Much like Intel's quad-core CPUs upon their release, Skulltrail doesn't really have many competitors in the market. The biggest questions we need to answer are how it compares to other Intel CPUs, and we have a handful of those in today's review.
The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is the closest thing regular desktop users can get to Skulltrail as it is the same processor as the QX9775; naturally we had to include it. We also included the QX9650 since it's a more "reasonably" priced alternative. Keep in mind that a Skulltrail CPU/motherboard setup will cost you around 3x what a similar QX9650/motherboard will, so hopefully including the QX9650 will help keep things in perspective.
The final chip we're comparing to is the upcoming Core 2 Quad Q9450. Around the time that Skulltrail is released, we should see the Q9450 crop up as well as a new mainstream quad-core CPU from Intel. Running at 2.66GHz and with a total of 12MB of L2 cache on chip the Q9450 gives us a good reference point for what a mainstream quad-core system can do compared to Skully.
| CPU: | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 (3.2GHz/1600MHz) Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (3.20GHz/1600MHz) Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (3.00GHz/1333MHz) Intel Core 2 Quad QX9450 (2.66GHz/1333MHz) |
| Motherboard: | ASUS P5K Deluxe (Intel P35) Intel D5400XS (Intel 5400) |
| Chipset: | Intel P35 Intel 5400 |
| Chipset Drivers: | Intel 8.1.1.1010 (Intel) |
| Hard Disk: | Seagate 7200.9 300GB SATA |
| Memory: | Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 (1GB x 4) Micron FB-DIMM DDR2-8800 |
| Video Card: | NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512 x 2 |
| Video Drivers: | NVIDIA ForceWare 169.25 |
| Desktop Resolution: | 1920 x 1200 |
| OS: | Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit |
This sounds like a great board and for some-one like me that uses 4x22"monitors and does heaps of multi tasking it sounds perfect and would gladly pay the price asked.
BUT why is such a great board slowed right down by not having DDR3 memory sticks,,,because from what I've read at the momment there is not that much difference with running this and what I have now which is a quad core with DDR3 which runs great but I do overwork it.So bigger would be better.
You would think and I'm sure they already know that it would be common sence to make this board with DDR3 as it is it's only fault as far as I can see.
We will probably see that board come out soon or next in line once they have sold enough of these to satify there egos.
Great board but,,,,just not yet I will be waiting for the next one out which will have to carry DDR3,,,if they want to go forward in thier technolagy.
hnolagy