Time To Make A Move? Seven Pentium 4 Mainboards In A Comparison Test
For example, manufacturers can determine whether they want to support DDR400 or DDR2-533 memory when using a 915 chipset. They also get to decide the precise number of PCI Express and PCI slots to put on the board, and can choose whether to go with the newer Socket 775, or stick with the older Socket 478 instead. Other optional features include the network connector (100 Mbit or Gigabit Ethernet), sound system performance (high definition audio), extra memory controllers, or interfaces like IEEE-1394a/b (a.k.a. "Firewire.")
The 915P and 925X chipsets run an FSB clock speed of 200 MHz (termed FB800 because there are four data transfers per clock cycle). However, this past fall Intel introduced the 925XE chipset, which can run at an FSB clock speed of up to 266 MHz (FSB1066). In theory, XE boards are a safer investment, but the number of compatible processors is not going to increase much over the next half year. Only a single new P4 Extreme Edition is set to come out, at a speed of 3.73 GHz, and it is guaranteed to go for astronomical prices, probably in the neighborhood of $1,000. This is obviously not for the average user, and the other P4 processors on the way are all staying with FSB800.
With this background, it is time to take a look at Intel's processor plans, and the motherboards now out on the market.
