While reading this article I couldn't help but thinking "what for?". Summary of this article could be:
1. Using Beta BIOS
2. and Beta Drivers
3. We didn't find anything significant.
What's more interesting is,
quote: Today's article will provide a quick performance peek at two areas that we received feedback on after the P35 article went live.
Then it goes on,
quote: .. We received a new BIOS (0411) from ASUS for their P5K3 Deluxe motherboard that implements 1T command rate timings and allows us to run our current DDR3 memory from Corsair....second part of our article will provide some initial CrossFire results with the ASUS P5K3 DDR3..
I went on to look through the comments section in previous P35 article, and I haven't seen ONE comment regarding DDR3 '1T' performance nor DDR3 CrossFire. Most users seem to take interest in performance increase over existing chipset (using DDR2) and overall usability of newly introduced features (eSATA with port multiplier, USB/RAID performance, Turbo memory(?), etc.), as well as the upgrade-ability to Penryn.
If AT thinks at this point DDR3 is the #1 topic in enthusiast community, I should say they are living in a different world. It could be a different story, though, if there is a different motif/agenda to 'push' DDR3 (1T is an icing on the cake). Is there? :)
When P965 just got mature after so many headaches that users go through, I suggest AT to take a cautious approach to P35. To many (all?) users, P35 is just a P965+ and DDR3 isn't even a factor. Instead of 1~2% of performance increase using DDR3, I'd like to see thorough testings on overall system stability and usability of newly introduced features from AT reviews. (I hope others would agree)
I'm also interested to know why they switched their testbed's GPU to something few people own instead of the more standard 8800GTX that offers at least as good performance but is also used by a wider percentage of readers and has a more mature driverset.
Why does Anandtech seem to go out of their way to find the most incongruous system possible compared to their audience?
P965 CrossFire is supported, and SLI is not, so that's one reason to use a 2900 XT. It's a feature that is touted as a selling point of the motherboards.
You guys sure are 'harping' heavily on this new fan dangled P35 chipset . . . Surely there are other, better things to write about in this day and age ? I am all for reading about impressive benchmarks, and new technology etc, but man, I think you guys have beat this horse to death.
Personally, I would rather be reading about the possibilities of PCIe v2.0, more camera reviews, Virtualisation, or even what Linux people think about Vista.
Some new content for your readers would be appriciated . . .
" Considering the performance of the P35 chipset when set up correctly, we would love to see a manufacturer utilize a different PCIe controller chip setup and bring 8x8 CrossFire capability to this chipset. "
Kinda confused by what this means. I mean isn't the PCIe controller built into the northbridge (or southbridge). So if someone were to use a different controller wouldn't it kinda defeat the purpose of having the P35 and ICH9 pairing in the first place? Or does it suggest adding an extra southbridge chip to get a better PCIe performance?
I believe that a motherboard manufacturer could make an 2 x X8 PCIe configuration with P35 if they were so inclined. Gary can correct me if that's wrong.
In your upcoming P35 review, please include a rundown of AHCI mode.
Including such items as:
1. Hot-swap capability of single drives, comparing
AHCI on Intel v. JMicron SATA port.
2. Hot-swap on Raid 1 array.
3. Details of setting up a fresh Windows XP and/or Windows Vista install, when AHCI is enabled in bios. F6 floppy driver install v. slipstreaming drivers into installation CD.
4. Speed comparison of: A. AHCI enabled v. disabled B. Intel SATA v. JMicron SATA.
5. Identifying "AHCI-capable" hard drives, v. older ("SATA 150", etc.) hard drives.
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13 Comments
Back to Article
eamon - Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - link
It's a bit of a shame there's nothing about the power consumption of the various motherboards.lopri - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
While reading this article I couldn't help but thinking "what for?". Summary of this article could be:1. Using Beta BIOS
2. and Beta Drivers
3. We didn't find anything significant.
What's more interesting is,
Then it goes on,
I went on to look through the comments section in previous P35 article, and I haven't seen ONE comment regarding DDR3 '1T' performance nor DDR3 CrossFire. Most users seem to take interest in performance increase over existing chipset (using DDR2) and overall usability of newly introduced features (eSATA with port multiplier, USB/RAID performance, Turbo memory(?), etc.), as well as the upgrade-ability to Penryn.
If AT thinks at this point DDR3 is the #1 topic in enthusiast community, I should say they are living in a different world. It could be a different story, though, if there is a different motif/agenda to 'push' DDR3 (1T is an icing on the cake). Is there? :)
When P965 just got mature after so many headaches that users go through, I suggest AT to take a cautious approach to P35. To many (all?) users, P35 is just a P965+ and DDR3 isn't even a factor. Instead of 1~2% of performance increase using DDR3, I'd like to see thorough testings on overall system stability and usability of newly introduced features from AT reviews. (I hope others would agree)
P.S. And what is this?
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/PenguinBell...">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/PenguinBell...
yacoub - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
I'm also interested to know why they switched their testbed's GPU to something few people own instead of the more standard 8800GTX that offers at least as good performance but is also used by a wider percentage of readers and has a more mature driverset.Why does Anandtech seem to go out of their way to find the most incongruous system possible compared to their audience?
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
P965 CrossFire is supported, and SLI is not, so that's one reason to use a 2900 XT. It's a feature that is touted as a selling point of the motherboards.yyrkoon - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
You guys sure are 'harping' heavily on this new fan dangled P35 chipset . . . Surely there are other, better things to write about in this day and age ? I am all for reading about impressive benchmarks, and new technology etc, but man, I think you guys have beat this horse to death.Personally, I would rather be reading about the possibilities of PCIe v2.0, more camera reviews, Virtualisation, or even what Linux people think about Vista.
Some new content for your readers would be appriciated . . .
yacoub - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
I was sorta with you until I read your list of alternatives. Then I immediately wanted to read more P35 reviews if those are the alternatives. =Ptungtung - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
" Considering the performance of the P35 chipset when set up correctly, we would love to see a manufacturer utilize a different PCIe controller chip setup and bring 8x8 CrossFire capability to this chipset. "Kinda confused by what this means. I mean isn't the PCIe controller built into the northbridge (or southbridge). So if someone were to use a different controller wouldn't it kinda defeat the purpose of having the P35 and ICH9 pairing in the first place? Or does it suggest adding an extra southbridge chip to get a better PCIe performance?
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
I believe that a motherboard manufacturer could make an 2 x X8 PCIe configuration with P35 if they were so inclined. Gary can correct me if that's wrong.Nailer - Saturday, May 26, 2007 - link
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/pcuser/articles/0705/26...">Asus Blitz Extreme and Blitz Formula Computex Preview - Cross Link (2 x X8 PCIe)Haltech - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
How exactly can by switching motherboards can up FPS in games? Is it just one northbrige chip better then the other or just the layout.vailr - Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - link
In your upcoming P35 review, please include a rundown of AHCI mode.Including such items as:
1. Hot-swap capability of single drives, comparing
AHCI on Intel v. JMicron SATA port.
2. Hot-swap on Raid 1 array.
3. Details of setting up a fresh Windows XP and/or Windows Vista install, when AHCI is enabled in bios. F6 floppy driver install v. slipstreaming drivers into installation CD.
4. Speed comparison of: A. AHCI enabled v. disabled B. Intel SATA v. JMicron SATA.
5. Identifying "AHCI-capable" hard drives, v. older ("SATA 150", etc.) hard drives.
gigahertz20 - Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - link
Last page of this article called "Quick Take" is not loading with IE7. -May 23rd, 9:21PM EasternJarredWalton - Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - link
Corrected. The Quick Take is on the same page as the Futuremark scores, and there was just an extra link at the end.