Overview
1-4
1.3
System Board Parts
1.3.1 Microprocessor
The AP53 system board uses an Intel Pentium (3.3V) processor running at 75,
90, 100, 120, 133, 150, 166, or 200
Hz. Chapter 2 tells how to install and
upgrade a Pentium processor.
1.3.2 ASICs
The application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are the Intel 82439 and Intel
82371 that belong to the Intel 430HX PCIset. This chipset allows the system to
support a higher memory (512 MB) and a pipelined-burst cache. It also offers
an error checking and correction (ECC) feature that enables the system to
detect, as well as correct the DRAM errors.
The Intel 82439 that comes in a unique ball-grid array (BGA) packaging, acts
as the memory controller data path and the DRAM data bus buffer. The Intel
82371 operates as the PCI/ISA bridge and IDE controller.
1.3.3 BIOS
The board supports the AMI basic input-output system (BIOS). The BIOS is a
program that performs the power-on self test (POST) upon booting. During
POST, this program activates the peripheral devices, tests onboard memory
and prepares the system for operation. For more information on AMI BIOS,
see Chapter 3.
