The VIA VT82C693A is a south bridge chip, typically used in conjunction with a VIA north bridge chipset to form the core logic of a PC motherboard. It manages a variety of input/output (I/O) functions, connecting slower peripherals to the system and freeing up the north bridge to handle high-speed data transfers. The CD variant refers to a specific stepping or configuration of the chip.

Applications

• Desktop Computers
• Industrial PCs
• Embedded Systems

Features

• Integrated PCI IDE Controller: Supports Ultra DMA/33 and Ultra DMA/66 for faster hard drive data transfer rates.
• Integrated Super I/O Controller: Provides support for legacy I/O ports such as serial, parallel, and floppy disk drive interfaces.
• Integrated USB Controller: Supports USB 1.1 for connecting various USB peripherals.
• AC'97 Audio Controller: Delivers audio functionality for sound output and input.
• Power Management Support: Compliant with Advanced Power Management (APM) specifications for energy saving.
• Real-Time Clock (RTC): Maintains system time and date.

Benefits

• Improved Hard Drive Performance: Ultra DMA support enables faster data access, reducing loading times and improving overall system responsiveness.
• Legacy Device Compatibility: Super I/O support allows continued use of older peripherals.
• Peripheral Connectivity: USB support enables easy connection of various devices.
• Audio Functionality: AC'97 controller provides standard audio capabilities.
• Reduced Power Consumption: Power management features contribute to energy efficiency.
• Cost-Effective Integration: Combines multiple I/O functions into a single chip.

The VT82C693A typically communicates with the north bridge via the PCI bus. Its integration of multiple I/O functions onto a single chip helped to reduce motherboard complexity and cost. The CD variant likely represents a specific revision or feature set of the chip. It formed a crucial part of PC systems during its era, offering a balance of performance, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness. The Ultra DMA/66 support was a significant upgrade over previous IDE standards, enabling faster hard drive performance.