Conroe planning

[soydios]

So, I just learned from Gary Key that the Asus M2R32-MVP Deluxe (ATi RD580 for Socket AM2) won't be showing up in retail channels until early-to-mid July. That's two weeks or so before Conroe comes out. So, I've basically thrown my Socket AM2 build plans out the window, and I'm wondering how I can get a gaming rig in the meantime.
So, here's what I'm thinking: get a Conroe-compatible motherboard, and run it with a cheap(er) CPU until Conroe hits the retail channels. For the curious, I'm thinking about getting the Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.40GHz 4MB L2 Cache $316).

The motherboard I'm thinking about using is the Asus P5WD2-E (LGA775 975X). I'm assuming that this motherboard will be compatible with Core 2 Duo. The CrossFire compatiblity is a nice bonus, as I will be running a single X1900XT for video, and I would like to keep my upgrade options open. I will be using OCZ 2GB(2x1GB) DDR2-800 memory.
Of course, this whole plan hinges on the fact that the above motherboard will be compatible with Conroe in ten weeks time.

Here's my three options for the temporary-use processor:

Pentium D 805
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116001
I would basically overclock the snot out of this processor just for ##### and giggles. I figure I could try for 3.6-3.8GHz with a CNPS9500.

Pentium D 820
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213
Another CPU to overclock, but with the higher FSB.

Pentium D 930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116238
65nm overclocking. This would be a new experience.

The main question is: will the 975X-based Asus P5WD2-E motherboard be compatible with Conroe? I've read around that the voltage regulation module on existing 975X motherboards is incompatible, and that the only Conroe-compatible chipsets will be 965X and 985X.

Thanks in advance!

 

[stevty2889]

P5WD2-E doesn't have conroe support. Haven't heard of a 985x chipset, 975x will support it, but only newer boards with the correct VRM. All 965 chipset boards will. There will be new revisions of 945 and even some 865 chipset boards that support it as well.

 

[CyborgNinja117]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
P5WD2-E doesn't have conroe support. Haven't heard of a 985x chipset, 975x will support it, but only newer boards with the correct VRM. All 965 chipset boards will. There will be new revisions of 945 and even some 865 chipset boards that support it as well.

nah it wont... but teh asus workstation version of that board does, ive asked asus about it and they said yes. u can get a gigabyte 965p now, the 6 quad mobo thing. it was out on june 5th