Test Setup
Test conditions are maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested except in our overclocked tests where the final overclocking capability of each BIOS is measured independently. Our game tests are run at a resolution of 1280x1024 with 4xAA and High Quality settings enabled. We feel like these settings and resolutions will provide accurate benchmark results for the typical user utilizing a high end video card with a mid-range processor. We utilize new drive images for each BIOS in order to minimize any potential conflicts. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining (median) score.
Performance Test Results
We are utilizing an abbreviated set of benchmarks to show the impact of the overclocking improvements upon both memory performance and a couple of games. We will utilize SiSoft Sandra 2007 for the Buffered and Unbuffered memory scores; Everest Ultimate Edition for memory latency, and SuperPi 1.5 1M test for general reference. Our Quake game benchmark utilizes the IdNetDemo demo recording. This includes mainly outdoor areas with numerous players trying to eliminate each other. We tested the game with High Quality settings (uncompressed normal maps), and we enabled all the advanced graphics options except for VSync. This game is very sensitive to memory latency changes and is a good indicator of how memory settings can affect the performance of the game. Our Battlefield 2 benchmark utilizes our in-house recording based on the 1.3 release. This recording includes numerous players and vehicles battling it out on the Daqing Oilfield map. We tested the game with High Quality settings enabled. We have found this game to be sensitive to both CPU and GPU changes. Since our GPU remains constant we will see the effects of our FSB overclocking along with memory latency changes on the final score.
In our memory synthetic tests we see the results at 9x385 FSB to be nearly the same between the F6 and F7 BIOS releases, indicating no real changes in the internal BIOS settings. The results at 8x425 FSB show a slight improvement across the board with a significant change in the memory latency. The game tests follow the same path with the differences being minor. This confirms what Gigabyte told us: they have further optimized the BIOS for overclocking without affecting the timings adversely.
However, we fully see the effects of the memory controller strap changing to 1333 from 1067 at the 401 FSB or higher settings. We see our 9x385 FSB settings being equal to or better than our 8x425 settings in our game benchmarks and the Sandra Unbuffered benchmarks. While the 8x425 FSB results show an increase in the Sandra Buffered benchmarks it is the Unbuffered benchmarks that are a better indicator of real-world performance for most applications.
Only the sheer CPU speed of the 9x415 FSB setting allows it do well in our CPU sensitive SuperPi and Battlefield 2 results. In the memory sensitive Quake 4 benchmark it finished behind the 8x425 FSB F7 results even though it retains a 335MHz CPU advantage, and it finishes last in the Sandra Unbuffered test. Our 8x450 FSB setting shows the best overall performance of the group. This is further indication that the memory performance of the P965 scales well once you exceed the threshold of the relaxed MCH timings after the switch in the memory controller strap settings.
Current Thoughts
Gigabyte has certainly improved the overclocking ability of the GA-965P-DS3 motherboard with the F7 BIOS. We had similar overclocking results with our X6800 CPU but unfortunately could not verify any improvements with the E6300 or E6400 processors. The reason why? It is the current 450FSB limitation with the Micron D9 based memory modules and the BIOS implementation on this motherboard. We have not witnessed this issue on Gigabyte's other motherboards in this series to date. While we have one set of Micron D9 based memory that will allow us to hit the 500FSB mark with our E6300 at a 1:1 memory ratio, all other D9 based modules in our labs fail to even POST on this board past the 460FSB range. We sincerely hope that Gigabyte rectifies this issue in short order as this one flaw really detracts from an otherwise superb motherboard for the price. Of course, if you are not into reaching the higher overclocks then this should issue should not be a concern.
Overall, we were very pleased with performance results of the new BIOS. We were afraid the overclocking improvements would come at the expense of memory performance or stability. However, Gigabyte figured out a way to improve overclocking through BIOS optimizations and has if anything improved stability at the higher FSB speeds in our testing. This is impressive to us, and hopefully the users of this board will also be impressed with the F7 BIOS.
| Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Performance Test Configuration |
|
| Processor: | Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.40GHz, 4MB Unified Cache) |
| RAM: | Geil PC2-6400 800MHz Plus (2x1GB- GX22GB6400PDC), 2.30V (Micron Memory Chips) |
| Hard Drive: | Seagate 320GB 7200RPM SATA2 16MB Buffer |
| System Platform Drivers: | Intel - 8.1.1.1001 |
| Video Cards: | 1 x MSI X1950XTX |
| Video Drivers: | MSI/ATI Catalyst 6.10 |
| CPU Cooling: | Scythe Infinity |
| Power Supply: | OCZ GameXstream 700W |
| Optical Drive: | Sony 18X AW-Q170A-B2 |
| Case: | Cooler Master CM Stacker 830 |
| Motherboards: | Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 (Intel P965 C2) - BIOS F6 and F7E Beta |
| Operating System: | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| . | |
Test conditions are maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested except in our overclocked tests where the final overclocking capability of each BIOS is measured independently. Our game tests are run at a resolution of 1280x1024 with 4xAA and High Quality settings enabled. We feel like these settings and resolutions will provide accurate benchmark results for the typical user utilizing a high end video card with a mid-range processor. We utilize new drive images for each BIOS in order to minimize any potential conflicts. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining (median) score.
Performance Test Results
We are utilizing an abbreviated set of benchmarks to show the impact of the overclocking improvements upon both memory performance and a couple of games. We will utilize SiSoft Sandra 2007 for the Buffered and Unbuffered memory scores; Everest Ultimate Edition for memory latency, and SuperPi 1.5 1M test for general reference. Our Quake game benchmark utilizes the IdNetDemo demo recording. This includes mainly outdoor areas with numerous players trying to eliminate each other. We tested the game with High Quality settings (uncompressed normal maps), and we enabled all the advanced graphics options except for VSync. This game is very sensitive to memory latency changes and is a good indicator of how memory settings can affect the performance of the game. Our Battlefield 2 benchmark utilizes our in-house recording based on the 1.3 release. This recording includes numerous players and vehicles battling it out on the Daqing Oilfield map. We tested the game with High Quality settings enabled. We have found this game to be sensitive to both CPU and GPU changes. Since our GPU remains constant we will see the effects of our FSB overclocking along with memory latency changes on the final score.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
In our memory synthetic tests we see the results at 9x385 FSB to be nearly the same between the F6 and F7 BIOS releases, indicating no real changes in the internal BIOS settings. The results at 8x425 FSB show a slight improvement across the board with a significant change in the memory latency. The game tests follow the same path with the differences being minor. This confirms what Gigabyte told us: they have further optimized the BIOS for overclocking without affecting the timings adversely.
However, we fully see the effects of the memory controller strap changing to 1333 from 1067 at the 401 FSB or higher settings. We see our 9x385 FSB settings being equal to or better than our 8x425 settings in our game benchmarks and the Sandra Unbuffered benchmarks. While the 8x425 FSB results show an increase in the Sandra Buffered benchmarks it is the Unbuffered benchmarks that are a better indicator of real-world performance for most applications.
Only the sheer CPU speed of the 9x415 FSB setting allows it do well in our CPU sensitive SuperPi and Battlefield 2 results. In the memory sensitive Quake 4 benchmark it finished behind the 8x425 FSB F7 results even though it retains a 335MHz CPU advantage, and it finishes last in the Sandra Unbuffered test. Our 8x450 FSB setting shows the best overall performance of the group. This is further indication that the memory performance of the P965 scales well once you exceed the threshold of the relaxed MCH timings after the switch in the memory controller strap settings.
Current Thoughts
Gigabyte has certainly improved the overclocking ability of the GA-965P-DS3 motherboard with the F7 BIOS. We had similar overclocking results with our X6800 CPU but unfortunately could not verify any improvements with the E6300 or E6400 processors. The reason why? It is the current 450FSB limitation with the Micron D9 based memory modules and the BIOS implementation on this motherboard. We have not witnessed this issue on Gigabyte's other motherboards in this series to date. While we have one set of Micron D9 based memory that will allow us to hit the 500FSB mark with our E6300 at a 1:1 memory ratio, all other D9 based modules in our labs fail to even POST on this board past the 460FSB range. We sincerely hope that Gigabyte rectifies this issue in short order as this one flaw really detracts from an otherwise superb motherboard for the price. Of course, if you are not into reaching the higher overclocks then this should issue should not be a concern.
Overall, we were very pleased with performance results of the new BIOS. We were afraid the overclocking improvements would come at the expense of memory performance or stability. However, Gigabyte figured out a way to improve overclocking through BIOS optimizations and has if anything improved stability at the higher FSB speeds in our testing. This is impressive to us, and hopefully the users of this board will also be impressed with the F7 BIOS.
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Gary Key - Thursday, October 12, 2006 - link
Not yet, they are still looking at it. It was fixed in our F7E, gone again in the F7 final. Honestly, I feel like F7E should have been the final now. ;-)BillClo - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link
I'm glad that the testers mentioned the requirement for many users to install a 1.8v memory stick just to get the system to POST, change settings, shut down and reinstall the higher-performance memory. The only problem is that I, and probably most people who encounter this problem (with memory that by the way, Corsair says IS compatible), don't have any DDR-533 memory laying around with which to swap out. I find this necessity totally unacceptable, and Gigabyte ought to be ashamed of their product. They say it's the fault of the memory makers, and I think both parties are partially to blame.How can one update to the latest BIOS so your memory can work when you can't even POST, let alone get to DOS to update BIOS? Disgraceful situation.
Marlin1975 - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link
DDR2 specs at 1.8Volts. That is what the boards are made to accept DDR2. If a memory makers wants to set theirs higher then take that up with them.JarredWalton - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link
Note that POSTing with other RAM is no longer required with the latest BIOS, although if you have a board with an earlier BIOS that doesn't help much. However, even if you don't own any other DDR2, it shouldn't be too difficult to borrow some from a friend for the operation. At least swapping DIMMs is about as painless a task as anything short of external peripherals.A lot of local computer stores would probably be willing to help out if necessary. They want your business, so if you explain the situation and bring in your PC, a lot of them will help you out for a minimal charge. Most enthusiasts have at least one other friend that will be into computers, though.
BillClo - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link
I find myself in the curious position of having friends who don't have a modern system (most are still stuck with AMD XPs or P3/4 Intels) so borrowing a stick of DDR2 isn't an option.Nor are the local shops willing to help out. Out of all of them, only one had any interest in helping, and the only way they'd do it was if I brought the system in, they did all the work, and by the way, the usual minimum $50 charge applied.
I have the choice of paying $50 for a local shop to do what I ought not to have to do, or buy another memory stick of DDR533 for about $40 and PRAY that it's compatible. Shouldn't have to go to such measures to get what is supposed to be an ENTHUSIAST level board to even POST. :(
modestninja - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link
Go to somewhere like Best Buy and purchase a stick. They have a 30 day return policy, so before that's up return the RAM. There you go, minimal hassel and you can update your BIOS.Also, pretty much any DDR2 533 will work because pretty much any stick works at 1.8V.
Finally, this is hardly the Motherboard manufacturer's fault since all they did was follow a spec. From my understanding, all the memory makers had to do was put in a slower SPD with a standard 1.8V and it would work no problem.
BillClo - Saturday, October 14, 2006 - link
As an update, I went to the expense to pick up the only affordable DDR2 stick in this entire town (a 512MB generic stick from Staples). Made absolutely no difference; the system still won't boot. I also tried swapping out power supplies, different video card. I get no beeps from the board when I remove RAM or leave the video card out. Reset CMOS a couple times.The only thing strange I discovered is that the PCI slots are rev 2.3, and all the PCI video cards I have on hand are rev 2.1/2.2. I will initially only be using this system for Folding At Home, so a nice video card isn't needed initially (may get an X1900 series to run their GPU client in early '07).
So ended up RMA'ing the piece of junk board. My first and last time buying Gigabyte.
OcHungry - Friday, October 13, 2006 - link
Way to go. Teachem how to cheat. Not even an atheist makes such recommendation.imaheadcase - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link
I will send mine to anandtech, they are my friends. Whats that anandtech "accidently" put in 4gigs of memory when they sent it back?! I love my friends.. :Pyacoub - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - link