Intel X38 motherboard spec questions?

I think the system bus figures you are referring to are meant to be supported RAM speeds in mhz.

When 1600/1333/1066/800 system bus is referred to, they are referring to system bus, not processor.

It says on my box that the memory, 8GB max natively supports 1200MHz DRAM, but above where it list processer bus speeds shows 1600/1333 etc.. Go to NewEgg because it even says it there under the spec's tab. I have been hearing about server processers based on Penryn 45nm that will use 1600MHz FSB.

I'm sure it means any hardware (cpu) uusing up to 1600 mhz. fsb (or system) bus will be supported. I took it as the new 45nm processors. The P35 does not support 1600mhz. fsb. Unlessa BIOS update in the future allows it.

Now you need two 3870 x2's in PCIE 2.0 16 x 2 and 8GB PC8500 with Vista 64 8).

I could have got a 680i, but they are old now. I mean they don't have PCI-E 2.0 and I know it'll take some time before the PCI-E 1.0 will be fully utilized. I tend to favor Intel chipsets over Nvidia's chipsets and will probibly never go SLI or CrossFire because every two years Nvidia comes out with a new killer top-end card that could wipe the floor with the two older (2x7900GTX) SLI cards. So every two years you could spend $1200 for two new high-end cards (9800GTX) or $600 for one every two years.

ASUS x38 DDR2 is becoming a good overclocking board with BIOS revision.

I haven't even begun to assemble my computer since my Asus P5B Deluxe died (bad BIOS) an early death. Do you know what revision is the newer one? Check out the 38 reviews on NewEgg not one board has failed to post or had any problem whatsoever.

I have maximus Formula PE X38. I'm currrently using the latest non-beta BIOS version 0802. There has been issues about incorrect CPU temps, but as the revisions come things like memory dividers and higher possible overclocks with quad cores are being reported. There will be a lot of BIOS revisions as the 45nm processor release gets closer. I had no issues at all setting up my X38. My systems run perfect, but I'm not a big overclocker. I plan to get 8gb of PC8500, a couple of ati cards in crossfire and a penryn in the upcoming months. The ASUS X38 has some new features in BIOS. As an overclocker, you should be pleased.

When you say BIOS revision you mean BIOS updates right? In the review of the P5E at XBitLabs it didn't have the CPU Vcore damper, can Asus add more BIOS features through newer BIOS updates? The P5E uses the same PCB as the Maximus Formula, I can see the letters under the P5E sticker.

I think so, as long as the MB hardware allows for the feature. Ar recent review at Anandtech show X38 slowly pulling ahead of P35 where overlocking is concerned. Anandtech now recomends the ASUS X38 as a very good overclocker with lots of opotential. Really, I was using a 965P in my main system and I just wanted to be ready for Penryn. I can never resist.

Fate stepped in and killed my Asus P5B, I should thank fate for that one huh? Newegg exchanged them for me for the same price.