P6IC-A+ Mainboard
Ver. 1.0
Brief Manual
SEPTEMBER 1999
P6IC-A+ Mainboard Brief Manual
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Overview
The P6IC-A+ is a full-sized ATX mainboard that uses 4-layer printed circuit board and measures 304mm
by 220mm. The mainboard features the new high-performance I820 chipset from Intel. The 820 chipset
supports new PC features including RAMBUS memory technology and an AGP4x graphics adapter slot for
better graphics performance. The mainboard has a slot-1 processor slot. The board has a full set of I/O ports,
5 PCI expansion slots, and an AMR slot for the optional installation of an Audio Modem Riser card. The
P6IC-A+ is high-performance mainboard. It provides an excellent platform for a professional-class PC.
Features
Slot-1 Processors
A variety of slot-processors are available for installation in this mainboard. However, since the 820 chipset
is designed to maximize performance, the mainboard provides the best value if it is used with a powerful
processor such as the Pentium-III
For higher-performance business-class computing, the slot-1 can be installed with a Pentium-II or PentiumIII processor cartridge. The Pentium-II and –III have 32K of internal cache memory and 512K of external
cache memory. They operate over a 100 MHz system bus (except for older versions). The Pentium-III
includes new instructions that are designed to enhance multimedia/internet computing by providing rapid
encoding and decoding of the compressed audio and video files which are pervasive in the internet
environment. The Pentium-II ships with clock speeds running from 233 MHz through to 450 MHz. The
Pentium-III ships with clock speeds of 450 MHz, 500 MHz and 550 MHz.
Intel’s 820 Chipset
This board features the 820 chipset from Intel. The 820 chipset is designed for use on high-performance
maiboards using the latest technology. The principal features of the 820 chipset are the support for
RAMBUS memory and a high-bandwidth AGP4x graphics adapter slot. The 820 chipset includes a
Memory Controller Hub (MCH), an I/O Controller Hub (ICH) and a FirmWare Hub (FWH). The 82820
Memory Controller Hub includes the controller for the new 4xspeed Accelerated Graphics Slot and the
memory controller for the new RAMBUS memory slots. It also provides a direct link between the MCH
and the ICH.
The 82801AA I/O Controller Hub is responsible for the system I/O including the PCI Ver. 2.2 bus, the
integrated PCI IDE channels, the USB controller, and the Interrupt controller. The ICH supports power
management compliant with ACPI Ver. 1.0 and supports the AC’97 specification for audio codecs. The
82802 Firmware Hub integrates the system BIOS and the non-volatile memory for faster execution. It also
includes a random number generator for advanced system encryption operations to enhance system security.
By supporting new technologies such as RAMBUS, AGP4x and advanced encryption, the 820 chipset
raises the PC platform to new levels of performance and security.
RAMBUS (DRDRAM) Memory
The mainboard is installed with three RIMM (Rambus In-line Memory Modules) slots for the installation
of DRDRAM (Direct Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory) memory modules. Rambus memory is a
new memory technology that is designed to increase system performance by operating over a narrow, but
very fast, memory bus and using CMOS technology memory chips. This mainboard supports Rambus
memory modules that operate at 300 MHz or 400 MHz, and since the rising and falling edge of the signal is
used, the effective rates are 600 MHz and 800 MHz. The Rambus technology includes a Serial Presence
Detect (SPD) chip that lets the system detect and configure the memory at boot-up time. Maximum
memory size is 256 MB using 64Mb/72Mb DRDRAM chips, 512 MB using 128Mb/144Mb chips, 1 GB
using 256Mb/288Mb chips.
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Highly Integrated Design
As well as the Intel 820 chipset, the P6IC-A+ features other highly integrated silicon chips. The ITE 8870F provides support for a floppy disk drive interface, serial, parallel, and infrared ports, a game/MIDI port
and a keyboard controller. The CMI 8738/PCI C3DX is a two-chip solution that provides an integrated
audio and fax/modem system.
AGP4x Graphics Adapter Slot
The mainboard includes an AGP slot (Accelerated Graphics Port) that provides four times the bandwidth of
the original AGP specification. AGP technology provides a direct connection between the graphics subsystem and the processor so that the graphics do not have to compete for processor time with other devices
on the PCI bus. In addition the AGP design allows the graphics controller to use part of the main memory
when it needs it, for example, in handling the very large texture maps required by virtual reality and 3D
video games and applications.
Built-in PCI 3D Sound
The Elite PCI Audio CMI 8738 is a single chip solution for PCI-bus 3D audio. The chip provides Sound
Blaster 16-bit-compatible audio, plus support for Microsoft’s DirectSound 3D specification and Aureal
A3D interface. The sound ports include jacks for speakers, microphone and stereo in, and a game/MIDI
port. The audio system supports full duplex operation and drivers are available for WIN 95/98 and WIN
NT 4.0. The audio system can output sound to 4 loudspeakers and also supports SPDIF 24-bit digital sound
input and output.
Built-in V.90 Fax/modem
The PCI C3DX chip is a single chip solution for value PC communications. The chip supports 56 Kbps
transmission using the V.90 protocol. The chip is integrated with the built-in audio system to support voice
as well as data transmissions. The modem is facilitated by plugging an optional card (installed with RJ11
line and telephone sockets) onto the mainboard.
Up-to-date Expansion Options
This is a full-sized ATX board with a full set of current technology expansion slots. The mainboard no
longer supports the legacy ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) 8/16-bit slots. Instead, the board provides
five 32-bit PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) slots, with each slot supporting Ultra DMA 66/33
and bus mastering. In addition, the board has an AMR slot. The AMR slot lets you install an AMR (Audio
Modem Riser) card. An AMR card is a neat solution to the problem of integrating a modem on the
mainboard. Because the regulations regarding the use of modems is different from country to country,
mainboard manufacturers can simply install a standard AMR slot which can be used by third-party Audio
Modem Riser cards that have been certified for use in the local territory.
Integrated I/O
Using the ITE LPC I/O chip and the Intel 820 chipset, the board has a comprehensive set of integrated I/O
ports. The I/O port array features PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, a parallel port, two USB ports, two
serial ports, a game/MIDI port, and three audio jacks. The mainboard has connectors for the installation of
an infrared port and a fax/modem card. Two more USB ports can be installed on an auxiliary connector on
the mainboard. The board includes connections for floppy diskette drives and two PCI IDE channels.
Keyboard Power On Feature
Using the system BIOS setup program, you can configure the system to turn on using a keyboard typed
password. A green keyboard is not required.
Programmable Firmware
The mainboard includes Award BIOS which allows BIOS setting of CPU parameters. The fully
programmable firmware enhances the system features and allows users to set power management, CPU and
memory timing, LAN and modem wake-up alarms, and so on. The firmware can also be used to set
parameters for different processor clock speeds so that you don’t need to change mainboard jumpers and
switches.
P6IC-A+ Mainboard Brief Manual
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JP5
ATX1
PWRFAN1
JP3
SLOT-1
CPUFAN1
RIMM1
RIMM2
RIMM3
RIMM LED
IDE2
IDE1
PANEL1
IR1
WOM1
WOL1
JP1
USB2
AGP1
PCI1
PCI2
PCI3
PCI4
PCI5
SBLINK1
SPDIF2
MODEM1
JP4
THERM1
AMR1
CD IN2
CD IN1
CIR1
JP2
JP6
Mainboard Illustration
FDD1
CASEFAN1
P6IC-A+ Mainboard Brief Manual
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Key to Mainboard Components
Component Description
Slot-1 Slot for Slot-1 processor cartridge
AMR1 Slot for an Audio Modem Riser card
AGP1 Slot for AGP4x graphics adapter
PCI 1,2,3,4,5 Five 32-bit PCI Slots
RIMM 1, 2, 3 Three slots for RAMBUS memory modules
FDD1 Connector for floppy disk drives
IDE1, IDE2 Primary and secondary IDE channels
ATX1 Connector for ATX power supply
THERM1 Connector for thermal resistor cable to detect AGP temp.
IR1 Connector for optional infrared port
CIR1 Connector for optional consumer infrared port
PANEL1 Panel connector for switches and indicators
WOM1 Connector for modem wake up
WOL1 Connector for LAN wake up
SBLINK1 SBLINK connector for optional PCI Sound Blaster card
SPDIF1 SPDIF In/out connector (24-bit digital audio interface)
USB2 USB connector for optional auxiliary USB ports
MODEM1 Onboard Modem Connector
CD IN1 Audio connector for CD-ROM/DVD drive
CD IN2 Auxiliary audio connector for CD-ROM/DVD drive
CASEFAN1 Power connector for case cooling fan
CPUFAN1 Power connector for CPU cooling fan
PWRFAN1 Power connector for power supply cooling fan
RIMM LED RIMM Power Indicator
JP1 Clear CMOS memory jumper
JP2 BIOS Boot Block Lock jumper
JP3 Keyboard power on jumper
JP4 Audio/modem enable/disable jumper
JP5 USB wake up enable/disable jumper
JP6 CPU Safe Mode enable/disable jumper
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I/O Port Array
PS2KBM
COM1
JS
JS
JP2
1 2 3
JP1
JP3
P6IC-A+ Mainboard Brief Manual
LPT1
USB1
COM2
Key to I/O Ports
PS/2 port for pointing device (upper port)PS2KBM
PS/2 port for keyboard (lower port)
LPT1 External parallel port
JS (Upper) External game/MIDI port
JS (Lower) Audio jacks for (from left to right) line out, line in, microphone
COM2 External serial port 2/4
COM1 External serial port 1/3
USB1 Two stacked Universal Serial Bus ports
Jumper Setting Reference
JP1: Clear CMOS memory jumper
Use this 3-pin jumper top clear all the current data stored in the CMOS memory.
Function Jumper Cap
Normal operation Short pins 1-2
Clear CMOS Short pins 2-3
JP2: BIOS Boot Block Lock jumper
If you lock the BIOS Boot Block, it protects the BIOS from virus attacks. You need to unlock this jumper
when you flash a new BIOS.
Function Jumper Cap
Unlocked Short pins 1-2
Locked Open pins 1-2
JP3: Keyboard Power On Jumper
Use this jumper to enable or disable the audio system and modem integrated on the mainboard.
Function Jumper Cap
Disable keyboard power on Short Pins 1-2
Enable keyboard power on Short pins 2-3
1 2 3
P6IC-A+
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JP4
JP5
JP6
JP4: Audio/modem enable/disable jumper
Function Jumper Cap
Short Pins 1-2
Disable audio/modem
1 2 3
JP5: USB wake up enable/disable jumper
Use this jumper to enable or disable the wake up feature for USB devices.
Jumper Cap
Disable USB wake up
Enable USB wake up Short pins 2-3
1 2 3
Use this 2-pin jumper to enable or disable CPU safe mode. When you enable CPU safe mode, the CPU runs
at twice the system bus frequency. You can use this jumper to recover the system if
stops the system booting.
Function
Disable safe mode Short pins 1-2
Open pins 1-2
PANEL1: Panel connectors for switches and indicators
Function Pins
1+, 2+, 3
Suspend Switch
Green Indicator 7+, 8+, 9
10, 11
Reset Switch
Speaker 15+, 16, 17, 18
20+, 21
Power Switch
23
PANEL1
Reset SW
KeyLock
Green LED
Suspend SW
Power LED
1
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