What is a Chipset?? [Computer Hardware]

A chipset is the underlying framework which a CPU uses to interact or communicate with other components on the motherboard.

There are two basic parts of a chipset:

1. The northbridge
2. The southbridge

THE NORTHBRIDGE

This has direct access to the CPU, and is faster than the southbridge.

THE SOUTHBRIDGE

This doesnt have direct access to the CPU, information heading to the southbridge from the CPU has to first go through the northbridge making it slower.

Chipsets are generally manufactured to perform optimally with specific CPUs and should be considered when selecting a CPU for the board.

Read further here.