My new game machine...

[TQ]

Originally Posted by ATINUT

There is a new bios, out for the board that looks like it fixes this problem. Bios 1521 looks like it fixes this problem, as it adds updated support for 1600MHZ memory.

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/1564...leaseNotes.pdf

Oh, very good find, but I wonder if this is indeed what you think it might be?
I'd like to believe it's so, but that would necessitate an update to the documentation.

[ATINUT]

I don't know if it is what I think it is. Your other option would be to get an X38BT motherboard and be done with the motherboard side of your upgrade. You could always try emailing Intel and ask them.

[ctal]

Originally Posted by TQ

I wonder of those particular DIMMS are 1600Mhz exclusive? That is to say 1333Mhz DIMMS won't work in them.

This pretty much makes me have second thoughts about getting the X48. I may just get an X38 instead.

No, looking at the specs the board supports DDR3-1600, 1333, 1066, and 800. And it is only the 1600 that has (or had, if indeed it has been fixed in the bios) the 2-slot limitation.

Regards,

-- Al

[TQ]

I'd hate to be limited to 4GB and two slots. This pretty much derails the certainty of my RAM speed and motherboard decision.

[TQ]

Hey Al...would you happen to know offhand if the Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6 has the same 1600Mhz slot limitation as the Intel board?
I know your recent build used a GA-EX38-DQ6 and was thinking that perhaps in your reading you may have come across such information.

I have the proper page open at Gigabyte's website right now and I'll see if I can find anything, but if you have any info you can share on this I'd appreciate it.

Edit: apparently - and weirdly - the GA-X48-DQ6 doesn't use DDR3. However, the GA-EX38-DQ6 does offer DDR3 and 1600Mhz. The review I'm reading right now states it supports up to 8GB of DDR31600. Can you confirm this is available in all slots?

[ctal]

Originally Posted by TQ

I'd hate to be limited to 4GB and two slots. This pretty much derails the certainty of my RAM speed and motherboard decision.

I'd see no downside to going with DDR3-1333, which would allow you to expand to 8gB later. The DDR3-1333 would presumably have lower latencies that would compensate for the lower clock rate (recall the "Memory Doesn't Matter" thread!).

On another point, the sentence in the manual that you referred to earlier:

DIMMs should be configured as a matched pair equal in
speed and size in DIMM 0 and DIMM 1 of channel B.

I suspect is worded very misleadingly, and may not mean what it appears to mean. Note the following sentence on page 38:

Regardless of the memory configuration used (dual or single channel), Channel A, DIMM 0 must always be populated. This is a requirement of the ICH9R Manageability Engine feature.

I'm not sure how to reconcile these two statements, but as long as you stay away from DDR3-1600 and use matched pairs (whether 2 sticks or 4), you should be ok.

That said, although Intel boards have an excellent reputation for stability, the lack of cpu overclocking capability would really be a turn-off to me, especially with an E8xxx cpu. In another thread I posted a link to Sharky Extreme's review of the E8500, where they got to a stable 4.4 gHz or so even with the stock Intel cooler (although they took the voltage higher than I would feel comfortable with, to get to that point). So you are really giving up a lot of performance potential by not going with a good overclocking motherboard.

I just saw your last post, and I'll respond in a little while.

Regards,
-- Al

[ctal]

Originally Posted by TQ

apparently - and weirdly - the GA-X48-DQ6 doesn't use DDR3. However, the GA-EX38-DQ6 does offer DDR3 and 1600Mhz. The review I'm reading right now states it supports up to 8GB of DDR31600. Can you confirm this is available in all slots?

The reviewer must be highly confused! The GA-EX38-DQ6 is DDR2 only.

-- Al

[TQ]

I'm on the phone with Intel right now to see if they can explain what the line "updated support for DDR3-1600 memory".

And the answer is: it means the performance has been improved but it's still restricted to the previous limitations.

[TQ]

Originally Posted by ctal

On another point, the sentence in the manual that you referred to earlier:

DIMMs should be configured as a matched pair equal in
speed and size in DIMM 0 and DIMM 1 of channel B.

I suspect is worded very misleadingly, and may not mean what it appears to mean. Note the following sentence on page 38:

Regardless of the memory configuration used (dual or single channel), Channel A, DIMM 0 must always be populated. This is a requirement of the ICH9R Manageability Engine feature.

I'm not sure how to reconcile these two statements, but as long as you stay away from DDR3-1600 and use matched pairs (whether 2 sticks or 4), you should be ok.

Well, frack...that pretty much puts the X48 Intel board out of contention. I don't see how to reconcile those statements either.

Originally Posted by ctal

That said, although Intel boards have an excellent reputation for stability, the lack of cpu overclocking capability would really be a turn-off to me, especially with an E8xxx cpu. In another thread I posted a link to Sharky Extreme's review of the E8500, where they got to a stable 4.4 gHz or so even with the stock Intel cooler (although they took the voltage higher than I would feel comfortable with, to get to that point). So you are really giving up a lot of performance potential by not going with a good overclocking motherboard.

Guess it might be time to seriously consider joining the hot rodder's club.

Originally Posted by ctal

I just saw your last post, and I'll respond in a little while.

Thanks. I'd appreciate it.

[TQ]

Looks like the Taiwanese boards are on average around a hundred bucks more than the Intel boards.

[ctal]

Originally Posted by TQ

Looks like the Taiwanese boards are on average around a hundred bucks more than the Intel boards.

Well, here's a direct quote from a notable authority, in another recent thread:

Originally Posted by TQ

If you plan to overclock your business machine ... I'd think you'd want to spend whatever it takes to insure a successful build.

-- Al

[TQ]

AHA! You use my words against me.
Fair enough, though I was speaking of a mission critical box and not a gamer.
Also I was just noting the difference, not stating I wouldn't be willing to pay it.

[TQ]

I'm considering another option and one this morning I would have sworn I wouldn't have: and that is using DDR2.

Once I got past my stony mindset of using only an Intel-built board I began to consider other options, specifically getting the one of the Gigabyte boards and investing in some higher performance DDR2.
Sound familiar?

[traveler]

... waiting for the ROG Rampage Extreme.

[ctal]

Originally Posted by TQ

I'm considering another option and one this morning I would have sworn I wouldn't have: and that is using DDR2.

Once I got past my stony mindset of using only an Intel-built board I began to consider other options, specifically getting the one of the Gigabyte boards and investing in some higher performance DDR2.
Sound familiar?

Yup, we've certainly discussed DDR2 vs. DDR3 enough in other threads, and there is no one right answer. I'd look at the user comments at NewEgg on the Asus and Gigabyte X48 DDR2 boards, as well as their DDR3 counterparts. But keep in mind that the GA-EX38DQ6 that I went with is a more mature product, and a more proven quantity, at this point, the "E" in the part number indicating second generation within their X38 family. And judging by what I've read X48 doesn't buy a whole lot in comparison with X38. You'll want to look at this review: X-bit labs - Do We Really Need Intel X48 Express? - Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 Mainboard Review


-- Al