Intel S975XBX2 Motherboard + Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz and Linux compatibility

last updated in Categories Linux, Linux distribution, Ubuntu Linux

I recently upgrade my computer from an Intel Celeron 1.7 GHz to Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz ~ 64 bit computer. My old computer was dying. My current desktop configuration:

=> Intel S975XBX2 Workstation class motherboard (8 x SATA II RAID, On board Sound, PCI / PCIe x 2,Gigabit Ethernet and other stuff)

=> Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz @ 1066 FSB (4 Core CPU + 8 MB L2 Cache )

=> 2 GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM (8GB Max)

=> Nvidia 8600 GT 512 MB PCIe

=> Seagate 500 GB x 4 SATA-II hard disk

=> Cooler master gaming case + 500W SMPS etc

=> Ubuntu Linux 7.04 – 64 bit

According to official Intel website this motherboard only works with Microsoft Windows XP and Vista operating system. However I was able to load Ubuntu Linux without a problem. I’m also able to use RAID 1 via dmraid. It discover and activate software Intel matrix storage RAID.

I also own Dual CPU Dual Core – AMD Opteron 2212 server. This box is now moved to local data center. It is mainly used for serving web pages and developing stuff. Overall I’m quite satisfied with my new computer. I feel like replacing an old car for latest Ferrari 😀

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin, DevOps engineer, and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix and open source topics via RSS/XML feed or weekly email newsletter.

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14 comment

  1. What a cool machine! Thanks for sharing this with us.

    But I envy you mostly for your server – was thinking of getting one since long, also meant for colocation.

    cheers,
    wjl

  3. hi, is that possible for you to sell this computer? i need a computer with core 2 duo or better AND with linux. Or, is that possible for you to build another one and sell it to me?

  5. @kenn, no I don’t build or sell my computer. You can ask someone at local computer store.

    @lokesh, everything is detected by my Ubuntu. You can download Nvidia driver from official site.

  6. I’ve got exactlysame configuration, i mean motherboard and procassor. i’ve nvidia 7300gs. But ubuntu doesn’t work. Can you help

  8. Hi,

    i do Have the same configuration As you have but First i enabled the RAID in the Bios. Then i restarted the Machine , I when Inside the RAID configuration mennu to Configure RAID 5, But the Thing is that after Doing so the I restarted Onc again and to Load RHEL EN 5, The Disk booted on linux. the IT showed all the 3 HDD in different VOLUME. , my question is that When I configure the RAID 5 It has to show as single VOLUME when I add Partions like boot swap ……???
    Can Any one help me in this regards

  9. Vatsan,

    You should see single raid volume and not 3 hdd. First enable RAID in bios. Next setup RAID using bios utility by pressing Space bar after BIOS test. Reboot box and install Linux. You may have to load dmraid driver from Floppy. I’ve tested this only with RAID1 and not with RAID5.

    Good luck!

  10. Hi Vivek,

    I have done the following

    1) Enabled the RAID in BIOS and
    2) I selected the RAID adapter and Configured the 160GB, 4nos of HDD as RAID disk by going inside Crtl+I menu.

    Could you please tell me the Steps for Installing the DMRAID with installation procedure.

    regards
    vatsan

  11. Hey Vivek,

    Can you specify full spec of DIMM that you had used for S975XBX2 including DIMM Organization and SPD?

    I purchased this motherboard and tried two different DIMMs ,but nothing works. The first DIMM had CAS Latency of 6 and this mobo seems not ot support CL6. Now, i have trying JetRam of SPD 5-5-5-18, part number:JM800QLJ-1G, module structure 128M x 64, DRAM Structure 64M x 8

    Regards
    Sujoy

  12. Looking for advise really: I would like to follow on your steps with a system: Intel S975XBX2 Motherboard + Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz and Linux compatibility
    I live in Guatemala, and it is very difficult to get good hardware around here. A friend of mine is traveling to the US and I would like him to buy for me the mother board you mention in this article, question I have is that you mentioned that you installed an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz processor with this board, yet the Intel web site indicates Processor Support for:
    Intel® Core™2 Extreme processor
    Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor
    Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition
    Intel® Pentium® D Processor
    Intel® Pentium® 4 Extreme Edition
    Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor

    Can you please advise weather your system works well with this set up.

    Really appreciate your comments on this, Thank you

    Sal

  13. Sal,

    I don’t have any problem under Linux, but you need to upgrade your BIOS to get support for Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz.

    There site always favours Windows. There are some Linux friendly board from Asus with Linux instant boot up. You can try those too. Also RAID1 only works with Linux.

  14. greetings
    Need help I have the almost same config above want to know if workstation S975XBX2 supports 1TB or 2TB or 3TB ?
    what is the maximum capacity for this mobo supporting HD with large data storage ?

    WD caviar black 1TB or 2TB are option now
    but what are your suggestion ?

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