Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review :: Intel D975XBX2 Layout

01-24-2007 · Category: Motherboards

By Benjamin Sun

Intel designed this board for the enthusiast market and it shows with the layout of the board. The 4-pin power connector is on the upper right hand corner of the board, meaning the cable won't interfere with users wanting to use after-market CPU coolers nor airflow in the case. The 24-pin power connector is on the bottom right hand corner, the perfect positioning for a board, as it is closest to the PSU and won't cause problems. The CPU area is likewise clear of obstacles.


Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review 4-pin power

4-pin power

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review 24-pin power

24-pin power

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review CPU area

CPU area

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review DIMM sockets

DIMM sockets


One issue I have with the layout is the positioning of the DIMMs slots so close to the video card. With a normal card like the 7900GT it isn't much of an issue. With the 8800GTX, the video card overlaps all four DIMM sockets, if they are opened, meaning the video card will block easy removal and installation of the memory unless you take the video card out first.


Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review Capacitors

Capacitors

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review Aux Fan

Aux Fan

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review Rear Fan

Rear Fan

Intel D975XBX2 Desktop Motherboard Review CPU Fan header

CPU Fan header


Intel outfitted the board with three Fan headers in addition to the CPU fan header to allow the enthusiast to keep their system cool. Two USB headers bring the total supported by the board to 8 and an additional IEEE-1394 header brings the total on the board to 2. Intel has gathered most of the capacitors on the board to the far left, near the last PCI and PCI Express x16 slot.