Thread: Gigabyte X38-DQ6 on Intel X38

To begin this review, we want the reader with the question: What modern chipsets for the Intel platform is the masthead? I am confident that responded to the delay - this is NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI.

And for AMD platform? nForce 590 SLI? Wrong! After exit Core architecture, AMD "withdrew" from the masthead light segment.

New masthead chipset Intel X38, we waited eagerly, but at the same time - and with some skepticism. So, the latest high-end Intel chipset was released quite some time (it is a 975X), and motherboards based on it is no longer regarded as an object of a user purchases (respectively Boards virtually disappeared from the counters of shops). The reason is simple: the chipset does not support the new Intel processors with the 1333 MHz bus, and used the southern bridge (ICH7 (R)) is outdated in both moral and technically. Also note that the potential for the dispersal of 975 H play as P965 chipset, and P35. As a result, manufacturers were forced motherboards "extracting all the juice from P35, and, it should be noted that they have got. Such charges as ASUS Blitz or Gigabyte P35-DQ6 can rightly be considered nothing high-end products, and updates on the X38 will very difficult to compete with them.

Regarding pessimism regarding X38, the reason lies in that. Just consider the basic features of the new northern bridge. First, the X38 supports all modern processors, as well as processors immediate future. These are products produced by technological process with 45 nm 1333 MHz frequency tires. However, P35 has the same functionality. But Intel plans in the near future to convert their processors at 400 MHz tyre (1600 QPB), and some manufacturers have already "included" support for a fee on X38 processors. But most likely (X38 chipset yet to be announced), official support of the tires would not have X38, since 2008, Intel plans to release another high-end chipset - X48, which has just increased the frequency will be maintained. However, as our tests showed, competently developed board at P35 now able to operate at a frequency of 500 MHz (2000 MHz is QPB), which eliminates "official" X38 advantage in terms disperse.

Secondly, Intel stresses the existence of a modified memory controller for X38, which will provide a higher level of performance. But this kind of output was accompanied by statements of each high-end chipset Intel, starting with the 875X. But in practice, the difference in speed between high - and middle-end chipsets either absent or has been extremely low.

It is possible that the improved memory controller to provide X38 increase in the speed with DDR3 memory (it comes to technology Extreme Memory). But by the time this type of memory will be available for (in other words - at a price equal to DDR2) will be released, as a minimum, another generation of Intel chipsets. But take Extreme Memory chips will be exclusively marketing is not entirely correct. The fact is that this is a kind of analogue technology NVIDIA EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles), which allows the chipset to optimize certain memory modules in secondary settings timings.

What gives this a reality? I think that little - because manufacturers motherboards, and so thoroughly test and optimise the BIOS to work with a limited number of "overklokerskih" modules. Therefore, Extreme Memory technology - this plus for developers rather than end users. Also note that in the fight against NVIDIA, the technology Intel is needed.

And third, Intel X38 chipset is the first product with support for PCI Express 2.0. And the number of lines of tires is enough to organize two slots to 16 lines each. This still left "free" lines for PCI Express x1 slots for Gigabit Ethernet controllers for connection north and south bridge bus DMI and, very likely, and even for a single slot PCI Express x8.

Again, what it means in practice? To begin with, the faster video cards themselves will not work, because their productivity depends on the architecture of the nucleus, nucleus and the frequency of graphics memory. Regarding the graphics subsystem as a whole, the prokachka data bus PCI Express is not a bottleneck. And the increase in capacity (up to 16 Gb / s) does not in any way affect the performance charts. It is clear that support for PCI-E 2.0 of the motherboard lead to a corresponding video cards in the future, the capacity of which PCI-E 1.0 will no longer suffice. But to date, user fees for the benefits of X38 PCI-E 2.0 is not, for that matter, and the harm, since PCI-E 2.0 backwards compatibility with PCI-E 1.0.

It is also worth noting that there are two slots PCI-E with 16 lines will allow each to use the technology in AMD Crossfire maximum performance mode. By analogy with NVIDIA SLI, we can assume that the difference in speed mode will be 16 +16 (average) for a 5 per cent above the speed mode and 8 +8 much higher speed in the 16 +4 mode. In other words, users receive AMD Crossfire chipset, which is most fully disclose potential of this technology. It is true that before the choice of the user X38 Crossfire was very sparse: symmetrical division lines officially supported only i975X chipset (on the scheme 8 +8), which, as we said, irrevocably obsolete. A modern chipset supports P35 division lines on the scheme only 16 +4, which is not good for Crossfire. However, ASUS implemented scheme 8 +8 Blitz on the board at P35, but it will require an additional chip. Ie it is the exception that confirms the rule.

Regarding the possibilities of extending X38 chipset, they exactly the same as that of the P35, since in both cases used a southern bridge - ICH9 (R). Therefore, we can formulate a conclusion on X38 chipset, as follows: "The board based on X38 are for DFI and computer enthusiasts who use technology to AMD Crossfire." And if you are not using Crossfire, and the frequency of 500 MHz tires more than you need, then it turns out that the fee for X38 and you will not need.

With regard to the various rumours around X38, it is worth noting the two most important. The first relates to defects as the chipset, and motherboards based on it. Pay attention to these rumors is not: the market will come only motherboards c of 100% - a proven design for the "right" steppinge chipset. The reason for these rumors, as always, one - testing engineering samples cards with debugging and BIOS versions in the early steppingah chipset. Indeed, we will also test an engineering sample board Gigabyte X38-DQ6, so all found shortcomings (if, of course, will be), we celebrate the related commentary. Getting ahead, we note that the shortcomings in technical terms, we have not found.



The second rumour was more interesting: it was the support fee for SLI X38 technology. Immediately note formally X38 does not support SLI. Causes following rumours. First, it is the leaking of information about Foxconn that their fees purportedly to be completed X38 drivers from NVIDIA. Theoretically and practically possible: NVIDIA SLI technology works on any Intel motherboard with a symmetrical distribution lines PCI Express. Only needed for that special, modified drivers. And such drivers are developing hardkornye computer enthusiasts, but do it slowly, and the result is far from "good" evaluation. And NVIDIA itself is not going to ease the lives of Intel, as it competes in the market system logic, and in the near future - and the graphics on the market.

A second reason for hearing and X38 SLI fantastic and fascinating at the same time: one of the producers allegedly found on another charge with X38 and odnochipovy NVIDIA chipset with support for SLI. On the technical side it looks nice, but if you translate the idea into reality, then the product would have enjoyed success. The reason is simple - Masthead motherboards at the X38 will cost under $ 300, and its added value chip in the $ 40-50 will not affect the radical change in the price.