Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 Overclocking
Q6600 8x485 2GB
Q6600 8x450 4GB
E6550 6x550 2GB
The DDR2 based Gigabyte board reached an impressive 8x485 setting with the Q6600 and 2GB memory configuration at DDR2-1164 with 5-4-4-12 2N settings. Stability was superb with the CPU requiring just 1.4750V and memory set to 2.2V. We played with the memory settings to improve latencies, but the board was extremely particular when changing sub-timings. tRD settings were very sensitive and just about any setting other than auto resulted in lockups during testing. We also found the F3 BIOS offered the best memory performance although FSB overclocking was limited with the quad-cores when compared to F5i.
After installing our 4GB configuration, the board would not POST with the memory set to DDR2-1100 or higher. Our 485 FSB was still attainable with 4GB, but only after changing to the 333 strap and 1:1 memory ratio. Our timings had to remain fairly lax with settings at 4-4-4-12 and performance level (tRD) at 9. Gigabyte still has a way to go on tuning the board to run at its potential with 4GB.
The E6550 reached the same 550FSB level as the DDR3 boards and we were able to run the memory at DDR2-1100 with 5-5-5-15 timings. However, our sub-timings on the 400 strap were still loose in order to gain stability. Our DFI P35 board will run this processor up to 570 FSB with the memory timings at 5-4-4-9 and significantly better sub-timings. Our initial 4GB testing resulted in us lowering the FSB setting to 540 in order to gain memory stability at DDR2-1080.
Quick Thoughts
We still have significant testing to complete on our current inventory of X38 boards that also includes the Maximus lineup from ASUS in both DDR2 and DDR3 versions. The continued problems with 4GB memory compatibility leaves us concerned at this time. However, from all indications, the X38 boards are starting to mature with the latest BIOS releases. In fact, the number of BIOS releases we have received for the seven boards we have on-hand has left our heads spinning the past few days. We continue to believe this chipset has great potential and only needs further BIOS maturity; certainly, it is the chipset to have for CrossFire performance based on current test results. We continue to feel that the launch of this chipset occurred too early based upon our continued frustrations with the motherboards, but at least we see real progress finally being made. We will be back shortly with full reviews of the motherboards, extensive overclocking coverage, and head to head comparisons against the P35, 680i, and 975X chipsets.
Q6600 8x485 2GB
 |
Q6600 8x450 4GB
 |
E6550 6x550 2GB
 |
The DDR2 based Gigabyte board reached an impressive 8x485 setting with the Q6600 and 2GB memory configuration at DDR2-1164 with 5-4-4-12 2N settings. Stability was superb with the CPU requiring just 1.4750V and memory set to 2.2V. We played with the memory settings to improve latencies, but the board was extremely particular when changing sub-timings. tRD settings were very sensitive and just about any setting other than auto resulted in lockups during testing. We also found the F3 BIOS offered the best memory performance although FSB overclocking was limited with the quad-cores when compared to F5i.
After installing our 4GB configuration, the board would not POST with the memory set to DDR2-1100 or higher. Our 485 FSB was still attainable with 4GB, but only after changing to the 333 strap and 1:1 memory ratio. Our timings had to remain fairly lax with settings at 4-4-4-12 and performance level (tRD) at 9. Gigabyte still has a way to go on tuning the board to run at its potential with 4GB.
The E6550 reached the same 550FSB level as the DDR3 boards and we were able to run the memory at DDR2-1100 with 5-5-5-15 timings. However, our sub-timings on the 400 strap were still loose in order to gain stability. Our DFI P35 board will run this processor up to 570 FSB with the memory timings at 5-4-4-9 and significantly better sub-timings. Our initial 4GB testing resulted in us lowering the FSB setting to 540 in order to gain memory stability at DDR2-1080.
Quick Thoughts
We still have significant testing to complete on our current inventory of X38 boards that also includes the Maximus lineup from ASUS in both DDR2 and DDR3 versions. The continued problems with 4GB memory compatibility leaves us concerned at this time. However, from all indications, the X38 boards are starting to mature with the latest BIOS releases. In fact, the number of BIOS releases we have received for the seven boards we have on-hand has left our heads spinning the past few days. We continue to believe this chipset has great potential and only needs further BIOS maturity; certainly, it is the chipset to have for CrossFire performance based on current test results. We continue to feel that the launch of this chipset occurred too early based upon our continued frustrations with the motherboards, but at least we see real progress finally being made. We will be back shortly with full reviews of the motherboards, extensive overclocking coverage, and head to head comparisons against the P35, 680i, and 975X chipsets.
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457R4LDR34DKN07 - Thursday, November 1, 2007 - link
Are you ever going to update and add my mobo the Maximus Formula SE? I have been have stability issues with patriot memory at standard clocks and was hoping your update would provide some insight.werver - Thursday, October 25, 2007 - link
In the article about overclocking the X38 the author wrote "The DDR2 based Gigabyte board reached an impressive 8x485.When I look at the first image I see an overclock of 6x485 = 2910 MHz (+22%)and a memory speed of 2 x 485 x 1.2 (divider) = 1164 MHz.
Do I miss something???
kalrith - Monday, October 29, 2007 - link
I was just about to post that. Actually the first two pictures on the last page are incorrect. Both pictures show the same screenshots from EVEREST, and those two screenshots show incosistent information with the first showing 485x6 and the second showing 485x8. The MemSet screenshot for 4GB of memory shows the memory running at 485 1:1.Teknojnky - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
I have a x38-DQ6, q6600 g0, wd raptor 150 & hitachi 1tb, windows xp X64 and have been getting random blue screen/reboots whenever I enable AHCI mode.(yes f6 drivers properly installed etc)
Has anandtech had any problems with ahci on these boards? (xp x64)
Demon69 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
You may need to install new drivers before you change mode in bios.From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Control...">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Control...
Teknojnky - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
the drivers are properly installed, windows was installed with the drivers @ F6 mode.its not a boot up problem, it runs fine then at random times will blue screen/reboot (overclocked, not overclocked, even underclocked does the same).
Odeen - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
I think you guys meant "saddled." The chipset is burdened by the fact that it has an onboard memory controller, it's not in the back room of a strip club getting a lap dance from the memory controller :)Michael91ah - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - link
Thanks for the update can't wait for the comparisons.