Intel D975XBX: Intel brings their Bad-Axe to Market
by Gary Key on January 26, 2006 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
FSB Overclocking Results
We tried two other boards, but we did not have success in increasing the CPU multiplier past 20 or utilizing a combination of the CPU multiplier and the FSB frequency override setting past the reported numbers. Even though this particular CPU has reached 4.4GHz, we could not pass the 4.0GHz mark and maintain stability or complete our test suite. We will be receiving a retail board shortly and will re-examine the overclocking ability of the board with our 840EE, 950D, and 955EE processors.
Memory Stress Testing
Memory stress tests look at the ability of the Intel D975XBX to operate at the officially supported memory frequencies of 667MHz DDR2, at the best performing memory timings that the Corsair CM2X512A-5400UL revision 1.3 will support.
The Intel D975XBX was very stable with 2 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 3-2-2-8 at 2.1V. We will now install all four available memory slots that are usually more strenuous on the memory subsystem than testing 2 DDR2 modules on a motherboard.
The Intel D975XBX was completely stable with 4 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 4-2-3-8 and needed the voltage increased to 2.2V. We tried several combinations of memory settings at the CAS Latency of 3, but the board was not stable enough to complete our test suite. This is the first i975x board that we have tested that did not allow a CAS Latency of 3 in our testing with 4 DDR2 modules.
| Front Side Bus Overclocking Testbed | |
| Processor: | Pentium 4 Smithfield LGA 775 840EE Dual Core 3.2GHz |
| CPU Voltage: | 1.5125V (1.4000V default) |
| Memory Settings: | 3-2-2-8 at 667MHz |
| Memory Voltage: | 2.2V |
| MCH Voltage: | 1.60V |
| ICH Voltage: | Default |
| Cooling: | Thermaltake Big Typhoon |
| Power Supply: | OCZ Power Stream 520 |
| Maximum CPU OverClock: | 200fsb x 20 (4000MHz) +25% |
| Maximum FSB OverClock: | 260fsb x 15 (3900MHz) +30% |
We tried two other boards, but we did not have success in increasing the CPU multiplier past 20 or utilizing a combination of the CPU multiplier and the FSB frequency override setting past the reported numbers. Even though this particular CPU has reached 4.4GHz, we could not pass the 4.0GHz mark and maintain stability or complete our test suite. We will be receiving a retail board shortly and will re-examine the overclocking ability of the board with our 840EE, 950D, and 955EE processors.
Memory Stress Testing
Memory stress tests look at the ability of the Intel D975XBX to operate at the officially supported memory frequencies of 667MHz DDR2, at the best performing memory timings that the Corsair CM2X512A-5400UL revision 1.3 will support.
| Intel D975XBX Stable DDR667 Timings - 2 DIMMs (2/4 slots populated - 1 Dual-Channel Bank) |
|
| Clock Speed: | 200MHz (800FSB) |
| Timing Mode: | 667MHz - Default |
| CAS Latency: | 3 |
| RAS to CAS Delay: | 2 |
| RAS Precharge: | 2 |
| RAS Cycle Time: | 8 |
| Voltage: | 2.1V |
The Intel D975XBX was very stable with 2 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 3-2-2-8 at 2.1V. We will now install all four available memory slots that are usually more strenuous on the memory subsystem than testing 2 DDR2 modules on a motherboard.
| Intel D975XBX Stable DDR667 Timings - 4 DIMMs (4/4 slots populated - 2 Dual-Channel Banks) |
|
| Clock Speed: | 200MHz (800FSB) |
| Timing Mode: | 667MHz - Default |
| CAS Latency: | 4 |
| RAS to CAS Delay: | 2 |
| RAS Precharge: | 3 |
| RAS Cycle Time: | 8 |
| Voltage: | 2.2V |
The Intel D975XBX was completely stable with 4 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 4-2-3-8 and needed the voltage increased to 2.2V. We tried several combinations of memory settings at the CAS Latency of 3, but the board was not stable enough to complete our test suite. This is the first i975x board that we have tested that did not allow a CAS Latency of 3 in our testing with 4 DDR2 modules.
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Gary Key - Saturday, February 11, 2006 - link
Actually, depending upon the device PCI-E does support single-ended transfers. I probably should have worded my statement differently.
Bozo Galora - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=intoilet3...">http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=intoilet3...Zebo - Friday, January 27, 2006 - link
It's pretty sad Garys great article is'nt being read more - only 16 replies almost two days later - he can blame intel and thier non-exciting chips ATM.Gary Key - Friday, January 27, 2006 - link
I should have put "Conroe Comes to Town" in the headline. ;-) At least the board is showing the 1333 fsb setting, hint, hint. Intel's products are a little mundane at the moment but at least we have 20 replies now, anything less and I owed my dog a Big Mac.danidentity - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
Do you guys plan on doing a 975X motherboard roundup in the future? If so, when is it going to be ready?Gary Key - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
We have three more 975x boards to review. I estimate in about three weeks the roundup will be ready.
danidentity - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
Thanks Gary. Also, is there any word on whether 975X will support Conroe?Gary Key - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
We continue to ask this question. As soon as we have an answer it will be front page news. :-) This board officially supports the 1333 fsb that we will see on product launches this summer but whether they will respin the 975x or not is up in the air right now.
AGAC - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
The lack of performance, specialy when compared to an AMD similarly priced system should be compensated with a richer array of features. Looks like intel failed at that. Couple that with a higher energy bill, hotter/noisier computer and there you may explain why so many people now have AMD systems. For me, my last intel PC was a Pentium III. It was good for over 7 years, went from my home to my office untill a cheaply configured Sempron recently put it out of it's duties.AGAC - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
Can enyone tell me why? Is this "William Shakespeare inside" some spiner's new trend? And while we're talking about intel's marketing strategy what's all the hype with this viiv thang?