XUG 2007 @ Intel

[FUGGER]

Xtreme User Group meeting 2007 was a sucess , Intel invited several of the top guys from around the world, They were flown in and had their brain picked for two days to give Intel feedback to improve the desktop platform and give the enthusiasts the features we love.

First up and most exciting is the GTL reference mod, it will allow the needed adjustments to Intel 975x chipsets to run the Kentsfield to much high FSB speeds, this is fairly simple and gives more control of each cores FSB ability. To best describe the mods; when you clock up the Kentsfield FSB, the window of operation climbs out of reach, with the mod in place it will allow us to adjust that window. One could locate the correct pins on the CPU to locate the mod point on the motherboard.

Much of day one covered chipset and bios, we went over what features we would like to see and why. Everything from reporting MCH timing in bios to addition of an application like memtest to be enabled from bios.

One of the biggest problem is bios reset and we played with the watchdog timer to see it fails to meet the demands of its use. The board will re-post given the bios functions corectly. There was a new XBX2 bios posted two days ago on Intel. We wanted an option to hold the insert, home or end key on the keyboard to boot at default settings to recover a failed OC much quicker, we also request the BIOS config jumper to be moved to the PS2 stack at the back of the board.

We covered voltages, timing and latencies in what we would like to see. We suggested an option for xtreme overclockers to access even higher votlages and advanced settings, no soldering would be needed and it would require you to void your warranty to access these potentially dangerous settings. We went over FSB strap selection for both 975x and 965x chipsets, we went over the differences of both chipsets and undocumented features we would like access to. Such as 1T selecton that is present on 965x and left unused.

We were given a window tour of fab 20 were the chipsets are made, it was very cool to see the massive hardware needed to manufacture the silicon wafers and each step explained in detail from the engineers who manage that fab.

Day 2 started with chip lapping with the thermals engineer as well as IHS removal, we went into detail the poor surface level of the Intel IHS and the variation in core temps if left un-lapped.

I sent one of my cascade to Intel but it did not arrive intact, it was very low on gas and we elected to skip that portion with just a brief fire up of the units, it did reach -80c but it had no capacity.

We had a tour of the validation labs and met with many of the engineers in Hawthorne Farms Campus.

XS was allowed to invite six people to attend but Hipro5 was not able to make the meeting. Tony, The Stilt, Chilly1 Freecableguy, and myself were in attendance. It was good to meet Roger, a quiet guy and I am sure he had a blast.

I wish I had pictures but we were not allowed cameras in the buildings. We did take a group photo with the engineers that may be forwarded to us at a future date,

Many thanks to Intel for inviting us to your facilities for VIP treatment.

[alexio]

Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun
And I hope they listen to your advice

[Brettbeck]

Cool, shame you weren't allowed to take cameras with you.

[eva2000]

wow that must of been an info packed meet!

Anyone gather up the courage to ask about full on SLI support on 975x/965p ?

[Ashraf]

Wow, I'm glad they invited you guys over there for the feedback! So what did they think of the feedbacks that you guys gave them?

[K404]

That sounds absolutely great. I`d have loved no, really, LOVED to have been there Its good that you guys are being noticed AND listened to....kudos

[icon57]

sounds like you guys had a blast, i would have loved to hear the discussions you guys had.

[Fr3ak]

Great job with the suggestions.
If they really listen to what you proposed, future (Intel) chipsets could be what overclockers have waited for.
CMOS clear on the back of the board. Great.
Hopefully they will at least implement a few of the bios features being mentioned.
Thank you to everyone present at the meeting for proposing those great suggestions.

[Skyline GT-R]

Seems like u guys had a great time over there at intels.

And it would be very cool if intel would release some sort of BX2 XtremeSystems Edition with all the nice features u guys asked for

[rozzyroz]

good to see they are doing some market research, and getting it straight from the source is cool.

[Timmay]

Originally Posted by PallMall

So in teh future we might see dfi nf4 lookalike mainboards from Intel?

QFT, almost all of the features you mentioned where on DFI nF4 mobos.
But hey at least they are taking steps to improve and listening to the OC'ing community.

[Revv23]

it would be unreal to see 1t on 965 boards.

[zillaoc]

Thank you FUGGER...

[mrlobber]

Originally Posted by FUGGER

First up is the GTL reference mod, it will allow the needed adjustments to Intel 975x chipsets to run the Kentsfield to much high FSB speeds, this is fairly simple and gives more control of each cores FSB ability. To best describe the mods; when you clock up the Kentsfield FSB, the window of operation climbs out of reach, with the mod in place it will allow us to adjust that window.

I guess that's the "fsb wall" mod some people were talking about here recently Glad to see it finally coming out in one or the other way...

[The Stilt]

Originally Posted by Revv23

it would be unreal to see 1t on 965 boards.

Abit IB9 has it already.
Most of the manufacturers should already know how to implement this because Intel partners have received the information regarding it on a appnote.

[day187]

Nice 1 FUGGER,

where was my phone call/email lol
j/k

[NapalmV5]

will they inc. cache on the upcoming chipsets?

[cky2k6]

wow, all of this sounds awesome. now to convince intel to stop being stubborn and at least sign a contract for sli if theyre too proud to let ati resign... all of this sounds great, especially concerning watchdog/jumper, this is one of the biggest complains i have had with every mobo ive owned, granted not intel...

[Revv23]

Originally Posted by The Stilt

Abit IB9 has it already.
Most of the manufacturers should already know how to implement this because Intel partners have received the information regarding it on a appnote.

can you give any info on how it effects performance, fsb, and ram clocking?

[elec999]

I belive this totally offtopic, but I have to ask. Is there anyway in to put three cores to sleeps, while running in idle mode, if you keep your pc on 24/7, and activate all the cores when needed.
Thanks

[wwwww]

Originally Posted by elec999

I belive this totally offtopic, but I have to ask. Is there anyway in to put three cores to sleeps, while running in idle mode, if you keep your pc on 24/7, and activate all the cores when needed.
Thanks

http://www.wprime.net/untitled1.jpg
Managed to disable 1 core...

[Tony]

Intel are really stepping up their focus on overclocking, I was honoured to be invited to the XUG and pushed hard to get lots of tweaks in place that should bring the options to a level with what we have seen on NF4 etc. GTL Vref looks to be one of the tweaks we have missed although it is available on the RD600 from DFI...it will greatly help kents users who lose a core during overclocking as it allows you to tweak the window individually for each core pretty much so you should be able to dial in the core that is lost as the fsb ramps up.

Thanks Fugger for getting us all involved and thanks to Intel for the hospitality and allowing us to push them for answers...I think I was only told once the question i asked was under NDA...so you can imagine how much they opened up to us

T

[erwinz]

very nice.. I hope intel listen..

XS

[The Stilt]

Got the rework done for Asus Commando but I´m still figuring out the resistor values

A guide will follow soon.

[The Stilt]