Which chipset for Pentium D9xx series?

[compohelp]

I am looing at building a system using a P D930 or 940 and am trying to choose a motherboard.

I think I have narrowed it down to something based on either the NForce4 for Intel or the Intel 945P chipsetsand wanted to know if there is any noticeable performance or stability difference between them? I don't intend to be overclocking BTW.


A couple of considerations.

I wouldn't expect to use the SLI facility of the NForce so can it be disabled and could I then use one ATi based card in one PCIe x16 slot?

I would like two or more PATA channels so I can use my existing ATA133 hard drive and a DVD - I think that having them on the same cable would hit performance - am I right?
I have found the Asus P5LD2 with an aditional PATA controler that would seem to fit my needs that way but does anyone know of any others?

Thank you in advance for any possible help.

 

[davidflet9]

i would recommend the intel 955x chipset as this is a well designed and very solid chipset, also recommended if you intend to use a decrete GPU such as an ATI or Nvidia card. this chipset is however slightly more expensive but you get what you pay for!

 

[Da_Banig]

I would recommend the i955x chipset as well... Either the Asus P5WD2 or the Premium edition. I have two x premium motherboard and it works flawlessly, it has a duel LAN ports can hook up another computer without using a router.

Also its very important that you get the C1 stepping 9xx series. It has a TDP of 95 instead of 135. (less heat output)
http://developer.intel.com/design/pcn/Processors/D0106083.pdf

 

[compohelp]

Thanks for the replies.

The P5WD2 certainly looks to have all I might need. I have downloaded the manual from Asus but it is a bit unclear on one thing that as you have one of these boards you might be able to help with. Does the PSU have to have an 8pin aux 12v connector or will the board run OK with just the standard 4pin?

The P5WD2 and othe 955x boards are a little pricey - does anyone know what sort of difference in performance the 945P would give?

Thanks

 

[Da_Banig]

The regular 4pin is fine. Check the link below for the difference, the 955x chipset is consider as a performance chipset according to intel



http://intel.com/products/chipsets/955x/index.htm

http://intel.com/products/chipsets/945p/index.htm

 

[ak47is1337]

Thanks for the replies.

The P5WD2 certainly looks to have all I might need. I have downloaded the manual from Asus but it is a bit unclear on one thing that as you have one of these boards you might be able to help with. Does the PSU have to have an 8pin aux 12v connector or will the board run OK with just the standard 4pin?

The P5WD2 and othe 955x boards are a little pricey - does anyone know what sort of difference in performance the 945P would give?

Thanks

There is none. 955's are specially chosen 945's that are rated higher and have crossfire support. Hope this helps for your budget build. By the way, NForce4 chipsets have great memory controllers for Intel, and they also may require a BIOS flash to function properly.
Cheers!

 

[davidflet9]

the 945 chipset would also be a reasonable choice they are not as fast (marginal) but still a good choice, i would still recommend the 955x chipset however

ak47is1337, i believe 955x chipset DO NOT support crossfire, they quite often have two slots for discrete GPUs but they work indipendantly of each other, read and compare the way intel presents the PCI-E bus on the two chipsets on their website

 

[ak47is1337]

the 945 chipset would also be a reasonable choice they are not as fast (marginal) but still a good choice, i would still recommend the 955x chipset however

ak47is1337, i believe 955x chipset DO NOT support crossfire, they quite often have two slots for discrete GPUs but they work indipendantly of each other, read and compare the way intel presents the PCI-E bus on the two chipsets on their website

My bad. that's x975.

 

[techtre2003]

The 965s should be coming out soon. They will be the chipset that supports the conroe processor. If you are one to build with future upgrades in mind, it may be worth it to wait just a little longer.

 

[ak47is1337]

The 965s should be coming out soon. They will be the chipset that supports the conroe processor. If you are one to build with future upgrades in mind, it may be worth it to wait just a little longer.

955, 975, 965, 945 and even 865 (yes ddr1) will support Conroe =D

 

[davidflet9]

I would start worshipping satan (would never actualy do this!) before i put conroe with ddr1 that is just a pure insult against all the harworking people who desgned and built that CPU! :!: :x

 

[ak47is1337]

I would start worshipping satan (would never actualy do this!) before i put conroe with ddr1 that is just a pure insult against all the harworking people who desgned and built that CPU! :!: :x

I might considering how much I paid for Mushkin Redline

 

[techtre2003]

Last I heard the 975x would be the only chipset available now that supports Conroe and that would be with a BIOS upgrade. Where did you see that it would support the other chipsets? I would love to put one of these things into my MB I have now!

 

[ak47is1337]

Last I heard the 975x would be the only chipset available now that supports Conroe and that would be with a BIOS upgrade. Where did you see that it would support the other chipsets? I would love to put one of these things into my MB I have now!

http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/news.php?tid=593760
There's an example.

 

[techtre2003]

You're right. Maybe Intel will only "officially" support the 965 and 975 chipsets with the Conroe. I am an Intel Channel member so the information I get is a little different than mainstream. I REALLY hope my 945 ECS board will be able to use the Core 2 processors!!! (looks like there will be a good chance)

 

[compohelp]

By the way, NForce4 chipsets have great memory controllers for Intel, and they also may require a BIOS flash to function properly.

Are there any other problems with NForce4 for Intel? - I think I could manage a BIOS update and in any case the I955x would need it for the C1 rev. P9xx proccessors. I've been reading a comparative test at xbitlabs.com and the NForce is give-and-take with the 955 which makes it look good value if there aren't any stabilility issues.

BTW I would be using the board in single graphics card mode.