Intel X58

Intel X58 I/O hub (IOH)
CPU support	Core i7 Gainestown Beckton
Socket support	LGA1366
Pricing	Unknown
TDP	Unknown
Process	130nm
Release	November 2008
Southbridge	ICH10
Predecessor	Intel X48 Intel 5040
Successor	Unknown

X58 Block Diagram

The Intel X58 (codenamed Tylersburg) is an Intel I/O hub (IOH) used in conjunction with processors that implement the Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI), initially the Core i7. Supported processors implement the Nehalem microarchitecture and therefore have an integrated memory controller (IMC), so the X58 does not have a memory interface.

The QuickPath architecture differs considerably from earlier Intel architectures, and is much closer to AMD's HyperTransport architecture. As a result, the role of the X58 is not directly comparable with the role of any particular component in earlier Intel architectures. On a single-socket motherboard, the role of the X58 is somewhat similar to the "MCH" (northbridge): it communicates with the processor via a high speed interconnect. It communicates with the ICH10 southbridge via DMI, and it communicates with high speed peripherals via PCI-E. However, the X58 is not a memory controller hub (MCH) since it has no memory interface. Intel's use of the term "I/O hub" for the X58 adds further confusion, since the similar term I/O controller hub (ICH) has traditionally been used to refer to the southbridge member of their chipsets, while the X58 is more analogous to a northbridge.

Unlike the FSB, QPI is a point-to-point interface. The X58 has two QPIs and can directly connect to two processors on a multi-socket motherboard. When used with the Intel Core i7, the second QPI is unused. When used with the "Gainestown" DP processor (which has two QPIs) the X58 and the two processors are connected in a triangle. For MP processors such as "Beckton" with more than two QPIs, the X58 is connected to two processors, which in turn are connected in a "mesh" of QPIs to other processors. I/O for "remote" processors is relayed via the directly-connected processors.

X58 board manufacturers will be able to build SLI-compatible Intel chipset boards by submitting their designs to nVidia for validation. However, users wishing to run more than two Nvidia video cards in PCIe x16 will still need to purchase motherboards equipped with one or more nVidia nForce chipsets. It is still possible to run more than two video cards in an SLI-configuration at fewer PCIe lane widths. The X58 chipset itself supports up to 36 PCI-Express 2.0 lanes, so it is possible to have two PCIe x16 slots and one PCIe x4 slot on the same motherboard.

See also: List of Intel chipsets

Known features

• QPI (Intel QuickPath Interconnect)
• PCI Express 2.0
• ICH10-compatible DMI.