly creeping upon us. The first evidence we saw of a standardized connector was on the VC820, but since then we've seen connectors present on an upcoming Tyan motherboard as well. While it's not a revolutionary change, it is definitely a welcome one; any change that makes our complex lives simpler is a very welcome one.