Nvidia 680i suffers forward compatibility issues

[W1nTry]

Not so good if you own one:

Nvidia 680i chipset fails future-proof test

Four-core Yorkfield is a no-go

By Theo Valich: Friday, 23 November 2007, 12:37 PM

IT HAS LONG-RUMOURED on Internet forums, but now a moderator at EVGA forums has appeared to confirm that Nvidia's Nforce 680i chipset fails to support all 45nm processors from Intel.

In a weird flashback to Nforce4 SLI shenanigans, with its lack of compatibility with the Pentium D 820, the tide has now turned on the Nforce 680i.

It seems Nvidia ran into some compatibility problems with upcoming Intel processors. It declined our request for a comment on the matter earlier today.

Given Intel's less-than-stellar history with Socket 775 motherboards, the SNAFU is not so surprising. Since their release in 2004, the Socket 775 chips have continuously required motherboard revisions, even though pin-to-pin compatibility existed. One of the messier changes was with the Bad Axe motherboard, with new releases for Pentium EE 955, 965, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad. Some backwards compatibility existed, but in most cases you would be stuck.

We have used an EVGA Nforce 680i motherboard as our reference ever since it came out so we're quite disappointed in the turn of events. While the chipset heatsink design left something to be desired, overclocking capabilities are top notch, stability with different memory modules has been exemplary, and it works at DDR2-800 CL3 and DDR2-1310.

Sadly, this lack of forwards compatability hits all of the motherboards designed around the chipset: EVGA, BFG, XFX, Galaxy, Inno3D, etc., along with numerous third party motherboards.

Basically, it seems there is no escape. If you own a 680i motherboard and want a non-Kentsfield, quad-core, you can either migrate to AMD Phenom or wait for a X48 motherboard.

The hiccough is the latest in a bundle that have chip-buying customers pullng their hair out.

Intel keeps the same Socket, but has problems with compatibility, Nvidia has chipsets with problematic CPU support, and "customer centric" AMD has become known as Socket 754-940- 939-AM2 -AM2+-AM3. At least, these last three are in-between compatible, if your AM2 motherboard has 8Mbit BIOS.

[Spazosaurus]

I've always said that Intel chips are better suited to Intel chipsets. Even though Nvidia brings great overclocking to the table, Intel does that AND compatibility.

[daniboy79]

I've always said that Intel chips are better suited to Intel chipsets. Even though Nvidia brings great overclocking to the table, Intel does that AND compatibility.

intel works great with anything lol

(but i see your point, and it's noted, hehe)