Core 2 (Conroe & Merom) Motherboards - A Complete List of

[renethx]

The post was moved to the new thread Core 2 & AM2 Motherboards - Recommendations and Complete Lists. I am sorry for your inconvenience.

The post became extremely long and it was very hard to edit it (it takes several minuites to load and save it in the "Edit a Message" windows and I frequently get an error message when saving it). So I need to divide it in a several small pieces. (Moreover I will add another long message on AM2 motherboads soon that will double the size of the post.)

 

[renethx]

deleted

 

[JAG87]

STICKY

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: JAG87
STICKY

Seconded

Edit: Maybe if we start a flamewar in here, this thread would get a little more love.

Kudos to thee, renethx:thumbsup:

 

[mitaiwan82]

wow nominated for sticky!

 

[customcoms]

Definatly sticky this!!! Can't wait for updates (with the C2 revision of the Intel 965P chipset especially)!

 

[lopri]

Everytime someone does work like this I'm just speechless. Often times I'm too lazy even to answer questions for my posts..

 

[theprodigalrebel]

BUMP for the people who only view like 10/20 topics per page.
This deserves to be on top for a very long time.
Show this thread some love, renethx may keep it updated regularly.

 

[oiges]

Very good material. I had already found the list of chipsets and motherboards he based himself op, but he did a decent update. Good work.
I was only focussing in first stage on 4xDDR I and core 2 duo : http://users.telenet.be/oiges/

 

[Billyzeke]

Awesome post. Please sticky.

 

[xboxist]

Sticky... TO THE MAX!

 

[Yregouth]

Originally posted by: JAG87
STICKY

yep, thanks for this thread renethx.

 

[imported_Husky55]

I am in awe!!! STICKY !!!

 

[renethx]

Thanks to everybody! I've PM'd mod to ask if this is worth sticky.

Update

The thread is sticky for two months. If the community needs it more, it can be extended. Thanks again, everybody and mod.

 

[JAG87]

You deserve it, just make sure you keep the list up to date, and it will be sticky forever.

 

[renethx]

Yearh, I am going to update the post at least once a week until the release of Intel's next chipset (Bearlake, Q2 2007), when major update will be necessary. Collecting up-to-date information on every mothermoard is a daunting task. If you find useful information (new availability, release of new boards, BIOS options, reviews, forum threads, etc.), just post it here (or PM me). I will add them to the original post as much as I can.

Characterization of the thread is a bit difficult. You may view only the first post to collect information or you may discuss which board to choose freely. Please use the thread as you like!

 

[NuAlphaMan]

Awesome!!!!! :thumbsup:

 

[pcy]

Hi,


About 1/3 of the way down this awesome post:

Originally posted by: renethx


6. Core 2 with Intel 965 Express
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Chipset


...



As ICH8 lacks PATA controllers, every motherboard (including Intel's own) with this chipset has an additional storage controller to support PATA devices. Intel has neglected the fact that 99% of the current optical drives are still of the PATA interface. This will cause problems when installing Linux from an optical drive.

Yes - have experienced this problem. It also affects CD support in DOS. This menas that all Linux or DOS based utilities ( Ghost, Acronis, etc) will not work properly.


So, the question is:


Why are there no DOS or Linux drivers for the Marvell/Jimcon etc. IDE controlers, and why is it not possible to write them.


After all, you can boot DOS or Linux off a CD attached to these IDE controllers, and Windows Install still works. That reads materail off the CD long before it gets to start XP; so some long established interface must still be viable.



So what's the problem?




Peter

 

[renethx]

It's all about drivers inside OS. Newer linux kernel works with JMB361/363 with appropriate parameters, but some distributions won't work because of old kernels. I guess most distributions will eventually work with these controllers several months later. Acronis True Image (the newest build) works with these controllers only partially, but again it's a matter of time until it works perfectly.

 

[pcy]

Hi,

Interesting...

I have an Intel DP965LT mobo, which uses a Marvell IDE controller.

So it seems the JMB s are OK but the Marvell is not.

I'm also an OEM customer of Acronis, and I'm talking to them becaue True Image and DiskKeeper (bootable Linux versions) cannot see any device attached to the Marvell. They tell me they can find no (Linux) drivers at all for the Marvell IDE controller.

Intel Tech Support have told me that this mothebaord "does not support" Linux. Apparently this statement appears some wher on their website, but I have so far been unable to find it. I think the problem is the lack of drivers for the Marvell IDE chip. Certainly, the Acronis Linux based CD boots, and seems to work OK, except for the fact that is can see no IDE devices.

This motheboard also has a similar problem with DOS. oakcdrom.sys sees no CDs, so my trusty DOS installation and recovery Utilities CD has stopped working. Intel have offered me a rather complex workaround thgat I hope to try out later to-day.


Overall, it seems a bit of an oversight....



Peter

 

[renethx]

Marvell IDE controllers..., all the Intel models (88SE6101) and two ASUS workstations (88SE6141, 88SE6145) use them. IMO linux community will develop drivers for Marvell, not right now but eventually. I don't know about Acronis. But considering a large number of Intel desktop boards among corporate users, Acronis may have to do so sooner or later.

 

[renethx]

I uploaded the Excel worksheet as several people asked me to do so. New additions to the spreadsheet are details of onboard video (VGA, DVI, TV), RAID levels, NCQ, Hot-Plug.

Two boards were added: ASUS P5VDC-MX (mATX, VIA chipset) and ECS 945GTY-M (MoDT).

Many boards have arrived in US. I updated links to retailers.

 

[Ausm]

Very very nice!

Please keep this updated because I will refer to this post often.


Ausm

 

[yacoub]

okay now I'd just like to know when the P965 boards are getting the C2 revision update.

 

[pcy]

Hi,
Maybe I serached in the wrong place... but all I could find about the C2 recision was some huge FSB overclocks.

Makes sense, as FSB is a potential bandwidth limit...


But is ther any other info, or a link, on the C2 revision, please.


Thanks



Peter