So if, as Intel seem to plan, it intends to remove the need for a Northbridge ? where system memory controllers typically reside - this opens a very wide window of opportunity for mainboard manufacturers who don?t want to be beholden to Intel to buy more, or perhaps, probably all, the Southbridges from their Taiwanese compatriots such as SiS, ULI and VIA, not to mention offerings from ATi and Nvidia.