X48 or P45?

Rykaro · 11 Jul 2009 at 12:44

My Abit P35-Pro XE has just gone belly up so I need a replacement but I can't justify the cost of a new CPU as well so a 1366 mobo is out.

I'm stuck between an X48 chipset and a P45 chipset. Both have features that the other doesn't have that I'm interested in (TPM module, 2x x16, ICH9R compared to ICH10R, etc).

What's peoples thoughts on them and which would you recommend (i.e is there much of a difference between ICH9R and 10R to make it worth picking the P45)?

Cheers,

Stonedofmoo · 11 Jul 2009 at 12:51

Basically it depends if you want SLI or not?

If you don't get the P45, it's actually a more modern chipset and based on the 65nm process.
The X48 is exactly the same as the old X38, i.e. based on the old 90nm process, only they were speed binned for faster bus speeds and given a few extra BIOS tweaks.

jbloggs · 11 Jul 2009 at 20:14

I would take P45 over X48, as it is a newer chipset and better clocker...

As regards the X48 being x16 speed and the P45 running at x8 when 2 graphics cards are used, I don't think it really will be noticed unless you are using the likes of 4870 X2 in crossfire

Ben M · 11 Jul 2009 at 20:23

Stonedofmoo said:
Basically it depends if you want SLI or not?

If you don't get the P45, it's actually a more modern chipset and based on the 65nm process.
The X48 is exactly the same as the old X38, i.e. based on the old 90nm process, only they were speed binned for faster bus speeds and given a few extra BIOS tweaks.

I think that you mean crossfire.

Go for the P45, for the reasons stated by Stonedofmoo.

Also, you can crossfire perfectly well on P45 boards, as, in crossfire mode, they run at pci-e 2.0 x8 which is fast enough for all but cards like the 4870X2.

So if you have two 4870X2s (which I assume that you don't, as you had a P35 board) then get the X48. Otherwise go for the newer and better overclocking P45 alternative.

Big.Wayne · 11 Jul 2009 at 20:55

Agreed with the P45 suggestion although I've never seen any proof that they overclock better than X48? although I'm aware that a large bunch of overclockers dumped their X48 boards when P45 where released but it seemed like more of a bandwagon than a confirmed thing!

Fahim · 11 Jul 2009 at 23:52

I would go for P45 because I am not interested in multi graphics solution. ICH10R gives you more features like more sata, which I need. Then again, you need to decide...

AMG · 12 Jul 2009 at 00:40

P45 unless multi card

ICH10-r is a lot better than 9 tbh I have am maxumise 2 (P45) and a rampage I perfer the other one tbh ;\

Rykaro · 12 Jul 2009 at 14:53

Thanks for the advice folks, it looks like I'll get a GA-EP45-DS5. I was going to upgrade my gfx to an HD4890 but might wait out now till the new ATI cards come out in a month or so.

marscay · 13 Jul 2009 at 21:57

Big.Wayne said:
Agreed with the P45 suggestion although I've never seen any proof that they overclock better than X48? although I'm aware that a large bunch of overclockers dumped their X48 boards when P45 where released but it seemed like more of a bandwagon than a confirmed thing!

There is proof everywhere, tis not a myth - esp for quads.