965p vs 975x question

[tecnique]

All of the p965 chipset boards I look at say something in their specs about the memory :: either must have timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 :: and it always says that it must use memory with JEDEC approved 1.8V operation.

When i look for memory(ddr2 800) it is always higher than 1.8V, and i would like to get some with 4-4-4 timings.

The 975x boards never say anything about this but as I understand it they are older yet more expensive. And the only plus side I see to them is that they can make better use of two graphic cards.

If anyone could clear this up for me it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[eggdo]

I hv the same question as you do. which one is the better chip? but as far as i know 975x has the greater range of OC'ing. but for memory range support i'll go with 965p it's the newer one...

But since NVidia now already released 6xx chipset then i suggest you go with NVidia 680i mobo...

 

[tecnique]

Yea, but for me it is a price issue and 680i doesn't fit, so if the 975x is just because of the 8x x2 GPU situation I am not impressed. But now I see it has 2x IDE controllers which i need, so I just don't know.

 

[darkstar782]

975X is actually the older chipset, but it is the "higher" one.

Not all 975X boards will support Core 2 Duo. Most of them do these days however.

965P is the newer chip and tends to hit a greater FSB. It is combined with ICH8R however and has *NO* IDE channels unless the mobo maker adds a third party one. It supports some crossfire configs but only in x16/x4 mode.

975X boards use ICH7R, this has 1 IDE channel. Mobo makers usually add a second. The 975X boards tend to integrate better features.

The mobo will run fine with DDR2-800 4-4-4, its just that if the SPD timings are tighter than the RAM can support @ 1.8v the system wont boot. This is why you have you set the timings youself on them unless you buy SLI/EPP memory and have a compatible mobo.

 

[tecnique]

That sucks one big ball. So my real upside of choosing a more expensive (975x, as I need IDE for HD and CDROM drive) board is one IDE slot?

 

[Crashman]

The real upside is that it supports two x16 slots with x8 bandwidth, rather than x16-x4 by disabling x1 slots.

 

[tecnique]

Meh. Very True. but before I will decide to SLI my card I will probably buy a DX10 card. Anyone know of a cheap C2D mobo with few common problems with 2 IDE controllers?

 

[eggdo]

The real upside is that it supports two x16 slots with x8 bandwidth, rather than x16-x4 by disabling x1 slots.

Agree... butt why not go with nForce 680i for the real x16 SLi

 

[Crashman]

Because it won't support Crossfire?

 

[eggdo]

What are the upside n downside between crossfire and SLi anyway? :?

 

[Crashman]

If you want to pair two nVidia cards, you use SLI. If you want to pair two AMD cards, you use Crossfire.