Intel D975XBX (Bad Axe)

[Supa-Fly]

Originally Posted by Sandog

Sorry about your loss.

Here's a review done with 2x74GB Raptors. The Marvell controller works well.

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review :: Introduction :: Motherboards.org

Thanks Sandog,

I looked at the review but didnt see anything on the marvel raid performance.
Anyway, Im a little confused cause the Intel Bad Axe 2 manual says the
secondary raid will do raid 5 but the marvell manual says it wont

So, has anyone here tried the Marvell raid with 3 drives or more. I need a board that can do raid 5 on the primary and secondary sata ports. I was
excited to get a Bad Axe 2, until I read the Marvell manual, now I dont want
to burn my money on something that cant give me want I need

Thanks All

[Sandog]

Well my extra 2GB of Dominator RAM shipped last night. I also have Windows Vista Ultimate sitting on my desk. Bought my mom a Sony laptop last night. Viewed Vista at CompUSA and must say it's quite different. Folders seem to indent on their own in Explorer. It will be like having a new baby when I get it installed. I'll see teething problems, be up late at night changing diapers, and it will be two years before it walks (J/K).

Sandog

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by Supa-Fly

Thanks Sandog,

I looked at the review but didnt see anything on the marvel raid performance.
Anyway, Im a little confused cause the Intel Bad Axe 2 manual says the
secondary raid will do raid 5 but the marvell manual says it wont

So, has anyone here tried the Marvell raid with 3 drives or more. I need a board that can do raid 5 on the primary and secondary sata ports. I was
excited to get a Bad Axe 2, until I read the Marvell manual, now I dont want
to burn my money on something that cant give me want I need

Thanks All

The review was done with two 74GB Raptors in RAID so you can compare benchmarks.

That certainly is a lot of drive controlling off one computer. You can't beat an Intel Bad Axe 2 for speed, dependability, and support so I would consider getting a quad controller card and see if that could handle your secondary RAID 5 setup.

Sandog

[Supa-Fly]

Originally Posted by Sandog

The review was done with two 74GB Raptors in RAID so you can compare benchmarks.

That certainly is a lot of drive controlling off one computer. You can't beat an Intel Bad Axe 2 for speed, dependability, and support so I would consider getting a quad controller card and see if that could handle your secondary RAID 5 setup.

Sandog

Hmm, I think that is really a good idea, maybe a another Intel 4 port raid controller.
I think I like that idea alot, just means Ill have to get rid of my wireless card,
unless I can find a PCI-E Intel SATA Raid Controller. Yes Yes! I Like I Like!
Thanks Sandog

[krkosska]

[quote=Sandog;1353366]
You can't beat an Intel Bad Axe 2 for speed, dependability, and support

Maybe for you, but for for this poor slob, the jury is still out. I'm still sitting on $300 worth of memory and crossing my fingers on every cold boot.

[Sandog]

You have to mess with the DDR settings for almost all memory. I would first try the manufacturer's SPD settings specifically the timing. If you still have trouble then up the voltage. Minimum I would say is 2.12V. If that doesn't work then try 2.2V. Good luck!

Sandog

[peter42]

Originally Posted by Sandog

The same for my CPU. When I first got it it would not do 3.46GHz reliably. Now it does it at default voltage.
Sandog

Hi Sandog,
Just wondered, when you said "default voltage", did you use the "Default" setting in the bios... or set it "Manually" to the Default voltage?
I noticed with the BA1, when the multiplier is increased using the "Default" setting, the voltage is still automatically increased.... so now I always use the manual setting of the default voltage with the BA1...

Is this different with the BA2??

[I am getting close to ordering the BA2..
But, I am thinking of waiting for Intel to "fix" the HDD issue in the mobo HW..]

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by peter42

Hi Sandog,
Just wondered, when you said "default voltage", did you use the "Default" setting in the bios... or set it "Manually" to the Default voltage?
I noticed with the BA1, when the multiplier is increased using the "Default" setting, the voltage is still automatically increased.... so now I always use the manual setting of the default voltage with the BA1...

Is this different with the BA2??

[I am getting close to ordering the BA2..
But, I am thinking of waiting for Intel to "fix" the HDD issue in the mobo HW..]

Mine shows 1.325V at the bottom (displays current CPU voltage) when I have it set to default above and also have the CPU multiplier increased above default. I will check to see if I have the CPU core voltage set to default or manual but I believe it is default when I OC. Also I have EIST enabled and when OC the multiplier I have power slope enabled which varies the core voltage I believe.

I will look at it again when I get home.

Sandog

[peter42]

Thanks Sandog,

As I remember I found,
- set x11 and Manual voltage to 1.325V ... just to be sure what Manual is set to..
- reboot, set multiplier to x12 and voltage to "Default"
- reboot, enter the Manual Voltage menu .. here I now found the voltage has changed to 1.5xx V instead of 1.325 !!

My power slope was On and I think my EIST setting was Off.

I think the new Default Voltage is changed according to the built in OC Voltage table... at least on the BA1..

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by peter42

Thanks Sandog,

As I remember I found,
- set x11 and Manual voltage to 1.325V ... just to be sure what Manual is set to..
- reboot, set multiplier to x12 and voltage to "Default"
- reboot, enter the Manual Voltage menu .. here I now found the voltage has changed to 1.5xx V instead of 1.325 !!

My power slope was On and I think my EIST setting was Off.

I think the new Default Voltage is changed according to the built in OC Voltage table... at least on the BA1..

I use to see that on my BA1 and 840EE chip. I will try tonight to do what you did and see what happens. It sounds normal though that if you up the multiplier the core then requires more voltage. I remember when playing with manual voltage adjust when OC that it was staying wherever I put it when I went into BIOS. If you set it to manual then it should.

Sandog

[peter42]

Originally Posted by Sandog

I use to see that on my BA1 and 840EE chip. I will try tonight to do what you did and see what happens. It sounds normal though that if you up the multiplier the core then requires more voltage. I remember when playing with manual voltage adjust when OC that it was staying wherever I put it when I went into BIOS. If you set it to manual then it should.
Sandog

Thanks, and yes, as far as I can tell the manual setting stays at whatever setting is selected no matter what is done..
I remember I was Very Surprised to see the voltage at over 1.5V for only an x12 multiplier!!
They seem to raise the voltage quite high Very fast.. considering I EASILY can run x12 (3.2GHz) at 1.325V manually.

[Airo]

Originally Posted by JBNimble

Intel_User,

I've now tried headphones on the front audio jack.

Intel HAS fixed the difference between back & front output levels -- by making the XBX2 front jack also useless for headphones. That jack has the same low volume as the sound output jack on the motherboard.

My tests compared the same sound source and same earphones: Intel D975XBX2 vs. Asus P4P800D. Volume MUCH greater with the Asus.

Hope others using the XBX2 onboard audio will try headphones and report results.

I got the exact same problem. Testet with all drivers on Intels site, but at no wail. Did you (or anyone else) find a solution to the problem?

[Sandog]

New PCN, board revision 506.

Description of Change to the Customer:

1. Updating the BIOS to revision 2507.
2. Adding the option to use both Maxim parts and the existing Pericom
parts in PCIe x8/x8 switching circuit.
3. Adding an enhanced revision of the ADI voltage regulator controller.
Additional items for retail desktop boards:
a. China RoHS documentation enhancements.
b. Updated printed product guide.
c. Updated the driver CD.

[falcon26]

What is the latest intel matrix driver, the one you put on a floppy I'm talking about, for the Bad Axe 2? When I goto the matrix page on intel's site and download the latest one from Jan. and do a format on my HD and hit F6 during setup it says its not for my MB. The only one I can get to work is the one that came with the MB which is like 2 years old.

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by peter42

Thanks, and yes, as far as I can tell the manual setting stays at whatever setting is selected no matter what is done..
I remember I was Very Surprised to see the voltage at over 1.5V for only an x12 multiplier!!
They seem to raise the voltage quite high Very fast.. considering I EASILY can run x12 (3.2GHz) at 1.325V manually.

I tried x12 and x13, did cold starts, enabled/disabled power slope and still I can not get the voltage to change. I checked in Windows and BIOS and it stays at default 1.325V.