Why does Intel Motherboard = Crap!

That's it, I can't stand it anymore...

I am writing this as I removed the battery from the BIOS of a new motherboard and wait for it to reset...

I have to tell how much I hate the latest Intel Motherboard I bought. Keep in mind I'm no newbie to computer hardware; for the past 7 years I've been designing Computer as part of my work (4-years for a computer store and 3-years as a buyer). Here at my work, we always design the computer we buy because we get better component, easier repair, silent component, lower TCO, excellent ROI, etc...

So this past summer Intel has successfully launch the new Core 2 Duo architecture. Thanks god! I was just about to switch our design to AMD cpu because I was so tired of that Pentium 4 failure (high Ghz clock easily beaten by Pentium M and AMD cpu at almost half-clock speed, high TDP, etc.).

I had to buy quickly because I have to keep at least 10 computer in inventory ready to be installed and I was already past this mark (I wasn't able to buy a few of our "regular" PC... that would have given me some time to test the new configuration of the Core 2 Duo). I rushed to my reseller to get some component and the main issue was getting some motherboard with a G965 or Q965 chipset.

I figured that Intel would probably be the first on the market with these chipset and I ordered a few mobo just to test. At the same time, I prepared a purchase request for 20 computer based on these component (more on this later). I remembered from past experience that Intel Motherboard is a straight platform, something more corporate. I also knew that there was no potential for overclocking and the BIOS would be somehow limited compared to other company. But I told myself that I'm the only one to overclock anyway!

So I designed 2 types of computer (Windows Vista ready!)

Smaller format (cost < 1000$ CAD)

• Antec Minuet 300 mATX case
• Intel DQ965GF mATX Motherboard BOX
• Intel E6400 2.13Ghz 2MB Processor BOX
• 1GB OCZ DDR2 6400 (800Mhz) Gold XTC
• Seagate 160GB 7200.9 SATAII NCQ
• Pioneer DVR-111 DVD+/-RW EIDE
• Sony black 1.44Mo Floppy

Regular format (cost < 1400$ CAD)

• Antec Sonata II ATX Case
• Intel DG965WH ATX Motherboard BOX
• Intel E6600 2.4Ghz 4MB Processor BOX
• Zalman CNPS7700Al-Cu Silent CPU Fan
• 2GB Kit OCZ DDR2 6400 (800Mhz) Gold XTC
• Seagate 320GB 7200.10 SATAII NCQ
• Pioneer DVR-111 DVD+/-RW EIDE
• Mitsumi 7-in-1 Card reader + Floppy

I have to mention that our previous platform was using the same component as this "regular" format with the exception of the following component: Pentium D 930 (3Ghz), OCZ DDR2 533Mhz (value) and MSI 945G Motherboard.In fact, I've been using MSI motherboard with Intel chipset (i865G, i915G, i945G) for the past 3 years now.

Where was I? Oh right, getting the component and test them...

Ok so the problem is that I got my test component almost at the same time my reseller got all the stuff to build the 20 computer (otherwise, I would have been able to make some changes...).

Try to remember that I was low in computer inventory, the Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4Ghz) was hard to get (beginning of September 2006) and on top of that, the price for the memory was going to the roof and hard to get (reminder: just like every years around September).

I started to play around with the Intel mATX mobo (DQ965GF) and I wasn't pleased with the following:

1. No printed manual... just a quick install poster. Ok fine I can live with that.
2. Lousy mechanism to install the Intel stock cooler (always one side releasing up)
3. Bad interaction with the cpu fan (too much noise for such low heat)
4. Trying to get the memory to run at 800Mhz. NIGHTMARE.
5. Resetting the BIOS: WTF?
6. In seven years (7) it was the first board I managed to fry!

This is all about memory. After a lot of reading I give you the following warning:

• Intel claim support for 800Mhz memory

The catch? ONLY if your memory can sustain this speed a 1.8V. Now I have a problem because the OCZ memory must get 2.0V to achieve 800Mhz otherwise I'll get 533Mhz or 667Mhz maybe if I am lucky. Try to convince your reseller to return 6000$ CAD of memory kits to his distributor and order some Kingston Value RAM instead... One other thing, every other motherboard manufacturer CAN deliver 2.0V to the memory stick (MSI, ASUS, etc...)

• Intel new Q965 chipset (allowing remote management)

The catch? In order to access the PC while it is powered down (but still plugged to an electric outlet), power is distributed to the first memory bank on this motherboard. If you remove or install memory while the system is plugged, you will fry your motherboard. EVEN if you unplug the cord, you'll have to wait a few seconds until 2 lights (one red and one green) are no longer led otherwise: fried motherboard.

I wish good luck to Intel with this one. I have fried 2 motherboard and my reseller has done the same while assembling the 10 small PC. I guess 4 out of 10 is a good ratio. What will happen in a few years if someone try to upgrade the memory on those PC? mmm

• Resetting a Intel BIOS

Until now, I've been unsuccessful at resetting the BIOS if the memory clock is too high. I tried:

1. Removing the Jumper cap (3 possible position)
2. Keeping Insert or F1 while booting up
3. Changing the memory for another with lower clock (forcing the BIOS to re-detect)
4. Removing the battery
5. Maybe I should try this: Check this video

For now, these computer are running at 533Mhz with ultra fast memory stick of 800Mhz. Maybe I should lower them to 400Mhz just to make sure the Intel Mobo can keep the beat...

Ok! I'm heading to the Intel website OR the CD-ROM that came with my motherboard to get some info about resetting the BIOS.

I'll be back...

BTW, I still haven't found a way to restart the mobo... I have ordered some Kingston ValueRam DDR2 800Mhz @ 1.8v so this way I should be able to boot. My guess is that the board tries to run my OCZ memory at 800Mhz at startup but it doen't work at 1.8v.

Update on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 10:52 by Patrick Laforte

I finally got the Kingston Memory (which runs at 800Mhz with 1.8v) and bingo! I was able to boot the computer and make some changes in the BIOS.

I ordered some OCZ System Elite memory (OCZ2SE8002GK) to run some further test with our computer. This one runs at 800Mhz @ 1.8v just like the Kingston but is less expensive.

I've seen more and more memory issue recently. For example, I got a ASUS P5M2-M Motherboard in testing phase and I wasn't able to boot a Core 2 Duo processor with my OCZ 800Mhz @ 2.0v... but I was able to boot a Pentium D 820 with the same configuration. That's weird.

Comments

[Andrea Brajuka]

If you think you've seen all, about the DQ965GF, well, try to put 4GB of that 1.8V Kingston RAM on it.
Everything will seem working, even Windows XP x64, but not Vista RTM, no matter if x86 or x64. More exactly, on certain motherboards (maybe a revision problem ?), Vista cannot either be installed or run, if there are more than 2GB of RAM.

Kingston seems to be aware of the problem, and offers a replacement to get 4 sticks of the same revision, and Intel itself admits that several users have treported the issue, which is under investigation.
But at the same time. Intel says that it has achieved Vista Premium Logo certification with 4GB memory on that board.
What to do ? Replace the memory (which, BTW, is on their compatibility list for that board)? Replace the motherboard ?

You'd better check out. I'm talking about motherboard revision 305, maybe newer revisions are better...

[sukoF]

Can you please help me by telling me how on earth can i overclock with this motherboard?

i've tried evertyhing with no success

fanx

sukoF

[Patrick Laforte]

You can't! Intel motherboard are the worse choice for overclocking as the have no options (and no tolerance) to do so. That's why I had so much trouble with memory over 1.8v.

[Kappage]

I have had some succes at overclocking this Motherboard after i bought one by accident... I wont ever by intel again ill tell you that. In order to overclock on this motherboard you need to go to [url]www.cpuid.com[/url] and get Clockgen and run it on the IDT CV174 PLL and that should be able to clock it.

[The Stig]

I hate the intel motherboards. my mate bought one and tried it with a 8800 gts- that peice of crap hasnt worked properly yet. ill stick with MSI.

[Jeff]

but my clockgen does not show the IDT CV174 PLL. it only shows CV107. please help

[Jay]

About 2 years ago I bought a new HP computer, first the ram in it got toasted, then the usb ports went dead a little over a year later. The case fans,psu fan, cpu fan would kick into high gear just surfing the internet. Do you know what the problem was? IT WAS THAT PIECE OF CRAP INTEL MOTHER BOARD! I had to toss my PC in the garbage the whole motherboard was dead! So now when I purchase PC's I make sure they have a good motherboard like ASUS.

[Adrian]

Recently I bought an Intel motherboard(DG33FB) and OCZ memory(2X1GB 800MHZ) and i couldn't even install the win xp, I had to change to memory with some Corssair and now it's run great. It's seems that the frequencies for OCZ memory can't be modified. and also Intel doesn't recommened this manufracture

[Bruce Armstrong]

Our company bought 6 computer systems with the Intel® Desktop Board DG35EC from a consultant who failed to fully test these systems. Our first problem was severe. We were not able to install Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Business 64-bit at all. We got so many errors during the installation process. Our consultant (who is now fired) found out that this Intel motherboard has a IDE port problem as noted on the INTEL website: http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-028426.htm#dg35ec "Unable to install Windows* from certain PATA (IDE) DVD-ROM drives" So the consultant RMA'ed all 6 INTEL motherboards and got the INTEL recommended replacement models. Sad thing is the problem still persisted so we went with SATA Optical drives instead of PATA DVDwriters.

We were able to install Windows XP and VIsta on the motherboards after going to the SATA Optical drives. But one by one over a 4-month period 4 out the 6 INTEL DG35EC motherboards died (the motherboards could not power on) you would only see a flicker on the Power LED on the system case and a flashing of light on the blue LED on the motherboard. This was the final blow. We have switched to all ASUS motherboards on all of our systems. ASUS P5Q and P5K-VM for all our systems. I heard rumors that INTEL motherboards are made by FOXCONN and their quality is not that good to begin with. So stay away from INTEL Branded motherboards.