When are we expecting X38 (high-end Bearlake)?

[nrb]

Rumours suggest that the "mainstream" Intel Bearlake chipsets may be just about to launch - some are being shown at CeBit. Is the "performance" version (X38) likely to be launching any time soon? Or is that still expected "Q3"?

 

[NoStateofMind]

Old thread bumped back to life. Info please

 

[Shimmishim]

i'd say when penryn is released... q3 would be my guess.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
i'd say when penryn is released... q3 would be my guess.

What do we know about x38 chipset so far? Any info would be great

 

[gorka]

x38 will be Crossfire goodness. (native 16x/16x) plus DDR3 and native 1333FSB. The rest is pretty much the same with what's out with P35.

I believe, no PS2 (could be wrong)

hopefully no more IDE.

 

[lopri]

IDE (assuming you're talking about P-ATA) has already gone with P965. (at least by the chipset's official spec) I don't mind IDE connector on the motherboard but I do have a problem with its implementation of idiotic motherboard manufacturers. So many conflicts and bugs.

 

[soydios]

IDE was gone with the ICH8 (preferred southbridge for the P965).

 

[FireTech]

Can we assume definite Penryn compatability with X38 while initial P35 boards may not be compatable?

 

[hardwareking]

X38 is also rumored to have dynamic overclocking where it overclocks the processor automatically when the applications demand it

 

[lopri]

And DDR3-only. (not sure but I've heard it somewhere)

 

[DasFox]

I read at Computex X38 was expected sometime around July-August, also there is suppose to be a DDR2 version.

ALOHA

 

[tungtung]

X38 is not certified for DDR2 ... but it does support DDR2
However so far the only board supporting DDR2 is only the MSI X38 Diamond, again DDR2 support is not officially supported.

X38 also have PCI-e 2.0 standard (which allows 300 watt instead of 75 watt) and I think doubles the bandwidth of the old PCI-e

regarding PS2 ports ... judging from some X38 board photos I think some will still have them ... and so does the parallel ports ...

As availability I sort of remembered Q3 is the well accepted timeframe.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: tungtung

However so far the only board supporting DDR2 is only the MSI X38 Diamond, again DDR2 support is not officially supported.

abit, DFI & Gigabyte have all shown X38 mobos using DDR2.

 

[Gary Key]

X38 boards from a couple of of the top tier one guys will be ready by late July but as of yesterday it appears the official launch will be moving to August now. I am trying to get an exact date at this time. Several of the board manufacturers were not happy with the P35 launch since two in particular were selling boards long before the embargo was lifted which left just about everyone else waiting with high stock levels on-hand. Intel has decided to "coordinate" this launch now.

 

[nuklep]

Is it worth the wait to hold out for PCI-E 2.0?

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: nuklep
Is it worth the wait to hold out for PCI-E 2.0?

I don't think so at this point but you never know what revisions/improvements will be made to it between now and when it is released...

 

[Pwntcomputer]

The news is that X38 will support DDR2. I've also read that PCI 2.0 is backwards compatible.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I'm waiting on the x38 myself. It could be the chipset that wins me back from nvidia and I've been doing the nvidia thing since nf2.

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: Cheex

Originally posted by: nuklep
Is it worth the wait to hold out for PCI-E 2.0?

I don't think so at this point but you never know what revisions/improvements will be made to it between now and when it is released...

What do you mean, it's a faster arch, PCI-E 2.0

ALOHA

 

[blanketyblank]

I'm just hoping it will finally support SLI now that it has 2 16xPCIE slots.

 

[Heidfirst]

that's all down to gfx driver support i.e. nVidia.
Foxconn have said that they will be supplying a special driver for their X38.

 

[gramboh]

It can technically support SLI, and Intel/Nvidia were in talks about a licensing agreement for SLI for X38 but last I heard the deal fell through. Probably because they realize no one will buy 680i etc. NV chipset MB's if Intel has SLI since that is the only reason to consider NV chipsets.

 

[Gary Key]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
that's all down to gfx driver support i.e. nVidia.
Foxconn have said that they will be supplying a special driver for their X38.

All of the manufacturers were/are going to have SLI drivers for X38. I tested it extensively at Computex with several different boards. The problem right now is the fact that NV and Intel are back to arguing about license cost and support. The latest OEM driver spin from NV had Intel SLI support yanked out of it. I see the whole situation as two four years fighting over the last swing at the playground.

 

[blanketyblank]

damn nvidia. 680i sales are going to drop anyways once 45nm chips are out so they might as well let the performance segment have their penryn chips with sli.
I mean what's better for business? Selling 1 high end 680i mobo (assuming they can sell once the new chips are out) for 250 or selling 2 8800 gtx cards for over 1000?

 

[lopri]

I believe the PCI-E 2.0 slots have been designed to give up to 150W per slot (currently 75W), as well as increased bandwidth.