The Intel H67 Platform Controller Hub communicates with socket 1155 'Sandy Bridge' processors over a 20Gb/s DMI link. The H67 chipset contains eight PCI Express 2.0 lanes, the remaining PCI Express lanes stem from the processor itself. Although the H67 and P67 chipsets are very similar, the chipsets differ in regards to integrated graphics support. The Intel H67 includes Intel's Flexible Display Interface (FDI) so it can output video, the Intel P67 does not.

Intel's FDI can be thought of as a direct line to the integrated graphics core built into every Sandy Bridge microprocessor. An FDI link allows users to unlock Sandy Bridge's integrated graphics core and use it for everyday work, for tasks like hardware-based video transcoding acceleration via Intel Quick Sync, or light gaming.

With the Intel H67 platform, users also have access to H.264 & MPEG2 encode and support for HDMI 1.4 with 3D. Standard features brought forth by the Intel H67 / HD 3000 combo include a 4th generation Unified Shader Architecture, H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2 hardware decoding, 12 Execution Units, Open GL 3.0, Shader Model 4.1 and DirectX 10.1 support.

Lack of DX11 support obviously limits the Intel H67 / HD 3000 IGP's usefulness in the FPS gaming arena, but by that same measure, IGPs aren't meant for intensive FPS gaming. The Intel HD 3000 IGP supports HDMI 1.4 which provides support for Stereo 3D and delivers uncompressed HD video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in a single cable, supporting 720p, 1080i and 1080p formats.

Intel H67 block diagram

Intel Chipset Feature Breakdown

The Intel H67, P67 and Z68 chipsets are closely related, however the newer Intel Z68 chipset includes tweaking features of the P67 and tools like Intel SRT which PCSTATS has extensively dicussed in here and also here (worth the read!). The chipset feature breakdown chart helps understand the minor differences between each of the three 6-series core logic.

Intel Chipset Feature Comparison Intel Z68 Express Intel P67 Express Intel H67 Express CPU LGA 1155 Core i5/i7 2nd Gen. LGA 1155 Core i5/i7 2nd Gen. LGA 1155 Core i5/i7 2nd Gen. Chipset Code Name Couger Point (65nm) Couger Point (65nm) Couger Point (65nm) Bus Interface / Speed DMI 20Gb/s DMI 20Gb/s DMI 20Gb/s Memory Support DDR3-1333, dual channel DDR3-1333, dual channel DDR3-1333, dual channel Maximum Memory Capacity 32GB (64-bit) 32GB (64-bit) 32GB (64-bit) Integrated Graphics Yes. via CPU - Yes. via CPU Integrated Graphics Ports HDMI, DVI, DP, VGA - HDMI, DVI, DP, VGA PCI Express 2.0 Lanes 8 8 8 PCI Express x1 Lanes 0 0 0 Intel Rapid Storage Technology Yes Yes Yes Intel Smart Response Technology Yes - - SATA 6Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | IDE Ports 2/4/0 2/4/0 2/4/0 RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 0, 1, 5, 10 0, 1, 5, 10 Intelgrated LAN 10/100/1000 MAC 10/100/1000 MAC 10/100/1000 MAC USB 3.0 Ports 0 0 0 USB 2.0 Ports 14 14 14 PCI Masters 0 0 0 Intel High Definition Audio Yes Yes Yes

QuickSync - Video Transcoding Acceleration

Quick Sync is Intel's name for a hardware based video transcoding acceleration technology. Here's what it can do - In the PCSTATS labs we set about to convert a 450MB 1080i high definition MPEG2 video via Cyberlink MediaShow Espresso 6 to a 640x360 MP4 video format suitable for the iPhone 4.

Video Transcoding Test Without Intel QuickSync With Intel QuickSync Intel Core i5 2500K / Intel DH67BL 48 sec 14 sec

Using an Intel Core i5 2500K / nVidia Geforce GTX470 / Biostar TH67XE test system, this video transcoded in 48 seconds. Not a bad length of time, but with the videocard removed and Quick Sync enabled via the Intel HD3000 integrated graphics core things go even faster. The same 450MB video transcoded in a mere 14 seconds with Intel Quick Sync. That's FAST!

To use Intel QuickSync you need to plug your display into the motherboard's video ports and run off the Intel HD3000/2000 integrated graphics core. Pretty simple. Next up, a 360-degree look at the Biostar TH67XE motherboard.