Intel D975XBX (Bad Axe)

[peter42]

Originally Posted by TQ

What's that, Peter? I've not heard the "strap" terminology.

Hi TQ,
The "strap" is a fundamental frequency setting in the bios. The default FSB strap is 1067 MHz under Advanced/Default Configuration Overide/FSB Frequency Overide. Also FSB 533, 800, 1067, and 1333 MHz are available. I can also reach FSB 1333 by setting the "Host Burn-in Mode Percentage" (default=0) to 25% using the default 1067 strap.

Memory also has Straps of 333, 400, 533, 667(default), and 800.
After setting any strap, increasing the "Host Burn-in Mode Percentage" will change the FSB/memory up/down by the % you set starting at the strap frequency. Also note the 1067 is a rated speed with the "actual" frequency = 267MHz.

I am not sure which bios functions are "unlocked" on your mobo. I have them all unlocked since I am running the X6800. If you cannot see them in your bios, there are some simple mobo mods that allow you to access them with (I think) any cpu.

[GWillakers]

I have been running with the 1378 BIOS on the revision 305 board since it came out. I too am curious as to why it was pulled. The next time Intel posts a BIOS for this board I will be examining the Release Notes very carefully.

PS. Have observed no problem that I can attribute to the 1378 BIOS.

[TQ]

Originally Posted by peter42

Hi TQ,
The "strap" is a fundamental frequency setting in the bios. The default FSB strap is 1067 MHz under Advanced/Default Configuration Overide/FSB Frequency Overide.

Thanks. It was a new term to me and I was curious. I always just called it the "FSB setting" in the past.

[Stefan.]

Thanks for the responses. I still have 1334 and LAN 11.0 installed. I guess I will stay with these versions. System runs well.

[emgarf]

Originally Posted by babbler

I updated to bios revision 1378 on both of my D975XBX motherboards, rev 302 and rev 304. However, after I updated on the rev 302 board, the PC wouldn't start: only in bios setup mode. Bios recovery mode showed no activity. The way to get past this was to hold down the reset button.

I called Intel support, which happens to be free here in Japan, and their solution was to revert to the previous 1351 bios version.

Weird. I have a r302 with 1378 installed and haven't had any issues...

[Supa-Fly]

Originally Posted by emgarf

Weird. I have a r302 with 1378 installed and haven't had any issues...

Same here, also rev 302 with bios 1378 and no issues in either x64 or x86
no problems with S3 either. But I also think this might vary with different
hardware setups.

[Supa-Fly]

OH by the way have you guys seen this

Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz with 1333MHz Bus Incoming.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/dis...017125148.html

Woa... what a beast that will be

Probably will need Bad Axe 2 for that, but very exciting indeed, I mean
Most games and apps wont really support 4 cores for a good while, but almost
everything now supports 2 cores, so when this baby comes out, everything
should be quite to run on this. Cant wait!!!

[TQ]

More Conroe '07 refresh action:
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4589

E6850, E6750 and E6650 all with a 1333Mhz FSB...

[DBPOPS]

Originally Posted by Sandog

Well frankly I think official support means 1. The mobo supports the frequency and it does. 2. That Intel will start testing and validating 667MHz RAM. This they have not done yet probably but there is already even 800MHz sticks out there working just fine.

I am almost positive my Intel contact mentioned 667 support to me but maybe I didn't post it since I thought it was a given or mentioned in one of the chipset articles. It is already implemented in BIOS on the D955XBK.

I am positive the D975XBX will run Conroe at some point in time. The Broadwater chipsets are coming out in Q2 and will be less capable than the 975X chipset. They do provide support for onboard graphics though and this is there main specialty. AFAIK Intel does not have anymore chipsets planned for the year other than these. The previous reasons for a mobo refresh were:

Power - The Conroe will use less power than an D840EE which the D975XBX already supports so this is not a reason.

Speed - The current D955XBK already works at 400/533/667/800 so we know it can work on the D975XBX.

Socket - Conroe will remain 775pin.

Multicore - D975XBX already supports dual core which is why the D925EX got canned.

I know for sure it will require a BIOS update as every new CPU requires one but I think this is all it will take to run Conroe. I know Conroe is a totally new animal but don't forget the D975 was suppose to come out in Q2/06 also. It may already have support for Conroe. It is one of those things we will have to wait and see but only for about a month probably. Once the D975XBX gets reviews out we should hear immediately if and how it will support Conroe or at least some discussion on it since this is what everybody will be interested in.

hi
what 800 mhz ddr2 ram works with intel d975 mb ?

[TQ]

Originally Posted by DBPOPS

hi
what 800 mhz ddr2 ram works with intel d975 mb ?

From personal experience, I know this works:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146108

[Mr Steveo]

Apologies for not reading the last three pages. But from seeing newegg these days, 965 chipset is the latest? Is 975 dog meat? LOL. Yes I have a 975 with a pre Conroe build. But I may be looking for an upgrade soon.

Any fully compatible Core2 Duo Intel brand board that supports full 1066 and ATI Crossover??

If no for today, timeframe?

Thanx guys / gals. Miss y'all. (Sadly the offline world demands my time: Insensitive childen of jackels !!!! LOL.)

Thx in advance 4 n e suggestiions!!!!!


- Mr Steveo

[TQ]

Yo, Steveo...

If it's dog meat it's the really good kind, like the stuff I feed my own dogs. The 975 Bad Axe II is about to be released, if you want to wait for that, but it's my understanding that a v304, v305 both support 1066FSB. I know mine does 'cause the BIOS told me so...I suppose it depends on the CPU you choose. Bad Axe 2 is also fully certified for Crossfire...no small irony there.

Here's a link to a preview:
http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4111

[Sandog]

Hi guys,

I was looking long and hard at a Crossfire solution last weekend. I was waiting for the ATI 1950 Pro and read many reviews on this card. This card would be the optimum card to use in a Crossfire setup as it has all the features available of ATI’s top end card. They are slim and long and have some good improvements like the internal interface connection between the two cards. There are some negatives though such as hot air does not exit the case, GPU fan is whiny, Crossfire setup uses over 300W at load compared to 280W for X1950XTX, they use GDDR4, does not beat the X1950XTX single card solution in FPS in most cases, and worst is Crossfire may work well in games but other video features may be broke from what I read. It appears a safer solution would be to go with the single X1950XTX so I will see. I will choose one of the two card setups from ATI though this time. I also might as well wait on Bad Axe 2 since I am not Conroe capable with my V301 board.

I am looking at BA2 coming around the time Kentsfield appears in November sometime. Hope I can get my hands on one as they will be gone in about 6 seconds.

[TQ]

Originally Posted by Sandog

It appears a safer solution would be to go with the single X1950XTX.

That's what I'd do. I seriously considered an X1900XTX but all I could find in stock at NewEgg at the time I was buying was an OEM and I didn't have a good feeling about it.
Now they have X1950XTX's in stock for a pretty decent $419, but I'm not too concerned 'cause I paid $377 for my 7900GTX, which I thought was an excellent deal.

[Sandog]

Hey TQ,

I will most likely get the ATI X1950XTX when BA2 comes out.

So how is the E6600? Notice a big difference in speed in general usage and games? Are you OCing any yet?

Thanks - Sandog