The Intel G33 Express Northbridge chipset replaces the G965 Express as Intel's mainstream integrated core logic part. The G33 Express supports Socket 775 processors running on an 800/1066/1333 MHz Front Side bus which also include's Intel's coming "Penryn" processor. The G33 Express ships with the ICH9 series of Southbridge chipsets.

The southbridge used with the ECS G33T-M2 motherboard is the ICH9 model which means the motherboard does not support Intel's Matrix Storage Technology.

Intel quad core processors to set to be the mainstream CPU by mid-2008, so motherboard chipsets have to keep up with the demands of the hungry CPU. An increased Front Side Bus, from 1066MHz to 1333 MHz speeds up data communication to the necessary levels. Intel also modified the memory controller, boosting DDR2 memory to 1066 MHz from 800 MHz. That increases maximum theoretical bandwidth to 16GB/s (in a dual channel configuration).

These changes are largely incremental, the most significant architectural improvement to the G33 Express chipset has been the inclusion of DDR3 RAM support. Initial DDR3 memory modules from Crucial, Corsair and OCZ run at 800 and 1066 MHz speeds, as the standard matures it's will go to 1333MHz. The ECS G33T-M2 does not support DDR3 as the standard is not slated to become mainstream till mid 2008. Come that time though, you cannot install DDR3 memory into the G33T-M2, the DDR3 standard is not compatible with DDR2. The Intel G33 Express supports a maximum of 8GB of non ECC unbuffered memory, either DDR3 or DDR2, depending on what the manufacturer has chosen to implement.

Here's a quick look at how the new G33 stacks up to the G965 Express chipsets. Apart from the speed increases and new memory standard, there are really just a few extra ports here and there.

Intel G33, P35, P/G965 Series Chipset Feature Breakdown Intel P35 Express Express Intel G33 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 Front Side Bus (FSB) 1333/1066/800 MHz 1333/1066/800 MHz 1066/800/533 MHz 1066/800/533 MHz Intel Flex Memory Technology Yes Yes Yes Yes Dual Channel Memory Support DDR2 1066/800/667 DDR3 1333(unofficial)/1066/800 DDR2 1066/800/667 DDR3 1333(unofficial)/1066/800 DDR2 800/667/533 DDR2 667 Maximum Memory Capacity 8GB 8GB 8GB 8GB Integrated Graphics - GMA 3100 - GMA 3000 PCI Express x16 1 1 1 1 PCI Express x1 6 6 4 4 Intel Matrix Storage Technology Yes Yes Yes Yes SATA/IDE HDD 6/0 6/0 6/0 6/0 SATA Speed 3Gb/s 3Gb/s 3Gb/s 3Gb/s RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH9R) 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 12 8 10 PCI Masters 6 6 6 6 Audio High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia)

The Intel G33 Express chipset supports an onboard videocard dubbed GMA X3100. We'll get into the features of the new videocard shortly, but first a bit more on the Intel G33 Express. There's PCI Express x16 support for a standalone videocard if you find the onboard video lacking. For instance the GMA X3100 is too slow for gaming, so if that's in your cards you'll want to install something else. The Intel ICH9 southbridge supports up to six PCI Express x1 slots, although there's only one on the ECS G33T-M2. It is up to the motherboard manufacturer to determine how many PCI Express x1 slots to implement.