Intel Skulltrail Out in February 2008

[mascaras]

Intel Skulltrail Out in February 2008

I'll be brief on this one. Intel Skulltrail is designed to compete against the AMD Quad FX platform. Although the Quad-Father was never popular enough, Skulltrail will share the same idea: dual Socket 771 Xeon processors like the 45nm Harpertown supporting up to 8 processing cores and fully-buffered DIMMs (FB-DIMM). The Skulltrail system will use the upcoming Intel D5400XS motherboard. With two NVIDIA nForce 100 MCP chips, the D5400XS will support up to four PCI Express x16 slots, finally allowing SLI on an Intel motherboard. The motherboard will have a 10-layer PCB with limited production (2000 units reported earlier) and price over US $600. Today's word is that the Intel D5400XS motherboard is scheduled for a launch on WW06. That's short for Work Week 6, tech-speak for the sixth week of 2008. In other words if that's true, expect Skulltrail to be launched somewhere around Febuary 4-9, 2008.

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-14/0802_Skulltrail_motherboard_01_big_thm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-14/0802_Skulltrail_motherboard_01_big.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-14/0802_Skulltrail_motherboard_02_big_thm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-14/0802_Skulltrail_motherboard_02_big.jpg)
Tech ARP (http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=496&pgno=0)


http://www.techpowerup.com/?49680


:up:

[Zytek_Fan]

They're gonna make more than 2000 units if they've made it available to OEM's.

And OMG, just in time :D :D

[trans am]

Yeah but how does it overclock?

[Zytek_Fan]

Yeah but how does it overclock?

Just like any other board. But on both CPU's :D


That better have 8 phase power regulation...

[trans am]

Just like any other board. But on both CPU's :D

can you adjust each cpu independently so you can have highest o/c each is capapble of or does it oc them both so lowest cpu clock is going to be the ceiling ?
ex. cpu a maxes at 3.2 and cpu b maxes at 3.9 is max going to be 3.2?

[Zytek_Fan]

can you adjust each cpu independently so you can have highest o/c each is capapble of or does it oc them both so lowest cpu clock is going to be the ceiling ?
ex. cpu a maxes at 3.2 and cpu b maxes at 3.9 is max going to be 3.2?

I'm not an expert on dual socket boards...might want to ask someone else...

[Sentential]

I'm not an expert on dual socket boards...might want to ask someone else...

I had a dual once and you couldnt clock each socket independantly. So yes if you had one :banana::banana::banana::banana:ty CPU you would be suck at the lesser chip.

[Zytek_Fan]

I had a dual once and you couldnt clock each socket independantly. So yes if you had one :banana::banana::banana::banana:ty CPU you would be suck at the lesser chip.

That won't happen though. Server CPU's are always higher quality... :up:

[LyP0]

Ask movie man :D
he'll know. I think he's allergic to systems with only one socket :P

[Mortal]

Holy smokes, there's not a single piece of PCB left bare. Too bad that when I open up my wallet mothballs fall out. :(

[Zytek_Fan]

It's only missing a post code LED :D

[trans am]

...Too bad that when I open up my wallet mothballs fall out. :(

:ROTF::ROTF::ROTF::ROTF::ROTF::ROTF::ROTF::ROTF:
this made me pee my pants

[Movieman]

Ask movie man :D
he'll know. I think he's allergic to systems with only one socket :P

That's funny, made me laugh!:ROTF:
I do have a Q6600 system here with the clovers and ahh, another system to be built over the next few weeks but too soon to talk on that yet..:D

To answer some questions:
Both cpu's clock together.
I'd bet they are planning WAY more than 2000 units.
2000 would just take care of XS so what would be left for the rest of the world?:rofl:

"expect Skulltrail to be launched somewhere around Febuary 4-9, 2008."
Now thats what I call timing. My birthday is Feb 5 so if any of you were wondering what to get me this makes it easy for you!:wasntme:

[Zytek_Fan]

That's funny, made me laugh!:ROTF:
I do have a Q6600 system here with the clovers and ahh, another system to be built over the next few weeks but too soon to talk on that yet..:D

To answer some questions:
Both cpu's clock together.
I'd bet they are planning WAY more than 2000 units.
2000 would just take care of XS so what would be left for the rest of the world?:rofl:

"expect Skulltrail to be launched somewhere around Febuary 4-9, 2008."
Now thats what I call timing. My birthday is Feb 5 so if any of you were wondering what to get me this makes it easy for you!:wasntme:

SkullTrail will undoubtedly be popular among workstation users, same with power users, so it was rather easy to expect way more than 2000. I'd expect along the lines of 1 million...

Maybe XS members can pool money to buy you a new toy :D

[Sly Fox]

I just need to win the lottery and this sucker is mine!! All mine!!

:shrug: What, a man can dream can't he?

[Ugly n Grey]

I want this board. I've always had multi socket units. This one is just aimed at the enthusiast market and looks ... well this is geek pr0n at it's finest. :hump:

[Movieman]

SkullTrail will undoubtedly be popular among workstation users, same with power users, so it was rather easy to expect way more than 2000. I'd expect along the lines of 1 million...

Maybe XS members can pool money to buy you a new toy :D
No please don't. That was just a tease and the last time I did that the PO showed up at my door with a complete Q6600 system! GOD, not again!:p:

I have something in the works right now and all I'll say is if all goes well it will be on the far side of 35,000mhz..;)

Something for you people to think on..Costs:
MB: $600.00+
memory: 4x2 gig DDR2-800FBDimms:Close to $400.00
cpus: You want to make this "rock"? You have 2 options:
QX9775 at $3000.00 a pair or X5460's at $2500.00 a pair
PSU: Better shoot for at least a top quality 750W and if your going SLI maybe think in terms of 1000w
Then all the other goodies..
This sucker ain't cheap to build..

[Zytek_Fan]

No please don't. That was just a tease and the last time I did that the PO showed up at my door with a complete Q6600 system! GOD, not again!:p:

I have something in the works right now and all I'll say is if all goes well it will be on the far side of 35,000mhz..;)
Better be another dual socket system! :D

[WRC]

i think it only works with buffered ddr2 800mghz, correct?

[sierra_bound]

You need FB-DIMM's. They don't necessarily have to be DDR2-800, but probably will run better with dimms at that speed.

Right now, only a couple of places sell DDR2-800 FB-DIMM's.

[3NZ0]

GTFO of my way I NEED one these!! :D :D


:bounces::bounces::bounces::bounces:


/Xtreme droooooooooolage

[Zytek_Fan]

You need FB-DIMM's. They don't necessarily have to be DDR2-800, but probably will run better with dimms at that speed.

Right now, only a couple of places sell DDR2-800 FB-DIMM's.

You can get them directly from A-Data for cheap ;)

[Movieman]

Here you go, buy 2 kits, have 4x1 gig for $290.00
http://www.excaliberpc.com/KINGSTON_2G_DDR2-800_FBDIMM_ECC/KVR800D2D8F5K2_2G/partinfo-id-583618.html
Remember, these boards are Quad Channel, you want 4 sticks in them!

The 2 gig sticks are a little more money, not much, for people that want 8 gig and bragging rights!:D

[sierra_bound]

You can get them directly from A-Data for cheap ;)
A-DATA has them listed. But when you hit "Order info", nothing happens.

Also, I doubt they are cheaper than this:

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/ItemDetail.asp?exid=1&ItemID=TS256MFB72V8U-T

They were $85 a few weeks ago.
Here you go, buy 2 kits, have 4x1 gig for $290.00
http://www.excaliberpc.com/KINGSTON_2G_DDR2-800_FBDIMM_ECC/KVR800D2D8F5K2_2G/partinfo-id-583618.html
Remember, these boards are Quad Channel, you want 4 sticks in them!

The 2 gig sticks are a little more money, not much, for people that want 8 gig and bragging rights!:D
They're not in stock at Excaliberpc. Under Stock Status it says "NO".

[Lunchbox21984]

looks like i might need to go to the bank for a loan, lol. cause im gona have to at least give the board a run with me behind the wheel. :D

[Zytek_Fan]

Here you go, buy 2 kits, have 4x1 gig for $290.00
http://www.excaliberpc.com/KINGSTON_2G_DDR2-800_FBDIMM_ECC/KVR800D2D8F5K2_2G/partinfo-id-583618.html
Remember, these boards are Quad Channel, you want 4 sticks in them!

The 2 gig sticks are a little more money, not much, for people that want 8 gig and bragging rights!:D

Does SkullTrail require quad channel? :confused:

[GripS]

meh..... this is NOT a motherboard for the masses. Hence the low production run. Only the rich can afford motherboards like these so it makes sense not to make a million of em.

[Zytek_Fan]

meh..... this is NOT a motherboard for the masses. Hence the low production run. Only the rich can afford motherboards like these so it makes sense not to make a million of em.

I'd say at least 300,000 - 500,000

[sierra_bound]

I don't think Intel has publicly stated it will limit production to 2,000 boards. I think that's a rumor that's been passed on from one tech site to another. Someone who works at Intel (can't give out the name) has said they will make as many boards as demand requires, which makes a lot more sense to me. I mean, why limit production on the board, if there's demand? It's not a limited edition sports car.

[smee]

Would this be like the craziest board to wc!!! 2 mCW30's for NB SB, 4 mosfet blocks, two fuzions, three full cover vga blocks......

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-14/0802_Skulltrail_motherboard_01_big.jpg

:shocked: That would be nice...... but you'd need to have like an 8x120 rad, but thats just for the gpu's... you'll need two more of those rads for the procs!!!!! :ROTF: all that heat coming off that board, that would be fr1k1n nuts man....

[Movieman]

Does SkullTrail require quad channel? :confused:
No, just runs better with 4 sticks than with 2..just like your dual channel gaming board will run with one stick..
meh..... this is NOT a motherboard for the masses. Hence the low production run. Only the rich can afford motherboards like these so it makes sense not to make a million of em.

Maybe not a million but a run of 50,000 wouldn't be out of the ballpark.
It's a big world out there with lots of gamers and people that would love to have one..and lots of people with money..
Someday I'll find one and marry her!:rofl:

[GripS]

Maybe not a million but a run of 50,000 wouldn't be out of the ballpark.
It's a big world out there with lots of gamers and people that would love to have one..and lots of people with money..
Someday I'll find one and marry her!

wouldn't it be nice though?? :D

[heydo6]

i don't think i have seen any bios pic or real benchies ????

[Zytek_Fan]

No, just runs better with 4 sticks than with 2..just like your dual channel gaming board will run with one stick..


Maybe not a million but a run of 50,000 wouldn't be out of the ballpark.
It's a big world out there with lots of gamers and people that would love to have one..and lots of people with money..
Someday I'll find one and marry her!:rofl:

So it's a server memory controller thing...
Too bad the 2GB sticks are still quite expensive, but it really isn't that bad when they used to cost $1,000 for a 4GB kit :shocked:

[Speederlander]

No, just runs better with 4 sticks than with 2..just like your dual channel gaming board will run with one stick..


Maybe not a million but a run of 50,000 wouldn't be out of the ballpark.
It's a big world out there with lots of gamers and people that would love to have one..and lots of people with money..
Someday I'll find one and marry her!:rofl:

Won't really help any games though. Almost all current games are barely multithreaded if at all and those few that are are not likely to need 8 cores at all. For gaming for the next year or two you are better with a screaming fast e8500 or something.

In my opinion the PCI-e slots are the nicest part of this board. SLI + RAID controller for SSDs.

[Zytek_Fan]

Won't really help any games though. Almost all current games are barely multithreaded if at all and those few that are are not likely to need 8 cores at all. For gaming for the next year or two you are better with a screaming fast e8500 or something.

In my opinion the PCI-e slots are the nicest part of this board.

If you're doing lots of 3D stuff that is CPU intensive and maybe music mixing :D

Games are slowly being made more multithreaded friendly. Crysis and UT3 work great on quads...just a matter of time :up: Game developers know they can take time with the process because a lot of gamers are still stuck on Athlon 64's. I'd expect by next year when quad core is more mainstream, there will be more games that can utilize 4+ cores.

[Movieman]

So it's a server memory controller thing...
Too bad the 2GB sticks are still quite expensive, but it really isn't that bad when they used to cost $1,000 for a 4GB kit :shocked:
4x2 gig is under $400.00...I know, I ordered that for a guy here..cost $380.00 ish delivered.
Won't really help any games though. Almost all current games are barely multithreaded if at all and those few that are are not likely to need 8 cores at all. For gaming for the next year or two you are better with a screaming fast e8500 or something.

In my opinion the PCI-e slots are the nicest part of this board. SLI + RAID controller for SSDs.

Correct, don't need the cores for gaming, the 4 cards will be worth something and the dual cpu will halp a little but not necessary for gaming..
2-QX9775's at 4500mhz and 4-8800GTX's might be the first machine to play Crisis with all the eye candy turned on..maybe..:D

[Zytek_Fan]

4x2 gig is under $400.00...I know, I ordered that for a guy here..cost $380.00 ish delivered.


Correct, don't need the cores for gaming, the 4 cards will be worth something and the dual cpu will halp a little but not necessary for gaming..
2-QX9775's at 4500mhz and 4-8800GTX's might be the first machine to play Crisis with all the eye candy turned on..maybe..:D

Yeah, you can get 8GB DDR2-667 for $340 :up:


Well if you don't have to have the QX9775's, you could get some X5472's or E5440's. :up:

[Movieman]

Yeah, you can get 8GB DDR2-667 for $340 :up:


Well if you don't have to have the QX9775's, you could get some X5472's or E5440's. :up:

or some ..oops...yes, their are others that will do fine..:D

[Zytek_Fan]

or some ..oops...yes, their are others that will do fine..:D

The E5440 (2.83ghz) isn't a bad deal at $734 at the egg. I'd expect it to be able to hit at least 3.4ghz on SkullTrail :D

[IKIKUINTHENUTZ]

so anyone know where I can preorder one of these ;)

[DFI pit bull]

Yeah but how does it overclock?
I don't think anyone knows right now, some of the crazy overclockers here like kingpin,fugger & Hipro5 etc need to play with one to know for sure.


Would this be like the craziest board to wc!!! 2 mCW30's for NB SB, 4 mosfet blocks, two fuzions, three full cover vga blocks......

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-14/0802_Skulltrail_motherboard_01_big.jpg

:shocked: That would be nice...... but you'd need to have like an 8x120 rad, but thats just for the gpu's... you'll need two more of those rads for the procs!!!!! :ROTF: all that heat coming off that board, that would be fr1k1n nuts man....

I think this board would be easy to wc as it's just one extra block in the loop, especially if like me you have the radiator outside and live in a cold country:D
This board would be really difficult of course to cool if you are on phase, and ln2/dice would'nt be too bad.

[Jakko]

Sorry, is noone else surprised by the ridiculous price?
Realizing how fast even this technology will be replaced (performance wise) by cheaper options from both intel and AMD, I really do wonder who on earth would spend their money on this.
It's like a 8800 ultra but worse.

[Fixxxer]

No 100% solid caps? :S

[Pete]

Waits and see whats Asus offer

Why has no one made any dual socket LGA 775, they'd go down a treat

[Ugly n Grey]

Normal chips are designed not to run in dual socket configs... if that wasn't true it would eat into the server share market. Besides, someone would need to build a chipset to do especially that... like via did in the bad old days with p3's and cellys'

[Cold Fussion]

You probably can't run 2x 775 cpu's.

[DFI pit bull]

Perhaps it's possible to make a dual 775 mobo with a bridging chip so the two cpu's can work together?? something like on the asus blitz mobo.

[trans am]

I think the main attraction to this board is its capable of sli and crossfire on an intel chipset. This is a good indication of things to come from other mobo mfg.

[sdsdv10]

Sorry, is noone else surprised by the ridiculous price?


I don't believe this is the case. Intel dual socket server MB's start at $340 for a basic unit and run all the way up to $620 for a top line unit.Newegg Server MB link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200302+50001157+1071321504&name=intel)

The $600 quoted is most likely MSRP and not likely to that high at e-tailer when it hits the streets. Anything server/workstation related is going to be expensive...

[billdavis]

wow i guess im glad ill be gone because this is a expensive bandwagon to jump on

[Bobsama]

If I had the money, I'd definitely buy a good system with a pair of Harpertowns and 8GB of RAM... then again, I'd rather see more slots for the RAM... maybe two 4-stick or two 8-stick risers would let you put enough in. That, and get HD3870X2's in there to knock the socks off of SLI (as CrossFire scales better).

[Movieman]

If I had the money, I'd definitely buy a good system with a pair of Harpertowns and 8GB of RAM... then again, I'd rather see more slots for the RAM... maybe two 4-stick or two 8-stick risers would let you put enough in. That, and get HD3870X2's in there to knock the socks off of SLI (as CrossFire scales better).

This system at 4000mhz with 8 gig and 2-3870's would be a beast.
The risers would hurt it I think and there is always the 4 gig sticks if you want more than 8 gig but for 99% of the things you'd do 8 gig is plenty.

[vmsein]

Are the 667Mhz DDR2 FB Dimms the fastest a person can buy now? Or are faster ones available somewhere? Thanks in advance:)

[sierra_bound]

There are DDR2-800 FB-DIMMs, but not many places carry them at the moment. Some custom builders have them. But they will gouge you. Transcend has 2GB modules for $88, which is a pretty decent price. If you want Kingston FB-DIMMs (recommended), this place has them:

http://www.avadirect.com/Parts/Memory/DDR2-800_ECC_Fully_Buffered_FB-DIMM_Memory

Intel has been using Kingston FB-DIMMs for testing Skulltrail.

[Movieman]

I've also heard talk of DDR2-1066FBDimms but just talk.
I've yet to see one anywhere or talked to anyone thats seen one.
Based on testing 667FBDimms and what they will do my guess is that the 800's should do close to DDR2-900 on stock volts(1.8v and 1.5v on the buffer chip)

[vmsein]

Thanks Sierra and Movieman for the replies. This platform certainly has a person thinking.....:D

[sierra_bound]

One thing to be aware of. FB-DIMMs run very hot, even at default voltage. I think they consume about 5 watts more per module than regular DDR2. Active cooling is a must if you plan to overclock them.

$500-600 for a premium server board is not unusual. Intel already sells boards in that price range. In all likelihood, you would spent a lot more money on the CPU's (and video cards) than on the board.

[vmsein]

Well, the Intel Xeon 5450s are in stock at Newegg for $923.00 a piece, and I recall someone (might have been Movieman) saying that you must have both sockets occupied in order to boot up. So, right off the bat, we're looking at $1846.00 just for the processors alone. The memory may turn out to be one of the least expensive components of this platform!

[sierra_bound]

Most dual-socket boards allow you to run with just one CPU. Not sure about Skulltrail.

Intel has been testing with Kingston FB-DIMMs rated at CL3. They are engineering samples. Would be nice if those make it to the retail level. Most FB-DIMMs are rated at CL5.

[vmsein]

Can anyone confirm if Skulltrail will allow just one cpu to operate? If so, this would cut the initial cost of entry to jump on this platform by a substantial amount. The flexibility to add the second cpu later would be most welcome.

[Cooper]

I've also heard talk of DDR2-1066FBDimms but just talk.

I can agree it just some rumors. FB-Dimms = server platform, thus at highest you would need 400FSB where 800FB-Dimms are really needed. next step would be DDR3 server memory (FB-Dimms or smth else) with Nehalem based Xeons followed by Opterons sometimes later.

Can anyone confirm if Skulltrail will allow just one cpu to operate?

All x86 multi-socket boards allow using of one CPu only. So it should be the case here as well....doesn't make much sense to me tho :D

[Zytek_Fan]

I can agree it just some rumors. FB-Dimms = server platform, thus at highest you would need 400FSB where 800FB-Dimms are really needed. next step would be DDR3 server memory (FB-Dimms or smth else) with Nehalem based Xeons followed by Opterons sometimes later.


DDR3 FB-DIMMs have already been shown on the Nehalem roadmaps :up:

[Bobsama]

This system at 4000mhz with 8 gig and 2-3870's would be a beast.
The risers would hurt it I think and there is always the 4 gig sticks if you want more than 8 gig but for 99% of the things you'd do 8 gig is plenty.

Why stop at 8GB for 8 cores? I'd prefer to go to at least 16GB. Ya know what they say... go big or go home. Good thing I'm at home! :D Anyways--I was hopeful that Intel would release something with more than 4 slots... I know it's standard on ATX boards, but Skulltrail is two computers on the same set of hardware. I wanted 8 slots. Anyways--too late to suggest it really... but I think risers would work better (bandwidth down but capacity up).

[Zytek_Fan]

Why stop at 8GB for 8 cores? I'd prefer to go to at least 16GB. Ya know what they say... go big or go home. Good thing I'm at home! :D Anyways--I was hopeful that Intel would release something with more than 4 slots... I know it's standard on ATX boards, but Skulltrail is two computers on the same set of hardware. I wanted 8 slots. Anyways--too late to suggest it really... but I think risers would work better (bandwidth down but capacity up).

There are 4GB sticks, but they are quite expensive.

[Bobsama]

I've not seen any 4GB DDR2 800 FBDIMMS... I've not even seen any 4GB DDR2 667 FBDIMMS in stock at the Egg.

[Zytek_Fan]

I've not seen any 4GB DDR2 800 FBDIMMS... I've not even seen any 4GB DDR2 667 FBDIMMS in stock at the Egg.
There was a Crucial 4GB DDR2-667 FB-DIMM in stock a while ago @ $329.99.
Now it's out of stock.

[Movieman]

Why stop at 8GB for 8 cores? I'd prefer to go to at least 16GB. Ya know what they say... go big or go home. Good thing I'm at home! :D Anyways--I was hopeful that Intel would release something with more than 4 slots... I know it's standard on ATX boards, but Skulltrail is two computers on the same set of hardware. I wanted 8 slots. Anyways--too late to suggest it really... but I think risers would work better (bandwidth down but capacity up).

I always beleive in giving people what they want if possible so since you want 8 dimm slots, here you go::D
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWA-N.cfm
Won't have all the bios adjustments that the SkullTrail will but get the right chips with some unlocked multi's and your in business.
Won't support SLI but will support crossfire.
Life is a trade off is my point here. You settle for 8 gig or you lose some options, but the choice is yours..;)


Oh, and if 8 slots isn't enough, how about 16?
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWN+.cfm

[Zytek_Fan]

I always beleive in giving people what they want if possible so since you want 8 dimm slots, here you go::D
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWA-N.cfm
Won't have all the bios adjustments that the SkullTrail will but get the right chips with some unlocked multi's and your in business.
Won't support SLI but will support crossfire.
Life is a trade off is my point here. You settle for 8 gig or you lose some options, but the choice is yours..;)


Oh, and if 8 slots isn't enough, how about 16?
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWN+.cfm
ooo! Lot's of solid caps :)

[Movieman]

ooo! Lot's of solid caps :)

They make good boards and they charge for them.
That top link is app $520.00
I have supermicro boards here that are 10 years old that are still good.
Ran a old 1997 SM S2GGU dual P3 xeon up till Nov 2006 on Rosetta before I retired it. Ran at 100% load with a 12% OC for months and not a hiccup.
A beast..784/2mb/112//times 2..:D

[Zytek_Fan]

They make good boards and they charge for them.
That top link is app $520.00
I have supermicro boards here that are 10 years old that are still good.
Ran a old 1997 SM S2GGU dual P3 xeon up till Nov 2006 on Rosetta before I retired it. Ran at 100% load with a 12% OC for months and not a hiccup.
A beast..784/2mb/112//times 2..:D

I've looked at Tyan boards in the past, but I've heard they're not quite as good as Super Micro...

[Movieman]

I've looked at Tyan boards in the past, but I've heard they're not quite as good as Super Micro...

Tyan is ok and your feeling is right on the mark.
Good boards but just a tad less than the SM's IMO
I wouldn't turn one down but when buying I buy SuperMicro.
They just don't break from my experience and on those few occasions when you might want tech support you get an adult that knows what he's talking about. Need a part?
There's a lady there in the warehouse that is a dream to deal with.
Just good smart people selling a top product that lasts.

[MuffinFlavored]

There was a Crucial 4GB DDR2-667 FB-DIMM in stock a while ago @ $329.99.
Now it's out of stock.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146588

I mean, I have heard of go big or go home.
500 dollar motherboard.
2 1300 dollar processors.
4 sticks of 330 dollar RAM.
3 500 dollar video cards.
What kind of hobby is this? Donald Trump's?
All for 40 FPS very high 4xAA 1900x1200 Crysis.

Yeah, it's worth it. :)

[Movieman]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146588

I mean, I have heard of go big or go home.
500 dollar motherboard.
2 1300 dollar processors.
4 sticks of 330 dollar RAM.
3 500 dollar video cards.
What kind of hobby is this? Donald Trump's?
All for 40 FPS very high 4xAA 1900x1200 Crysis.

Yeah, it's worth it. :)
$5920.00 your way, lets look at mine:
Dave's way..
$600.00 Motherboard for you gaming crazed people..
2-$1250.00 cpu's but the 2 for $1500.00 total..:wasntme:
4x2 gig DDR2-800FBDimms: $380.00 total
Yup, 3-$500.00 cards
$3980.00 total my way
A tad cheaper but still not cheap..

[Bobsama]

Lol. Or you can drop in four Sapphire Radeon HD 3870 Atomic Juice editions... four single-slot cards leaves you with 2 PCI slots to put sound/hard drive controller/NIC. If I was spending for this type of system, I'd get a Prelude and KillerNIC... just to piss people off when I have higher frames than them in Crysis and lower ping (supposedly).

[Zytek_Fan]

$5920.00 your way, lets look at mine:
Dave's way..
$600.00 Motherboard for you gaming crazed people..
2-$1250.00 cpu's but the 2 for $1500.00 total..:wasntme:
4x2 gig DDR2-800FBDimms: $380.00 total
Yup, 3-$500.00 cards
$3980.00 total my way
A tad cheaper but still not cheap..

That's my way too :)
Although it'd be 2 - $500 video cards. :yepp:

[7499richard]

I would really like to have a system based on this, but way too much money for me right now :(

I don't know if I will ever be able to spend as much on a single system as I have spent on my current one...

[Movieman]

I would really like to have a system based on this, but way too much money for me right now :(

I don't know if I will ever be able to spend as much on a single system as I have spent on my current one...

No need for you to change. That's a nice system in your sig..:up:

[MuffinFlavored]

$5920.00 your way, lets look at mine:
Dave's way..
$600.00 Motherboard for you gaming crazed people..
2-$1250.00 cpu's but the 2 for $1500.00 total..:wasntme:
4x2 gig DDR2-800FBDimms: $380.00 total
Yup, 3-$500.00 cards
$3980.00 total my way
A tad cheaper but still not cheap..

Skip 3 500 dollar cards, and I'll settle with 4GB of RAM. how did you figure that with the processors?

Skulltrail = 2 771 pin sockets.
High end Harpertowns are 1200 a piece.
You need.
1200 + 1200 = 2400.

[Zytek_Fan]

Skip 3 500 dollar cards, and I'll settle with 4GB of RAM. how did you figure that with the processors?

Skulltrail = 2 771 pin sockets.
High end Harpertowns are 1200 a piece.
You need.
1200 + 1200 = 2400.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117143

:yepp:

[Movieman]

Skip 3 500 dollar cards, and I'll settle with 4GB of RAM. how did you figure that with the processors?

Skulltrail = 2 771 pin sockets.
High end Harpertowns are 1200 a piece.
You need.
1200 + 1200 = 2400.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117143

:yepp:

:wasntme: There's many ways to do things in this world.
There's the fast way of clicking a page and typing in a CC number and then there's other ways.
and Pheh to those X5440's..:sick:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117137&Tpk=X5460;)

[MuffinFlavored]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117143

:yepp:

Wow, was I mislead.
Then what is the upcoming processor that everyone is so hyped about?
Cloverfield, or clovermeadow or something?

EDIT:
A quick search on NewEgg reveals Clovertowns have been out for quite a while.
What is the upcoming high end processor everyone wants to pair with these?
Is there even one?

[Zytek_Fan]

:wasntme: There's many ways to do things in this world.
There's the fast way of clicking a page and typing in a CC number and then there's other ways.

True... :up:

[Zytek_Fan]

Wow, was I mislead.
Then what is the upcoming processor that everyone is so hyped about?
Cloverfield, or clovermeadow or something?

Clovertown was the last gen of quad Xeons. They are amazing too.
Harpertown is the current gen, Penryn based quad Xeons.

And the QX9775 that Intel "recommends" for SkullTrail is nothing more than a Harpertown.

[MuffinFlavored]

Clovertown was the last gen of quad Xeons. They are amazing too.
Harpertown is the current gen, Penryn based quad Xeons.

And the QX9775 that Intel "recommends" for SkullTrail is nothing more than a Harpertown.

But I thought this was a 771 socket motherboard?

[Movieman]

Clovertown was the last gen of quad Xeons. They are amazing too.
Harpertown is the current gen, Penryn based quad Xeons.

And the QX9775 that Intel "recommends" for SkullTrail is nothing more than a Harpertown.

Again, the fast way and the smart way:
QX9775: 3200/12mb/1600: $1500.00+ each
X5460:3160/12mb/1333:$1244.00 each retail
BSEL mod to 3800/12mb/1600 with a "wittle" piece of elec tape on one of the pads..:D
Then get out systool and slowly bump up that memory from 400 to maybe 450 and what do you have?
4275/12mb/1800
Only need 421 on the memory to get to 4000 times 8=32,000mhz
That keep a tingle in your dingle?:ROTF:
But I thought this was a 771 socket motherboard?

It is..QX9775's are socket 771
QX9650's and QX9770's are socket 775

[Speederlander]

Wow, was I mislead.
Then what is the upcoming processor that everyone is so hyped about?
Cloverfield, or clovermeadow or something?

Cloverfield:
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/07/26/cloverfield-poster-thumb.jpg

Clovertown:
http://www.maxitmag.com/images/stories/ash/Clovertown/intel-clovertown.jpg

Clover Meadow
http://kevingong.com/Hiking/Images/199905CrescentMeadow/08Meadow001.jpg

[MuffinFlavored]

That keep a tingle in your dingle?:ROTF:
More than anything.

It is..QX9775's are socket 771
QX9650's and QX9770's are socket 775


Cloverfield:
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/07/26/cloverfield-poster-thumb.jpg

Clovertown:
http://www.maxitmag.com/images/stories/ash/Clovertown/intel-clovertown.jpg

Clover Meadow
http://kevingong.com/Hiking/Images/199905CrescentMeadow/08Meadow001.jpg

I owe you a steak.

[Rmrdr13]

ha at speederlander!

[Movieman]

or two clovertowns:
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6056/50512mhzkd5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MuffinFlavored]

or two clovertowns:
[IMfffffffG]http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6056/50512mhzkd5.jpg[/IMG] (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117145
So your saying, I could use that on a Skulltrail motherboard?

[Zytek_Fan]

or two clovertowns:

The Clovertown Stack!!

[Movieman]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117145
So your saying, I could use that on a Skulltrail motherboard?

Yup, or technically any socket 771 dual core woodcrest, or quad core clovertown or any of the new dual or quad core 45nm based cpu's..
Eveb down to the woodcrest 5120's that I sold a pair for $150.00 yesterday..:D

[Brother Esau]

Hell I would rather invest in one of them Super Micro boards dave just showed me then by a Skull Trail:yepp:

[Movieman]

Hell I would rather invest in one of them Super Micro boards dave just showed me then by a Skull Trail:yepp:

Different usage. The SkullTrail is for the crazed gamer and the supermicro board can't touch it for gaming potential.
max you could do today for graphics on the SM board is 2-3870's in crossfire.
The ST board will do quad SLI..No comparison..

[WRC]

the problem is that these processors are usually a little slower than the current desktop line-up at videogames, I'm sure an x38 with DDR-3 will beat this or even the nvidia 790i will most likely win since games are mostly single threaded anyways. And we won't even compare the cost factors...

[MuffinFlavored]

the problem is that these processors are usually a little slower than the current desktop line-up at videogames, I'm sure an x38 with DDR-3 will beat this or even the nvidia 790i will most likely win since games are mostly single threaded anyways. And we won't even compare the cost factors...

But if you want the Xtreme edge, you'll obtain the all the best stuff, and your done. :)

[Movieman]

the problem is that these processors are usually a little slower than the current desktop line-up at videogames, I'm sure an x38 with DDR-3 will beat this or even the nvidia 790i will most likely win since games are mostly single threaded anyways. And we won't even compare the cost factors...

For potential pure gaming speed a dual core wolfdale 45nm at close to 5000 on water would be the way to go but for graphics there is no other board out there that will do quad sli..none, so the edge has to go here.
And for pure cpu power, if any doubts go look at the 34,000+ score Fugger posted with a water cooled( I think) ST setup at 4800mhz in cinebench 10.
For comparison his QX9650 at over 5400mhz did 22,000+
FSB speed you will go higher with the single socket gamer but thats it.
This combo maxxed out will destroy the single socket board in every other respect.

[Brother Esau]

X2 3870's on a SM board is plenty fast enough even at stock on the cards:up:

[Movieman]

X2 3870's on a SM board is plenty fast enough even at stock on the cards:up:

For you, and most people yes, but not for some of these guys who are "really" into it..
I have never had a system with more than one vid card and never felt that I didn't have what I needed BUT I'm not a gamer..These guys are..;)

[GAR]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146588

I mean, I have heard of go big or go home.
500 dollar motherboard.
2 1300 dollar processors.
4 sticks of 330 dollar RAM.
3 500 dollar video cards.
What kind of hobby is this? Donald Trump's?
All for 40 FPS very high 4xAA 1900x1200 Crysis.

Yeah, it's worth it. :)

LOL, you are so right.

[Movieman]

LOL, you are so right.

Playing at the top of any hobby is always expensive.
It all depends on what the individual is satisfied with and can afford.
I raced cars for years in the 70's and 80's..
SCCA...Would have loved to play with the top guys but wasn't financially possible so I did what I could.
Now I do remember running on the same track(Lime Rock) at the same time as Bob Tulious in his Group 44 Jag and Paul Newman in his Nissans.
Never could hope to beat either with our $5000.00 budget back then but I did get to run with them.
You don't forget that..:D

[GAR]

Playing at the top of any hobby is always expensive.
It all depends on what the individual is satisfied with and can afford.
I raced cars for years in the 70's and 80's..
SCCA...Would have loved to play with the top guys but wasn't financially possible so I did what I could.
Now I do remember running on the same track(Lime Rock) at the same time as Bob Tulious in his Group 44 Jag and Paul Newman in his Nissans.
Never could hope to beat either with our $5000.00 budget back then but I did get to run with them.
You don't forget that..:D

Very true Movieman, very true indeed!!!! wise words from a wise man with knowledge and experience. :clap:

[NapalmV5]

intel please dont release skulltrail.. please dont! i beg..

[Torphoto]

intel please dont release skulltrail.. please dont! i beg..

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Don't say that!!!!!!!!!!!

I just ordered a pair 1200w psus, a new case and drives to start building for Skulltrail!!!!

[NapalmV5]

no! intel i pay u 20$.. ok ill make it 50$ if u dont release skull

id rather lose 50 than 5050

[Torphoto]

no! intel i pay u 20$.. ok ill make it 50$ if u dont release skull

id rather lose 50 than 5050

Skimp on the Cpus and get a pair of the 2.83 5440's and jsut 2 $500 vid cards, your only our $4000 or so.
Another good thing is that you could also build the system piece by piece as in get 1 vid card and 1 cpu to start, then add the others next month :XD

[7499richard]

is this not going to support ddr3 ram? seems strange to me to not be ddr3 as everything else on it is new...

[Zytek_Fan]

is this not going to support ddr3 ram? seems strange to me to not be ddr3 as everything else on it is new...

It uses DDR2 FB-DIMMs and DDR3 FB-DIMMs aren't available yet ;)

[Blauhung]

is this not going to support ddr3 ram? seems strange to me to not be ddr3 as everything else on it is new...

for that, you will have to wait for Nehalem/Tylersburg to come out near the very end of this year.

I know I'm going to buy a DP board for that the second I can:p:

[BGVirtual]

i like that mobo since i can probably use 2 raid controllers in it and OC the CPUs alot, but im a little lost about which CPUs exactly will be supported. I googled and found some page in japanese , http://blog.livedoor.jp/amd646464/archives/51124141.html , that has this list:

☆Core 2 Extremeシリーズ(クアッドコア/45nm/Yorkfield/LGA 771/Skulltrail向け)
・Core 2 Extreme QX9775(3.20GHz/1600MHz/L2 6MB*2/150W/2008年Q1)　$1499

☆Xeon 5400シリーズ(クアッドコア/45nm/Harpertown/LGA771/2007年11月)
・Xeon X5482(3.20GHz/1600MHz/L2 6MB*2/150W)　$1279
・Xeon X5472(3.00GHz/1600MHz/L2 6MB*2/120W)　$958
・Xeon E5472(3.00GHz/1600MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$1022
・Xeon E5462(2.80GHz/1600MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$797

・Xeon X5460(3.16GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/120W)　 $1172
・Xeon X5450(3.00GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/120W)　 $851
・Xeon E5450(3.00GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$915
・Xeon E5440(2.83GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$690
・Xeon E5430(2.66GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$455
・Xeon E5420(2.50GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$316
・Xeon E5410(2.33GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$256
・Xeon E5405(2.00GHz/1333MHz/L2 6MB*2/80W)　　$209

so any of these will be supported?

[TopherTony]

the top three for sure, they say right there 771, the others I assume will work, yes. But come on, if you're paying 600 for a mobo, you WILL splurge on the processor, am I right?

[icon57]

i will be getting this board when its released...how much longer?

[alfaunits]

All are Harpertown S771, the top 4 are just 1600FSB, the lower ones are 1333FSB.
As far which one will get depends on what he/she wants - if it's WR, no question about it.
If it's a good value OC - I'd shoot for E5420 with FBDIMM 800, which would allow a sure OC of 20% just by increasing the FSB (the memory has to work 1:1 with the CPU on this mobo, or so some mentioned).

Where da heck do we buy it, though ;)