i865

The i865 is a chipset introduced by Intel in 2003 as part of its 8-series family of chipsets, designed to support the Pentium 4 and Celeron processors based on the NetBurst microarchitecture. It was the first chipset to integrate a graphics processing unit (GPU), marking a significant shift in Intel’s approach to motherboard design by combining the chipset and graphics functionality into a single component.

The i865 chipset was built around the Intel 865G and 865GLE variants, which included a built-in Intel Extreme Graphics 2 (i915G) GPU. The 865GLE variant omitted the GPU, offering a more cost-effective solution for basic computing needs. Both versions supported the Intel 845 chipset’s memory and I/O features while adding PCI Express (PCIe) support for graphics and other expansion cards.

Key features of the i865 included dual-channel DDR SDRAM support, enabling higher memory bandwidth for improved system performance. It also introduced the Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT) for better multitasking capabilities in compatible processors. The chipset supported up to four PCIe x16 slots, though typically only one or two were used for graphics, with the rest available for other devices. Additionally, it maintained legacy support for AGP 8x graphics cards, though this was gradually phased out in favor of PCIe.

The i865 chipset was widely adopted in mid-range and high-end desktop motherboards, particularly for gaming and content creation due to its strong graphics performance. However, it was eventually succeeded by the i915 and i925 chipsets in 2004, which introduced further refinements in memory and graphics capabilities. The i865 remains notable for its pioneering integration of GPU functionality into a chipset, influencing future Intel designs.