Foxconn 845M02 GV REV 1.0 Schematic Circuit Diagram
Foxconn 845M02 GV REV 1.0 Schematic Circuit Diagram
Intel VT-x and VT-D
Intel's hardware-assisted virtualization functionality is referred to as Intel VT-x. VT-x is supported by Intel on all of its second-generation and newer Core i3/i5/i7 processors, as well as certain earlier ones. Intel CPUs that enable VT-D also virtualize directed I/O, allowing I/O devices to perform better in a virtualized environment.
VIA VT
VIA VT stands for VIA Technologies' hardware-assisted virtualization capability. All Nano-family CPUs, as well as the QuadCore and Eden X2 processor families, have it. Support for hardware-assisted virtualization is enabled.
The following events must occur on a machine to enable hardware-assisted virtualization support:
- Hardware-assisted virtualization must be supported by the installed process.
- Hardware-assisted virtualization must be supported by the BIOS.
- Hardware-assisted virtualization requires BIOS options to be enabled.
- It is necessary to install a VMM that enables hardware-assisted virtualization.
Use CPU-Z (covered previously in this chapter) and examine BIOS settings to see if a system has a processor that enables hardware-assisted virtualization. The parts that follow go through the main features of these CPUs as well as Intel and AMD's methods to bringing 64-bit multicore computing to the PC.
Processor Manufacturing
Silicon, the two most common materials in the world, is used to make processors. (The element oxygen is the only one that is more prevalent.) Silicon is the main component of beach sand, however, it isn't pure enough to be used in chips in that form.
The process of forming silicon into chips is a lengthy one that begins with the Czochralski method of producing pure silicon crystals (named after the inventor of the process). Electric arc furnaces are used to convert raw materials (mostly mined quartz rock) into metallurgical-grade silicon in this approach. The silicon is then turned into a liquid, distilled, and redeposited in the form of 99.999999 percent pure semiconductor-grade rods to further remove impurities. Following that, the rods are mechanically split into bits and stacked into quartz crucibles, which are then fed into electric crystal-pulling furnaces. The silicon pieces are melted at a temperature of over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The ovens are normally installed on thick concrete cubes to prevent impurities and are often suspended to avoid vibration from damaging the crystal as it develops.
