The Intel X38 Express chipset is the last of Intel's new core logic lineup to be released but certainly not the least; it supports Socket 775 processors running on an 800/1066/1333MHz Front Side Bus, and unofficially 1600 MHz when overclocked. Be it an Intel Celeron D, Pentium 4/D/XE or 45nm 'penryn' Core 2 Duo/Quad processor, the X38 will get you moving!

The Intel X38 Express is paired with Intel's ICH9 series of Southbridge chipset. The Southbridge chipset that is used with the Foxconn DigitaLife X38A motherboard is the ICH9R model, so it supports RAID via Intel's Matrix storage technology.

With the Intel X38 Express chipset, DDR2 memory speeds have been increased to 1066 MHz, up from 800 MHz with the previous Intel 975X Express. That increases the maximum theoretical bandwidth up to 16GB/s when running in a dual channel configuration.

The Intel X38 Express support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. Initial mainstream modules from Crucial, Corsair and OCZ are clocked at 800 and 1066 MHz speeds, and as the standard matures it will quickly settle on 1333 MHz. The Intel X38 Express supports a maximum of 8GB of unbuffered ECC/non ECC either DDR2 or DDR3 memory, depending on what the manufacturer chooses to implement. You can install both memory standards with the Foxconn DigitaLife X38A motherboard, but not at the same time.

The Intel X38 Express chipset is also the first Intel Northbridge to come with a heatspreader. This allows the X38 Express to use a smaller heatsink and still keep the Northbridge chipset cool. Here's a quick look at how the new X38 Express stacks up to the P35 Express and 975X chipsets. Apart from the speed increases and new memory standard, there are just a few extra ports here and there.

Intel X38, P35, 975, 965 Series Chipset Feature Breakdown Intel X38 Express Express Intel 975X Express Intel P35 Express Express Intel P965 Express Intel G965 Express CPU LGA775 Core 2 Duo LGA775 Core 2 Duo LGA775 Core 2 Duo LGA775 Core 2 Duo LGA775 Core 2 Duo Front Side Bus (FSB) 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz 1066/800 MHz 1333/1066/800 MHz 1066/800/533 MHz 1066/800/533 MHz Intel Flex Memory Technology Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Dual Channel Memory Support DDR2 1066/800/667 DDR3 1333(unofficial)/1066/800 DDR2 800/667/533 DDR2 1066/800/667 DDR3 1333(unofficial)/1066/800 DDR2 800/667/533 DDR2 667 Maximum Memory Capacity 8GB 8GB 8GB 8GB 8GB Integrated Graphics - - - - GMA 3000 PCI Express x16 2 2 1 1 1 PCI Express x1 4 4 6 4 4 Intel Matrix Storage Technology Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes SATA/IDE HDD 6/0 4/1 6/0 6/0 6/0 SATA Speed 3Gb/s 3Gb/s 3Gb/s 3Gb/s 3Gb/s RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH9R) 0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH7R) 0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH9R) 0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH8R) 0, 1, 5, 10 (with ICH8R) Hard Drive NCQ Yes - Yes Yes Yes USB 2.0 Ports 12 8 12 8 10 PCI Masters 6 6 6 6 6 Audio High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia) High Definition Audio (Azalia)