X-bit labs

Intel i925X Gets 1066MHz PSB, DDR2 667MHz Memory Support?

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 04/13/2004 | 08:21 AM ]

Intel Corporation is likely to pour some additional performance into i925X chipset – the company’s premier core-logic for high-end desktops this year. Some reports suggest that the company may pump up the maximum supported processor system bus speed and also add support for higher-speed DDR2 memory.

Intel i925X chipset formerly known as Alderwood is expected to sport 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus for LGA775 processors, dual-channel DDR2 memory at up to 533MHz, PCI Express x16 port for graphics cards and a rich arsenal of I/O capabilities, including multitude of Serial ATA-150 ports with RAID support and even software WLAN access point. VR-Zone web-site reported today that i925X not only could support DDR2 533MHz but also add DDR2 at 667MHz to the spec list.

Some other unofficial sources also suggested that Intel was considering whether to add or not support for Pentium 4 “Prescott” processors with 1066MHz processor system bus into the i925X chipset. They also alluded that appropriate Prescott chips in LGA775 form-factor are in the works.

Higher frequency of PSB as well as higher bandwidth or RAM typically give some additional performance boost for new platforms. 1066MHz Quad Pumped Bus will take full advantage of phenomenal 8.5GB/s bandwidth provided by dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM memory, giving end-users new height in performance computing.

Right now the Santa Clara, California-based company supplies Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processors with 2MB L2 cache for gamers and performance enthusiasts. The Extreme Edition chips are substantially more powerful than typical Pentium 4 CPUs. The company said it would supply Extreme Edition processors for future systems that use Socket T. Current Pentium 4 Extreme Edition chips use Socket 478 and 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus. It is not clear how performance of Pentium 4 “Prescott” processors with 1066MHz PSB will compare to that of Pentium 4 Extreme Edition chips with 800MHz PSB.

Alderwood will also have some limitations in overclocking, VR-Zone notes. The clock speed or PSB will be locked down when it exceeds 12% increase over its default speed and the method is by tracking down the source clock. Mainboard makers are looking forward to overcome the limitation. The claim may contradict with the report about increasing maximal processor system bus speed on i925X.

Officials for Intel did not comment on the story.