<P> A northbridge or host bridge is one of the two chips in the core logic chipset architecture on a PC motherboard , the other being the southbridge . Unlike the southbridge , northbridge is connected directly to the CPU via the front - side bus ( FSB ) and is thus responsible for tasks that require the highest performance . The northbridge is usually paired with a southbridge , also known as I / O controller hub . In systems where they are included , these two chips manage communications between the CPU and other parts of the motherboard , and constitute the core logic chipset of the PC motherboard . </P>
<P> A northbridge or host bridge is one of the two chips in the core logic chipset architecture on a PC motherboard , the other being the southbridge . Unlike the southbridge , northbridge is connected directly to the CPU via the front - side bus ( FSB ) and is thus responsible for tasks that require the highest performance . The northbridge is usually paired with a southbridge , also known as I / O controller hub . In systems where they are included , these two chips manage communications between the CPU and other parts of the motherboard , and constitute the core logic chipset of the PC motherboard . </P>
the set of northbridge and the southbridge are collectively known as the
the set of northbridge and the southbridge are collectively known as the
chipset
chipset