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In this review PCSTATS is testing out Foxconn's DigitaLife X38A motherboard, an Intel X38 Express and Intel ICH9R platform that supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory formats.
90% Rating:
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Intel X38 Express - Performance Tuned
The
Intel X38 Express chipset is the last of Intel's new core logic lineup
to be released but certainly not the least; it supports Socket 775 processors
running on an 800/1066/1333MHz Front Side Bus, and unofficially 1600 MHz when overclocked. Be
it an Intel Celeron D, Pentium 4/D/XE or 45nm 'penryn' Core 2 Duo/Quad
processor, the X38 will get you moving!
The Intel X38 Express is paired
with Intel's ICH9 series of Southbridge chipset. The Southbridge chipset that is used with the Foxconn DigitaLife X38A
motherboard is the ICH9R model, so it supports RAID via Intel's Matrix storage
technology.
With the
Intel X38 Express chipset, DDR2 memory speeds have been increased to 1066 MHz, up
from 800 MHz with the previous Intel 975X Express. That increases the
maximum theoretical bandwidth up to 16GB/s when running in a dual
channel configuration.
The Intel X38 Express support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. Initial mainstream modules from
Crucial, Corsair and OCZ are clocked at 800 and 1066 MHz speeds,
and as the standard matures it will quickly settle on 1333 MHz. The Intel X38 Express supports
a maximum of 8GB of unbuffered ECC/non ECC either DDR2 or DDR3 memory, depending
on what the manufacturer chooses to implement. You can install both memory
standards with the Foxconn DigitaLife X38A motherboard, but not at the
same time.
The Intel X38 Express chipset is also the first Intel
Northbridge to come with a heatspreader. This allows the X38 Express to use a
smaller heatsink and still keep the Northbridge chipset cool. Here's a quick look at how the new X38 Express stacks up to the P35 Express and 975X chipsets. Apart from the speed increases and new memory
standard, there are just a few extra ports here and there.
Intel X38, P35, 975, 965 Series Chipset
Feature Breakdown |
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Intel X38 Express Express |
Intel 975X Express
|
Intel P35 Express Express
|
Intel P965 Express
|
Intel G965 Express
|
CPU |
LGA775 Core 2 Duo |
LGA775 Core 2 Duo |
LGA775 Core 2 Duo |
LGA775 Core 2 Duo |
LGA775 Core 2 Duo |
Front Side Bus (FSB) |
1600/1333/1066/800 MHz |
1066/800 MHz |
1333/1066/800 MHz |
1066/800/533 MHz |
1066/800/533 MHz |
Intel Flex Memory Technology |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dual Channel Memory Support |
DDR2 1066/800/667 DDR3
1333(unofficial)/1066/800 |
DDR2 800/667/533 |
DDR2 1066/800/667 DDR3
1333(unofficial)/1066/800 |
DDR2 800/667/533 |
DDR2 667 |
Maximum Memory Capacity |
8GB |
8GB |
8GB |
8GB |
8GB |
Integrated Graphics |
- |
- |
- |
- |
GMA 3000 |
PCI Express x16 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
PCI Express x1 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
Intel Matrix Storage Technology |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
SATA/IDE HDD |
6/0 |
4/1 |
6/0 |
6/0 |
6/0 |
SATA Speed |
3Gb/s |
3Gb/s |
3Gb/s |
3Gb/s |
3Gb/s |
RAID |
0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH9R) |
0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH7R) |
0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH9R) |
0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH8R) |
0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH8R) |
Hard Drive NCQ |
Yes |
- |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
USB 2.0 Ports |
12 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
10 |
PCI Masters |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Audio |
High Definition Audio (Azalia) |
High Definition Audio (Azalia) |
High Definition Audio (Azalia) |
High Definition Audio (Azalia) |
High Definition Audio (Azalia) |
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The Intel X38 Express chipset supports up to two PCI Express
x16 videocards, each with a full 16 PCI Express lanes. With AMD's
CrossFire technology supporting more than two videocards this could be a potential gaming
monster. There are six PCI Express lanes associated with the ICH9R Southbridge and a 2GB/s I/O
bus between the Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets.
The ICH9R supports six 3GB/s Serial ATA II channels (which support RAID
modes 0, 1, 5 and 10) as well a 7.1 channel Intel Azalia high definition audio,
12 USB 2.0 ports in total (split between headers and the I/O slot), six PCI
Express x1 lanes, and an integrated Intel Gigabit MAC that runs through the PCI
Express bus specific to this chipset.
Noticeably
lacking from the chipset is parallel IDE support. In this case, Foxconn rely
upon a stand alone IDE controller. Without this there would be no way to hook up
a DVD-ROM or similar legacy IDE optical drive. Luckily most manufacturers are
installing IDE controllers onto the motherboards so you can use older drives. If
not, time for you to buy a new SATA
DVD burner .
The Foxconn X38A motherboard photo gallery is next, then overclocking.
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