Intel D975XBX (Bad Axe)

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by FightingChance

Will this board buck convention and allow any type of overclocking/tweaking? It's difficult to consider a board that doesn't let you play with the numbers. Solid, though.

I'd be more a touch miffed though if I got the previous 'extreme' boards that seem to have promised much and delivered median, and now have been outdated pretty quickly. Is there going to be a 965 series?

Edit: I see in your sig a Pentium at 4.2Ghz - so I guess you can fool around on Intel now?

The D925XECV2 allowed plus 10% FSB OC, so does the D955XBK. The newest board will also allow +30% OC if you use the 840EE CPU which also has an unlocked multiplier. I believe the D975XBX might allow +30% for all CPU's. I just feel Intel is going to release the floodgates on this one and do whatever they can to get the most performance. As far as chips go, the Presler DC and Cedarmill SC CPU's will probably not offer a big performance increase over current Prescots but they will run about 20-30% cooler and probably OC very nice. I don't see this board becoming outdated quickly as the 925XE has. If it does I would even be mad. Contrary I think this board will have a long life and receive plenty of support which will make it almost as solid as the great D875PBZ (no board will ever be greater than the D875PBZ )

I will pry for information and post what I find out so we know more than anybody about this board.

[ronbo 613]

I think this board will have a long life and receive plenty of support which will make it almost as solid as the great D875PBZ (no board will ever be greater than the D875PBZ

If Intel were to produce a motherboard with the stability of the 875PBZ and the ability to overclock by 30% so enthusiasts could play around and open an aftermarket for memory, coolers, PSUs, etc., that would be something else.

[Dr. DVS 1]

Stamping yet another DAC on the Bad Axe is a mistake -- the real estate could be put to better use: a second Gigabit Ethernet controller and port, or the I/O on that useless drive bay doohickey put on the back where the audio ports shouldn't be.

Anyone who spends over $200 on a motherboard, over $900 for a CPU and over $1000 for dual GPUs WILL spend over $250 on a premium sound card. That's one of the things I liked (and still like) about the Bonanza!

[Sandog]

Sound is discretionary and I find that the onboard audio solution Intel provides suffices and is not sucky enough for me to clog up the inside of my computer with another card. I am not saying it is as good as a seperate sound card in quality or functionality but the current SigmaTel chip with SonicFocus and Dolby enhancements is pretty good sounding to my ears. Audio enthusiast are more particular and I would like to hear more of their opinions on the onboard sound solution Intel offers when they start buying the board. My 2cents is, Intel see's from a business standpoint a greater percentage of satisfied customers with their onboard audio solution. Also, you won't agree probably but Intel might be the reason you have a CL X-Fi. CL has to make a better product to compete with onboard audio and Intel has certainly been raising the bar in that area. Intel spends more than anybody in quality parts and licensing. Ask yourself this, if you did have to choose onboard audio, who's solution would you choose?

Even though I think Intels onboard sound is adequate, I wouldn't suggest people limit themselves to it. CL has a better solution for sure in their expensive card and I will probaby get it myself because I know it works and I miss the functionality of the Platinum version.

[TQ]

Originally Posted by Sandog

Also, you won't agree probably but Intel might be the reason you have a CL X-Fi. CL has to make a better product to compete with onboard audio and Intel has certainly been raising the bar in that area. Intel spends more than anybody in quality parts and licensing.

Oh, I would agree completely with that. Creative Labs had to produce a part as powerful as the X-Fi or risk losing the cornerstone of their business.
Competiton (and survival) is the mother of invention. Or at least a great aunt.

[Belisarius]

Bring on Bad Axe and Conroe

[TQ]

Indeed, yes...bring them on.

[Joe Public]

Intel boards get better and better with each generation, and I'm looking forward to seeing the reviews for the 975 boards. I hope it's as good as everone expects it to be.

[Dr. DVS 1]

Originally Posted by Sandog

Sound is discretionary and I find that the onboard audio solution Intel provides suffices and is not sucky enough for me to clog up the inside of my computer with another card.

One man's trash is another man's treasure... to each his own... yada yada.

Originally Posted by Sandog

My 2cents is, Intel see's from a business standpoint a greater percentage of satisfied customers with their onboard audio solution.

No doubt. I'm an IPD myself, and mainly use Intel's desktop boards in my integrations -- for MAINSTREAM USERS, it's very good value. For enthusiasts, I have to wonder though.

Originally Posted by Sandog

Also, you won't agree probably but Intel might be the reason you have a CL X-Fi. CL has to make a better product to compete with onboard audio and Intel has certainly been raising the bar in that area. Intel spends more than anybody in quality parts and licensing. Ask yourself this, if you did have to choose onboard audio, who's solution would you choose?

Oh I do agree. It took Intel AND nVidia to finally get CL to put memory back on their cards The Xi-Fi truly is a premium sound card... CL hasn't made one since the AWE64... everything released in between was driven by too much damn software. BTW, CL is looking to get back on boards REALsoon.

As long as I've got your ear (pardon the pun), do you know if ICH-8R will be on this board in its first released revision?

[Sandog]

That'a a good question and I will try and find out. I am not sure about that but kinda think the D975XBX will be identical to the D955XBK except for SLI/Crossfire. I think Intel my save ICH8R for the next chipset cycle, not sure.

[Alfazone]

Well this is not good news
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...oc.aspx?i=2569

[Sandog]

That sounds kind of fishy " Furthermore, the original November launch schedule has been abandoned in favor of a launch very close to Intel's Napa (Centrino) platform. "

I didn't know anything was scheduled for November. The D975XBX was scheduled for release in Feb. '06. Intel has been working on SLI for a while, remember it was thought it would be available on the D955XBK. The only reason I think it may have been pulled is licensing problems.

[JimTram]

It indeed sounds fishy!

I hope this is not a sweetheart deal between Ati and Intel. At one time there was rumour of an ATi buyout by Intel.

Nevertheless, this sux!

[Sandog]

Last word I got was the license deal with ATI was being finalized. If anything support for ATI would drop since the tech. is not ready I believe. I would give the INQ. a day or two to comment, then we can believe the real story

[Belisarius]

NVidia might back their own NForce 4 SLi Intel Edition chipset to sell more of their graphics cards instead of paying Intel to have support for SLi. Whereas ATi a latecomer to the dual card market might want every opportunity to get a foot in that market. Who knows, will have to wait and see.