Source: Tom's Hardware UK – Keywords: Skulltrail, QX9775, D5400XS, Octo-Core
Categories: Hardware
Conclusion – Technologically not mature and Lacking Software Support
To be quite frank, we were disappointed by the Skulltrail platform. Although we have tested and reviewed countless products by Intel, we have never had such a half-baked system such as this in our labs. If this sounds harsh, bear in mind that all we have to base this conclusion on is the Skulltrail system itself in its current state – provided by Intel as an official review platform. We do not know whether Intel plans to revise and improve the platform before the final versions ship to retail.
The Skulltrail system is unable to keep up with current desktop systems with a single quad-core processor by a long shot. We are not considering workstation applications here, since such applications are simply not the focus of the platform as it is being presented here today. The main performance problems stem from the fact that Intel chose to use a chipset from the workstation segment, from the use of FB-DIMM memory, and from the lack of widely multi-threaded software. Most applications can take advantage of four processors at most, meaning that the second quad-core CPU is practically never in use.
Also, the quality of the board is simply put very bad. Due to a lack of crucial options, the BIOS is not suited to overclocking, the southbridge fan is far too loud, the PWM fan-speed regulation for the CPU cooler does not work, and the board takes far too long to boot. Several times, the board even crashed when restarting.
To us, it is incomprehensible why Intel would send a platform plagued with so many problems out to the press in such a rush. Currently, Intel is not under any kind of pressure from the competition – it has already proved that it makes the fastest CPUs in the market. So why create such a dubious platform? Considering the performance that can actually be harnessed by today’s software, the platform’s energy consumption is far too high. While Skulltrail theoretically offers the option of using SLI or CrossFire configurations, any single-socket system offers higher gaming performance at a much lower price.
| Article | Topics |
|---|---|
| Part I | Intel D5400XS Motherboard FB-DIMM Memory |
| Part II | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 Processor 43 Xeon Models Overclocking Power Consumption Energy Cost |
| Part III | Performance Analysis Benchmarks Conclusion |
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so... all in all, it sucks
sounds awesome, but the performance is troublesome. if they swapped out the memory, and if games actually could use it, then it would be awesome! but if your thinking ill buy this to be future proof(you will soon find that you wasted your money)
WRONG. This system will cost a HELL of a lot more than four grand.
And I wonder if Intel will rush out some custom high-speed memory with the ECC crippled? For a whopping price of course..
That'll bring the price up to mid-fives or low six grand, easy...
Why does TH assume you'd pair such a strong CPU setup with (comparatively) weak graphics? AFAIK just one GTX costs a fair bit more than what's listed here, and anyone who'd want SkullTrail is a hundred times more likely to buy THREE. Or THREE Ultras
That in turn means that you'll be looking at a 1.2KW PSU AND a 300W 12V booster for the extra oomph (oh, and the missing PCIe connectors...) And they'd either want to dismantle and replace the southbridge cooler or invest in a whole lotta dampening material for the insides of the case to supress the unholy fan noise
Bit of a white elephant, this.
well, the life isn't just about playing games on the pc............this motherboard is done for professional use. boxx, sgi, apple, dell, hp ecc are using dual quads for years...........but we use them to create what you play a year later