Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6: An early look at X38
by Gary Key on September 4, 2007 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
Test conditions were maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested. Our game tests were run at settings of 1280x1024 HQ to ensure our MSI 8800GTX is not the bottleneck during testing. We utilized our MTRON MSD-S25032 32GB solid state drive for our PCMark05 and media encoding tests as we are trying to isolate any differences between the chipsets. All results are reported in our charts and color-coded for easier identification of results.
We selected the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 as our processor of choice since it represents one of the better price to performance values in the midrange processor market, and it is also the CPU we will focus on in future reviews. We are utilizing Microsoft Vista Home Premium 32-bit as our operating system along with a 4GB memory configuration. Even though Vista 32-bit cannot take advantage of the entire 4GB of memory address space (3.326GB), we found the additional 1.278GB of memory available provided improved performance during multitasking events and gaming. We would not recommend anything less than 2GB with Vista Home Premium. We will also provide select Vista 64-bit results in our full review.
We utilize new drive images on each board in order to minimize any potential driver conflicts. Our 3DMark results are generated utilizing the standard benchmark resolution for each program. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining score. All results at stock speeds for this article are with memory timings at 4-4-4-12 (DDR2-1066) and at 5-5-5-18 (DDR2-1200) for our overclocking tests. Where possible, memory sub-timings were set exactly the same to ensure consistency between the two chipsets.
Our choice of software applications to test is based on programs that enjoy widespread use and produce repeatable and consistent results during testing. Microsoft Vista has thrown a monkey wrench into testing as the aggressive nature of the operating system to constantly optimize application loading and retrieval from memory or the storage system presents some interesting obstacles. This along with the lack of driver maturity or features will continue to present problems in the near future with benchmark selections.
Our normal process is to change our power settings to performance, delete the contents of the prefetch folder, and then reboot after each benchmark run. This is a lengthy process, but it results in consistency over the course of benchmark testing. All applications are run with administer privileges.
| Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 / abit IP-35 Pro Testbed | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core, 2.4GHz, 2x4MB Unified Cache, 9x266 1066FSB |
| CPU Voltage | 1.2V |
| Cooling | Tuniq Tower 120 |
| Power Supply | Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1000W |
| Memory | OCZ Flex PC2-9600 (4x1GB) |
| Memory Settings | 4-4-4-12 (1066, 2.25V), 5-5-5-18 (1200 2.30V) |
| Video Cards | MSI 8800GTX |
| Video Drivers | NVIDIA 163.44 |
| Hard Drive | Seagate DB35.3 7200RPM 750GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor PX-B900A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Audio Card | ASUS Xonar D2 |
| Audio Drivers | ASUS 5.12.01.0008.17.19 |
| Case | Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evo |
| BIOS | Gigabyte D19 (engineering BIOS), abit M629B12.B02 |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit |
| . | |
Test conditions were maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested. Our game tests were run at settings of 1280x1024 HQ to ensure our MSI 8800GTX is not the bottleneck during testing. We utilized our MTRON MSD-S25032 32GB solid state drive for our PCMark05 and media encoding tests as we are trying to isolate any differences between the chipsets. All results are reported in our charts and color-coded for easier identification of results.
We selected the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 as our processor of choice since it represents one of the better price to performance values in the midrange processor market, and it is also the CPU we will focus on in future reviews. We are utilizing Microsoft Vista Home Premium 32-bit as our operating system along with a 4GB memory configuration. Even though Vista 32-bit cannot take advantage of the entire 4GB of memory address space (3.326GB), we found the additional 1.278GB of memory available provided improved performance during multitasking events and gaming. We would not recommend anything less than 2GB with Vista Home Premium. We will also provide select Vista 64-bit results in our full review.
We utilize new drive images on each board in order to minimize any potential driver conflicts. Our 3DMark results are generated utilizing the standard benchmark resolution for each program. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining score. All results at stock speeds for this article are with memory timings at 4-4-4-12 (DDR2-1066) and at 5-5-5-18 (DDR2-1200) for our overclocking tests. Where possible, memory sub-timings were set exactly the same to ensure consistency between the two chipsets.
Our choice of software applications to test is based on programs that enjoy widespread use and produce repeatable and consistent results during testing. Microsoft Vista has thrown a monkey wrench into testing as the aggressive nature of the operating system to constantly optimize application loading and retrieval from memory or the storage system presents some interesting obstacles. This along with the lack of driver maturity or features will continue to present problems in the near future with benchmark selections.
Our normal process is to change our power settings to performance, delete the contents of the prefetch folder, and then reboot after each benchmark run. This is a lengthy process, but it results in consistency over the course of benchmark testing. All applications are run with administer privileges.
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RamarC - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
THG is crap now. I'm surprised they haven't started 'reviewing' calculators (TI-35X, worth the extra $5?) or some other nonsense.Gamewise, I hope AT replaces HL2 with Bioshock to keep up-to-date. (Practically every video card can break 100fps on HL2.)
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
Working on Bioshock, although I don't know that I'll drop HL2. Completely different engines, people, even if they're both playable via Steam. Bioshock is Unreal Engine 3, remember, and I think we'll keep using Lost Coast until Episode 2 comes out. Bioshock unfortunately requires the use of FRAPS - or fortunately depending on your perspective? Anyway, it runs surprisingly well at max details and high resolutions... it's not a game that needs 100+ FPS by any stretch. I've played through some of it on an X1900 XT at 2560x1600 and found it to be acceptable, for example.I will be using Bioshock in future laptop articles for sure, as well as any system reviews. I would assume Gary and others will use it as well.
Dismalis - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I just REALLY hope that Gigabyte will release an X38 combo model with support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory... Just like GA-P35C-DS3R.Do you think that's going to happen?
mostlyprudent - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
Gary,When you said "we found the stability, performance, and compatibility of this early engineering sample to be better than several retails boards we are currently testing" were you refering to other X38 boards, or P35 boards, or what?
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
Retail non-X38 boards. Probably some of the uATX stuff he's testing, as well as P35, judging by what else he's working on.Vidmar - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
From the pictures we saw from Computex this board had an eSata connector on the back, but now I don't see one. Instead it looks like two firefire ports are there.I do love that they have six USB connectors on the back. It's the one feature that I appreciate on my LanParty nF4 Ultra-D.
I would also love to see a direct comparison between the DDR2 and the DDR3 (GA-X38T-DQ6) version of this board. I wonder if the x38 would make a difference in that area.
Thanks for the preview.
Jodiuh - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
Actually, I think there's 8 USB ports! It's good to see my recent purchase of Abit IP35 Pro will serve my needs well into 2008 too. :D How much longer will we wait for the P35 roundup?strikeback03 - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
Looks to me like there are 4 USB, 4 eSata, 2 RJ-45 and 2 Firewire.Vidmar - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
Hmmm could be now that you mention it. I'm not sure that I could ever find a need for 4 eSata connections.Here is what the board looked like back at Computex:
http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i...">http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i...
Quite a few changes it seems. Gary/Jarred care to enlighten us as to which layout we can expect to see in retail?
Missing Ghost - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I think you're right.