Build 2: Intel Quad Core 6800 Processor (QX 6800)
We chose the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core QX 6800 for our testing, to observe what kinds of noise levels a desktop built around this type of high-end processor would manifest. At the time we requested this processor from Intel, they hadn’t yet released the QX 6850 model, so it represented the pinnacle of CPU desktop power. We chose the new Gigabyte P35T-DQ6 motherboard because it not only offers plenty of features and capabilities, as well as DDR3 memory support and durable components, but also because it’s passively cooled as well.
Gigabyte GA-P35T-DQ6
Northbridge
Intel P35 Express (MCH)
Southbridge
Intel ICH9R
Voltage Regulator
Six Phases
BIOS
AMI 0502 (04/03/2007)
333.25 MHz (FSB1333)
333.25 MHz (+0.0%)Connectors and Interfaces
Onboard
2x PCIe x16
3x PCIe x1
2x PCI
4x USB 2.0 (2 ports per connector)
1x COM
1x Printer
1x TV out
1x Floppy
1x Ultra ATA
8x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s
1x Front Panel Audio
1x S/P-DIF In/Out
1x TPM header (testmodule)
1x IEEE-1394 FireWire
1x Fan 4 pins (CPU)
1x Fan 3 pins (Chassis)
1x Clear CMOS Jumper
IO panel
2x PS2 (keyboard + mouse)
1x RJ-45 Network
4x USB 2.0
1x IEE1394a port
1x eSATA port
1x LPT port
1x COM port
1x optical S/PDIF output
1x coaxial S/PDIF output
6x Analog Audio (5.1 Channel, Mic-In, Line-In)Mass Storage Controllers
ICH-79R
6 x SATA 3 Gb/s (RAID 0,1, 10, 15)
1x Internal SATA 3.0 GB/s (RAID 0,1)
JMicron SATA JMB 363 Controller
1x Ultra ATA 133/100/66Network
GbE LAN controller
Realtek RTL8111B PCIeAudio
HDA Controller Interface
Realtek ALC889S 8-channel HD audioFireWire
TI TSB43AB23
3x IEEE-1394a (400 Mb/s)Graphics
Integrated graphics
NoneMemory
Dual channel
4x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM
Up to 8 GB of unbuffered 1333/1066/800 MHz DDR3
The heatpipes and cooling fins on the Gigabyte P35T-DQ6 posed some interesting challenges as we put our system together. Many of our favorite LGA 775 coolers simply wouldn’t fit within the clearances left over after memory was installed and the CPU seated. None of the conventional flower style coolers we tried would fit, including a couple of Zalman models (the Fatal1ty and the CNPS 9500) that we keep around for system builds. We ended up choosing a modified flower design, the Thermaltake TMG i2 CL-0372, because its design lets it fit into the close quarters available on the P35T-DQ6 motherboard. This was an interesting situation, because case clearances posed no problems ; rather, it was the motherboard we had to fit very closely here. On the other hand, the Super Talent DDR3 modules were relatively low profile and posed no installation problems whatsoever, despite their breathtaking cost.
QX6800 System Hardware
Socket 775 Processor
Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core
(Kentsfield 65 nm, 2.93 GHz, 8 MB L2 Cache)
RAM
Super Talent W1600UX2G7 DDR3 PC3-8500 1066 MHz (CL 7-7-7-15)
2x Seagate 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320 GB, 7,200 RPM, 16 MB Cache, SATA/300
Graphics Card
Gigabyte GV- NX86S256H GeForce 8600 GTS SilentPipe 3 - 256 MB
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450W power supplySystem Software & Drivers
OS
Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2005 Build 5.10.2600, Service Pack 2
DirectX Version
9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Platform Drivers
Intel Platform : INF 8.3.0.1013
Graphics Driver
Forceware 162.18
