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General discussion

Old motherboard new CPU

by r.pinion Aug 31, 2010 1:25AM PDT

My current motherboard (Intel D975XBX2) no longer has active tech support on the Intel website. I checked the CPU compatibility chart and it listed the E6700 CPU at 2.66Ghz as compatible. I was shopping online and found several E6700's listed but at higher clock speeds. Will those still be compatible? I have flashed my MB with the latest Bios.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Match specs
by Willy Aug 31, 2010 2:05AM PDT

Intel provides alot of support for various products and if yours has become dated, it maybe listed under some "legacy" support webpage. I have older stuff after googling the Intel being the primary source of hits I want and then go there. try that out as a means to get things done.

As for your questions, your mtrbd. has the latest bios updates support slower speeds, it should for higher speeds as well. The problem is, just how far that can go, but usually when a class of cpus are supported, they all are. Then the remaining limits are the FSB, etc.. Does the multiplier allow the speed you want to be obtainable, then the specs are the key, review them and match.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Probably not
by samkh Aug 31, 2010 2:15AM PDT
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Die Size?
by r.pinion Aug 31, 2010 3:19AM PDT

I don't understand why the die size would impact compatibility. If it is a LGA775 socket and all the others specs are good it seems to me it should work. Wow, two conflicting responses. My thanks to both of you.

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Don't mean to be
by samkh Aug 31, 2010 6:21AM PDT

a wet blanket and was writing earlier from memory, but after checking I don't have any better news. When you are at the CPU specs page of the links I gave you, click on compatible products in left panel then click on chipsets.

I think the 9xx voltages are higher than 45nm allows but I never had the patience or need to track it down to facts.

Good luck on your shopping.

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Don't mean to be
by r.pinion Sep 1, 2010 1:13AM PDT

Dude! Wetblanket you are not. Actually I followed your directions and lo and behold there was my MB listed right at the top being compatible with the E6700 3.2Ghz 45nm CPU. The Bios version is what I just updated too. I guess this settles the compatibility question. Thankyou very much.

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Intel Link (Intel D975XBX2)
by Brechan Aug 31, 2010 4:10AM PDT
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Been there
by r.pinion Sep 1, 2010 1:05AM PDT

This is the compatibility chart that started this discussion. I have found E6700s' that go beyond those listed here. Notably there is one E6700 that is 3.2Ghz and 45nm. All chips listed on this chart are 65nm. I have been on other forums and found discussion confirming that 9xx chipset MBs do support 45nm. One guy even stated that my MB has been tested successfully with 45nm. I am not a big risk taker. I may try my hand at overclocking my current E6600 2.4Ghz CPU. I already have a massive Zalman heatsink on it so temp shouldn't be a problem. What do you all think? Considering my limited options will a new chip give me that much of a performance boost beyond overclocking my current chip?

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