Intel® Q965 and Q963 Express Chipset Overview

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Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® Q965 or Q963 Express Chipsets, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor with Intel® Virtualization Technology± (Intel® VT) or Intel® Pentium® D processor 900Δ sequence with Intel VT deliver innovative capabilities and usages for both Small and Medium/Large businesses.

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Processors

Intel® Core™2 Duo processor

Intel® Pentium® D processor 900Δ sequence

Intel® Desktop Boards

Intel® vPro™ Technology

Intel® Fast Memory Access

Updated Graphics Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) backbone architecture that improves system performance by optimizing the use of available memory bandwidth and reducing the latency of the memory accesses.

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Description

The Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets continue the Intel chipset legacy and extend it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the office computing environment. With advancements in manageability, graphics, stability, data protection and, optimizations to support the most advanced business operating systems, the Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets are designed to help businesses better manage costs, provide a safer computing environment and deploy more responsive PCs. The Intel® Q965 Express Chipset supports Intel® vPro™ technology⁶.


Features and benefits

Feature	Intel® Q965 Express Chipset	Intel® Q963 Express Chipset	Benefit
1066/800/ 533 MHz System Bus	1066/800/533-MHz	1066/800/533-MHz	Supports the Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor with Intel® Virtualization Technology± , Intel® Pentium® D processor 900Δ sequence with Intel® VT, Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with HT Technology† and all other Intel® Pentium® processors and Intel® Celeron® processors in the LGA775 socket, with scalability for future processor innovations.
Intel® Fast Memory Access	Yes	Yes	Updated Graphics Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) backbone architecture that improves system performance by optimizing the use of available memory bandwidth and reducing the latency of the memory accesses.
PCI Express* x16 Interface	Yes	No	The PCI Express x16 graphics interface supports the latest high-performance graphics cards. The PCI Express x1 I/O ports offer up to 3.5X the bandwidth over traditional PCI architecture, delivering faster access to peripheral I/O devices.
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 (Intel® GMA 3000)	Intel GMA 3000 with support for Dual Independent Display and Media Expansion Card	Intel GMA 3000 with support for Dual Independent Display	Delivers richer visual color and picture clarity without the need for additional discrete graphics cards. Delivers performance for advanced operating systems like Microsoft Windows Vista*. Dual Independent Display expands the viewable workspace to two monitors.
Intel® High Definition Audio (Intel® HD Audio)	Intel® HD Audio	Intel® HD Audio	Integrated audio support enables premium digital sound and delivers advanced features such as multiple audio streams and jack re-tasking. Intel HD Audio support for microphone array enables low-cost, high-quality Internet telephone calling.
Intel® Matrix Storage Technology3 (Intel® MST)	Intel® MST (ICH8R and ICH8DO only) 6 SATA*, 3 Gbps eSATA	Intel® MST (ICH8R only) 6 SATA, 3 Gbps eSATA	Seamlessly protects against data loss from hard drive failure with RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10. Improved storage performance through high-speed efficient storage interfaces. External SATA provides the flexibility to add an external hard drive for RAID 1 data mirroring capability.
Intel® Active Management Technology2 (Intel® AMT)	Intel® AMT with System Defense feature (ICH8DO only)	No	Enables remote, down-the-wire management of out-of band networked systems regardless of system state, helping improve IT efficiency, asset management and system security and availability. The System Defense feature can help block incoming software attacks, isolate a client from the network if infected, and proactively alert IT if critical software agents are missing.
Dual-Channel DDR2 Memory Support	4 DIMMs, 2 devices per channel, DDR2 800/667/533-MHz, 8 GB	4 DIMMs, 2 devices per channel, DDR2 667/533-MHz, 8 GB	Delivers up to 12.8 GB/s of bandwidth and 8 GB memory addressability for faster system responsiveness and support of 64-bit computing.
Intel® Quiet System Technology	Yes	Yes	Intelligent system fan speed control algorithms use operating temperature ranges more efficiently to reduce perceived system noise by minimizing fan speed changes.
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program	Yes	Yes	Enables a consistent software image after qualification for at least 12 months from launch, helping reduce qualification and maintenance costs.
Intel® Flex Memory Technology	Yes	Yes	Facilitates easier upgrades by allowing different memory sizes to be populated and remain in dual-channel mode.
*USB Port Disable**	Yes	Yes	Enables individual USB ports to be enabled or disabled as needed. This feature provides added protection of data by preventing malicious removal or insertion of data through USB ports.


Packaging information

Product	Package
Intel® 82Q965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub	1202 Flip Chip Ball Grid Array (FCBGA)

± Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT), Intel® Trusted Execution Technology (Intel® TXT), and Intel® 64 architecture require a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, enabling software and/or operating system, device drivers and applications designed for these features. Performance will vary depending on your configuration. Contact your vendor for more information.

2 Intel® Active Management Technology requires the platform to have an Intel® AMT-enabled chipset, network hardware and software, connection with a power source and a network connection.

3 Intel® Matrix Storage Technology requires a motherboard with the Intel® 82801HR (ICH8R), Intel® 82801GR (ICH7R), or Intel® 82801FR (ICH6R) I/O Controller Hub System. The system must also have the RAID controller in the BIOS enabled and the Intel Matrix Storage Technology software driver installed. Please consult your system vendor for more information.

4 Performance based on interface speed and data transfer rate specifications for eSATA, USB 2.0 and Firewire 400.

5 Intel® High Definition Audio requires a system with the Intel 965, 955, 945, 925, 915 or 910 Express Chipset and a motherboard with an appropriate codec and the necessary drivers.

6. PCs with the Intel® vPro™ Technology include Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT). Intel AMT requires the computer to have an Intel AMT-enabled chipset, network hardware and software, connection with a power source, and a network connection.

† Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology requires a computer system with an Intel® processor supporting HT Technology and a HT Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See www.intel.com/products/ht/hyperthreading_more.htm for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology.

Δ Intel processor numbers are not a measure of performance. Processor numbers differentiate features within each processor family, not across different processor families. See www.intel.com/products/processor_number/ for details.

INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH INTEL® PRODUCTS. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN INTEL'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR SUCH PRODUCTS, INTEL ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, AND INTEL DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY RELATING TO SALE AND/OR USE OF INTEL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING LIABILITY OR WARRANTIES RELATING TO FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT. INTEL MAY MAKE CHANGES TO SPECIFICATIONS, PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS, AND PLANS AT ANY TIME, WITHOUT NOTICE.

The Intel® Q965 and/or Q963 Express Chipsets may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product to deviate from published specifications. Current characterized errata are available on request. Intel Corporation assumes no responsibility for the use of any circuitry other than circuitry embodied in an Intel product.

Information contained herein supersedes previously published specifications on these devices from Intel.

Features and benefits

Packaging information