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need some help on penryn compatible MBs/BIOS'

K

koshling

Member
I'm about to push the button ona new build, which will be based either around one of the to-be-released-anytime-now-honest Yorkfields, or (if they don't emerge soon!) an extreme edition (I definately want to go quad, since a lot of the use is VM hosting for a test environment, and I want 45nm because I need to minimise thermal output if I can at a given performance level). However, as I started to do more MB research, I realised how poor the (shipped) BIOS compatibility issues are with the 45nm chips. I don't have another socket 775 processor to flash a BIOS with, so I need a motherboard that is compatible out-of-the-box.

In principal I don't need any more than a P35 (I don't plan a radical overclock, and I have no intention of running SLI), but if I need to go to X38 or even X48 to achieve 45nm compatibility so be it. My primary requirement (apart from the compatibility one) is high stability (so good power regulation, decent cooling etc.). CPU heatsink wise I have a TRUE I plan to use (which makes some MBs awkward due to back-plate issues also).

So my question is, can anyone recommend motherboards that are likely to be suitable, or point me at a compatibility list that will help with this decision?

PS - previously I've had good expeiences with ASUS boards, but the feedback on Newegg suggests they have 45nm BIOS compatibility issues as currently shipped...
 
I'm in the same boat. I desperately want to jump on a X3350 deal as my pc just died but I don't have another 775 cpu either and need a mobo that works out of the box. Money is not the issue and while I don't NEED more than a P35 board, I will gladly go to a x38 or even x48 if it means I won't need to flash.
 
If there's a local computer hardware store nearby you could probably ask them to flash the bios for you, if not considering you're spending a sizable amount of money on an Extreme edition, whats the harm in paying $40 more for a Celeron D to flash with?
 
Since I'm sure there's a whole bunch of us jumping on those 45nm Xeons that appeared today, I'd like to know if there is a list of motherboards that work out of the box.
 
afaik any X38/X48 should work out of th ebox - that doesn't mean that they won't work better when flashed to a newer BIOS.

most P35s should have 45nm compatible BIOS by now, it's just a matter of what is on the mobo when you get it & that will be governed by when the mobo was made & shipped.
A board from a vendor with high stock turnover & good stock rotation should have a recent BIOS.
 
well, as one of the 2 biggest board suppliers in the world (along with asus, number one i believe) you'd think gigabyte fits in that category..yet...not the case with all their p35 boards, anyway. abit..not so big a player these days so not surprised there. asus seems to have done a really good job, the 790i chipsets are proving compatible out of the box given how new the board is..that's one really safe bet there.

the idea of getting a store to flash for a nominal charge is an idea i've seen people doing at the ncix forum..it's not a bad one. me, i just keep my 6400 and a floppy drive on hand for any possibilities🙂
 
I just purchased a Gigabyte EP35-DS3R (P35 chipset) on it recognized my new 45nm Xeon X3350 (same as Q9450) right away with the out of the box BIOS (F1). Paired it up with a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme and I'm one happy camper 🙂
 
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