# Intel 820
**Wikidata**: [Q11224839](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11224839)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-820

## Summary
The Intel 820 is a northbridge chipset developed by Intel, released in 1999 as part of the Intel 800 series. It supports Pentium III and Celeron processors, integrating memory controller and AGP 4x graphics capabilities. The chipset played a key role in enabling advanced system performance for its time.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Intel
- **Release Year**: 1999
- **Supported Processors**: Pentium III, Celeron
- **Class**: Northbridge (subset of motherboard chipsets)
- **AGP Support**: AGP 4x
- **Series**: Part of the Intel 800 series
- **Codename**: "Fisher"
- **Memory Support**: Compatible with RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Intel 820 used for?
A: The Intel 820 serves as a northbridge chipset, managing communication between the CPU, memory, and graphics in computers from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

### Q: What processors does the Intel 820 support?
A: It supports Intel Pentium III and Celeron processors, common in systems of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

### Q: Is the Intel 820 still relevant today?
A: While obsolete for modern systems, it remains notable for its role in advancing chipset technology during the transition to AGP 4x and RDRAM adoption.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 820 was significant for enabling high-performance systems in the late 1990s and early 2000s. As part of Intel’s 800 series, it introduced support for AGP 4x graphics and RDRAM memory, which were critical for improving gaming and multimedia performance at the time. Its release coincided with the growing demand for faster processors and better graphics capabilities, positioning it as a key component for Intel-based PCs during that era. The chipset also highlighted Intel’s push for proprietary memory technologies like RDRAM, influencing industry trends despite eventual shifts toward more affordable memory standards.

## Notable For
- First Intel northbridge to support AGP 4x, enhancing graphics performance.
- Integral to systems using Pentium III processors, popular in gaming and professional workstations.
- Part of the controversial adoption of RDRAM, which offered high bandwidth but faced cost and compatibility challenges.

## Body
### Overview
The Intel 820, codenamed "Fisher," is a northbridge chipset designed for use with Intel Pentium III and Celeron processors. Released in 1999, it was part of Intel’s 800 series chipset lineup, succeeding earlier chipsets like the Intel 440BX.

### Release and Specifications
- **Release Year**: 1999
- **AGP Support**: Integrated AGP 4x, doubling the bandwidth of AGP 2x for improved graphics performance.
- **Memory Compatibility**: Optimized for RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM), a high-speed memory technology promoted by Intel during this period.

### Supported Processors
- **Primary CPUs**: Pentium III (Slot 1 and Socket 370 variants)
- **Budget CPUs**: Celeron (Socket 370)
- **Front-Side Bus (FSB)**: Supported speeds up to 100 MHz (later variants accommodated 133 MHz).

### Legacy
The Intel 820 faced criticism for its reliance on RDRAM, which was expensive and less flexible compared to emerging DDR SDRAM standards. Despite this, it remained a staple in high-end systems until succeeded by chipsets like the Intel 850 in 2001. Its support for AGP 4x and Pentium III processors made it a notable transitional chipset during a period of rapid advancements in PC hardware.