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Core-Logic Interfacing: The Tunnel Effect
Conventional chipsets as we have come to know them over the past decade usually show the memory controller, the AGP interface as part of the North Bridge, and the I/O controller as part of the South Bridge. In some cases, the two components are combined into a monolithic design. In the case of the Athlon 64, there is no need for a memory controller as part of the core logic, the only thing left of the original design is the AGP interface that branches off the main vein towards the I/O controller. Since most of the control logic is no longer present, the terminology has changed to call the rudimentary link a tunnel rather than a logic device.
Summary diagram of the Athlon 64 chipset architecture.
Because of the "emptyness of the tunnel" we will see a number of monolithic chipsets where everything is combined into a single piece of silicon.
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