X-bit labs

Asustek Enables Support of Intel’s Penryn Family Chips on Previous-Generation Mainboards.

Category: Mainboards

by Anton Shilov

[ 07/20/2007 | 11:41 PM ]

Just days after Asustek Computer announced support of 1333MHz processor system bus (PSB) for Intel Corp.’s latest chips on mainboards that do should not handle it, the world’s largest maker of computer motherboards says that an array of its relatively mature mainboards will also be able to work with Intel’s central processing units made using 45nm process technology.

“Being the worldwide motherboard leader, ASUS offers a wide range of high-performance motherboards that can take advantage of Intel's 45nm next-generation processors,” Asustek said in a statement located on its web-site.

Just like in the case of support for 1333MHz processor system bus, Asus managed to enable support of Intel Corp.’s code-named Yorkfield and Wolfdale processors on mainboards that have been on the market for quite some time. Those mainboards are based on Intel P965, Intel 975X as well as Nvidia nForce 6-series chipsets and require an update of firmware. Asus is expected to add support for chips produced using 45nm technology to other mainboards as well.

It is unclear why Asustek decided to support modern processors with 1333MHz processor system bus as well 45nm chips to relatively outdated mainboards. Given that neither 1333MHz PSB, nor DDR3 memory provide a significant performance boost to Intel Core 2 processors and because it is not obvious that even 45nm chips would deliver considerably higher performance, Asustek might have decided to attract attention of computer enthusiasts to its product lineup overall.

In fact, currently-shipping LGA775 mainboards are likely to become the last platforms for contemporary Core 2/Conroe micro-architecture, as Intel’s next-generation Nehalem chips will contain built-in memory controller and will require a new motherboard.