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Intel X38 High End Chipset Launch and Benchmarks

Posted by kdawson on from the new-flagship dept.

MojoKid writes "Though many leaks of the product have been circulating for some time, Intel officially took the wraps off and launched their new X38 Express chipset for the high-end desktop motherboard market. With this launch, the Intel desktop chipset line-up gets a new flagship. Intel's new X38 chipset encompasses all of the technology advances that have made the P35 a success and adds a slew of new features designed to increase memory and graphics subsystem performance, like PCI Express 2.0 SerDes and Intel Extreme Memory technology in the new X38 MCH. The Asus motherboard tested by HotHardware even features an embedded Linux-based OS that boots in a matter a seconds."

13 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I thought high end meant Xeon? by phantomcircuit · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's a high end Desktop chip, Xeon are server chips.

  2. DDR3 ECC supported! by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Informative
    It's about damn time. I've looked all over the net to find an official answer. Not even Intel's webpage mentions anything about the X38 supporting ECC. So, I downloaded the manual for the Asus P5E3 Deluxe board. From page 2-13 of the PDF document.

    You may install 512, 1GB, and 2GB unbuffered ECC, non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.


    To Intel and vendors: How bloody hard is to include "supports ECC" in your online product summary?
    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
    1. Re:DDR3 ECC supported! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      It may support ECC DIMMs, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll use the ECC feature of those DIMMs.

    2. Re:DDR3 ECC supported! by Agripa · · Score: 2, Informative

      Intel's chipset comparison page and datasheet are somewhat informative. Apparently, the X38 chipset supports ECC when using DDR2 but not when using DDR3.

    3. Re:DDR3 ECC supported! by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Informative
      You sir, would be correct. I found the documentation on Intel's website. Found in 31846901.pdf section 3.3 titled ECC Support.

      For DDR3 the X38 Express Chipset does NOT support ECC, does not support ECC unbuffered
      DIMMs, and it does not support any memory configuration that mixes non-
      ECC with ECC un-buffered DIMMs.

      For DDR2 the X38 Express Chipset does support ECC and ECC un-buffered DIMMs but
      it does NOT support any memory configuration that mixes non-ECC with ECC unbuffered
      DIMMs.


      Damn, that blows. And shame on Asus for false documentation!
      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
  3. Intel and Linux by Simon+(S2) · · Score: 4, Informative

    I just love Intels commitment to linux lately. They release open source drivers for their chipsets, and now an integrated linux os on the firmware of this mobo. The last notebook I had was all Intel chips (IPW2200 for wireless, GM945 graphics) and just everything worked out of the box without proprietary drivers. Really, thanks Intel, I am a happy customer.

    --
    I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.
    1. Re:Intel and Linux by Justus · · Score: 4, Informative

      Although Intel's Linux driver support is pretty good on the whole, the integrated OS is a feature of the ASUS motherboard and isn't a product of Intel's good will toward Linux.

      There was a previous Slashdot feature specifically covering that, if you want more information.

      --
      Schlock Mercenary
  4. Re:I thought high end meant Xeon? by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 4, Informative

    No. Xeon is the name of the processor chip used in both high-end desktops and servers. X38, FTFS, is a chipset.

    --
    My blog
  5. Benchmark result: by imsabbel · · Score: 2, Informative

    Same performance as any other board (inside the margin of error).
    Seriously, why even bother benchmarking?
    You buy those boards for compatibilty, or for their features, but not because they are _faster_....
    (extreme overclockers excluded. Some board may be better suited for FSB overclocking).

    --
    HI O WISE PRINCE. WHT TOOK U SO DAM LONG?
  6. Intel's X48 to Come in Just Another 5 Weeks !! by Zymergy · · Score: 2, Informative

    http://news.softpedia.com/news/Intel-039-s-X48-to-Come-in-Just-Another-5-Weeks-67604.shtml
    http://www.dvhardware.net/article22289.html
    It appears the X48 chipset is actually the X38 chipset without the ECC support and for DDR3 Only? Great, just when we weren't confused!

    Here's another X38 review: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3120
    A chipset comparison graphic: http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/chipsets/intel/x38-launch/memory-lg.png
    And another review: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/26/intel_x38_chipset/

  7. Re:I thought high end meant Xeon? by D4MO · · Score: 2, Informative

    Dell precision workstations

    --

    Rocket science is easy. Neurosurgery, now *that's* difficult.
  8. Re:I thought high end meant Xeon? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Dell precision workstations

    Dell Vostro Desktops

  9. Re:I thought high end meant Xeon? by dreamchaser · · Score: 2, Informative

    Gee...I guess that's why Intel's own page for the Xeon has big bold letters that say Server and Workstation Processors.

    Intel has always marketed the Xeon as a high end CPU for server and workstation applications. If you're going to try to be pedantic, at least be accurate about it.