The Intel 810 chipset is a highly-integrated three-chip solution consisting of a Graphics & Memory Controller (Intel 82810), an I/O Controller (Intel 82801), and a Firmware Hub (Intel 82802).

The chipset extends the Intel® Scalable Graphics Technology into the value segment by incorporating powerful 2D and 3D graphics capability within the core logic. The Intel 810 chipset is optimized for system bus frequencies of 66 or 100MHz with an asynchronous or synchronous main memory interface to PC100 SDRAM. Its revolutionary new logic partitioning, called Accelerated Hub Architecture, does not rely on the PCI bus for communicating between chipset devices, enabling direct, dedicated control of major I/O subsystems (including IDE, Audio, Modem, and USB).

By eliminating arbitration overhead and bandwidth bottlenecks associated with the 33MHz PCI bus, the Intel 810 chipset architecture reduces access latency to these key subsystems, increasing system performance especially for multimedia and internet applications.

Clearly the 810 is showing Intel's trend towards providing low cost mainboards through core logic set die-shrinks and the integration of major system components. By taking the PCI bus' limited 33MHz bandwidth out of the equation and allowing peripherals to communicate with the logic set at much higher speeds the tendency towards creating bandwidth limitations is greatly reduced.

Cost is also greatly reduced with this type of solution, allowing Intel to offer a mainboard core logic set with over $100 worth of aftermarket hardware integrated on it for less than 1/3rd of that price.