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A chipset is a crucial set of electronic components, usually on a motherboard, that acts as a traffic controller to manage data flow between a computer's CPU, RAM, graphics, and peripherals like hard drives and USB devices. Historically split into Northbridge and Southbridge chips, modern chipsets often integrate these functions into a single chip, such as Intel's Platform Controller Hub (PCH). The chipset determines a motherboard's capabilities, including the number of high-speed connections and supported devices.

How a Chipset Works

Communication Hub: The chipset serves as an intermediary, facilitating communication between various components like the processor, memory, and I/O devices.

Component Integration: Chipsets include controllers for common peripherals, managing their data and power functions.

Motherboard Features: The specific chipset on a motherboard dictates its features and how many devices it can support.