Intel BLKDX79SI, Technical Product Specification

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Product Description
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1.6 Intel
®
X79 Express Chipset
The Intel X79 Express Chipset consisting of the Intel X79 Platform Controller Hub
(PCH) provides interfaces to the processor and the USB, SATA, LAN, PCI, and PCI
Express interfaces. The PCH is a centralized controller for the board’s I/O paths.
For information about Refer to
The Intel X79 Express Chipset http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/chipsets/index.htm
Resources used by the chipset Chapter 2
1.6.1 USB
The board supports up to 14 USB 2.0 ports and four USB 3.0 ports.
The Intel X79 Express Chipset provides the USB controller for the 2.0 ports. The four
USB 3.0 ports are provided by two NEC* UPD720200 controllers. The port
arrangement is as follows:
• Two USB 3.0 ports are implemented with stacked back panel connectors (blue)
• Two USB 3.0 front panel ports implemented through one internal connector (blue)
• Six USB 2.0 ports are implemented with stacked back panel connectors (black)
• Eight USB 2.0 front panel ports implemented through four internal headers
All 18 USB ports are high-speed, full-speed, and low-speed capable. The USB 3.0 ports
are super-speed capable.
NOTE
Computer systems that have an unshielded cable attached to a USB port may not
meet FCC Class B requirements, even if no device is attached to the cable. Use a
shielded cable that meets the requirements for full-speed devices.
For information about Refer to
The location of the USB connectors on the back panel Figure 11, page 46
The location of the front panel USB headers Figure 13, page 48
1.6.2 SATA Interfaces
The board provides six SATA connectors through the PCH which support one device
per connector:
• Two internal SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (blue)
• Four internal SATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (black)
The PCH provides independent SATA ports with a theoretical maximum transfer rate of
6.0 Gb/s for two ports and 3.0 Gb/s for four ports. A point-to-point interface is used
for host to device connections.