Test Setup
Test conditions were maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested. We selected the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 as our processor of choice since it represents one of the better price to performance values in the midrange processor market and is the CPU we will concentrate on in future reviews.
Our E6550 is an engineering sample that was hand picked to help us determine maximum FSB levels. We have seen this CPU reach 570FSB levels on the DFI P35 board with air cooling and it potentially has the capability to reach 600FSB with the right cooling methods. Our two retail E6550 processors both reach 500FSB and then basically have a hard stop at that point when overclocking. We are utilizing Microsoft Vista Ultimate 64-bit as our operating system along with 4GB and 2GB memory configurations.
| ASUS P5E3 Deluxe / Gigabyte GA-X38T-DQ6 / GA-X38-DQ6 Test Bed | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 2.4GHz, 2x4MB, 9x Multiplier, 1066FSB |
| CPU Voltage | 1.1500V Stock - 1.375V ~ 1.4750V Overclocked |
| Cooling | Tuniq Tower 120 |
| Power Supply | OCZ 1000W |
| Memory | Corsair CM3X2048-1800C7D DDR3 Corsair CM2x1024 10000C5D DDR2 |
| Memory Settings | Various |
| Video Cards | MSI HD X2900 XT 512MB |
| Video Drivers | ATI Catalyst 7.10 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 7200RPM 750GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor PX-B900A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Case | Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evo |
| BIOS | ASUS P5E3 - 0504 Gigabyte X38T - F3I Gigabyte X38 - F5I |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit |
| . | |
Test conditions were maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested. We selected the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 as our processor of choice since it represents one of the better price to performance values in the midrange processor market and is the CPU we will concentrate on in future reviews.
Our E6550 is an engineering sample that was hand picked to help us determine maximum FSB levels. We have seen this CPU reach 570FSB levels on the DFI P35 board with air cooling and it potentially has the capability to reach 600FSB with the right cooling methods. Our two retail E6550 processors both reach 500FSB and then basically have a hard stop at that point when overclocking. We are utilizing Microsoft Vista Ultimate 64-bit as our operating system along with 4GB and 2GB memory configurations.
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457R4LDR34DKN07 - Thursday, November 1, 2007 - link
Are you ever going to update and add my mobo the Maximus Formula SE? I have been have stability issues with patriot memory at standard clocks and was hoping your update would provide some insight.werver - Thursday, October 25, 2007 - link
In the article about overclocking the X38 the author wrote "The DDR2 based Gigabyte board reached an impressive 8x485.When I look at the first image I see an overclock of 6x485 = 2910 MHz (+22%)and a memory speed of 2 x 485 x 1.2 (divider) = 1164 MHz.
Do I miss something???
kalrith - Monday, October 29, 2007 - link
I was just about to post that. Actually the first two pictures on the last page are incorrect. Both pictures show the same screenshots from EVEREST, and those two screenshots show incosistent information with the first showing 485x6 and the second showing 485x8. The MemSet screenshot for 4GB of memory shows the memory running at 485 1:1.Teknojnky - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
I have a x38-DQ6, q6600 g0, wd raptor 150 & hitachi 1tb, windows xp X64 and have been getting random blue screen/reboots whenever I enable AHCI mode.(yes f6 drivers properly installed etc)
Has anandtech had any problems with ahci on these boards? (xp x64)
Demon69 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
You may need to install new drivers before you change mode in bios.From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Control...">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Control...
Teknojnky - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
the drivers are properly installed, windows was installed with the drivers @ F6 mode.its not a boot up problem, it runs fine then at random times will blue screen/reboot (overclocked, not overclocked, even underclocked does the same).
Odeen - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
I think you guys meant "saddled." The chipset is burdened by the fact that it has an onboard memory controller, it's not in the back room of a strip club getting a lap dance from the memory controller :)Michael91ah - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
Thanks for the update can't wait for the comparisons.