Difference between G31, G33, G35 chipsets?

[MSIC]

I'd be grateful if someone could either explain or preferably post a link showing the differences between the above Intel chipsets.
Am considering building a machine for general gaming but i want micro ATX, not ATX. For some reason, the P series isnt popular in micro ATX format.
I'll be adding my own PCI-Express graphics, so the on-board will go to waste, and wondered if that was the difference between the chipsets.
Cheers in advance

[staffsMike]

Pretty sure the G31 is like the the P31 to the P35, a cheap alternative of sorts, less features like RAID and generally cheaper all round.

The G35 adds new and improved (DX 10 I think) onboard and gives DVI/HDMI outs which intel boards have lacked until this board.

The G31 offers the basic requirements, the G33 is a good overclocker and the G35 is the best board if you don't add your own gfx card (and a good overclocker) thats the way I understand it anyway.

[Flewis]

Here is what i found on the intel website:

Intel® Product Comparison Chart

Does seem like the only real difference between G33 and G35 is the graphics.

[s_kinton]

I'm running a G33 in my micro PC. I can highly recommend the Gigabyte G33-DS2R board, its a good clocker and has solid capacitors throughout

Have to say I dont use the onboard vga though.

[aidanjt]

Mostly things like MatrixRAID support, number of SATA channels, HDCP/HDMI or not.

[DDY]

Chipset - Southbridge - Rated FSB - Onboard GFX - Price (min)

G31 - ICH7 - 800/1066 - GMA 3100 - £40
G33 - ICH9(R) - 800/1066/1333 - GMA 3100 - £50
G35 - ICH9(R) - 800/1066/1333 - GMA 3500 (DX10) - £70

Since you're adding a graphics card it makes sense to go for a G33 motherboard, a basic G33 will be great for most tasks.
I can also personally recommend the Gigabyte GA-G33-DS2R (£70), it's a bloody good overclocker for an MATX board.

[ackrite26]

The only M-ATX boards with a G35 chipset is the ASUS P5E-VM series.

Intel did not plan to release the G35 chipset but ASUS just went ahead with the P5E-VM boards.

[aidanjt]

The only M-ATX boards with a G35 chipset is the ASUS P5E-VM series.

Intel did not plan to release the G35 chipset but ASUS just went ahead with the P5E-VM boards.

Is there any Intel press release to cite such a claim?

[ackrite26]

Is there any Intel press release to cite such a claim?

Do you work for Intel?

There isnt a press release.

But please try and find me a G35 chipset MOBO other than the ASUS series.

I did extensive research on the G33 and G35 chipsets as I was faced with the same decision.

[aidanjt]

I know Asus are the only manufacturer using the G35 atm, but it doesn't mean Intel didn't plan on releasing it, or that other manufacturers don't have access to it.

[ackrite26]

I know Asus are the only manufacturer using the G35 atm, but it doesn't mean Intel didn't plan on releasing it, or that other manufacturers don't have access to it.

No other manufacturer will be releasing motherboards sporting the G35 chipset with G45 on the horizon.

Intel must have planned to release it as there are ASUS boards with G35. Whether they then abandoned it them selves or the other manufacturers must have abandoned G35.

There are infact pictures of a Gigabyte motherboard with the G35 chip but this was never released. Why would they abandon it that far into the manufacturing process?

ComputerBase - Bild GIGABYTE GA-G35M-DS2R

[aidanjt]

Yes, and they (the motherboard manufacturers), may well have decided to can G35 and wait for G45, that doesn't mean Intel had no intention of releasing it to market, otherwise why would they bother designing the thing at all, it makes no sense what so ever.

The mATX market isn't mainstream, and sometimes motherboard manufacturers don't bite at a particular chipset, it could be due to timing issues, budget limitations, and any number of thousands of economical factors involved.

In otherwords:
Intel != ${MANUFACTURER}

[staffsMike]

I wouldn't say mATX isn't mainstream. Most HP, dell, anything off the shelf at PC world buisness type machines are mATX (or mBTX lol) I would think there was at least some call for them to have a DVI output which is why I thought the G35 would have caught on more, but then as has been said, G45 is on the horizon.

[ackrite26]

Yes, and they (the motherboard manufacturers), may well have decided to can G35 and wait for G45, that doesn't mean Intel had no intention of releasing it to market

I can not find the source where I read that intel had planned not to market G35. I have never heard of manufacturers abandoning G35.

There was quite a demand for the G35 chipset as G33 GFX didnt live upto expectations.

Do you mind me asking why you are fighting Intels corner so profusely?

[aidanjt]

I wouldn't say mATX isn't mainstream. Most HP, dell, anything off the shelf at PC world buisness type machines are mATX (or mBTX lol) I would think there was at least some call for them to have a DVI output which is why I thought the G35 would have caught on more, but then as has been said, G45 is on the horizon.

...mainstream in retail. I should have been clearer. Yes, mATX is fairly popular for budget machines in OEM, although usually they contract board development out to companies like Gigabyte and Asus, so they have their own no-so-standards-compliant board.

[aidanjt]

IDo you mind me asking why you are fighting Intels corner so profusely?

I'm not, I was curious as to whether Intel ever made such an announcement, or if it was just a 'guessed' assertion on your part.