Intel DX38BT/DX48BT2 (Bone Trail)

[traveler]

Originally Posted by Ford Freak

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

That kit is 199.99.

That has got to be the lowest price around for DDR3 RAM.

I can't wait for DDR3 1600 to be that price.

[Sandog]

For those of you about to pop for the DX38BT from NE, for coolness sake I recommend getting one of these for the NB heat sink:

Newegg.com - SilenX IXP-13-14 40mm Case Fan - Retail

Still looking for one with a 3pin cable with RPM signal.

[traveler]

Originally Posted by Sandog

For those of you about to pop for the DX38BT from NE, for coolness sake I recommend getting one of these for the NB heat sink:

Newegg.com - SilenX IXP-13-14 40mm Case Fan - Retail

Still looking for one with a 3pin cable with RPM signal.

That's one of the reasons I going with the Asus Maximus Extreme (unless the X48 boards come out before I make the Maximus Extreme buy). Much better cooling on the Asus boards.

[Sandog]

I wouldn't find the quiet and dependable Silinx as a detriment but the heat pipes do offer better cooling over passive heat sinks. They look good to.

Asus boards are like Ferrari's (sp?) They look good, are expensive, and generally are the fastest. Plus they have tons of features, software, and tweaking ability. Some if not most Intel boards are probably made by Asus. Intel also uses them as testing boards like for certifying memory with their chipsets. When it comes to reliabilty though I think Intel is a better board and they also provide better software/BIOS support. Don't know if Asus has a 3yr warranty either. Also the X38 is going for less than $200 right now which is incredible. Anywho, I like the way Asus boards have the first PCIe slot farther from the NB than Intel does. I also like the SoundMax software that comes with the Extreme series. I would definitely consider Asus as my first choice if it weren't for Intels boards.

Speaking of Intel boards, I am leaning toward the X48, 2GB of DDR3 1600 and the Q9540. My bubble will burst though if the Q9540 will not run stable at 400MHz CPU FSB and hopefully do so with default CPU/MCH voltage.

[Sandog]

Here's a little more info. on the Extreme Boxed Processor HSF.
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/rese...ution_overview

[fvbounty]

Originally Posted by Sandog

Here's a little more info. on the Extreme Boxed Processor HSF.
Integration of the Boxed Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor, the Boxed Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor and the Boxed Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor

I see the specs say on quiet mode at max rpm is 2000 rpm that would be loud, my silentx and coolermaster 120mm fans run at 1200rpm, but I do have good case cooling and normal loads I think it would be very quiet....

[Sandog]

I'm sure that is a very good HSF that your getting, the best yet from Intel. Apparently all current and future EE CPU's will come with this heat sink.

I am bookmarking this page for future reference.
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770: UPDATE | Tom's Hardware

The QX9770 has a default voltage of 1.2875V vs. 1.25V for the QX9650. This might be the key voltage I need to try using to get next years Q9540 Penguin to run at 400FSB. I am psyched about trying this out but it depends on reviews whether I will do so. It seems no easy task to get to 1600FSB stably for Intels satisfaction. One review of X38 boards I read had one of the 4 boards that couldn't even run reliably at 1333FSB. That's sad. Running the Q9540 at 3.2GHz seems reachable to me from the default frequency of 2.67GHz since the QX9650 appears to hit 4GHz on air and even much higher. I don't think I'm asking for too much .

By the way, the ASUS boards seem to be doing the best at having reliable OC's with DDR3. I just want to hit that magical 1600FSB with a cheap processor.

[fvbounty]

Originally Posted by Sandog

I'm sure that is a very good HSF that your getting, the best yet from Intel. Apparently all current and future EE CPU's will come with this heat sink.

I am bookmarking this page for future reference.
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770: UPDATE | Tom's Hardware

The QX9770 has a default voltage of 1.2875V vs. 1.25V for the QX9650. This might be the key voltage I need to try using to get next years Q9540 Penguin to run at 400FSB. I am psyched about trying this out but it depends on reviews whether I will do so. It seems no easy task to get to 1600FSB stably for Intels satisfaction. One review of X38 boards I read had one of the 4 boards that couldn't even run reliably at 1333FSB. That's sad. Running the Q9540 at 3.2GHz seems reachable to me from the default frequency of 2.67GHz since the QX9650 appears to hit 4GHz on air and even much higher. I don't think I'm asking for too much .

By the way, the ASUS boards seem to be doing the best at having reliable OC's with DDR3. I just want to hit that magical 1600FSB with a cheap processor.

Here's a thread I've been following about the QX9650 and the P5E3, Oscar3d is able to run the 9650- stock speeds at 1.15 volts...here's the link..post 38

QX9650 on a Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (let's find the sweetspot) - XtremeSystems Forums

[Sandog]

What a wealth of information over there. There is tons on the BA2 and BT1(X38 Bonetrail). Somebody has the DX38BT running at 400/1600 just fine with a Penryn. Still going to wait for the new year and the X48 reviews.

Here is a program I saw over there that might be useful. It shows core temps for every core but the main thing is I believe it's ease of use. I only see core temps if I load up IDCC which is not expedient. This is quick and dirty like CPU-Z.

Core Temp

[ATINUT]

I have no problem with the SoundMax software on my motherboard, I tried it at one point. Only thing I don't like, is that it doesn't come with a graphic equalizer, and I did find one, it's called SRS Audio Sand Box.

If I was building right now, I would be looking at ASUS, Intel and Gigabyte. I've had bad expirences with other motherboard brands.

[Sandog]

Forgot to mention my BA2 is running great now that I have two good sticks of RAM. I am back to OCing. Also Corsair emailed me and gave me an RMA for the bad sticks. Apparently they are just going to replace them within 24-48 hours. Upon my getting these new sticks back I am going to mem test them and put them up for sale shortly thereafter.

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by ATINUT

I have no problem with the SoundMax software on my motherboard, I tried it at one point. Only thing I don't like, is that it doesn't come with a graphic equalizer, and I did find one, it's called SRS Audio Sand Box.

If I was building right now, I would be looking at ASUS, Intel and Gigabyte. I've had bad expirences with other motherboard brands.

I am looking forward to an X38/X48 board. Don't know what I will do without a floppy drive though. We have a portable floppy drive at work with USB interface that I can use if need be. The Intel boards only come with one DVD installer disk.

[traveler]

Originally Posted by Sandog

I am looking forward to an X38/X48 board. Don't know what I will do without a floppy drive though. We have a portable floppy drive at work with USB interface that I can use if need be. The Intel boards only come with one DVD installer disk.

What?

Intel removed the floppy drive port?

Hmmmmmm. Just checked. No floppy drive port on the Intel mobo. Rules it out for me. I am an avid floppy user. (Ghost, Partition Magic, hard drive utilities)

[ATINUT]

I wonder if the newer Intel boards can flash from within the bios using a USB Flash drive, like most ASUS and Gigabyte boards can do now.

[fvbounty]

Originally Posted by ATINUT

I wonder if the newer Intel boards can flash from within the bios using a USB Flash drive, like most ASUS and Gigabyte boards can do now.

EZ - Flash on the Asus boards with a thumb drive looks like a piece of cake...