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Chassis (for ATX systems):
Chassis for platforms based on the Intel® processors must have an ATX12V power supply and improved ventilation.
Intel recommends that you use a Thermally Advantaged Chassis (TAC) that can maintain an internal ambient temperature below 38 degrees (Celsius) to meet the thermal specifications for boxed Intel processors.
The fan heatsink must provide appropriate airflow for the processor and nearby board components. Boxed Intel processors ship with a heatsink that supplies appropriate airflow for the processor and nearby board components.
Failure to use a fan heatsink and a chassis with appropriate airflow may result in reduced performance or, in some instances, damage to the motherboard.
Additional information:
Chassis (for BTX systems):
The BTX form factor requires a unique chassis designed specifically for BTX. It is critical to select a chassis that supports the chosen board size.
A BTX-compatible chassis requires built-in features to attach the Support and Retention Module (SRM; defined below). Additionally, a Thermal Module Interface may be required. This is a ducting feature connecting the front of the Thermal Module to a front vent. It is needed to ensure that airflow exiting the Thermal Module cannot re-circulate and re-enter the Thermal Module Interface opening.
The SRM is a metal plate that is assembled to the chassis beneath the motherboard to provide structural support for the motherboard and retention for the thermal module. The SRM is expected to be shipped with the BTX-compatible chassis.
For additional BTX information, refer to to Balanced Technology Extended (BTX) Channel Resource Center.
Power Supply
The power supply design specifications for the Intel® 945 Express Chipset-based (and later) Intel® Desktop Boards include:
- 2x12 (20-pin) main power connector
- Serial ATA (SATA) connectors are required
- Additional and Split 12-volt power are required
Go to http://www.formfactors.org/* for more information power supply specifications.
Power Supply Considerations for Processors
Failure to use the appropriate power supply (below) and/or not connecting the 12 V (2x2) power
connector to the desktop board may result in damage to the board, or the system may not function properly.
| Platform Compatibility Guide |
Power Supply Requirements |
| 05B |
12V2 rating of 16 A continuous and 19 A peak current for 10mS |
| 05A |
12V2 rating of 13 A continuous and 16.5 A peak current for 10mS |
| 04B or 04A |
ATX12V (version 2.0 or greater) compliant power supply | |
Processor
Boxed Intel processors with a heatsink or thermal module that supplies appropriate airflow for the processor and nearby board components.
Select from the links below to view the list of supported processors for your desktop board:
System Memory
Select from the links below to view the list of memory modules tested with your desktop board:
Graphics Adapters
Intel Desktop Boards based on the Intel 945 Express chipset and later include one, two or three (depending on model) PCI Express* x16 slots for add-in graphics cards. AGP slots are NOT included.
Boards that have multiple PCI Express x16 slots include:
- Intel® Desktop Board D5400XS
- Intel® Desktop Board DX58SO
- Intel® Desktop Board DX48BT2
- Intel® Desktop Board DP45SG
- Intel® Desktop Board DX38BT
- Intel® Desktop Board D975XBX2
- Intel® Desktop Board D975XBX
- Intel® Desktop Board D955XCS
- Intel® Desktop Board D955XBK
Tips for Intel Desktop Boards with multiple PCI Express x16 slots:
- When installing a PCI Express x16 graphics card, optimum performance will be achieved by using the PCI Express slot closest to the processor socket.
- These boards offer additional PCI Express connections in the form of a physical x16 connector. The electrical routing of the additional connectors may be x16, x8 or x4 (see specific boards specification for details).
- The additional connectors allow the use of multiple video adapters, providing the second adapter will properly auto negotiate down to x8, x4 or x1 operation, to support the connection of additional monitors.
Compatibility with ATI CrossFire* Technology:
For compatibility details between Intel Desktop Boards and ATI CrossFire Technology, please refer to Compatibility with ATI CrossFire Technology.
Hard Drive
The included SATA cables (4-conductor) support the Serial ATA protocol and connects a single drive to the desktop board. Either end of the cable can be connected to the SATA drive or the connector on the board. Some Serial ATA drives may require a power adapter cable. Contact the manufacturer of the SATA drive to determine the best method for powering the SATA drive.
The ATA-66/100 (40-contact, 80-contact) IDE cable included with Intel desktop boards can connect two drives. The cable supports the ATA-66/100 transfer protocols and is backward compatible with drives using slower IDE transfer protocols.
Intel Desktop Boards based on the Intel 945 Express Chipset and later support Native Command Queuing (NCQ). For more information on NCQ, refer to What is Native Command Queuing.
I/O Peripherals
Intel Desktop Boards may include the following I/O support: PS/2, serial, parallel, USB and IEEE 1394. The presence and quantity of these I/O ports depends on the board model. Refer to the documentation that came with your board for specifications.
Supported Operating Systems
The list of supported operating systems may vary, depending on which Intel desktop board is being used. Please see the complete list of support operating systems by board at Supported Operating Systems for details.
Notes:
- Some desktop boards include features that are supported only under certain operating systems.
- Windows* XP: If your desktop board includes PCI Express capability, you must use Windows XP with Service Pack 2, which includes support for PCI Express.
- Windows XP 64-Bit Edition: Availability of Windows XP 64-Bit Edition drivers may be limited for some Intel Desktop Boards.
This applies to:
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