Testing / comparing : Intel D975XBX2 / Asus P5B DX ***56K WARNING***

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Originally Posted by gtj

Tiger Direct $229 - $50 rebate = $179.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3&Sku=I69-2145

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nice find! i wonder if its the retail version ( i want all the goodies )

i called serveral times to check microcenter. each time i was told it was the retail.

wow. just for fun, i checked zipzoomfly.com
i ended up buying:
e6600 $315 same price, but free copy of Ghost Recon: Adv Warfighter
OCZ 2gig PC2 6400 R2 $193 minus $25 rebate --> $167
OCZ gameXtream 700w PSU $132 minus $25 rebate ---> $107

oh.. and free shipping!!!
i just saved $74 :)
im stoked. this computer has been about 4 or 5 months of planning... so im glad to finally get the ball moving!! :)

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Originally Posted by argylesocks

nice find! i wonder if its the retail version ( i want all the goodies )

i called serveral times to check microcenter. each time i was told it was the retail.

wow. just for fun, i checked zipzoomfly.com
i ended up buying:
e6600 $315 same price, but free copy of Ghost Recon: Adv Warfighter
OCZ 2gig PC2 6400 R2 $193 minus $25 rebate --> $167
OCZ gameXtream 700w PSU $132 minus $25 rebate ---> $107

oh.. and free shipping!!!
i just saved $74 :)
im stoked. this computer has been about 4 or 5 months of planning... so im glad to finally get the ball moving!! :)

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The Tigerdirect boards are all retail. It's where I got mine.

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Originally Posted by gtj

The Tigerdirect boards are all retail. It's where I got mine.

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sweet. thanks.

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Originally Posted by Skerlnik

The NewEgg version is the retail (BOX), where the Microcenter version isn't :)

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That statement is utter BS!!! :slapass:

Sorry, guy, but Micro Center doesn't sell any OEM versions of this board. The board is a RETAIL VERSION....plain and simple. I just wonder where you got that stupid information.....certainly not because you had an OEM delivered from MC or actually went to one of their stores and purchased one.

BTW.....I have been to three MC's, 2 in GA, and the one in Fairfax, VA, and NONE of them stock an OEM version, only retail. I bought a pair of them from MC...one online and one in their retail store....both were retail.

Yup...I was worried as well, but my board came Retail from Microcenter.

(However, Newegg DOES sell a "bulk" version)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gtj

The Tigerdirect boards are all retail. It's where I got mine.

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Mine came from Tiger also, although I went through Amazon.com's Tigerdirect link for mine because the shipping rate was a lot cheaper that way (same price though).

i decided i didnt want to wait forever, so i called to cancel... but when they got on the phone, i was told, they got the shipment this morning. 15mins later i got an email with a tracking number! wow. great deal on that.

should have all the stuff next week... im stoked.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by argylesocks

i decided i didnt want to wait forever, so i called to cancel... but when they got on the phone, i was told, they got the shipment this morning. 15mins later i got an email with a tracking number! wow. great deal on that.

should have all the stuff next week... im stoked.

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I read the post and then checked the e-mail. My order was filled and shipped. I would say MC is pretty decent and courtious. They where even earlier than expected since I was told Friday for a stock date.

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Originally Posted by gtj

Yeah, I found the 6.2 version this morning and its working fine. Intel just hasn't updated the Downloads area for the XBX2 with it. Still the old 5.5 version there.

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gtj: Can you provide a link? I have searched the Intel site and am unable to find the Intel Matrix Storage Manager 6.2.

Also, can anyone confirm the Intel utilities that *do* work at this point on Vista-32 bit? I'm finalizing my build tonight and am still trying to decide whether to put Vista-32 on it or to dual-boot with WinXP.

The Creative X-Fi issues (i.e. lack of driver with all EAX functions) in Vista have me frustrated! I guess there is ALchemy which CL has provided, but I'm wondering why I bought this sound card at the moment. :(

EDIT: I noticed the new BIOS (2618) fixes an issue with installing Vista OEM. Since I have an OEM copy I am assuming I will need to update to the latest BIOS. Are there any particular issues to be aware of with the new BIOS (I have read a few posts here, but it seems that the bugs in the new BIOS are not deal-killers...mainly with ATI video cards if I am reading things correctly). My plan is to get Vista installed with default settings for CPU, memory, etc. and then start tweaking and try to OC.

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Originally Posted by scaryogre

gtj: Can you provide a link? I have searched the Intel site and am unable to find the Intel Matrix Storage Manager 6.2.

Also, can anyone confirm the Intel utilities that *do* work at this point on Vista-32 bit? I'm finalizing my build tonight and am still trying to decide whether to put Vista-32 on it or to dual-boot with WinXP.

The Creative X-Fi issues (i.e. lack of driver with all EAX functions) in Vista have me frustrated! I guess there is ALchemy which CL has provided, but I'm wondering why I bought this sound card at the moment. :(

EDIT: I noticed the new BIOS (2618) fixes an issue with installing Vista OEM. Since I have an OEM copy I am assuming I will need to update to the latest BIOS. Are there any particular issues to be aware of with the new BIOS (I have read a few posts here, but it seems that the bugs in the new BIOS are not deal-killers?).

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http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scri...6&submit=Go%21

Intel Desktop Control Center will install and run if you set the compatability mode to Windows Xp Sp2 on both the installer and the installed executable.

Intel Desktop Utilities and Thermal Analysis Tool will install and run without problem.

Don't let the BIOS issues hold you back. They're a nit.

Im confused on the ViiV software. version 1.6 says its an update only file. but i cant find 1.5 to install prior.

is anyone actually using this software??

where do i get the TAT, i cant find it on the intel site. ugh.
is Desktop Control Center necessary???

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Originally Posted by argylesocks

Im confused on the ViiV software. version 1.6 says its an update only file. but i cant find 1.5 to install prior.

is anyone actually using this software??

where do i get the TAT, i cant find it on the intel site. ugh.
is Desktop Control Center necessary???

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I didn't think Viiv applied to this motherboard. Not sure why it's on the XBX2 download page.

http://www.overclock.net/downloads/1...intel-tat.html

IDCC is not required at all. It can be handy though. Although I don't use it for changing my performance settings, I do occasionally use it to set my fan speeds.

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Originally Posted by gtj

I didn't think Viiv applied to this motherboard. Not sure why it's on the XBX2 download page.

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http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd..._available.htm
its listed as being viiv compatible although, im not sure anyone has any clue what viiv actually is.

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Originally Posted by C'DaleRider

That statement is utter BS!!! :slapass:

Sorry, guy, but Micro Center doesn't sell any OEM versions of this board. The board is a RETAIL VERSION....plain and simple. I just wonder where you got that stupid information.....certainly not because you had an OEM delivered from MC or actually went to one of their stores and purchased one.

BTW.....I have been to three MC's, 2 in GA, and the one in Fairfax, VA, and NONE of them stock an OEM version, only retail. I bought a pair of them from MC...one online and one in their retail store....both were retail.

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Picked up my retail board from Fairfax on Saturday - but they did have to ship it in from another store. Pretty happy with it for $175 + tax. I'm pretty impressed with what comes with the retail box. Excellent instructions, great cables, etc.

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Originally Posted by Run

Greetings - i just signed up to this forum as this is the best thread i`ve seen on the BX2.

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Keep it up guys!

Big round of :toast: to everyone!

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Agreed - finding this thread while researching which motherboard to go with definitely influenced my final decision. Looks like I made the right choice. Thanks everyone!:toast:

Someone asked about Vista x32 and the IDCC. I couldn't get it to work with all the security features running. I didn't try with them off.

TAT will work provided you right click on it and run it as an admin. If you don't want to have to select admin privileges for it everytime, just go under the compatibility tab and tick run as an admin at the bottom.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6...tsetxy3.th.jpg

Has anyone been able to get Vista Business 64Bit running? I am trying to load mine but I need a driver for the Marvell raid.

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Originally Posted by tom8881

Has anyone been able to get Vista Business 64Bit running? I am trying to load mine but I need a driver for the Marvell raid.

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No marvell driver yet for Vista x64. Do you have a need for x64 or are you just trying it out?

Some here with the too much low level mic-in problem? or it has already been fixed?

Ack!

Got my xbx2 and qx6700. Hooked everything up. Posted fine, read the CPU and all my RAM. No issues.

It was getting very late but I decided to install windows anyway and get it done. Well, I fell asleep at some point after I had the XP screen and it being completed....and when I woke up the computer had crashed and now when I power up I get a flashing red LED near the 4-pin PCI-e power. I can only power down via manually turning off power to the PSU now!

Last night before I took my unfortunate nap, everything looked good. Temps in BIOS were nice and cool.

I had to go to work this morning before I could start messing with the jumper unfortunately. I did let it sit a bit with the power pulled from the board but nothing, no post. Just the flashing red LED.

I will go home over lunch and start messing with it.

Could a windows install do this if left unattended?

I haven't changed a single setting BIOS.

Any thoughts before I jump into this would be greatly appreciated!

Can't believe I fell asleep but it was like 3 am.

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Originally Posted by gtj

No marvell driver yet for Vista x64. Do you have a need for x64 or are you just trying it out?

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I want to dual boot with XP and slowly switch over to Vista. Since I am using the Marvell for a raid now, Vista will not install even off the matrix SATA, which I am using in IDE mode, without the drivers for the marvell. I get a "Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation" no matter what I do.
Also I noticed Adobe products are not officially going to support Windows Vista 64bit. I am wondering if the industry is really going to support 64bit?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tom8881

I want to dual boot with XP and slowly switch over to Vista. Since I am using the Marvell for a raid now, Vista will not install even off the matrix SATA, which I am using in IDE mode, without the drivers for the marvell. I get a "Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation" no matter what I do.
Also I noticed Adobe products are not officially going to support Windows Vista 64bit. I am wondering if the industry is really going to support 64bit?

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Exactly how do you have your hard drives connected and what's on them? I've seen the error before and there's a fix.

The industry will support 64bit when Intel comes out with a better native x64 cpu. The EM64T extensions don't really cut it.

BIOS Update 2634 [BX97520J.86A] released
release notes
bios download

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Originally Posted by Speederlander

Ack!

Got my xbx2 and qx6700. Hooked everything up. Posted fine, read the CPU and all my RAM. No issues.

It was getting very late but I decided to install windows anyway and get it done. Well, I fell asleep at some point after I had the XP screen and it being completed....and when I woke up the computer had crashed and now when I power up I get a flashing red LED near the 4-pin PCI-e power. I can only power down via manually turning off power to the PSU now!

Last night before I took my unfortunate nap, everything looked good. Temps in BIOS were nice and cool.

I had to go to work this morning before I could start messing with the jumper unfortunately. I did let it sit a bit with the power pulled from the board but nothing, no post. Just the flashing red LED.

I will go home over lunch and start messing with it.

Could a windows install do this if left unattended?

I haven't changed a single setting BIOS.

Any thoughts before I jump into this would be greatly appreciated!

Can't believe I fell asleep but it was like 3 am.

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Hmmm.
"The VR LED indicates an elevated temperature in the processor voltage regulator circuit that could effect performance"

Were you already into the GUI part of the setup or were you still in the text mode bit?

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Originally Posted by gtj

Hmmm.
"The VR LED indicates an elevated temperature in the processor voltage regulator circuit that could effect performance"

Were you already into the GUI part of the setup or were you still in the text mode bit?

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Well, the XP intro screen had just come up, last thing I recall before dozing off. :rolleyes:

But, I ran home over lunch. Pulled everything apart to see if the Tuniq backplane was shorting to something or if the board seemed bowed from the heatsink being tightened. Both appeared ok.

Put it back together. Noticed that the computer automatically starts up when the power on the PSU in in the "on" position. Seemed odd. Red light still on as well. So, I pulled the power/reset/etc. plugs from the case. Just plugged in the power plug for the case. Red light is now gone! Still no post.

When the reset wire is plugged in, the red light comes on. Unplug the reset wire, red light is off. Why would that impact that led?

This makes no sense. It didn't do this last night...

I mean, I was tempted to blame the CPU, but since that is so rare compared to the mobo and since the CPU did read in BIOS the first time and the idle temp hovered just over 40*C for well over an hour without moving, it seems so unlikely that the CPU overheated or has a problem. But I don't know.

I could yank the tuniq and reseat, but the temps were never high in bios, at least for the CPU.