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 Intel® 815EM Chipset
 Product Overview
 
Product Overview
Optimized Intel® Hub Architecture
Quality and Reliability
Intel® 815EM ChipsetThe Internet and advanced applications are creating opportunities to think in new ways, and Intel has risen to the challenge by designing a platform that meets today's business needs while still maintaining compatibility with technology that is under development. Intel's new platform architecture delivers the superior performance and high scalability required for today's exciting e-Business and e-Home applications.

Intel's comprehensive efforts to enable the industry ensure fast deployment of next-generation platforms, maximizing your competitive advantage. Our world-class platform validation creates a robust foundation for emerging applications, while minimizing deployment risks.
Product Overview

With the Intel® 815EM chipset, Intel has introduced innovative technology to optimize flexibility and stability in Mobile Intel® Pentium® III and Mobile Intel® Celeron® processor-based laptops. Built on the strong foundation of Intel® 440BX AGPset technology, the Intel® 815EM chipset has re-engineered the PC platform, providing next-generation features and great graphics performance at a lower cost. Richer, robust 2D and 3D graphics are optimized thanks to an integrated chipset design that utilizes 3rd generation Intel® Graphics Technology. This integrated chipset offers innovative features with compelling performance while lowering overall system costs through smart integration. This complete platform solution utilizes a single driver featuring full backward compatibility for increased quality and reliability. Intel's 3D with Direct AGP is easily upgraded by adding 4MB of display cache or for maximum 3D performance and video quality, an external AGP4X graphics controller may be used.

The smart integration in the 815EM chipset design is extended to feature internal LAN capability as well as four USB ports. By combining internal graphics, LAN, and support for four USB ports with the ability to take advantage of soft audio/modem technology, the 815EM chipset delivers an ideal solution for new innovative form factors.

Optimized Intel® Hub Architecture
The Intel® 815EM chipset is designed with integrated graphics and external AGP4X graphics support for ease of upgrade, and provides a platform that meets the performance, stability and reliability requirements of the most demanding customers.
The 82815EM Graphics and AGP Memory Controller Hub (GMCH2-M) features Intel® Graphics Technology and unified graphics drivers built on Intel's stable production tested software code base. The 82815EM uses direct AGP (integrated AGP) to create vivid 2D and 3D effects and images. The 82815EM also features integrated Hardware-assisted Motion Compensation to improve soft DVD video quality and digital video out port that enables connection to flatpanel displays or traditional TVs. The GMCH2-M also utilizes system memory efficiently for graphics, O/S and complex applications.
The 82801BAM I/O Controller Hub (ICH2-M) delivers twice the I/O bandwidth as traditional bridge architecture, and provides dedicated data paths to fully optimize the additional bandwidth. The ICH2-M also integrates the Intel® SpeedStep™ logic, thereby reducing the platform bill of material cost for the OEM and provides enhanced power and thermal management features.
Two USB controllers double the bandwidth to 24Mbps across four ports, representing a significant increase over integrated 1-4 port hubs at 12Mbps.
AC97 audio supports full surround sound with up to 6 channels and a soft modem implementation.
The Integrated LAN Capability can be enabled for three distinct networking environments (1Mbps home PNA, 10/100Mbps LAN and managed 10/100Mbps LAN). All three solutions utilize Intel® SingleDriver™ Technology, a common set of drivers, which simplifies network complexity and increases the ease of deployment.
The 82807AA Video Controller Hub (VCH) connects directly to the digital video out port on the GMCH2-M enabling LVDS TFT panel support, if the 815EM chipset's integrated graphics is used.
The 815EM chipset offers features that add value and are cost-effective, without compromising system responsiveness and performance.
The GMCH2-M is optimized for 100MHz SDRAM for system memory and is upgradeable, with a 4MB of display cache that boosts 2D and 3D graphics performance up to 30% over similar systems without display cache.
If preferred, the addition of an AGP4X graphics controller is also supported. The AGP4X upgradeability allows best of class graphics acceleration in multimedia platforms.
Quality and Reliability
Built on third generation chipset technology, the Intel® 815EM chipset offers the performance, stability and reliability customers require for e-Business applications. The 815EM chipset and drivers reduce support costs; validation costs and offers a variety of sell-up opportunities while still providing flexibility and performance.
Intel® 815EM Chipset Features and Benefits
Features Benefits
Intel® SpeedStep™ Technology support Brings higher performance and optimal battery life to mobile PCs
Intel® Hub Architecture Increased I/O bus bandwidth allows better concurrency for next-generation e-Business applications
Intel® Graphics Technology More stable platform, higher quality graphics, reduced OEM support costs
ATA66/100 Fastest data/file transfer
Single driver for LAN Single LAN driver across all Intel solutions, from home PNA to our PCI controllers
Integrated LAN connect interface Flexibility for multiple, cost-effective network solutions, from home PNA to 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with LAN manageability.
Alert on LAN* 2.0 Emits an alert in case of software failures or system intrusion, even when the O/S is not present or the system is suspended
Processor Side Bus Supports 100 MHz configurations
SDRAM system memory 100MHz SDRAM support; cost effective high volume memory support
Mobile ACPI support Power management for longer battery life
Quad USB Two controllers for four ports, doubling the bandwidth at 24 Mbps
Intel 3D with Direct AGP Vivid 2D and 3D graphics
AGP4X upgradeable 2X increase in graphics bandwidth over AGP2X allows highest graphics performance
4MB of 133MHz SDRAM for display cache A dedicated graphics subsystem accelerator that compliments system memory to provide up to 30% boost for better 2D & 3D graphics performance over similar systems without display cache
AC'97 Controller Better audio quality, with six channels and surround sound capability
Digital Video Output Allows connection to LVDS TFT flat-panel displays or traditional TVs; compatible with DVI
Soft DVD MPEG-2 playback with HW motion compensation Lifelike audio and video
Intel® 815EM Packaging Information
Product Package
82815EM (GMCH2-M) 544 Ball Grid Array (BGA)
82801BAM (ICH2-M) 360 Enhanced Ball Grid Array (EBGA)
82807AA (VCH) 196 Plastic Ball Grid Array (pBGA)

The 815EM chipset may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product to deviate from published specifications. Current characterized errata are available on request.
Product information
Technical Documents
Related Information
Motherboard & Barebones Selector Guide
815 Chipset Family Drivers & Utilities
The Value of Intel® Software and Drivers
Intel® Reseller Center
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