DG31GL Technical Product Specification

Intel Desktop Board DG31GL Technical Product Specification

1.6.1.2 Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT)

DVMT enables enhanced graphics and memory performance through highly efficient

memory utilization. DVMT ensures the most efficient use of available system memory

for maximum 2-D/3-D graphics performance. Up to 256 MB of system memory can be

allocated to DVMT on systems that have 512 MB or more of total system memory

installed. DVMT returns system memory back to the operating system when the

additional system memory is no longer required by the graphics subsystem.

DVMT will always use a minimal fixed portion of system physical memory (as set in the

BIOS Setup program) for compatibility with legacy applications. An example of this

would be when using VGA graphics under DOS. Once loaded, the operating system

and graphics drivers allocate additional system memory to the graphics buffer as

needed for performing graphics functions.

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NOTE

The use of DVMT requires operating system driver support.

1.6.2 USB

The board supports up to eight USB 2.0 ports, supports UHCI and EHCI, and uses

UHCI- and EHCI-compatible drivers.

The ICH7 provides the USB controller for all ports. The port arrangement is as

follows:

• Four ports are implemented with stacked back panel connectors

• Four ports are routed to two separate front panel USB headers

For information about Refer to

The location of the USB connectors on the back panel Figure 9, page 41

The location of the front panel USB headers Figure 10, page 42

1.6.3 IDE Support

The board provides three IDE interface connectors:

• One parallel ATA IDE connector that supports two devices

• Two serial ATA IDE connectors that support one device per connector

1.6.3.1 Parallel ATE IDE Interface

The ICH7’s Parallel ATA IDE controller has one bus-mastering Parallel ATA IDE

interface. The Parallel ATA IDE interface supports the following modes:

• Programmed I/O (PIO): processor controls data transfer.

• 8237-style DMA: DMA offloads the processor, supporting transfer rates of up to

16 MB/sec.

• Ultra DMA: DMA protocol on IDE bus supporting host and target throttling and

transfer rates of up to 33 MB/sec.