Differences between I865 and I875 chipsets...

[sxftdeep]

So, I work in a computer store as a sales associate, and one of the only questions I have a hard time answering is, "What's the difference between the 865 and 875 chipsets." I'm not too familiar with chipsets and their technologies, whether for AMD or Intel platforms, so I was wondering if somebody might be able to answer my question here, so that in turn I can answer the customer's questions.

Thanks in advance for any/all help.

 

[ELopes580]

major differences would be support for ECC and PAT. PAT just boosts mem performance about i think around 5% or so. I think thats about do it. might be a few very slight differneces, maybe the CSA dedicated network connection as well, but most ppl woudlnt care about that.

Check out some articles from back in April of '03 for details and better explainations . I send you some if you need it. Just LMK

 

[Thor86]

The only difference is in which PAT (Performance Acceleration Technology) is implemented. Both i875p and i865pe chipsets support PAT at 1:1 memory ratios. But, if you use 5:4 or 3:2 memory ratios (mostly for overclocking), you lose the PAT functionality in the i865pe chipset, but not on the i875p chipset.

I'd do a google search and find more details, and simplify it even further for your inquiring customers.

 

[ELopes580]

Originally posted by: Thor86
The only difference is in which PAT (Performance Acceleration Technology) is implemented. Both i875p and i865pe chipsets support PAT at 1:1 memory ratios. But, if you use 5:4 or 3:2 memory ratios (mostly for overclocking), you lose the PAT functionality in the i865pe chipset, but not on the i875p chipset. I'd do a google search and find more details, and simplify it even further for your inquiring customers.

PAT on 865PE? I knew a few 3rd party motherboard manufacturers had BIOS hacks/tweaks to enable PAT-like performance. Otherwise PAT is not a feature checkmark on the 865PE chipset, AFAIK. As for the overclocking, do you have any proof of this? I never saw any information detailing this. If so, I have a 875P board and would like to know for sure.

 

[tallman45]

Not all 875's have PAT enabled. If I am not mistaken the Intel D875PBZLK has PAT Disabled.

 

[ELopes580]

But shouldnt it be able to turn it on by BIOS? My Dell Poweredge 400SC is based on that board you stated and it has PAT enable by default. Though I am not sure if i can turn it off in the BIOS. But it would be odd for Intel to sell a 875P board with no PAT enable. But hey, thats what marketing is for!!!

 

[tallman45]

Apparently one could turn it on in early versions of the D875pbzlk. They discuss this alot in the ABxzone forums. I think the D875pbz thread is in the hundreds of pages range.

 

[Regs]

So what the hell is the difference?

 

[Thor86]

Originally posted by: Regs
So what the hell is the difference?

Nothing, it's just a differenct price/market point for Intel.

Really, the performance difference in real-world applications would be less than 5%.

 

[ELopes580]

Originally posted by: Regs
So what the hell is the difference?

The feature that stands out most for me when i bought mine was support for ECC memory, the 865PE defiantely does not support it.