Intel 925X/915: Chipset Performance & DDR2

Gigabyte 8GPNXP Duo

We were extremely impressed with the apparent flexibility of the dual-memory Gigabyte 8GPNXP Duo motherboard when we first saw it at Computex. With support for either a dual-channel pair of DDR2 or two dual-channel pairs of DDR, it appeared to be the perfect platform to compare DDR2 and DDR performance.

Gigabyte was kind enough to rush us a complete 8GPNXP Duo test bed for our Intel launch review, and had it here in time for testing for the chipset launch. The DUO is not a low-end board, but is a fully-featured motherboard that even includes an updated version of the trademark dual power system. This boosts the stock 4-phase power to 8-phase power to the motherboard.

Like other socket 775 boards, the Gigabyte 8GPNXP Duo has a 24-pin power connector. We plugged a 20-pin ATX from a 350-watt power supply into the 24-pin main power connector. Intel has stated in the past that the new 24-pin is backwards compatible with current 20-pin connectors, and we verified the 24-pin is keyed to handle a 20-pin connector just fine. The modest, but decent quality, 350-watt power supply worked well in all of our tests with the Gigabyte motherboard.