Technical Terms - Hardware (A-Z) - Northbridge

What is the function of the northbridge chip on a computer motherboard?

• Connects the CPU to the keyboard and mouse

• Connects the CPU to the primary system memory and high-speed expansion slots

• Provides power to the CPU

• Manages the cooling system of the computer

What is the connection called that links the CPU to the northbridge chip?

• Back-side bus

• Front-side bus

• Side bus

• Central bus

Which component does the northbridge chip connect the CPU to for additional I/O connectivity?

• Southbridge chip

• GPU

• PCI Express lanes

• RAM

What is the term used for the chipset that provides other I/O connectivity on the motherboard?

• Platform Controller Hub (PCH)

• Northbridge

• Memory Controller Hub (MCH)

• Southbridge

What advancement in chip design allows CPU makers to integrate northbridge functions directly into the CPU?

• Removal of CPU

• Decrease in memory bandwidth

• Increase in chip size

• Miniaturization

What is the benefit of integrating northbridge functions into the CPU itself?

• No impact on performance

• Increases latency and reduces memory bandwidth

• Decreases CPU speed

• Reduces latency and increases memory bandwidth

What does the northbridge chip connect the CPU to in terms of high-speed PCI Express lanes?

• Video card

• Network interface

• USB ports

• Storage controllers

What is the northbridge chip sometimes called due to its connection to the system RAM?

• Memory Controller Hub (MCH)

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Input/Output (I/O) Controller

Which chip on the motherboard provides connectivity to other primary system components?

• Northbridge

• Southbridge

• CPU

• RAM

What is the term used for the high-speed connection between the CPU and the northbridge chip?

• Back-side bus

• Front-side bus

• Side bus

• Central bus