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

[LoneWolf]

Well, it appears Penryn is out!

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...rs-at-ces.html

Now, who will be the first brave soul to test compatibility between one of the new CPU's and a 2809 BIOS D975XBX2?

[yoti]

Intel releases XBX2 BIOS update. 2809.

New Fixes/Features:
- Updated processor support.
- Fixed issue where Samsung SAS HBA card was not booting.


Updated processor support? Why would they need to do that? They already don't support 1333 fsb procs so what could they be adding support for?

http://www.levicki.net/articles/news..._mainboard.php

[fdisker]

http://www.levicki.net/articles/news..._mainboard.php

Penryn support on the XBX2? Color me skeptical. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Blacklash]

I'd be interested in the max FSB it can do with Penryn. My Q6600 G-0 = 393x9 in the BX2. You'll probably still want to move to P35 or X38 if you are gunning for a high OC.

[screwtech02]

Penryn support on the XBX2? Color me skeptical. I'll believe it when I see it.

I aggree with tha statment, they are going to want to push the newer chipsets/boards, before they allow this... I dont even think the P5W-DH can run a 1333 proc yet, even with a supposed "bios" fix......

[LoneWolf]

I aggree with tha statment, they are going to want to push the newer chipsets/boards, before they allow this... I dont even think the P5W-DH can run a 1333 proc yet, even with a supposed "bios" fix......

While I agree that Intel's newer boards are their priority, the XBX2 is an enthusiast mainboard, and I believe Intel understands that keeping enthusiasts happy = good press. I don't know if it is possible from an engineering standpoint to get Penryn operational on the retail XBX2 (as opposed to specially modified ones used for testing it during engineering sample phases) and it may not be possible on every revision, but if it can be done with only BIOS changes, I think it would be worth their while to make the effort.

And I agree with you that I'll believe it once someone here has done it, or I've seen proof elsewhere. A microcode entry in a flash BIOS discovered by a tech blogger is theoretical evidence at best.

[down8]

Penryn support on the XBX2? Color me skeptical. I'll believe it when I see it.

XBX2 was the system Crytek used to demo Crysis with the first Penryn. I personally doubt it needs more than a BIOS update, and hope to be able to use one while I wait for X48BT prices to drop, like I did w/my BX2 ($175 a year ago ).

-bZj

[LoneWolf]

XBX2 was the system Crytek used to demo Crysis with the first Penryn. I personally doubt it needs more than a BIOS update, and hope to be able to use one while I wait for X48BT prices to drop, like I did w/my BX2 ($175 a year ago ).

-bZj

My guess is that it is possible with some XBX2 boards, but not all. Intel used a modified XBX2 for Penryn engineering samples. AFAIK, the modification was to the voltage regulators. However, this was prior to the release of rev. 505 of the XBX2, whose release notes list changes to voltage regulation (although it's kind of vague).

I'm guessing that later XBX2's will be able to run Penryn provided Intel's BIOS supports it. However, there's no way we'll know until someone actually tries it out.

[pushook]

Hmmmm I have a little problem with my Q6600 and this Intel Board. E6600 is working very well but if I change to the Q6600 CPU I can´t overclock also it doesn´t boot in the Bios 2809. Tried to disable the same things like watchdog and so on but no luck.

I can only boot with default settings.


anyone else this issue?????????

[horatiub]

I need some help.
I would like to setup a RAID 0 on this board and I have no idea how to start. I searched the whole topic but not too many information.
The OS is Vista.

Which controller should I use btw? The Intel or Marvell?

[LoneWolf]

I need some help.
I would like to setup a RAID 0 on this board and I have no idea how to start. I searched the whole topic but not too many information.
The OS is Vista.

Which controller should I use btw? The Intel or Marvell?

Use the Intel.

Note: to set up RAID, it is very likely you'll need to reinstall your system from scratch, depending on how you plan to configure things. You need to enable RAID in the mainboard BIOS; once you have done that, you'll get a prompt when the controller initializes during boot to hit a set of keys to go into the Matrix Storage Manager. From there, you can configure your RAID array.

You'll need the Intel RAID driver either on a floppy or on CD for the OS reinstall. The latest version is downloadable from Intel's website. Check the link below for a guide on installing it during the Vista reinstall.

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install...ta_drivers.htm

[horatiub]

Use the Intel.

Note: to set up RAID, it is very likely you'll need to reinstall your system from scratch, depending on how you plan to configure things. You need to enable RAID in the mainboard BIOS; once you have done that, you'll get a prompt when the controller initializes during boot to hit a set of keys to go into the Matrix Storage Manager. From there, you can configure your RAID array.

You'll need the Intel RAID driver either on a floppy or on CD for the OS reinstall. The latest version is downloadable from Intel's website. Check the link below for a guide on installing it during the Vista reinstall.

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install...ta_drivers.htm

I thought Vista already has the Intel RAID Driver.
Btw, when should I setup partitions on the drives? After the install, from the OS interface?

[fdisker]

>> I thought Vista already has the Intel RAID Driver.

It does and it works perfectly for setting up the OS. Once Vista starts the setup program you will have the option to create a partition. Once the OS is loaded you can then download and install the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager. The Storage Manager will update the default driver with the latest from Intel. I just went through this process a few weeks ago and it was very smooth.

[Blacklash]

I'd get Intel's X38 board and I don't feel like buying DDR3 ram. I'd want 4Gb and right now it's a little pricey for me.

[down8]

My guess is that it is possible with some XBX2 boards, but not all. Intel used a modified XBX2 for Penryn engineering samples. AFAIK, the modification was to the voltage regulators. However, this was prior to the release of rev. 505 of the XBX2, whose release notes list changes to voltage regulation (although it's kind of vague).

I'm guessing that later XBX2's will be able to run Penryn provided Intel's BIOS supports it. However, there's no way we'll know until someone actually tries it out.

If anyone wants to send me a 45nm CPU to try out, I got no qualms about giving it a shot?

-bZj

[fdisker]

Others on the forum have the retail 8xxx chips. Surprised no one has reported results (working or not) on the xbx2.

[fdisker]

Got tired of waiting. Picked up an 8400 at my local Microcenter on the way home today ($189). It posted fine in my XBX2. What tool can I use to see if I'm supplying it with the proper voltages?

[ArcticOC]

Cool, nice findings

I bet the Quad cores also work on the BadAss2..

Just updated my 7 month old laptop with a T9300 (Penryn) and it is also working just perfectly: http://www.diskusjon.no/index.php?showtopic=900063&hl=

[nattoNrice]

Got tired of waiting. Picked up an 8400 at my local Microcenter on the way home today ($189). It posted fine in my XBX2. What tool can I use to see if I'm supplying it with the proper voltages?

hey dude thats awesome
what rev is ur board and what bios u using?

[fdisker]

I'm using rev 505 which was purchased about a year ago. I just updated the board with bios 2813 yesterday in anticipation of picking up the 8400 today.

Coretemp is reporting a vid of 1.1125v which I believe is the correct voltage for the chip.

I'm really looking for someone more experienced than me to step in here and let me know if there's something I should be looking for as far as voltages go. The chip isn't supported by the board and I'd rather not fry it. I have no problem with picking up a P35/X38 board if needed but if I can confirm that it will run fine on the xbx2 then I'll keep it.

The only issues I'm seeing so far are in the bios screen. The Main section reports an E8400@3ghz for the Processor Type but the Processor Speed is reporting 0.40Ghz which clearly isn't right. My only other concern is in the Performance area of the bios. When I select Processor Overrides the "Current Processor Voltage" says 1.325v. I have no idea if this is correct.

[down8]

...My only other concern is in the Performance area of the bios. When I select Processor Overrides the "Current Processor Voltage" says 1.325v. I have no idea if this is correct.

My board also says that, but my VID shows 1.225V.

-bZj

[wa2000]

I'm using rev 505 which was purchased about a year ago. I just updated the board with bios 2813 yesterday in anticipation of picking up the 8400 today.

Coretemp is reporting a vid of 1.1125v which I believe is the correct voltage for the chip.

I'm really looking for someone more experienced than me to step in here and let me know if there's something I should be looking for as far as voltages go. The chip isn't supported by the board and I'd rather not fry it. I have no problem with picking up a P35/X38 board if needed but if I can confirm that it will run fine on the xbx2 then I'll keep it.

The only issues I'm seeing so far are in the bios screen. The Main section reports an E8400@3ghz for the Processor Type but the Processor Speed is reporting 0.40Ghz which clearly isn't right. My only other concern is in the Performance area of the bios. When I select Processor Overrides the "Current Processor Voltage" says 1.325v. I have no idea if this is correct.

Did you try to monitor the voltage with Intel Desktop Control Center or Intel Desktop Utilities?

Maybe CPU-Z will work too...

[screwtech02]

Anybody runnin a full 8gb on this board??? I've got 2 kits of the Gskill DDR2/1000 coming, and would like to be able to keep my 3.4 overclock on my quad, so i'm just lookin for some pointers......

[fdisker]

Yes, the desktop control center, that's a good idea. Unfortunately I'm running Vista x64 and IDC/IDU only work in 32bit environments. I guess it's time to slap a spare drive in the system and do a quick install of Vista 32.

I did get Coretemp working and it reported a vid of 1.1125v which should be correct (at least according to the sticker on the processor box). What are the key voltages I should be looking for?

[fdisker]

So much for that plan. I picked up an ASUS P5K on the way home from work today and dropped the e8400 into it. It feels a good bit faster than the e6600 at stock speeds.