Gigabyte P965 S3 vs C2D 6850

[Vern1961]

A trifle confused...

Looking to upgrade my current CPU which is a C2D 6600 to something with a bit more power. Was looking at a C2D 6850 which would give me 3Ghz unclocked. Mobo is a Gigabyte P965 S3, okay last years tech but still sound and I don't really want to replace it and the CPU.

Now if you go to the Gigabyte site and check the compatability list, with the latest BIOS upgrade (which I have) the C2D 6850 is shown as compatible. However when you call the CPU up on OCUK...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-156-IN&tool=3
it tells you it requires a 1333FSB (which I don't think the P965 has, even with the BIOS upgrade) and "Only compatible with new Intel P35 and NV680 socket 775 Motherboards (Older 975 boards are not compatible)."

Looking at a competitors site, the same chip simply makes reference to a Socket 775 being required.

So I'm a tad confused. Is there more than one type of 6850? Are Gigabyte incorrect when quoting compatibility? Is the OCUK description incorrect/over cautious?

What CPU's more powerful than a C2D 6600 are going to work on my Gigabyte Mobo?

 

[G_Wizz]

If Gigabytes web site says it will work, it will. In genaral terms most 965 boards will work with 1333 FSB CPU's providing the mfr has provided an updated bios, some have been updated to also take the E800 series.

 

[mp260767]

appreciate the post is about compatibility, but unless you get it really cheap i can't see the point of getting the 6850 for the slight increase in speed, why not just overclock the e6600 ?

 

[Vern1961]

Tried to O/C but I couldn't even get it to stick at 2.54Ghz without falling over and BIOS resetting. Suspect the RAM might be the bottleneck and I've got 4Gb of Geil 800Mhz on the way to replace the 2Gb 533Mhz sticks, so might see if that helps. However, I'd rather have 3Ghz at stock (with the possibility of maybe overclocking that later) than risking an unstable setup.