The Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 - Redefining the High End?
by Rajinder Gill on January 2, 2008 3:15 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
| Gigabyte GA-X48T-
DQ6 Standard/Overclocking/Benchmark Testbed |
|
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme
QX6800 (Quad-core 2.93GHz 1066FSB 2x4MB Shared Cache) Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme QX9650 (Quad-core 3GHz 1333FSB 2x6MB Shared Cache) |
| CPU Voltage | 1.200V ~ 1.450V |
| Cooling | Water cooling: Swiftech Apogee GTX PA120.3 Rad 3 X Laing DDC Ultra Petra Top pumps in series 3x Panaflo 120mm Fans 7-10V |
| Power Supply | OCZ 1000W |
| Memory | OCZ DDR3 PC3-14400 (DDR-1800) Platinum
Edition 2x1GB XP, 4x1GB Vista 64-bit |
| Memory Settings | 5-5-5-12 1N (266 and 333FSB) 6-6-6-18 1N (400 FSB) 8-8-8-20 1N (450FSB) |
| Video Cards | MSI 8800 Ultra |
| Video Drivers | NVIDIA 169.09 (XP), 169.25 (Vista 64) |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 7200RPM 250GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor PX-B900A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Case | Lian Li -75 |
| BIOS | F3D |
| Operating System | Windows XP 32-bit SP2 |
| . | |
We decided to use our base QX6800 CPU with our standard tests run on the 9x multiplier to simulate the attractively priced Q6600 CPU and to compare against some of our previous benchmarking results. The QX9650 was used to cross-compare performance at relevant overclocks using our compact benchmark test suite. In this section of testing, we aim to remain within realistic cooling capacity temperatures and current CPU stepping capabilities. This better shows an overall picture of motherboard performance potential using widely available parts.
With such a vast array of overclocking BIOS functions at our disposal, we decided to stick with a single operating system environment for the overclocking tests. We selected Microsoft Windows XP SP2 due to its maturity, taking away some of the time burden looking for possible software level conflicts that may exist on a newer OS (though we ventured to run a compact Vista test suite for the non-overclocking benchmarks). The Vista tests were all run at board defaults, using an FSB multiplier combination of 9x333 and 4GB of memory with both processors.
We ran 1280x1024 resolution game benchmark tests in order to cross-compare CPU MHz related gains in our board specific tests. We utilize new drive images on each board in order to minimize any potential driver conflicts. Our 3DMark results utilize 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 to reflect a repeatable average.
Since the Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 is for the overclocker and gamer as opposed to typical internet browsing activities, we decided to take a different look at this board and focus on overclocking for this particular article. Please note the memory timings used at various overclocks are in the above table.
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Frumious1 - Thursday, January 3, 2008 - link
What are you, the jilted lover of Raja or something? Seriously, I can't say I blame the AT crew for taking a break. Me and my family certainly did our fair share of slacking off over the holidays.Merry Christmas, Foxy Scrooge....
8steve8 - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
i just got 8gb od ddr2 800 1.8v for $180 shipped from newegg.8GB of DDR3 costs $1,150 shipped from newegg...
thats not at typo.
DDR3 is irrelevant for now.
10x cost for 3% perf boost...
I'm not even going to read this review.
Kougar - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
This makes no sense. Gigabyte offers GTL controls on the P31-DS3L, values are: 0.636, 0.603, 0.566, 0.54. Why offer them on a $80 budget board but not a ~$300 X48T end-of-the-world board?? I was expecting them to be there when I heard about the redesign.This was a great review, and I am still reading/rereading it to absorb the info. I had a few questions though... You said FSB Overvoltage control requires 1.4v for both processors, and stock is 1.15v?? I never touched this setting by more than +1 with my Q6600, but it might explain a few things. How or where did you find out what the stock VTT value was, as I wish to be able to look up this info myself for future reference and check the P35 version.
Rajinder Gill - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
I used a DMM and probed both the supply mosfet and GTL transistors.Regards
Raja
Kougar - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Thanks for your reply! Are there any guides or what do you recommend for novice multimeter users trying to discern which mainboard components power what. I don't mind doing the research, I just need a pointer at where to get started. I have tried before but was not sure if I was measuring the correct components.Just for proof, here is a screenie of the P31 DS3L $75 board's GTLREF menu: http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n129/Chanur64/I...">http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n129/Chanur64/I...
I can't fathom why the X48-DQ6 lacks this, could they be waiting to add it in later when the BIOS is more mature?
PLaYaHaTeD - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Since nobody cares to ask, I will go ahead:When can we buy an X48 Motherboard, along with a Q9450 cpu? How can you give such a comprehensive preview, and talk about recommendations without addressing a release date?
If some of the rumors are true about X48/Wolfdale/Yorkfield being delayed to possibly march, then wouldn't it be irrelevant to speak about recommending this product 2-3 months before it will even be available?
Gary Key - Friday, January 4, 2008 - link
ETA of the X48 boards is unknown. They are ready, from a BIOS viewpoint the Gigabyte boards need some more work but the ASUS boards that will be reviewed next week are about 97% there. Boards have been manufactured by all of the majors, it is up to Intel to pull the trigger. It was going to be in December, moved to 1/7/08, moved to 1/21/08, and is now in a holding pattern waiting on X38 stocks to clear out to some degree, which is surprising as most of the suppliers will move X38 downward to replace the mid-market P35 boards.The Q9450 and others will be announced shortly and official launch dates will be available at that time. Once again, up to Intel, but after the Phenom launch, they have no real reason to hurry up. The reason for the previews is provide just that, a preview, but we were expecting (along with Gigabyte/ASUS/MSI) that boards would be launched by the 21st of this month.
minimeat - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Good review on the BIOS features, i've been looking for this kind of detail for each timing number to be explained for a while, as none of this information is in the Gigabyte manual for any of their motherboards (HINT HINT).Anyways, you forgot to explain one really important number that i have been wondering about for a while, the Refresh to ACT Delay. Can someone please explain this number, either update the review or post it here, it would be much appreciated. I noticed that they had it set to 60 in the review, and there is no Auto option inherent in the motherboard's bios for this number, and i have no clue what it does. Thanks!
Glenn - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Looks like Anands crew spent plenty of time with this board! Amazing that no comparison benchmarks are shown against more mainstream boards like 965s, P35s or some AMD flavors? All that work with very little usefullness outside of early adoptee's!Gary Key - Friday, January 4, 2008 - link
Hi,We will have a Intel chipset comparison roundup the week of the 28th, maybe earlier if Intel decides to launch this product according to the last timeline. We will have the ASUS X48 boards up next week with a very detailed MCH overview and the MSI X48 board the week after with some Quad CrossFire loving if the drivers make it. These previews are concentrating on getting the most out of the board, the roundup will concentrate on comparisons to other available products.