Anyone using Intel DX38BT

[testy5]

Is anyone using this board - INTEL DX38BT. I'd appreciate any pros or cons. I am not interested in overclocking, I just want a FAST desktop PC with 8GIGs of ram MAX for Vmware and other stuff. I am interested in your configuration ( ie memory type, hard drives, video, case mfg, DVD rom) thanks in advance

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Con: 8GB of DDR-3 will cost an arm and a leg, maybe more ...

 

[rchiu]

I am running it, just put together last weekend. My config:
Q6600
DX38BT
Patriot 2GB PDC32G1600LLK DDR3-1600 (used to cost $500+ but it's now ~$250 around the web)
will be putting in 8800GTS 512MB
74gb raptor for main, 500gb maxtor x2 raid for data

I like the board, and I overclocked my q6600 to 3.5ghz.
here is what I like, 3 pci-e x 16 slots (1 runs at 4x electrical)
lots of usb/esata/firewire connections
nice layout
legacy free, no floppy, one IDE connection only, no serial/parallel port (could be bad depending on what you want)
Good documentation and lots of bios releases from Intel

What I don't like, lack 1600fsb support for future CPU.

And yeah, 2gb ddr3 module are still crazy expensive. If you want 8gb of ram and you are not made of money, go with boards with ddr2 memory.

 

[dajeepster]

I'm running one with watercooling on the cpu.
E8400 @ 3.5GHz
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1600 @1254MHz
2X150 raptors in raid0
2X160 WD160GB RE in raid1
8800gt 512mb
and it's rock solid

I can't get a stable 24/7 with 3.6GHz yet... I think I need better cooling than the stock intel heat sink on the north bridge. I haven't found a waterblock yet that will fit it.

I've gotten in to post with cpu @ 4.3GHz and mem @ 2.0Ghz

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: dajeepster
I'm running one with watercooling on the cpu.
E8400 @ 3.5GHz
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1600 @1254MHz
2X150 raptors in raid0
2X160 WD160GB RE in raid1
8800gt 512mb
and it's rock solid

I can't get a stable 24/7 with 3.6GHz yet... I think I need better cooling than the stock intel heat sink on the north bridge. I haven't found a waterblock yet that will fit it.

I've gotten in to post with cpu @ 4.3GHz and mem @ 2.0Ghz

what about the Swiftech MCW30?

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: PCTC2

Originally posted by: dajeepster
I'm running one with watercooling on the cpu.
E8400 @ 3.5GHz
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1600 @1254MHz
2X150 raptors in raid0
2X160 WD160GB RE in raid1
8800gt 512mb
and it's rock solid

I can't get a stable 24/7 with 3.6GHz yet... I think I need better cooling than the stock intel heat sink on the north bridge. I haven't found a waterblock yet that will fit it.

I've gotten in to post with cpu @ 4.3GHz and mem @ 2.0Ghz

what about the Swiftech MCW30?

the largest slot that the MCM30 can fit is 2.36"... I calculated that the northbridge on the DX38BT from diagonal screws is 3.19" ( the mounting holes on the board are 47mmX66mm... taken from intels data sheet on thermal and mechanical design guidelines for thier X38 chipset)... so it wouldn't fit

I'm also discovered that I might just need to put a fan on it... since they use the airflow produced by the cpu fan to help cool other components... and I don't have a cpu fan on it anymore since i'm using water. I'll give an update later on to see how it works out.