Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 @ Digit-Life

“Today we are going to review another top performer from Intel that marks a new milestone in “bus-making” – a 400 MHz CPU bus with throughput equivalent to 1600 MHz. The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 processor, which we examine today, is based on the Yorkfield core of the Penryn family.”

Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6

Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 @ TBreak

“Intel X38 chipset has been out on the market for a quite some time now and Gigabyte didn’t wait long to release its popular DQ6 board based on it. X38-DQ6 brings support for Intel’s latest 45nm processors, 1600FSB and AMD’s CrossFire. However, what makes this board so special is its overclocking potential as well as plethora of advanced features like the dual BIOS, tri-phase power design, dual Gigabit Ethernet, etc.”

MSI K9AGM2-FIH

MSI K9AGM2-FIH @ Tech Lounge

“The K9AGM2-FIH is still a decent-performing, good-looking motherboard, but, in the end, it breaks no ground and makes mistakes that cause its mundanity. It serves as an example for what not to do by a company that has so often done things better than the rest.”

ASUS Maximus Extreme

ASUS Maximus Extreme @ Trusted Reviews

“You pay plenty for the Maximus Extreme, but that’s true of any X38 motherboard. We’re not convinced about the merits of three graphics slots but neither can we see any harm in the set-up that Asus has chosen and the cooling system and Fusion block are simply superb.”

MSI P6N Diamond

MSI P6N Diamond @ PCStats

“That covers all Intel CPUs back to the Pentium D. Chipsets are the heart of the P6N Diamond, and this board is based on to very solid performers; the nVIDIA nForce 680i northbridge and nForce 590i southbridge. That puts a pile of PCI Express lanes at your feet, allowing dual SLI videocards to run in x16/x16 or quad PCI Express x16 videocards to run in x8/x8/x8/x8 mode.”

ASUS P5E3 Deluxe

ASUS P5E3 Deluxe @ Hardware Zone

“The new ASUS P5E3 Deluxe has been one of the most anticipated Intel X38 motherboards because of hype that it would come with Linux onboard. Well, the ASUS Express Gate isn’t really a full blown OS, but it opens a whole new world of practical computing even for the average Joe.”

ASUS Commando

ASUS Commando @ Think Computers

“ASUS launched it Republic of Gamers line of motherboards a while ago with the initial offerings of the Striker Extreme and Crosshair motherboards. While these motherboards did have a lot of features they were a bit lacking. Their third offering the Commando is based on the Intel P965 chipset, which is known to be highly overclockable.”

Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L

Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L @ PCStats

“The Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L supports Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad/Extreme processors on a 800/1066/1333 MHz FSB, a max of 4GB DDR2 800/667, and one PCI Express x16 videocard. Integrated items include Gigabit networking, 7.1 channel High Definition audio, one IDE and floppy connector, four SATA, four USB 2.0 ports at rear, and optical/SPDIF audio output. In the box it’s nothing the bare basics.”

Intel Core 2 QX9650

Intel Core 2 QX9650 @ TweakTown

“It’s now been a generation on and Intel has pushed the Core 2 series into quad core variants, something AMD is yet to achieve. While Phenom is on its way, Intel still have the crown for the first quad core CPU to the market; and while technically not a true quad core, it still has four processors working on a single CPU package, just not on a single die.”

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 @ Guru3D

“Intel today (November the 12th) will release officially it’s first new processor from the Penryn series of products. Penryn is all about the eternal quest for a smaller die-size. The fabrication process of Penryn is at an incredibly small 45nm. See, smaller transistors equal lower power consumption, equal less heat equal higher clock frequencies and that equals into better performance.”