Intel DP45SG (Skyburg)

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by Dandruff

LOL

are you serious? look at your bios images.

When I first came up the different boot option struck me and then I went directly to memory settings and viewed the extra settings. Actually the BIOS does resemble the BA2 BIOS except in memory settings.

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by panzerino

Sandog, like always, trying to kidding us... I will never get the 4 GB DDR3 for 180E, when 4GB DDR2 shall cost me 60E. Never! Like all of us see, Sandog has had the memory problems. Welcome to the Intel. They test unknown brand memory, nobody able to find.
Intel® Desktop Board DP45SG - System memory

Please tell me who sell this "Elpida" brand in Europe????

Sandog, please be more objective-we are able to read advertising every day.
No need for advertising in favour to Intel here... .

Tuff crowd lol, I am trying to display as much information about this particular board as possible. Hopefully I am doing a service to those who are reading it. I am not holding any punches on what I find. I generally like this board because of the efficient chipset, board layout, and lack of any unused features on my part (no secondary SATA controller, etc.).

As far as memory goes prices are not my fault. I would recommend 1333 DDR3 if you do not OC and I have seen 2x2GB sticks for $180USD which I think is OK.

Buying a mobo is a crap shoot. I figured this board would at least equal the P35 in running memory since the chipset is 65nm. Also Intel made this board an Extreme Edition and it was cheap, I paid $160. Right now the memory is very conservative but I am sure with later BIOS updates I will get down to lower latency settings.

The X48 has the same certified memory as this board but users are running various high performance memory at high FSB speeds and low latency. Intel certifies JEDEC spec memory long before the board is available and then never updates the list. I believe they try to cover every chip manufacturer and run the chips at JEDEC specs only. I recognize the Micron D9 chips which is what I have. The X48 doesn't have any 1600 certified memory listed but runs it.

Right now my board is running fine except for the restart problem. Getting this board this early means there will be problems but it will only get better from here with updates. Plus the new tuning utility will appear shortly and that will add some interest to this board for me.

[Sandog]

Some early benchmarks.

Windows Vista 64 Experience Index


3DMark Vantage
P7734 3DMarks

VelociRaptor


WD500AAKS

[Sandog]

Some case pics.

Inside is sort of messy but it is hard to route all the cables efficiently especially when some are short. I don't think it looks too bad considering there are four power cables to the mobo including the VC. Also have 3 drives, front USB, front audio, rear USB, rear Serial, front LED and switches, and 5 fans. CPU fan looks wimpy but it is taller than the stock fan. I am not using the stock fan which came with my Q9650 but I might give it a go later as it has a copper slug and the fan uses more current and has wider blades. I have no clue what all my temps are at the moment except in BIOS. I am waiting for Intel to release the mobo utility soon and I will post chip/mobo temps from within Vista. I do have lots of good airflow inside the case. Even with such a small case there is a lot of open space.

[Sandog]

Talked to Intel tech. support about the two extra jumpers on the mobo (SPI_COM, and CMOS.) These are 3pin header with a two pin jumper just like the BIOS_CONFIG jumper. There is no reference to these jumpers in the board guide or spec guides and Intel didn't have them on their pre-production board. I was told to leave them alone . I also found out you cannot perform a BIOS recovery with a USB floppy drive, you must use either a CDROM disk or USB thumb drive.

Edit: The reason I called was to discuss the restart issue. Intel said to try re-flashing the BIOS or reinstalling Vista SP1.

[Sandog]

Almost a week after I received my board TigerDirect now has the board listed ($159.00.)

Intel DP45SG Motherboard - Intel P45 Express, Socket 775, DDR3 13331066800 MHz, 7.1 Audio, CrossFire (2) PCI Express 2.0 x16, SATA RAID, eSATA, USB 2.0, Firewire, SPDIF, Gigabit LAN BOXDP45SG at TigerDirect.com

[Sandog]

I just noticed from the top board picture in this threads first post that the SPI_COM header is actually an 8pin header and there is no jumper on it. I'm starting to think Intel may have mistakenly put a jumper on my board. In the pic on TigerDirects listing it vaguely appears to be there. I will try removing it tonight and see what happens. It may resolve the boot issue I am having.

Edit: I removed the jumper this afternoon and the board would not even post. Put the SPI_COMM jumper back on where it was and I booted right up. Also I disabled the watchdog timer in Maintenance and still I could not post properly with memory set at anything other than 9-9-9-24/1.9V. I am committed to running at 1.9V as most all 2GB DIMM's state this voltage. SuperTalent is the only one who predicts 1.8V that I have seen and I think they may have exagerated a bit.

[Sandog]

Here's the DP45SG supported memory page.

Intel® Desktop Board DP45SG - System memory

I am using the 2GB Micron D9's. I will try setting the frequency to 1066 and see if I can lower latency to 7-7-7. I actually thought about changing my RAM for 1333 and saving $100 but the supported memory page only show Micron D9's for 2GB.

"Please tell me who sell this "Elpida" brand in Europe????"

NewBiiz.com - Memory, DDR Computer Memory, DDR3 SDRAM DIMM-240 Pins

"Can NewBiiz.com ship internationally?
NewBiiz.com currently DOES ship internationally via UPS Worldwide Express or UPS Worldwide Expedited. However, please make sure that a valid payment method is selected as we currently do not accept international credit cards."

[panzerino]

Your restart issues are memory or PSU problems.
Antec is not so good brand for PSU.
I have Power@Cooling- never had single problem.
Seasonic are good too.

This mobo is full of problems-read recently one loong forum about DG45SG and variety of video related issues (integrated graphics).

Anyway-thanks for the pics.

[Sandog]

I don't beleive it is a PS issue with restarting unless my 24pin connector is not seated properly. I'm pretty sure my version Antec PS is built by Seasonic. Also it worked fine with the BA2 setup and I used more power/connectors. My feeling is it is a BIOS update issue. Thanks for your input.

I can tolerate the restart issue for awhile, all I do is hold the power button in for a few secs and then hit it again and it boots properly. Only thing else is being disappointed with memory latency for the time being. I am quite happy sofar though. Going from a 2yr old XP install to a new board, video card, RAM, and Penryn, plus VISTA64 should give everybody some problems no matter what hardware you select. Funny it is the RAM that might be the cause of trouble because it has been available for about a year, the rest is newly minted.

BTW, the last two BIOS's were produced Aug. 5th and 19th so the next one should be coming out real soon.

[panzerino]

"all I do is hold the power button in for a few secs and then hit it again and it boots properly"

Your PSU probably does not cover some mobo specification.
When you hold the power button longer, the PSU switch off completely and all the power goes.

[Sandog]

After dropping memory frequency from 1333 to 1066 I was able to set the clocks to 7-7-7-21 and 1.8V. It boots fine but hasn't been stress tested yet.

[fvbounty]

Corsair is Great ram, they have a 4 gig DDR31333 kit at Newegg for $179 after rebate... Never had a problem with Corsair in any machine, runs at 1.8 volts, they have the 1600 kit for $20 more...

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

[Sandog]

Thanks fvbounty DDR3 is getting really cheap. I have low latency Micron D9's in my sticks, the same memory Corsair uses in their $500 sticks. My memory passes memtest and is working fine but it appears to work only at the speeds Intel has listed in the certified memory page. I am sure my options will increase as the board drivers/BIOS mature. Right now I am happily moving along with a fast and good working system. As far as hardware goes I only need to straighten up the cables inside the case. I also have about 5 items to sell on Ebay including the BA2.

Software wise it has been a mess collecting files I want to keep from the previous computer and carrying them over to Vista64 plus getting Vista w/SP1 configured, etc. I already have used a third of my VelociRaptor drive. I haven't even checked out audio yet.

[fvbounty]

You can get extension cables from Performance PC for your 8 pin and 4 pin motherboard cables so you can route them around your MB instead of going across...

Power Supply Adapter Cables : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come