SiS 655 *2-18-03 UPDATE* MSI, Gigabyte and ASUS Done

[neilm]

I have decided to wait for this instead of getting the ga-8inxp (can anyone tell me the difference between the two - gigabyte models).
Also, conscript asked this too.. when will this be expected to be released and what is the difference in the ultra / ultra2?

p.s. is the model code - SINXP1394? sorry just wantin to be sure as I've never heard of this board until recently..

 

[ArborBarber]

neilm...Here's a quote from OCworkbench, "The package I received still bears the old name 8SQ800 Ultra. As it is renamed to SINXP1394, we show you the new box. Photo courtesy of Gigabyte." Here's the actual link....
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2003/gigabyte/sinxp1394/sinxp1394gallery1.htm

However if you check out Gigabyte's site you'll see both names still being used...(taken from Gigabytes web site)
http://www.giga-byte.com/products/products.htm

GA-SINXP1394
(GA-8SQ800 Ultra2)

Supports Hyper Threading Technology processor up to 3.06GHz or above
GIGABYTE patented technology Dual Power System (DPS) design
Dual channel DDR400 architecture supports up to 6.4GB memory bandwidth
Superb bandwidth AGP 8x interface for ultimate graphics performance
Integrated Silicon Image Serial-ATA interface for RAID 0,1 function and high speed storage
devices
ITE GigaRAID IDE RAID 0, 1, 0+1, JBOD function plus UDMA ATA133 support
Integrated Intel® Kenai 32 Gigabit LAN network connection
Integrated high quality 6-channel AC'97 audio with S/P-DIF function
Provides 6 USB 2.0 ports for high-speed connectivity
Provides 3 IEEE1394 FireWire ports via daughter card
GIGABYTE patented DualBIOS? technology design protects BIOS from virus attack
* DDR400 recommended memory modules are listed in GIGABYTE website

ATX GA-8SQ800 Ultra

Supports Hyper Threading Technology processor up to 3.06GHz or above
Dual channel DDR400 architecture supports up to 6.4GB memory bandwidth
Superb bandwidth AGP 8x interface for ultimate graphics performance
Integrated Silicon Image Serial-ATA interface for RAID 0,1 function and high speed storage
devices

ITE GigaRAID IDE RAID 0, 1, 0+1, JBOD function plus UDMA ATA 133 support
Integrated high quality 6-channel AC¡¦97 audio with S/P-DIF function
Provides 6 USB 2.0 ports for high-speed connectivity
Integrated Ethernet 10/100Mb Network Connection
Provides 3 IEEE1394 FireWire ports via daughter card
GIGABYTE patented DualBIOS? technology design protects BIOS from virus attack
Gigabyte unique EZ-Fix? AGP slot
* DDR400 recommended memory modules are listed in GIGABYTE website

ATX GA-8SQ800

Supports Hyper Threading Technology processor up to 3.06GHz or above
Dual channel DDR400 architecture supports up to 6.4GB memory bandwidth
Superb bandwidth AGP 8x interface for ultimate graphics performance
Integrated high quality 6-channel AC'97 audio with S/P-DIF function
Provides 6 USB 2.0 ports for high-speed connectivity
Provides 3 IEEE1394 FireWire ports via daughter card
Gigabyte unique EZ-Fix? AGP slot
* DDR400 recommended memory modules are listed in GIGABYTE website

Well let's see....Gigabyte sent their GA-8INXP out for reviews almost 8 weeks ago and we're just now starting to see them hit the streets in a trickle... Taking all that into consideration, I'd say 4-6 weeks and we'll see them start trickling in...I may be wrong though, SiS might want to capitalize on the GB mobo's lack luster ram performance(still lags behind i850 chipset.)
If Evan posts a good review on this mobo before my GA-8INXP arrives I think I'll cancel my order and order this one...here we go again!

 

[RideFree]

Evan,
You could just start answering all the questions - one M/B at a time - whenever the boards trickle in...

 

[Elvis2]

Hey Evan,
How 'bout some "Giggy" numbers to start. Hmmmm? Please?

 

[Oakenfold]

Originally posted by: Elvis2
Hey Evan,
How 'bout some "Giggy" numbers to start. Hmmmm? Please?

Ditto that!

 

[Marzaniak]

Hi all

There is a review up at OCworkbench

It confirms the discoveries of Evan that the board is some what performance poor

 

[Conscript]

Originally posted by: Marzaniak
Hi all

There is a review up at OCworkbench

It confirms the discoveries of Evan that the board is some what performance poor

Link fixed


edit: also, what are you talking about? I think almost every benchmark showed it performing at the top or near it.

 

[AbsurdUsername]

We managed to overclocked our P4 1.8A to 133 (~P4 2.4G) and 143Mhz for the tests. In our overclocking test, we can only reach a max of 139mhz with this processor. When we install the DPS, we were able to get it running steadily at 143Mhz FSB

I wish they'd compared what OC's they've achieved with this particular proc on other setup. I also wish they had tried a 533 chip to see if they could have gone for an 800fsb and to see if a 3.06HT chip would run...with or without HT, whatever, just to see if it works...

 

[RideFree]

AbsurdUserName,

10 print Infinite Loop
20 goto 10
run

Is nearly as mean as the autoexec.bat statement
ctty > nul

 

[AbsurdUsername]

Hehe..sorry Freeride, but I haven't a clue what you are talking about. DOS stuff completely eludes me. I was a complete computer Noob until about 2 years ago...I only remember this stuff from my gradeschool days when we had a PET computer in the classroom and my friends had Vic20s. I go under the username of syntax_error in other forums.

 

[afropuff]

when are the boards going to be released to retailers??

-fro

 

[poldi1]

Yeah I would love to know too, when those boards will be available. I might cancel my order for the 8INXP then if the SiS655 boards arrive fast.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Conscript

Originally posted by: Marzaniak
Hi all

There is a review up at OCworkbench

It confirms the discoveries of Evan that the board is some what performance poor

Link fixed


edit: also, what are you talking about? I think almost every benchmark showed it performing at the top or near it.

That and the board they used was a Beta with a Beta Bios and was near or at the top. Seems like the SiS 655 is the next P4 king

 

[poMONKey]

Seems like the SiS 655 is the next P4 king

i'm afraid the new ( ish ) p4 king shall be the springdale/canterwoods... EOS!

 

[ArborBarber]

Evan...
Is the new SiS chipset already old news? Alot of us are dying here waiting on your review! Sorry to pester you...Wuz Sup? Yo Yo! You ok?

 

[First]

Originally posted by: ArborBarber
Evan...
Is the new SiS chipset already old news? Alot of us are dying here waiting on your review! Sorry to pester you...Wuz Sup? Yo Yo! You ok?

You'll see MSI, Gigabyte and ASUS SiS 655 reviews in the next 7-8 days, don't worry. I'm just finishing up lots of benchmarks, that's all. It'll be well worth the wait once you see all my results.

 

[sumrtym]

Evan:

Since you're the mobo guru, I'm reading articles to the effect that after the price cut at the end of February on Intel CPU's, there is going to be another one in March to accompany the release of the 3.20 Ghz. Also, at the same time, the Springdale and 800 MHz CPU's with HT back down the CPU GHz scale.

Does this sound right with the info you know? In March/April, we'll be physically able to find in stock (unlike some chipsets I might mention now) Springdale boards from various manufacturers?

Never mind that I've been trying to upgrade since November and keep getting caught in the waiting game (remember, SIS 655 was supposed to be out back then). I don't want to see that again if I'm waiting for Srpingdale in March/April timeframe.

 

[First]

Originally posted by: sumrtym
Evan:

Since you're the mobo guru, I'm reading articles to the effect that after the price cut at the end of February on Intel CPU's, there is going to be another one in March to accompany the release of the 3.20 Ghz. Also, at the same time, the Springdale and 800 MHz CPU's with HT back down the CPU GHz scale.

Does this sound right with the info you know? In March/April, we'll be physically able to find in stock (unlike some chipsets I might mention now) Springdale boards from various manufacturers?

Never mind that I've been trying to upgrade since November and keep getting caught in the waiting game (remember, SIS 655 was supposed to be out back then). I don't want to see that again if I'm waiting for Srpingdale in March/April timeframe.

From what we're seeing, Springdale/Canterwood boards are supposed to be out by March/April. God only knows if that will actually happen. At the last minute, Intel and/or motherboards makers could delay the Springdale/Canterwood launch until later in the year for any number of reasons. Same thing happened with E7205 and SiS 655; they were supposed to be out in decent quantities in December. Obviously that didn't happen.

 

[Radelon]

Evan,

If I may, I just wanna ask you 1 question. Is the overclockability of the FSB on the SIS655 Chipset boards as good as the E7205 boards or even the I845PE's? Reason I ask, is that I am purchasing a new mobo and really like the GA-SINXP1394, but don't want to get it if I can't clock it like I could on the GA-8INXP.

Thanks in advance

 

[Yozza]

I would also like to know the answer to that question. I need to order either motherboard before the end of January (for various reasons) and so unfortunately I will not be able to wait for Evan's review.

Can the SiS655 overclock its FSB to 180MHz+ at 1:1 and 4:5 memory ratios?

I'll be grateful if you could answer that question and just 1 general one : is it better than E7205-based motherboards in terms of performance and stability? (specifically, the Gigabyte 8INXP - the one I'm looking to get)

I hope to be able to clock the FSB at 175MHz+, which the E7205 motherboards have shown to be able to do with relative ease (CPU permitting). Answers to just those questions will help me make a decision as to which motherboard to get.

 

[ArborBarber]

BIG HUGE "BUMP"....

Evan, why was the "sticky" to this thread removed? Is there going to be a review posted? I was looking foward to what you had to say about this chipset...Even if your review of this chipset isn't the very first one, alot of us value what you have to say about it! Is there a problem getting the mobos or a problem getting a "working" mobo? Almost seems like deja vu (GB mobos). Maybe I should save my money and wait for Springdale/Canterwood to be released this fall....LOL! Fall....seems about right!

 

[First]

Yup, I've already finished the MSI 655 review, I'm working on ASUS and Gigabyte 655 boards right now. Hopefully someone over in Raleigh will post the MSI review for me soon.

 

[ArborBarber]

Evan....
Thanks! Although MSI isn't at the top of my list of mobo manufactures, it is appreciated! You didn't answer my other question about waiting for Springdale/Canterwood, although that's more of a loaded question then you might feel like answering(which I can understand!) Thanks for your reply and hard work. I'm thinking of cancelling my GA-8INXP order(which still is on back order) in favor of the Gigabyte SiS 655 mobo. I won't be seeing my serial Seagate HD for a couple of weeks anyhow, but I sure as hell don't want to be waiting 2 months for Gigabyte to release this mobo! I know your not in the fortune telling business, but do you have any idea when these mobos/reviews(yours) might be hitting the streets/forum?

 

[First]

No one has given me a clear indication when 655 boards will be hitting the shelves. I'd say this month, but I'm not even 100% sure about that.

Here's why I think it's a good idea to go with a SiS 655 board as soon as it's available:

1. SiS 655 boards are the fastest P4 boards on the market (albeit only slightly). I'm comparing them to PC1066/RIMM4200 equipped systems. All you have to do to take advantage of SiS 655 is use its dual channel DDR400 capabilities (get some high quality PC3200 memory). Most likely, Springdale/Canterwood won't be noticably faster than SiS 655, and they won't be available until April most likely.
2. SiS 655 boards will be much cheaper than E7205 boards, and from every indication I've seen will be much cheaper than Canterwood boards.
3. SiS 655 are great overclockers. In fact, I'd say they're at least on par with 845PE and E7205 boards, if not better!

If you don't want to spend the extra money on a second stick of memory to take advantage of dual channel DDR chipsets like the E7205, SiS 655, and Springdale/Canterwood, then go with a good 845PE motherboard. The Albatron PX845PEV Pro, ASUS P4PE and Epox 4PEA+ are all excellent choices (you'll have to decide on exactly which features you need).

 

[Booter]

These are great news!!!! I've been holding back with my upgrade for the SiS655....i did expect it to be winner and it seems like i was proven right