Gigabyte GA X38 DQ6 Blog

[GigaMan]

Also would you recommend using Gigabyte's Dynamic Energy Saver app? I would like to since my computer is idling most of the time, but don't want it to cause problems...with OC

Hey Skimerister,
Gigabyte's D.E.S is always running/active in the background, even if you do not use the software.
We call this Always On, Stealth Mode.
The reason for this is because our DES is hardware driven, not software, like most other brands.
So even if you O/C your system, Gigabyte's DES is the only Energy saving product that will NOT conflict with your O/C’ed system.

[berte]

Hello berte,
Unfortunately these utilities only works with Windows OS.
We have no open source code to provide. :-(

Hello GigaMan,

But may be you are release mainboard (or utilities) specification files. If you release it then these utilities could be written by me or other volunteers(or gigabyte sw engineers:).

Good example for this case;
LXR linux/Documentation/hwmon/abituguru-datasheet

Regards.

[GigaMan]

Hello GigaMan,

But may be you are release mainboard (or utilities) specification files. If you release it then these utilities could be written by me or other volunteers(or gigabyte sw engineers.

Good example for this case;
LXR linux/Documentation/hwmon/abituguru-datasheet

Regards.

Actually I have sent an email to our engineers for further advice on this.
I think it would be a good idea to have Linux support for our DES.
Unfortunately, our HQ does not always see things the same way!
Hopefully I will get some reply soon.

[berte]

Actually I have sent an email to our engineers for further advice on this.
I think it would be a good idea to have Linux support for our DES.
Unfortunately, our HQ does not always see things the same way!
Hopefully I will get some reply soon.

Thank you so much GigaMan.

I am really appreciative and I will wait your news.

Regards.

[sloppyjoe]

Hi all, great thread here. I've learned a lot about OC'ing (and from the links) and about this motherboard in general. I've been using it with an e2160 @ 3Ghz (333x9) with 2x1 GB Corsair XMS PC6400 4-4-4-12 2.1v @ 800mhz for a quick and cheap oc for over a year now with no problems. I was a noob to overclocking (and still am to some extent), so I didn't mess around with voltages too much. Just manual set the dram timing (spec from manufacturer) and I already checked out an online guide that showed the e2160 after to hit 3ghz with no problems. Boosted the RAM, PCIE, FSB, voltages a little... similar to what some people here did.

But, I'm thinking of upgrading and doing some "real" overclocking with a e7200, maybe pumping it up to around 3.8ghz, and getting 2gb of ocz reaper PC8500 or 9200. The parts are getting cheap, especially the RAM so I think it's about time to jump in. What do you think about these, as far as recommendations?

I've got a
Zalman CNPS-7000B all copper for the CPU cooler (120mm)
Lian Li PC-V1000+II case
Seasonic M12 600W PSU
8800GT GPU w/ zalman copper cooler
Auzentech Prelude 7.1
2x 250gb raid 0

Also... I wonder if I should update the BIOS. I flashed it when I first got it (Nov 2007) to F5h (currently running), but didn't realize I had my OC settings still in the CMOS. Oops! It didn't want to boot after that and I had to pull the battery out then it reset and was fine. Luckily, no problem since then. My point is... I'm a little scared of doing it now that I did it wrong once. At least it's not brand new at this point, though. And if it gives stability to an OC, I'm up for it.

[supershanks]

Hi sloppyjoe,
Welcome to the forum
Glad the threads helped.
Though it's good that zalman is quiet an old cooler. this review, Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu Heatsink Review ,is over 2 years old. That's a long time in cooler technology. Some of the best coolers at the moment are the HDT Coolers see the xigmatek reviews in that link. The Thermalright True is another widely used cooler, there are of course many more
Think I'd go for the 9200 Ram if you can, the prices make them a bargain.

with a e7200, maybe pumping it up to around 3.8ghz

may be possible but, may not be a realistic 24/7 overclock. Check out this for example Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Processor Review Highest clock was 3856

was at 1.55V and it was at just 406MHz FSB

The chip is 45nm running that voltage for a quick bench is fine, long term you risk the chip. temps of course will also be very high. If your budget could stretch that bit further an E8400 will give you a faster CPU, which should be able to run 24/7 at around 4k 24/7. Maybe use onboard sound a bit longer or get a single drive and add a second later. The CPU and Graphics will give you the biggest lift performance wise.


We've all done that with a flash at one time or another, i'm sure it's not something . you'll do again , for a while at least. You'll probably have to update bios to ensure you have support for your new CPU

[sloppyjoe]

Thanks for the reply.

Ok, so maybe 3.8 is a bit ambitious. I guess we'll see what I get out of it. The idea for the upgrade is just of the second part of my "plan" in building this last year. (ps. I've put my specs in the profile now) At that time 45nm wasn't quite out or at least wasn't at a good price point, so I went with the cheap 65nm, figuring that the money will go toward a 45nm this year after the prices slide a bit. The E8400 is not out of my budget, so I will think about that, too. 6MB cache on those, too

I wouldn't say I "need" all the extra clocks. I mean, my machine is used for games, though at 3.5ghz+, I'm sure my graphics card is the main bottleneck. It most likely is right now, for that matter.

Yeah, I accidentally bought the older model CPU cooler.. and later found out I needed the adapter to fit this motherboard. Ugh.. had to wait another couple days for that to arrive before the cooler could be installed. I went stock for a week

Probably won't make any moves until January, but I'll keep the forum up to date with what I get out of the gigabyte board.

[supershanks]

The E8400 is not out of my budget, so I will think about that, too. 6MB cache on those, too

Which helps on all activities not hust Ocing

Probably won't make any moves until January, but I'll keep the forum up to date with what I get out of the gigabyte board.

Makes sense , look forward to seeing what you get

[sloppyjoe]

Thinking about the following upgrade:

E8400
OCZ Reaper HPC 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC9600 Model OCZ2RPR12002GK (would you recommend over PC9200 model?)
XIGMATEK HDT-SD964 92mm (nice review, thanks)

Also, thinking of getting the XIGMATEK ACK-I7753 bracket for mounting. Is this necessary for installation without push pins? Push pins make no sense to me... I had a hard time getting a stock intel cooler off this board before.

Question about the ram: I am running 32 bit Vista, so I can max out at ~3.5GB. As far as overclocking goes, does 4x1GB differ from 2x1GB? Do you think this would be an upgrade worth doing? I assume that I should stick (no pun intended) with 1GB sticks for better timings and speeds, as opposed to 2x2GB (max PC8500)?

Thanks

[supershanks]

Good move I'd think , yes the bracket is a great idea, even if it just saves playing with the pushpins.
Timing wise 4x1gb will most likely run at lower timings than 2x2gb your right. I do
think though that, the only time a 4x1gb scenario pays is if you already have a 2x1gb of the sameram. Odds are that you'll have to slacken timings/increase voltage and invest time getting it to run as you want. . It can be done , but just be aware of the above.

2x2GB on the other hand, might not do as well in benches but for 24/7 use should be hassle free. Also leaves door oipen if you ever want to go 8gb with windows 7 or vista 64