The most affordable chipset for the platform "Socket 1150" with a basic set of functionality - Intel H81. It is about the capabilities of this set of system logic that will be discussed later.
First, let's look at what is hidden behind theword "chipset". This is a chipset that is installed on the computer's motherboard. The second name is a set of system logic. Until recently, it necessarily included two components: the north and south bridges. Now the north bridge is integrated into the central processor. On the motherboard there is a south bridge, which allows interaction of computer system components with peripheral devices and expansion cards in PCI and PCI Express slots. The main parameters of any chipset are the following: a socket, a list of supported processors, a set of interface ports, and the type of supported RAM.
A socket is a processor socket on the motherboardboard. A central processing unit is installed in it. As a rule, the number of contacts is indicated in the designation. Any Intel H81 motherboard is oriented to processor solutions based on the 1150 socket. And only the generations of the CPU "Haswell" and "Haswell Refresh" are supported. In the latter case, it may be necessary to update the BIOS, that the set of system logic began to determine the central processing unit. But the most productive solution for socket 1150 - BroadWell - can not be installed in such motherboards: they are not supported by this set of system logic.
As noted earlier, H81 is the basica chipset of the processor socket 1150, which in its functionality is inferior even to Intel B85. Accordingly, the niche of this set of system logic is the most affordable computer systems with a low by today's benchmark performance level. That is, it is most often found in such CPU boards of the series "Celeron", "Pentium", much less often - "Kor Ai3". Such PCs are used in offices, educational institutions and in other cases, when special requirements to computer processing power are not put forward.
Since H81 is the most accessible setsystem logic, then its cost is relatively low. Even Intel B85 is much more expensive. The most affordable motherboards based on H81 can be bought for $ 50. But there are also slightly more functional solutions that you can buy for $ 63. Well, more expensive motherboards based on this chipset do not make sense. A niche over $ 63 is occupied by more functional sets of system logic, whose capabilities are significantly better than those of the H81.
Intel H81 boasts the following list of technical specifications:
It is possible to overclock only the processor and graphicsaccelerator. But support for increasing the frequency of RAM is not implemented. Therefore, to maximize the potential of any CPU Intel Corporation with the index "K" (that is, with the unlocked multiplier) will not work. And to establish something more productive in such a motherboard than the budgetary "Celerons" or "Pentiums" is completely inappropriate.
Материнская плата оснащается лишь 2 слотами для Installing RAM. Accordingly, the maximum amount of RAM in such a computer system is 16 GB (2 modules of 8 GB). The supported type of random access memory is DDR3. The maximum permissible operating memory frequency is 1600 MHz. You can, of course, and faster modules try to install on such a motherboard, but it does not give a significant gain in performance. The RAM frequency will automatically decrease to 1600 MHz and the performance level will remain exactly the same as if the RAM was 1600 MHz in the PC.
The maximum number of USB 2.0 ports is 8, and USB 3.0 is 2.
There are two SATA 2 ports.0 for connecting a hard disk drive, solid state drive and optical drive. Exactly the same number of SATA 3.0 ports for similar purposes.
6 ports PCIe version 2.0 for the installation of expansion cards provided in the H81 Express.
The semiconductor crystal of the set of system logic is manufactured exactly according to the same technological process as the CPU (14 nm).
The thermal package of the chipset is 4.1 W.
Many entry-level motherboardsbased on Intel H81. Asus, for example, immediately offers 6 similar solutions based on this set of system logic. The most accessible of them is H81I-Plus. This motherboard is made in the form factor mATX. It has 2 slots for RAM, one slot for a video card and very small dimensions that allow it to be used in compact computer systems.
A similar layout for the Asus H81M-Plus, but that's onlythe size is increased and there are three additional PCI Express 1.0 slots. But the form factor is the same - mATX. This motherboard will no longer work in compact systems. Three more motherboards - H81M-A, H81M-C and H81M-E - differ from H81I-Plus only by a set of interface wiring ports. In other respects these are practically identical solutions based on Intel H81, mATX-format and with the same level of functionality.
From all previously listed motherboards, the Asus H81-Plus is significantly different, which is manufactured in the ATX format. It also has three PCI slots.
A similar situation with the Intel H81 chipset and moreone of the leading manufacturer of motherboards - the company MSI. Most of them are made in the form factor mATX. The most accessible of them are H81M-E33 and H81M-P33, which can now be purchased for $ 50. The difference between them lies in the graphics ports installed on the motherboard. The first one is DVI-D and D-Sub, and the second one has HDMI instead of DVI-D. In the rest it is identical motherboards. The most affordable ATX card is H81-P33. It differs from the previously considered H81M-P33 only in size and three additional slots for PCI expansion cards.
Intel chipsets always allowed to find differentsolutions based on a single set of system logic. But here is another leading manufacturer of motherboards "Gigabyte" for some reason makes all of its motherboards based on H81 almost identical. All of them are designated GA-H81M (for mATX form factor) and GA-H81 (ATX motherboards). At the end of the designation, a prefix is added, which characterizes the version of the BIOS and the presence of additional wire interfaces. In other respects, the level of functionality of solutions based on H81 in this manufacturer is similar to Asus and MSI.
Intel chipsets of the last several generationshave a rigid link to certain market segments. So the hero of this article is the solution of the entry level. It is perfect for budget computer systems.
Something unusual from it can not be expected.The same can be said about the level of performance of solutions based on this set of system logic. As a result, the owners' reviews highlight first of all the availability of such motherboards and their low cost. At the same time, the level of functionality is sufficient for any educational or office PC based on the H61 motherboard.
Отличным решением Intel H81 является для building a basic computer system. It will perfectly suit undemanding users. In the future, of course, it will not be possible to upgrade - the cycle of the 1150 platform is coming to an end, and it is replaced by solutions based on 1151.
