AMD SB800
AMD has recently unveiled an updated roadmap to a select group of analysts and affiliates. This doesn’t mean that some valuable info hasn’t already been leaked. ChileHardware has somehow managed to get a sneak peek at one presentation slide form the latest AMD map, a presentation slide that gives us some key features on the new SB800 Southbridge series.
The SB800 isn’t just an updated SB700. AMD has completely redesigned it and it is supposed to include a faster chipset interconnect called A-Link Express 3.0 which uses four 5GHz PCIe 2.0 x1 lanes instead of four 2.5GHz PCIe lanes that the current SB700/750 A-link Express 2.0 relies on.
Looks like AMD is going to make some radical changes with its next DDR3 architecture. One of these is the implementation the PCIe interface directly into the Southbridge. SB800 will be the first chip to take over the PCIe interface, as previous models have relied on the Northbridge for all PCIe connectivity.
Other features that will be integrated with the SB800 chips include a Gigabit Ethernet MAC, optional support for up to 6GB/s SATA and AHCI 1.2 with FIS based switching. Also, instead of 12 USB 2.0 ports, the new Southbridge is going to support 14, via a third EHCI USB controller.
As part of the Fusion platform, the SB800 is going to improve the power consumption. There will also be support for an integrated clock, embedded I/O controllers, of which one is going to focus on the DASH support for system management. Improved hardware monitoring options will also be present.
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