Core 2 duo mobo Intel chipsets - 965 vs 975

[DerbyJon]

I'm playing catchup on the nomenclature of these. Am I correct in thinking the 975 is an existing chipset, and the 965 is actually newer (in fact just out) and targetted specifically at core 2 duo installation? What are the main differences, and is the 965 in any way a reduced-feature solution?

[Hobart Paving]

It's explained here

[DerbyJon]

It's explained here

Somehow I think not.

[shaithis]

I have been researching this myself today and it seems that ALL current 975 boards will NOT support Conroe.....many (all) may not even support Conroe with a BIOS update. They need a new board revision.

[mrt9888]

On Scan's website they say that 975X boards support conroe

[jackvdbuk]

the differnce iirc is that the tech in them, for example p965 = one 16x pci-e slot, whereas 975x is capable to support SLI or Xfire.

there are also some other little differnces but thats the only 1 i kno lol.

[davidstone28]

"On a brighter note, the supporting infrastructure for Core 2 chips is already fairly well established. The processors should be compatible with a number of chipsets, including the enthusiast-class 975X and the upcoming 965-series mainstream chipsets from Intel. NVIDIA's nForce4 SLI X16 Intel Edition should work, too, as well as the yet-to-be-released nForce 500 series for Intel. In fact, the Core 2 can act as a drop-in replacement for a Pentium D or Pentium Extreme Edition, provided that the motherboard is capable of supplying the lower voltages that Core 2 processors require. Only the most recent motherboards seem to have Core 2 support, so you'll want to check carefully with the motherboard maker before assuming a board is compatible. Our Core 2 Duo and Extreme review samples, for example, came from Intel with an updated version of the D975XBX motherboard, since older revisions couldn't supply the proper voltage."
http://www.techreport.com/reviews/20...2/index.x?pg=1

965 preview here:
http://www.techreport.com/onearticle.x/10113

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Personally, I'd be slight wary of being an early adopter of Core2 using an old or current motherboard unless there was official confirmation from the manufacturer that that particular motherboard model (including any revision number) was fully compartible, and that had been confirmed by user reports.

[DerbyJon]

I think I'll tread carefully with this and go for a new model of motherboard (I'm hoping the Asus P5LD2-VM SE will be cheap when it arrives). Many existing Pentium D motherboards may handle Core 2 Duo with a BIOS update, but that's only of use if you have a Pentium D handy to perform the upgrade in the first place!

[arthurleung]

Though I'm fu**** my board's revision is too old to support Conroe. Damn Intel for changing the power regulator requirement for Conroe.

[owen1978]

Its likc going back to the good old days of Springdale and Canterwood!!

[davidstone28]

Xbits touch upon this (as do millions of articles; internet's gones Core crazy...):

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...o-e6300_4.html