Differences in Intel Chipsets

[rijet0711]

Hi.
I am looking at the Conroes vs the AM2s and have decided that Conroe will fit me better. However, I haven't been really following Intel and their stuff.
Now, what is the difference between the 965X and the 975X chipsets? Which one is better/newer? Pros and cons?
Thanks for helping me out.

 

[CyborgNinja117]

975X is supposed to have more speed but its older, i wouldnt say it sucks but its good. 965 chipsets performance is around the same as 945 chipsets, but most of those mobos got the heatpipe thing for overclocking. i would say if u want a conroe ready board today, the gigabyte 6 quad thingy is good. also the asus P5WDG2-WS supports conroe, a tech magazine in taiwan has confirmed it and asus has also confirmed it. they even sent me their latest bios for conroe.

 

[rijet0711]

So the 965 is newer then 975? Thought the higher the number... the newer/better the product. For the mobos, I am just gonna wait till Conroe and buy them together. Right now I am just researching stuff. Damn though, coming from AMD/nForce to Intel is very confusing....

 

[Henny]

975 is based on the Lakeport family and is probably you best choice for dual graphics.

The 965 is the latest generation chipset from the Broadwater family. This chipset and is probably your best choice is you don't care about dual graphics and want maximum OC potential. I think Broadwater will be be mainstream chipset for Conroe.

 

[rijet0711]

Ahhh thanks Henry... appreciate it. So um uh, new question, whats the difference between the Lakeport and Broadwater families? Is one SLI and the other isn't or are their more differences?

 

[CyborgNinja117]

one has crossfire one doesnt. i think the broadwater has higher OC potentials... but 975x chipsets should do fine ive heard that the 975x in benchmarks have higher memory bandwith

 

[rijet0711]

aright. Thanks guys, appreciate the help.