Hi all,

I am looking to replace all the linux boxes in our company, all of them are running an embedded version of Debian in a CF Card. Previously I was using boards with the chipset ICH7 with no problem but they are going to be discontinued soon (if not already). I was looking some Intel boards (DQ965DF) with the ICH8 chipset but seeing that the ICH9 is already in the market it would be better for us to just move to the new chipset platform ICH9. Does any one know if this chipset is supported by linux? Any recommendation regarding the boards (needs to be under 100$)?

I was looking at the Gigabyte GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L, these boards have the ICH9 Southbridge with Realtek ALC889A audio. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Any other options I could have?

Thanks!

There is a positive review of a similar ICH9 board here from a linux perspective:

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...item=832&num=1

Phoronix is usually a good source of info on linux hardware and has quite a few m/b reviews.

I just set up a Gigabyte micro-ATX board. The only problem was the Realtek audio. Eventually got it working by playing with the driver options listed in the kernel docs - added line

options intel-hda-audio model=6stack-hp

to /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.

What was the model of the Gigabyte board that you setup? I am not concerned about the sound but the rest of the chipsets.

It was a GA-G31MX-S2. Economy version of the GA-G33M-DS2R.

Yes the GA-G31MX-S2 is nice.

yes, but these mobos you said have the old chipsets:
North Bridge -> Intel P31
South Bridge -> Intel ICH7

The ICH9 is the new Intel chipset family. I need a mobo with P35 and ICH9 so I make sure that it lasts in the market for some time.

hi maroonbaboon:

Could you please give me a bit more of info about how you got the audio from the ICH9 working ?

I have the GA-G33M-DS2R motherboard for a couple of month already and I really want to get that audio working!

Thanks!

Upgrading based on it being discontinue is not smart when the computer is working fine.

Motherboards for Intel processors are not cheap. AMD is better when comparing price or on a budget.

I'm using MSI P35 paltinum combo and want to install redhat but i can't see the HDD. I think it has ICH9R chipset. Are there any drivers that i can use to complete my instalation ??