Intel DP55KG (Kingsberg)

[JimTram]

This looks like a good mobo for me to upgrade to when the price is right. Need to wait for more reviews until I order.

Newegg.com - Intel BOXDP55KG LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/4G - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - Logitech Deluxe 250 Black 104 Normal Keys USB Wired Standard Keyboard - Keyboards

I am curious to see how the price fluctuates over time. 09/10/09 - $615.00 - Mobo, CPU, RAM, and USB KB

If anyone has comments about this board/components - pls post here.

TIA

Jim T.

[JimTram]

I think I will enjoy watching the lit-up skull on the mobo - that's different for Intel

Intel DP55KG Motherboard Preview at Quakecon 2009 - Intel Kingsberg, Whitesberg and Sharpsberg Mobos - Legit Reviews

[polonyc2]

Originally Posted by JimTram

I think I will enjoy watching the lit-up skull on the mobo - that's different for Intel

Intel DP55KG Motherboard Preview at Quakecon 2009 - Intel Kingsberg, Whitesberg and Sharpsberg Mobos - Legit Reviews

I was looking into building a Lynnfield myself and am seriously considering purchasing an Intel board for the first time ever...I've pretty much gone with ASUS for all of my builds...but this time I want to go with either Gigabyte or Intel

one thing that review pointed out which I didn't know was this--"Intel is still not using solid-state-capacitors on their enthusiast motherboards"...I don't know why Intel is still not using them and that might be the reason I decide to go with Gigabyte

but I do hear that Intel boards are rock stable and reliable but minus a lot of the 'features' available on other boards...but since I do not plan on overclocking beyond the automatic Turbo Mode it probably won't matter

do Intel boards overclock well?...since they don't have all the fancy bells and whistles I'm worried about how well the Turbo Mode will work on this board...as well if I decide to manually overclock (or even when using the auto overclocking feature)

I'm also still torn on Socket 1366 vs 1156...seems like 1366 will have a pretty long life span...plus the total cost of building a new system using 1366 is only around $40 more expensive then an 1156

[JimTram]

Hi polonyc2

I hate to paint with a wide brush - my last encounter with Gigabyte has me still steaming. Not the company's fault - nevertheless, bad kharma for me.

Help me out - just how important are the solid state caps really? Surely Intel analyzed this.

The only time I ever had stability problems on other than Intel was this last go around - it was a fluke. I do feel Intel has the edge on stability as they offer less bells and whistles! If you hardcore OC - go with Asus or Gigabyte as they been offering the OC designed boards for a while. If mildly OC - Intel.

As far as 1156/1366, I believe the former is offered to the mainstream enthusiasts. That translates to me - longer support by Intel.

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I was looking into building a Lynnfield myself and am seriously considering purchasing an Intel board for the first time ever...I've pretty much gone with ASUS for all of my builds...but this time I want to go with either Gigabyte or Intel

one thing that review pointed out which I didn't know was this--"Intel is still not using solid-state-capacitors on their enthusiast motherboards"...I don't know why Intel is still not using them and that might be the reason I decide to go with Gigabyte

but I do hear that Intel boards are rock stable and reliable but minus a lot of the 'features' available on other boards...but since I do not plan on overclocking beyond the automatic Turbo Mode it probably won't matter

do Intel boards overclock well?...since they don't have all the fancy bells and whistles I'm worried about how well the Turbo Mode will work on this board...as well if I decide to manually overclock (or even when using the auto overclocling feature)

I'm also still torn on Socket 1366 vs 1156...seems like 1366 will have a pretty long life span...plus the total cost of building a new system using 1366 is only around $40 more expensive then an 1156

[polonyc2]

Originally Posted by JimTram

Help me out - just how important are the solid state caps really? Surely Intel analyzed this.

it's not a huge deal BUT they are a positive feature because they show that a manufacturer is trying to use better quality parts...there are far more important features in a mobo but the fact that so many mobo manufacturer's have transitioned to solid state caps says a lot about their commitment to quality

here's the technical explanation I found online:

"Solid capacitors have a higher tolerance for higher temperatures and they also perform better with higher frequencies and higher current than electrolytic capacitors. The superior heat resistance and better electric conductivity will allow PC enthusiasts to tweak the highest levels of performance from their system without fear of excessive capacitor wear or exploding capacitors."

I guess the fact that solid caps have become the norm in almost any motherboard (even non high end ones) nowadays makes Intel's decision to not include them even more peculiar...the fact that the article you linked to made it a point to call Intel out on this also makes it seem somewhat important

[JimTram]

I can't disagree 'bout this.

[Intel_User]

Originally Posted by JimTram

Hi polonyc2

If mildly OC - Intel.

This used to be true with boards as recent as X48 and Skulltrail based Intel Desktop boards, but I'm not so sure nowadays. Unless you are doing EXTREME overclocking looking at 6-7GHz with LN not being enough for you I'd say its good or even better.

The review that convinced me was this:
Intel DX58SO: a Completely Different Mainboard (page 7) - X-bit labs

"Frankly speaking, by this time all my initial skepticism about Intel being able to make a good overclocker mainboard was gone."

"But if they decide to launch a new Intel DX58SO mainboard revision or a totally new mainboard for LGA1156 processors tomorrow, even if it has the same inconvenient BIOS, I will prefer it to any other solution, unless the competitors can offer an adequate alternative. And all that because Intel DX58SO mainboard convinced us: from now on you can actually overclock on Intel mainboards."

The review wasn't done at launch and it was after some BIOS updates of course but that is a pretty glowing statement.

[JimTram]

Well you convinced me. You may be right as Sandog seems not to be having OC issues. I've always preferred Intel as I don't even bother with OC anymore.

I need a few time test "Reviews" of the subj mobo before I upgrade. I have a good feeling.

Thanks

Jim T.

Originally Posted by Intel_User

This used to be true with boards as recent as X48 and Skulltrail based Intel Desktop boards, but I'm not so sure nowadays. Unless you are doing EXTREME overclocking looking at 6-7GHz with LN not being enough for you I'd say its good or even better.

The review that convinced me was this:
Intel DX58SO: a Completely Different Mainboard (page 7) - X-bit labs

"Frankly speaking, by this time all my initial skepticism about Intel being able to make a good overclocker mainboard was gone."

"But if they decide to launch a new Intel DX58SO mainboard revision or a totally new mainboard for LGA1156 processors tomorrow, even if it has the same inconvenient BIOS, I will prefer it to any other solution, unless the competitors can offer an adequate alternative. And all that because Intel DX58SO mainboard convinced us: from now on you can actually overclock on Intel mainboards."

The review wasn't done at launch and it was after some BIOS updates of course but that is a pretty glowing statement.

[Sandog]

I would get this board if I were you JT, it will be a good one and supports a good CPU. If it weren't for the DX58SO I would get it. I wouldn't worry about the caps. Intel uses good ones mostly in needed places I assume. Green ones are a minority like someone posted. Anyway they warrant their boards for 3 yrs. Never had a cap go bad on me before. The power supply is more important, get a power supply with stable output/low ripple.

[JimTram]

You and I have differed over the years - you turned-out to be right in most cases. You have credibility Squid! This is the board I will get!

"get a power supply with stable output/low ripple" ??? My Antec 550 Trio not good enough?

Need to see some reviews. Wifey will be traveling end of next month - sounds like a good time to splurge.

Masterchief

Originally Posted by Sandog

I would get this board if I were you JT, it will be a good one and supports a good CPU. If it weren't for the DX58SO I would get it. I wouldn't worry about the caps. Intel uses good ones mostly in needed places I assume. Green ones are a minority like someone posted. Anyway they warrant their boards for 3 yrs. Never had a cap go bad on me before. The power supply is more important, get a power supply with stable output/low ripple.

[Sandog]

I am sure your Antec 550 is good enough. Hope you get the board and the 860 CPU.

[JimTram]

I plan to. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Sandog

I am sure your Antec 550 is good enough. Hope you get the board and the 860 CPU.

[Intel_User]

The CPU and the board is currently way too new to see a review. One thing I noticed in Intel boards is they get a LOT of changes in their software and BIOSes over the lifetime. Initial X58 reviews that was done with Bloomfield wasn't so positive, Xbitlabs has done it 9 months later.

As for Turbo Mode, being their own board they follow their Turbo Mode specifications closely. For some other mainboards like Asus for example, they use a fixed clock for the 4-core modes, which turns out to be +1 for the two lower end Lynnfields. On the Intel boards they can actually ratchet down to base clock. The thinking here is of course Intel wants the Turbo to be dynamic(as stock intended) and if thermals aren't met or whatever and Asus just does a permanent +1 overclock for slightly more performance.

[polonyc2]

I'm giving serious thought to the DP55KG...seems like an excellent board for my needs...although I've never had any stabilty issues with ASUS I want to try something new

but either way I'm going to wait until October 18th before making any decision as that is when Intel will be releasing their Bloomfield i7 960 CPU...and that is looking really nice to me

Fudzilla

[JimTram]

Hey -

Polonyc2 and I may have to do the reviews ourselves. I think we shall see a review soon.

I know what you mean about BIOS updates. My current board has had over twelve of them in the pasy 16 months. After the first three or four, nothing updated had a positive effect for me. I'm stable at v82.

Turbo mode is new to me. In real life I wonder if it has any real advantages. We'll see.

Originally Posted by Intel_User

The CPU and the board is currently way too new to see a review. One thing I noticed in Intel boards is they get a LOT of changes in their software and BIOSes over the lifetime. Initial X58 reviews that was done with Bloomfield wasn't so positive, Xbitlabs has done it 9 months later.

As for Turbo Mode, being their own board they follow their Turbo Mode specifications closely. For some other mainboards like Asus for example, they use a fixed clock for the 4-core modes, which turns out to be +1 for the two lower end Lynnfields. On the Intel boards they can actually ratchet down to base clock. The thinking here is of course Intel wants the Turbo to be dynamic(as stock intended) and if thermals aren't met or whatever and Asus just does a permanent +1 overclock for slightly more performance.