** OFFICIAL ** Intel DX38BT & DX48BT2 BoneTrail Thread

[xMrBunglex]

How stable/reliable is this board if you don't plan on overclocking at all? Are there issues with it if you plan to run all the default speeds, etc.? Seems like a lot of the problems I've been seeing here is w/ overclocking the cpu/fsb/memory.

Never really considered Intel boards made for overclocking. Then again, I haven't been following them too close lately.

a lot of us got the Bone Trail based solely on the solid reputation of its predecessor, the Intel Bad Axe II. it was respected as one of the most solid and stable overclockers from its generation.

i think the Bone Trail is no different - it just got off to a shaky start and could still use another BIOS revision. it isn't quite as refined as the other, more expensive boards, and it doesn't have as many extras. but once i figured out how to stroke mine the right way, it has proven to be a powerful board. i got my FSB up to 467 last night, and my CPU was what held me back from going higher. the Bone Trail didn't even break a sweat.

is the BT right for you? that depends. it requires DDR3 memory, which is still very expensive. DDR3 won't affect your gaming performance or help you surf the web faster, but i can compile video with this machine like you wouldn't believe. memory-intensive programs just scream now. X38 is an expensive chipset and should only be considered by people who want the option to CrossFire their video cards imo. other than that, the board has stellar onboard audio and some very nice home theater tools, like its IR receiver built in. the IO panel has eight USB ports and two E-SATA ports, which are very convenient if you need that stuff.

i've basically only had mine for a month, but it appears to be rock solid and stable now that i've got it set up right. i'm confident that i can push my computer as hard as i want all day without having to worry about anything overheating or crashing on me. my CrossFire performance is awesome and i'm ready for the next generation video cards when they come out. i hope i can afford two R700's when they're released. i think i have about the 30th fastest dual core 3DMark06 score in the world right now.

[Randy]

Good news. I have everything back to where I was WITH the 1521 bios. It looks like what I had to do was raise the MCH up to 1.3. That is the only thing I did differently. I still have to flash from Windows, even though I know that's not the method of choice.

[WingHeart]

Thanks for the detailed reply, xMrBunglex. Highly appreciate it.

With that, just placed my order for an Intel DX38BT (as still no sign of the Intel X48 boards really), a QX9650 and the Patriot 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 Memory kit from newegg (my poor credit card went through a beating this morning, ha). Hope to join the BoneTrail club soon (as I'm back to Intel after running w/ AMD for a loooong time)! As enticing as OCing may be, most likely I'll be keeping everything stock speeds for now (though, having the option to OC and an unlocked CPU will definitely future-proof this system for a little bit if I decide to do so).

I'm most likely going to transfer my 8800GT to this new system (modded with a AC S1 passive cooler). I'm debating on whether or not to install my X-Meridian with all LM462 OPAMPs into this new BoneTrail system, as I keep hearing how good the onboard audio is. Does the onboard audio allow Dolby digital encoding from the digital out? I haven't seen it really listed in the specs. I'm guessing no DTS Connect either? Even though it's been discontinued, might still hold on to that Auzentech X-Meridian card after all...

Thanks for all the help (and everyone on this thread), I'll be sure to take a pic or two of the final build once everything arrives.

[xMrBunglex]

the onboard audio is Dolby Certified and has the standard 7.1 mini jacks and an S/PDIF optical output. no digital coax jack though.

[down8]

I'm holding out for the BT2, but following this thread closely.

I hope BT2 is more solid!

-bZj

[Randy]

I'm holding out for the BT2, but following this thread closely.

I hope BT2 is more solid!

-bZj

I believe the X48 version (If that's what you are referring to as BT2) will be virtually the same board, as they share the same bios. With the exception of the 1600 support. Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

[Forsaken1]

Waiting for this review on x48.

http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?new...VzaWFzdCwsLDE=

[xMrBunglex]

I believe the X48 version (If that's what you are referring to as BT2) will be virtually the same board, as they share the same bios. With the exception of the 1600 support. Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

the X38 version supports DDR3 1600 memory with the latest BIOS. i'm not even sure what that means though. i've had DDR3 1600 memory in my board since i got it.

[down8]

I was referring to X48BT2.

The 1600 support is for CPUs, not RAM.

-bZj

[Manel]

We've been hiting hard on our BTs so much that new people in the thread think it sucks. Some people will say it does. I had problems with my mem initially not booting, because my mobo had a very early BIOS, mem support was mediocre then. Now it's running sweet so far, still at stock. Once you spend the time knowing it better it becomes great I think.
I'm still having a couple of issues but these seem to be software related, the Dolby tab missing from the IDT control center (maybe it only shows once you have a receiver connected, can anyone confirm?) and my SATA drives showing up as ATA, both HD and DVD. I had the INF from the Intel Express Installer DVD that come with the board installed (1016) and now installed the older (?) 1010 from the download site over and still the same shows up in device manager. Anyone else with this problem?
Just had a brief problem with audio, only front speakers would sound, now it's all back. Weird!! Didn't do anything special, just checking sound properties.
WingHeart, regarding DTS, it is supported through SPDIF out as well as WMA Pro along with Dolby Digital. Haven't tried, but it's there.
The DX48BT2 is out and is essentially the same board as far as I can tell, only the box is somewhat different! Anyway, the BIOS is the same. I guess yields are good for the X38/X48 now, most samples must be binned as X48 and now the board can be replaced. Both FSB and mem at 1600 were already supported for a long time in the BT anyway.

[Forsaken1]

Yes,manel i agree.This is just a odd ball board.Best thing intel could do is remove watchdog feature,raise max FSB and give us some more tweaking options in bios.
Board has great audio.Bios is not the best at this time.But appears they keep working hard on it.If you are going to oc,just plan on spending alot more time on it then a most other boards.

[s0lid]

I was referring to X48BT2.

The 1600 support is for CPUs, not RAM.

-bZj

My board has 1900 support for CPUs
475 * 4 = 1900MHz

[Forsaken1]

s0lid 500FSB?Did you try set FSB for over 500?

[s0lid]

s0lid 500FSB?Did you try set FSB for over 500?

Nah mobos fsb wall comes at 479FSB :/
500FSB is top limit in bios

[Mr Steveo]

If this describes your config, (or a config you have tried,)

- Running Vista
- One or more SATA CD/DVD drive(s.)
- AHCI mode in BIOS (not RAID.)
- Using Vista native "Standard AHCI1.0 Serial ATA Controller" driver (NOT Intel Matrix)
- You have no problem with your drives in My Computer and no acpi errors in Event Viewer.

If yes, could you be so kind as to list what drives you have hooked up to which ports, e.g. SATA port 0 = SATA port 1 = and so on through SATA port 5?

Thank you in advance.

[Manel]

Hey Mr Steveo
I actually don't have more than one ODD, but have one DRD-RW in SATA channel 1 and HDD WD in channel 0, AHCI is set in BIOS and using default drivers, although with Intel INF installed (1016 first then 1010 on top of it, don't know if correctly replaced). Couldn't find any errors in Event Viewer and (in Vista not My) Computer shows no errors that I know of.
"Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller" is not present in my device manager, maybe because of the Intel INF, it shows "Intel(R) ICH9 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller - 2922".
Not sure this helps you!
However, my issues here are that device manager shows "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" with 6 "IDE Channel" and the mentioned "Intel (R) ICH9..." items when I have no IDE drives at all in my system, even the Marvell controller is disabled in BIOS. Also my drives show "Disk Drives -> WDC WD800AAJS 00PSA0 ATA Device" and "DVD/CD ROM Drives -> Sony DVD RW DRU-190S ATA Device" as if they were all IDE/ATA drives. What gives? Tried installing the Intel site's INF 1010 on top of the Express Installer DVD that came with the board 1014 but nothing changed. Maybe you have any hint?

[Spawne32]

just wanted to let you guys know i finally decided to put my board up on ebay after not using it for months

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=006

[Mr Steveo]

Well, that sure was a stupid way for me to ask questions!
Heres something just about anyone can answer.

1. Which motherboard connector(s) do you have your CD/DVD drive attached to? (PATA, SATA0, SATA1, etc.)

2. When you installed your Intel Chipset INFs, wehre did you get them from? (The CD that came with mobo, Intels DX38BT page, Intels main download center?)

3. Did you install the Intel Matrix driver software?

4. Which BIOS version do you prefer?


I appreciate any / all replies.

[xMrBunglex]

i considered editing my earlier frustrated posts in this thread so as not to scare other people away from this board, but i decided to leave them there. people should know how frustrating it can be to get this board set up. it's great once you get it where you want it, but the journey can be frustrating.

i even ran into another puzzling problem earlier today. i decided to OC my RAM to DDR 1800 so i could have a 1:2 ratio with my FSB. after trying various voltages and latencies, i still couldn't get past 11 minutes in Orthos. i gave up and decided to put it back to my known stable settings, which is 445*9 CPU and my memory at DDR 1333. it wouldn't POST. i tried everything i could with no luck. finally, i removed one stick and it booted on the first try. all was well. i replaced it with my other stick and it was still good. then i put both sticks back in and everything was back to normal again. i have no idea why it wouldn't POST before though. it makes me feel superstitious about my settings and scared to try to refine my OC.

i've been using the 1507 BIOS since it came out. maybe i'll flash to the latest BIOS and see if i have more luck getting that 1:2 ratio. the problem is that a simple adjustment can sometimes take an hour or more while my board just behaves erratically for no apparent reason. once i find a stable overclock, it is rock solid as long as i don't mess with my settings. but i think we've all come to expect a little more from enthusiast motherboards.

[Sean-E-Boy]

MB,

I have noticed many times that following memory or sometimes FSB changes i have to shut the PSU down completely...simply a reboot will not work. and most of the time once the PSU is turned back on and the system is powered up, it will not POST, just hangs on a black screen. give it a hard reset and everything works fine.

in other news, finally got everything working again after 1521. seems that mch voltage prior to 1521 is not sufficient for 1521, bumped it up and all is good.

will post details later

sean

[Fusionpit]

I won one of these boards over the weekend at Intel's LANFest. I have it set up now with 2 Micron D9GTS modules that have an XMP profile for 1800 8-8-7 1.9v. This profile and these modules work on a Maximum Extreme board, but with the DX38BT, it won't post at 1800, or even 1600.

I've put the voltages at what they should be, took the multiplier down (which looks like it may do nothing anyway,) tried different latencies on the memory. I updated to the newest BIOS revision before I started with anything. Even at 333/1333 with the memory at 1600, it doesn't post. I know these modules can run at the specs I've tried them at, as I can run them on the ASUS x38 (They hit 2100 on 790i) so why won't they work on the DX38BT? Is there something I'm missing that needs to be set to get them to run at 1600?

EDIT: It seems the board wasn't pulling tWR in correctly from the profile, it was set to 6 when it was supposed to be 10. It's working at 1600 now, so next stop is 1800.

[Sean-E-Boy]

has anyone had issues with BIOS and CPU-Z showing different values for mem timings?

which do I trust?

[s0lid]

has anyone had issues with BIOS and CPU-Z showing different values for mem timings?

which do I trust?

Everest works fine

[Randy]

MB,

I have noticed many times that following memory or sometimes FSB changes i have to shut the PSU down completely...simply a reboot will not work. and most of the time once the PSU is turned back on and the system is powered up, it will not POST, just hangs on a black screen. give it a hard reset and everything works fine.

in other news, finally got everything working again after 1521. seems that mch voltage prior to 1521 is not sufficient for 1521, bumped it up and all is good.

will post details later

sean

I found the same thing with 1521 and the MCH voltage.

[gtj]

has anyone had issues with BIOS and CPU-Z showing different values for mem timings?

which do I trust?

Are you looking at the actuals or the SPD dump in CPU-Z?
Anyway, trust the BIOS over CPU-Z or...

Everest works fine

Yep.