** OFFICIAL ** Intel DX38BT & DX48BT2 BoneTrail Thread

[Sean-E-Boy]

Hello again!

Does this board supports *multiple* RAID-configurations, or i need an additional RAID-controller? I mean something like two 500gb drives in raid 1 mirror array and two separate 1tb drives into another raid 1 mirror array? Didn't checked it, but maybe should i turn on onboard devices prompts?

Does the Thermal Throttling belongs only to CPU, or is it a part of Intel SpeedStep technology?
Does C1E state still locked to enabled?

(I was out of PC market for at least 7 years...)

You should be able to do that.

as for thermal throttling, good question. I dont think that you can disable it...as i think that it can work in more than one way.

1) if your CPU is above the lowest multi (even with speedstep enabled, which is more of a power saver than a CPU protection mechanism) and you hit the thermal threshold, the CPU will start to lower the multi to reduce the frequency in an attemp to reduce the heat.

2) at some point, the CPU will limit the maximum load that it will take. For example, under normal conditions, the CPU will run at 100% load, but when it gets too hot, it may run at something like 80% of the maximum load for the current settings (hostXmulti).

for your last question, i think that with the newest BIOS, disabling C1E will actually disable it. my memory is that earlier versions had the option, but it didnt work correctly.

sean

[Sean-E-Boy]

Does anyone have the DX38BT with Q9650?

For processor I have "Unknown Device". Is this normal?

most likely you need to update your BIOS. I cannot get to the intel page that lists what bios is needed for that processor.

what BIOS version are you on?

sean

[mpeg3s]

I have BIOS BTX3810J.86A for the DX38BT.

Should I have to reinstall Vista x64 SP2. I deleted all CPU reg data by hand and it redetected the same.

Thanks!

most likely you need to update your BIOS. I cannot get to the intel page that lists what bios is needed for that processor.

what BIOS version are you on?

sean

[soccergeek24]

i ran dual 3870's and dual 4870's on my Bone Trail. CrossFire worked great. anything longer than a 4870 will cover up SATA ports on the right side of this motherboard though.

Mrbungle, thanks for the response.

If I reduce my monitor count to 1x24" monitor as opposed to 2x18" monitors...would I be better off NOT using crossfire?

[Sean-E-Boy]

I have BIOS BTX3810J.86A for the DX38BT.

Should I have to reinstall Vista x64 SP2. I deleted all CPU reg data by hand and it redetected the same.

Thanks!

The BIOS version comes after what you typed. provide the whole string from the BIOS.

not sure if deleting registry values was a good idea, doubt that it is an issue with your OS.

go here, download and run it:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/conf...Name=&lang=eng

should fix your troubles.

[dukzcry]

Sean-E-Boy:

i think that with the newest BIOS, disabling C1E will actually disable it

With using 1902 bios neither SpeedStep disabling nor C1E disabling work. I mean it always lowering multi
while idle. Checked with CPU-Z and other utility, that using the same core.
Any confirmations?
Of course it's doesn't very matter for me. Only sort of interest.

[Manel]

Holy crap!!
IDCC page re-structured, now downloads available for each individual board. Can't download anything for DX38BT/48BT2 though. Even DP45SG SeaBurg mobo has v4.3.0.1198 available now. Things are looking good again. I guess a new BIOS version may be coming out soon. Maybe power issue fixed? Mem settings improvements also? Dream on...

[Manel]

IDCC for BoneTrails must be under development now, Matt is holding to his promise. Now you can't even download the latest available v4.1.0.0168. Maybe now we get v4.2.0 next, since DP45SB has v4.3.0 and DX58SO has v4.4.0, although I understood form Matt that they would be unifying all versions for all boards. Maybe next version.

SoccerGeek, if you have the boards already why not use CrossFire? I don't use ATI boards myself but I hear their drivers aren't that great for CrossFire setups, at least performance wise, but guess they're improving. Still, unless if you're concerned with power consumption, I see no reason why not use both cards.

Dukzcry, I also believe that is fixed with the latest BIOS but can't be sure right now. If this is not fixed already we should report to Intel, so they can fix it in the next BIOS version, if they can that is, since this has been open for so long. We should report every bug for that matter.

[Pontius]

Hey so I decided that until I can get a new power supply, I'm just gonna leave the host clock at 400, How should I start going about adjusting the memory? should I see if i can get the multi up to 7.5 stable before I start doing anything else?

[soccergeek24]

IDCC for BoneTrails must be under development now, Matt is holding to his promise. Now you can't even download the latest available v4.1.0.0168. Maybe now we get v4.2.0 next, since DP45SB has v4.3.0 and DX58SO has v4.4.0, although I understood form Matt that they would be unifying all versions for all boards. Maybe next version.

SoccerGeek, if you have the boards already why not use CrossFire? I don't use ATI boards myself but I hear their drivers aren't that great for CrossFire setups, at least performance wise, but guess they're improving. Still, unless if you're concerned with power consumption, I see no reason why not use both cards.

IDCC news = YAY!

Manel, I have heard the same thing about the ATI drivers for the crossfire setups...but not as much since the new CCC came out (which I love). I haven't really had any problems running my single Radeon 4870...So I am thinking I might stick with it for a while longer and install another 4870 when the price comes down a little more.

I look forward to any more IDCC news that comes out. Here's hoping for good news!

[fredoariaudo]

Its my first overclock

I have Intel E8500 processor
Intel X48BT2 MB
2 x 2 Gb Supertalent DDR3 1333 Mhz
Zalman 9700 NT

How shoud i configure my system to overclock the procesor??
Shoud i have to overclock memorys?

Help me please

[Manel]

Intel changed their downloads page again, only minor changes now though.
Still no IDCC download possible, I believe (and hope) they might be working on it.
I emailed Matt at Intel asking about it, let's see what he says.
Hoping for a working version finally.

SG, I haven't heard any real problems latelly with ATI drivers or CCC but performance just doesn't seem to be there yet, even with the 4890. By the way, Catalyst 9.5 out today.

Fred, welcome. We can go all over it again but if you can take the time to read the thread you'll find a lot of usefull info. I know it's a long thread, 79 pages of it but there are a couple of detailed posts about this. For the 8500 you have to oc the FSB, are you familiar with this? Your mem will clock higher as well, you can change the ratio if it can't handle the high freqs. Also you might need to add extra voltage to CPU, FSB and/or NB depending on how far you want to go and your particular hardware samples.

[Manel]

Guys, Matt replied saying a new beta (well, still not final it seems) IDCC and a new BIOS are under final eval and will be posted, provided they find no issues, next week. Cross your fingers.
Thanx Matt

[Manel]

Guys, I'm impressed. Just installed new IDT Audio drivers and, although not perfect, it's much better than before. Finally, even Dolby is working. Great!! Pumping away right now, listning to Within Temptation and sounds awesome so far. There was an error after installation but everything seems to be ok. Also I think there was a sound hickup at first boot but all seems ok now.
The interface is much cleaner now, looks better but still not completelly Vista like. But it's customisable which is good, opacity control and all. Also, now there are mini-apps, running the EQ one that looks nice.
Still a lot to do regarding User Interface design though, but that's just my opinion of course. It should be better integrated with Vista, also new icon was in order.

[Manel]

Installed also nVidia 185.85 WHQL drivers, no probs here so far.
Have you been reading about upcoming GT300? It seems it's a real monster (512bit wide GDDR5, can you believe it? Massive bandwidth but complex PCB layout. Transistor count sky rocketed as well) but will be late for 7 and DX11. And it will be a step in the Larrabee direction as far as I know, software shaders instead of hardware fixed function shaders even after Jen-Hsun condemning Intel for going that route with Larrabee (Laughbee). It's gonna be a lot of new stuff for nVidia, GDDR5, 40nm process node, DX11, you name it. It's gonna be trouble for them, they probably won't have it ready before Q1 2010. ATI on the other hand will be ok with R870 I guess, most of DX11 is already there (with DX10.1), 40nm is not exactly new anymore and GDDR5 is widelly used already.
40nm was a problem for nVidia already with the newer GT200 parts. I gyess they'll be in trouble next year, ATI will reign supreme and it could be nVidia's downfall. Let's hope not, since this wouldn't be good for anyone, a battle of the 3 giants will be ineresting. Probably Intel will buy over nVidia if they really get in trouble.
The Dark is rising, stay tuned...

[Pontius]

ok scratch that, I got an 850 watt on its way. I think that will solve a lot of my problems actually. Oh and I'm gonna go try the IDT drivers!

[soccergeek24]

Hey, did anyone install the new BIOS version yet (1997)? Here's what it lists as improvements:

New Fixes/Features:
• Fixed issue where Intel® Desktop Control Center (IDCC) will not
start.
• Fixed issue with IDCC support for Memory Command Rate.
• Set Memory Command Rate to be greyed out unless in Manual mode.
• Fixed issue where more than 4GB system memory causes slow boot
time.
• Fixed issue where Current Processor Voltage in BIOS Setup reports
invalid value.
• Added 30 second timeout to reboot system at watchdog error prompt.
• Fixed iFlash non-reboot method with slow execution.
• Updated BIOS update recovery method with fixes for potential SMRR
issues.
• Fixed issues where BIOS Setup / IDCC show limited choice of CPU
Multiplier after under-clocking.

I see IDCC is mentioned 3 times in the features/fixes...but I don't see IDCC release listed on the downloads page...only beta

[Manel]

SG, just dl'ed it but haven't installed it yet. The reason IDCC is mentioned so often is that this new BIOS was mostly developed to work with the upcoming IDCC version. Received an email from Matt @ Intel (IDCC team head) confirming that, if no problems arise, the new version of IDCC will be out this week. The old beta version is no more available, if you try to download it you just go back to the downloads page.
The numbering for Intel BIOSes puzzles me, it took a while for this new version and maybe there were quite a few intermediate interin versions to fix all these issues, but going from 1902 to 1997 with just these changes, and earlier version with loads of changes didn't change much in the numbering.
This will probably be the last BIOS for this board. Still, no power issue solved it seems, also the mem improvements seem to have been forgotten (John, what happened to you?).
I'll wait for IDCC and then flash.

[HighTest]

I'm sooo jazzed that development continues for this board. I'm still happy with my purchase decision and I've been getting decent enough performance I'll likely hold onto this for another year or so. Let's see what's on the CPU horizon then.

[Pontius]

Hey so I went ahead and flashed to the new bios. I dont know if it was that or the new power supply I put in at the same time but the issues I was having before of having 4 dimms in have been solved. I think I'm gonna have a lot easier time with this new PSU installed.

[Sean-E-Boy]

hey, can you guys do me a favor?

not sure if its b/c of 1997, Windows 7 x64, or something else, but I have an unknown device that microsoft cannot find the driver for.

If you would please, right-click my computer, choose manage, device manager, at the top select View then devices by connection. after that, expand ACPI, then Microsoft ACPI, then PCI Bus, then Intel R ICH9R LPC Interface Controller - 2916 and see if you have 6 or 7 devices listed.

I show:
direct memory access controller
numeric data processor
programmable interrupt controller
System CMOS/real time clock
system speaker
system timer
Unknown device

trying to figure out what that unknown device is.

thanks

sean

[Sean-E-Boy]

nevermind, i seem to have enabled "away mode" in the BIOS, and this relates to that.

[Manel]

Sean, away mode? Cool, is it available only on Windows 7?

New doc on IDCC download page, saying only they expect to release it till the end of June. Now, Matt said they'd release it this week. Have to ask him again. Maybe something went wrong.

[dukzcry]

Sean-E-Boy: I see, that you use fast WD Raptor harddrives. Do you use any external PCI-E RAID controller for them and other?

Manel:

I also believe that is fixed with the latest BIOS but can't be sure right now. If this is not fixed already we should report to Intel, so they can fix it in the next BIOS version, if they can that is, since this has been open for so long. We should report every bug for that matter.

It'll be good, if anyone except me will report the same. Maybe i just didn't set something right.

fredoariaudo:

How shoud i configure my system to overclock the procesor??
Shoud i have to overclock memorys?

If you're haven't enough time or haven't enough patience to read the whole topic, you'll may just
step to this greatest Sean-E-Boy post.

I don't know what right, but in mine case I NEEDED set up MANUAL memory settings, and increase memory frequency and right voltage for my memory.
If my memory settings were taken from SPD i didn't get more just even than 393+ FSB frequency and boot into OS.

As Sean-E-Boy recommended, you'll better fetch an IntelBurnTest (not that with similar name from official Intel site, but from this author). You'll better get IntelBurnTest 1.92 or lower (command-line version), as i when i tried v2 (GUI one), it didn't work AT ALL.
This test as sad previously is really overheating, much more than popular OCCTPT.
Don't hesitate to waste your time for running MORE instances, like 15 or 20 for IntelBurnTest, as with don't right memory voltage (i only presume :-)), i had for example right calculation on first 5 (!) instances, and 3 random of next 15 for example WEREN'T MATCH.

I didn't had stability over than 3.41Ghz and 1600Mhz memory (with slowest timings for first time). I think it's improper voltages of memory,
as i fail IntelBurnTest on upper settings.
BTW, will try my experiments when will set thermal grease properly, as i get 65+ on 3.5..Ghz per cores.

[Sean-E-Boy]

Manel,
In theory, any OS including and after XP SP2 that supports the ability to stream media to a device like an XBOX 360 or other media extender is capable of Away Mode. Really what it does is turn most of the components (monitor, lights...) off and makes the computer seem like it is off, but when a media extender device requests something the computer is able to deliver.

dukz,
No, i dont use esata or an additional RAID card. the built in raid is pretty good...sustained read speed on my 2 raptors is never lower than 90MB/s and if recently defragmented will commonly read around 120MB/s sustained. Can copy from raptors to the 3x320GB drives in RAID 0 at around 100MB/s pretty much regardless of fragmentation (although i never let this get too bad) on the raptors.

The only issue i have is that this board needs at least 2 more internal SATA ports, right now i am still using IDE DVD drives.

and if i were to use an additional PCI-E RAID controller, it would have to support SAS drives.