First Build - comments on GA_965P_DQ6?

[jr2408]

All,

This is going to be a first time build for me. I plan to match a Intel C2D E6600 with the following components:-

Gigabyte GA_965P_DQ6 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-058-GI)

Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 TwinX (2x1GB) (MY-108-CS)

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket 775) (HS-017-AR)

I plan to do heavy multitasking and some games. I will be overclocking for the first time, hopefully to around 3ghz.

Can anyone give me some help in understanding:-

- Is this motherboard a good choice? Have poeple expereinced problems with it?
- Will this Ram work with the motherboard?
- As a newbie to build & overclock (but pretty savvy with PC's and tech stuff in general) how difficult is it to set up this board and get a stable system?
- Will this cooler be ok with this board?
- Any other thoughts or advice?

Your help appreciated!

 

[sruane]

I have that motherboard and it works great - IF you use memory that will run at 1.8v. Otherwise the board will simply not boot. No POST codes, no beeps, nothing. Completely dead.

 

[windego]

I have that motherboard and it works great - IF you use memory that will run at 1.8v. Otherwise the board will simply not boot. No POST codes, no beeps, nothing. Completely dead.

That's assuming you get a board with the F1 bios. I received a F3 board, and i have exactly the same memory, and it posted fine.

Btw that memory will be running at 5-5-5-18 using the default bios settings. If you want to run at 4-4-4-12, then you will need to flash to F5 bios then change the memory from auto to manual in the bios. I had a conversation with corsair about problems running the memory at CAS4 on this board. Apparently it's a bug, which when changed to CAS4, actually runs it at CAS3. That's why you get BSOD's when using F1-F4 bios revisions. I'm assuming they fixed it in F5. However i can't say for certain because i'm waiting for replacement ram (one of my 2gb sticks died).

I don't think that cpu cooler would be much better than the stock hsf. If you want something better than the stock temps, get a zalman 9500 and arctic silver 5 paste. My E6600 runs at 23-26 idle without o/c. If i o/c to 3.4 ghz, my temps rise to about 28-32 idle, but that's mainly because of the increased vcore.

 

[sruane]

I have that motherboard and it works great - IF you use memory that will run at 1.8v. Otherwise the board will simply not boot. No POST codes, no beeps, nothing. Completely dead.

That's assuming you get a board with the F1 bios. I received a F3 board, and i have that exactly the same memory, and it posted fine.

Btw that memory will be running at 5-5-5-18 using the default bios settings. If you want to run at 4-4-4-12, then you will need to flash to F5 bios then change the memory from auto to manual in the bios. I has a conversation with corsair about problems running the memory at CAS4 on this board. Apparently it's a bug, which when changed to CAS4, actually runs it at CAS3. That's why you get BSOD's when using F1-F4 bios revisions. I'm assuming they fixed it in F5. However i can say for certain because i'm waiting for replacement ram (one of my 2gb sticks died).

I have an F3 board too - and it will not boot with ddr2-800 memory without upping the voltage. But to do that you need memory that it will boot from. It's not a function of the BIOS, but a function of the 965P chipset. Go ahead - clear the CMOS and try booting with DDR2-800 memory which requires 2.1v and let us know how that works for you.

I am able to run Supertalent ddr2-667 memory (5-5-5-18 SPD value) at ddr2-800 (4-4-4-12), but the only reason that works is that it works at 1.8v.

And I didn't get a BSOD. I got a paperweight - the board wouldn't even power up.

And I don't know what you mean by F5 - they just released F4 last week. Are we even talking about the same board? I'm talking about the Gigabyte DA-965P-DQ6.

 

[windego]

I have that
I have an F3 board too - and it will not boot with ddr2-800 memory without upping the voltage. But to do that you need memory that it will boot from. It's not a function of the BIOS, but a function of the 965P chipset. Go ahead - clear the CMOS and try booting with DDR2-800 memory which requires 2.1v and let us know how that works for you.

I am able to run Supertalent ddr2-667 memory (5-5-5-18 SPD value) at ddr2-800 (4-4-4-12), but the only reason that works is that it works at 1.8v.

And I didn't get a BSOD. I got a paperweight - the board wouldn't even power up.

And I don't know what you mean by F5 - they just released F4 last week. Are we even talking about the same board? I'm talking about the Gigabyte DA-965P-DQ6.

Well, i'm using the DS3, but they both use the same 965 chipset reference design, which has been causing the memory voltage problems. The F3 on the DS3 boots fine with Corsair XMS2 PC-6400C4. I'm assuming any of these board series with a bios revision > F1 will boot ok with ram above 1.8v

 

[Hando567]

i have the bord and its great. but to save you some money id get some Patriot CAS4 its just as good but cheaper. im using it and it OCs well plus it booted fine from my board which came with F1 and my memory specs at 2.1V. but yeah its a great setup.

 

[kcconlin9319]

I have the DQ6 with the XMS2-6400C4 memory and (knock on wood) it's been very stable since I flashed the F4 BIOS. I'm running 4-4-4-12 at 2.05V. Just ordered the MSI X1900XTX to go with it; they're back in stock at the Egg with the $150 rebate.

 

[xux84]

I have it and it runs great! I have E6600@3.4GHz 378FSB Geil Ultra 800 with scythe ninja air cooler.

 

[GigabyteRules]

i also have this board and its great, spez the onboard sound but if u use pata u wont be able to use linux or vista i cant anyway. i can only gett xp to install (i only have 1pata hd and one pata dvddrive, but apart from that its great loads of extras 2 the F4 bios is also out for it