X-bit labs

Meet Intel P35: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R Mainboard Review

Category: Mainboards

by Ilya Gavrichenkov , Anna Filatova

[ 05/22/2007 | 06:49 PM ]

This week Intel launched a new core logic set that will support the upcoming Penryn processors and promising DDR3 SDRAM. Today we would like to introduce to you one of the first mainboards based on this chipset that appears to be a very promising platform. Read more in our new article!

Table of contents:

• Intel P35: Closer Look
  
• Specification, Package and Accessories
  
• Functionality
  
• PCB Design
  
• BIOS
  
• Overclocking
  
• Testbed and Methods
  
• Performance
  
• Synthetic Benchmarks and Memory Subsystem Benchmarks
  
• SuperPi, PCMark05, 3DMark06
  
• 3D Games
  
• Sound and Video Encoding
  
• Other Applications
  
• Conclusion
  

The launch of new processor family based on Core micro-architecture that keeps expanding into different market segments strengthened Intel’s positions even more. This CPU is currently extremely popular, which is not surprising at all as it offers the today’s best combination of consumer features. Trying to secure its leading position and increase the company’s influence in the processor market Intel continues growing the processor family releasing new CPU models aimed at lower as well as upper market segments.

As we have seen, the manufacturer has paid special attention to inexpensive processor models lately. The price of the youngest Core 2 Duo solutions has dropped down to $100 range, and hence pushed away the competitors quite noticeably. However at the same time Intel certainly doesn’t forget about its high-performance solutions either. This summer we should welcome dual-core Core 2 Duo processors and quad-core Core 2 Extreme processors working at higher clock speeds and supporting faster processor bus – 1333MHz Quad Pumped Bus.

Of course, the increase in the bus frequency of Intel’s flagship processors requires Intel to make sure that the proper infrastructure is there. And first of all, it implies the launch of the new core logic sets as the existing LGA775 chipsets, i975X and iP965, officially support only 1067MHz Quad Pumped Bus. No wonder, that the new chipsets from this family start appearing in the market already; Intel P35 and integrated Intel G33 have already been launched.

Another two representatives of this family, top Intel X38 and Intel G35 with faster graphics core are due within the next few summer months, and will most likely hit the streets together with the new CPUs.

P35 is the first one from this “fantastic four” to catch our attention. Firstly, the first mainboards based on it have already emerged in hardware stores. Secondly, our readers are primarily interested in chipsets like that: mainstream solutions without the integrated graphics core. And thirdly, this is the solution that advanced computer users have long been waiting for. Combining relatively low price with the whole lot of new features, it should replace the good iP965 chipset and become a powerful alternative to Nvidia core logic in systems without SLI support.

The first mainboard manufacturer to provide our lab with a sample of their mass solution on Intel P35 chipset was Gigabyte Company. This manufacturer has been paying special attention to RND lately, which paid back well: Gigabyte has been ahead of many of their competitors with the announcements and launches of principally new mainboards. So, this gives us a great opportunity to meet the new Intel core logic for the first time with the help of the new Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R mainboard, which will be the main hero of our today’s article. However before we start discussing the peculiarities of the new Gigabyte board, let’s dwell on the innovative features of the new Intel P35 core logic set first.