G31 Vs G41 - Tom's Hardware Forum

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Log in Register What's new

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar Menu Install the app Install How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Home
• Featured
• Forums New posts Search forums
• What's new Featured content New posts Latest activity

• Best of CES 2026: Innovating amidst the RAM and storage apocalypse!

G31 vs G41

• Thread starter Thread starter Emissary Of Pain
• Start date Start date Nov 22, 2009
• Tags Tags Motherboards PCI Express SATA

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar

• Home
• Forums
• Hardware
• Motherboards

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

Emissary Of Pain

Distinguished

Aug 27, 2009 70 0 18,630 Hey all you guys and gals that are way smarter then me !! I have a problem ... I posted a previous thread that was about a motherboard choice I needed 2 make 4 a cheap but very benificial upgrade ... my choices were Asus p5kpl-am se GB G31m-es2c XFX Intel G31i I plan on keeping my old lga775 3ghz <single core> and using it on the new board just 4 a month or so until I can afford a ... e8400\e8500 😱 which I will overclock the hell out of 😍 I landed up choosing the Asus through the advice and help attained on this very forum ... BUT ! ... this morning I had an email from a friend who said that the G41 chipsets are a must and suggested the GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L ... The lovely asus i chose is a g31 ... ... Can anyone explain the difference between the G31 and G41 ... ... and maybe suggest a group of asus boards < or boards by anyone > that retails for a similar price which is around 90$ which are great for overclocking ... Your help would make my pc upgrade and myself 2 very happy ...uh ... things ... lol ... Thank You all in advance !! G

GhislainG

Titan

Jul 16, 2008 23,934 5 74,965 Are you using the on-board video or a discrete video card? If you are using a video card, then having a PCI Express x16 that isn't limited to x4 might be important. Motherboards based on the G31 or G41 chipsets usually aren't the best for overclocking, particularly when using on-board video. What are you using the system for if overclocking is a requirement? The $90 price is in what currency?

Emissary Of Pain

Distinguished

Aug 27, 2009 70 0 18,630 Both boards have pci-e 16x ... so that is not a problem ... ... 90 USD ... In my country its like R650-R700 <ZAR> ... I am going 2 be gaming and every pc I have ever had I have clocked ... ... guess its in my blood ... lol IF the G31,G41 are not good 4 clocking ... what can u suggest that is in the price range I have said ??

jsc

Champion

Jul 14, 2004 16,893 7 52,960 G41 is just a more modern chipset. I happen to be home on vacation so I went upstairs and rechecked sis-in-law's GA-G41M-ES2L. It has all the basic OC options in the BIOS. Not bad for a $60 motherboard. Once you get to around $90, things change a little. At around $100, you have the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L which is a good overclocker. I have a Q6600 running at 3.6 GHz. in one of these. No built-in graphics though. The problem with this is that now you are at a good percentage of a P55 motherboard.

Emissary Of Pain

Distinguished

Aug 27, 2009 70 0 18,630 damn ... ok looks like I will have 2 try source out a G41 board ... which may be a problem due 2 prices in my country ... Who is a better overclocker ... Asus or Gigabyte ? ... ... If I cant source a G41 board ... Will the Asus still be an ok board 4 a yr or 2 ?? ... Is the Asus a decent board 4 clocking ??

godbrother

Distinguished

Aug 22, 2009 1,022 0 19,290 I own the Gigabye G31 and its Fing awesome! Don't listen to others. I got a old Pentium D clocked from 2.8 to 3.4 on stock cooling! T

tcsenter

Distinguished

Jun 18, 2008 452 4 18,815 The difference is that G41 has support for PCI Express 2.0 and supports 8GB RAM vs. 4GB for the G31. There shouldn't be any significant difference in overclocking since this is a value chipset that is not used on enthusiast boards. The Southbridge used is exactly the same on both chipsets (ICH7 non-RAID). PCI Express 2.0 is nice to have but its not worth paying a lot more unless you plan on buying a high-end graphics card. The 8GB RAM support may be worth paying more to have, though, if you intend to run 64-bit OS. Otherwise, if you plan to stick with 32-bit for the next couple years, then you can upgrade again to a motherboard that supports 8GB later.

godbrother

Distinguished

Aug 22, 2009 1,022 0 19,290 tcsenter : The difference is that G41 has support for PCI Express 2.0 and supports 8GB RAM vs. 4GB for the G31. There shouldn't be any significant difference in overclocking since this is a value chipset that is not used on enthusiast boards. The Southbridge used is exactly the same on both chipsets (ICH7 non-RAID). PCI Express 2.0 is nice to have but its not worth paying a lot more unless you plan on buying a high-end graphics card. The 8GB RAM support may be worth paying more to have, though, if you intend to run 64-bit OS. Otherwise, if you plan to stick with 32-bit for the next couple years, then you can upgrade again to a motherboard that supports 8GB later. The gigabyte G31 has PCI-e 2.0. - To be honest, havn't 8GB is a waste of space. No game needs 8GB of ram, nor 6GB. (not if your useing a LGA775 setup anyways) 4GB of DDR2 800Mhz is good for a long run. Even GTA IV uses no more then 2GB on load, so its pointless. It's good for a budget build that will last you at least a year on decent settings with a good GPU. T

tcsenter

Distinguished

Jun 18, 2008 452 4 18,815 godbrother : The gigabyte G31 has PCI-e 2.0. Actually, now that you made me double-check, it appears that neither G31/P31 nor G41 support PCI-E 2.0. Both chipsets are PCI-E 1.1 according to Intel: P31 Specs G31 Specs G41 Specs I can't find a single motherboard using either chipset that advertises support for PCI-E 2.0. My bad.

jsc

Champion

Jul 14, 2004 16,893 7 52,960 Not surprising. It is an economy chipset for and economy motherboard.

Emissary Of Pain

Distinguished

Aug 27, 2009 70 0 18,630 Will the 9800GT ... which is Pci-e 2.0 ... work on a Pci-e 1.1 ... ... or will I be bottlenecking my card and wasting my money ??

godbrother

Distinguished

Aug 22, 2009 1,022 0 19,290 Emissary Of Pain : Will the 9800GT ... which is Pci-e 2.0 ... work on a Pci-e 1.1 ... ... or will I be bottlenecking my card and wasting my money ?? I could have swarn my Gigabyte motherboard is 2.0. The box was always laying around, and for some F'ed up reason it decided to take a stroll when I needed it. Put it this way, even if it was 1.1 (which I'm sure it ain't) and if the rig that I built is getting 50FPS+ on maxed out settings on most games, then trust me, that is by far more then enough. (still pretty sure its 2.0 I'm going insane trying to find my box.) T

tcsenter

Distinguished

Jun 18, 2008 452 4 18,815 godbrother : I could have swarn my Gigabyte motherboard is 2.0. The box was always laying around, and for some F'ed up reason it decided to take a stroll when I needed it. It wouldn't matter if the box did have the wrong specs. It still doesn't make the G31/P31 PCI-E 2.0. This chipset is based on G33/G35/P35 core, none of which support PCI-E 2.0.

godbrother

Distinguished

Aug 22, 2009 1,022 0 19,290 tcsenter : It wouldn't matter if the box did have the wrong specs. It still doesn't make the G31/P31 PCI-E 2.0. This chipset is based on G33/G35/P35 core, none of which support PCI-E 2.0. I highly doubt Gigabyte would ship out hundreds of thousends of motherboards with the wrong specs on them. That would be insane. T

tcsenter

Distinguished

Jun 18, 2008 452 4 18,815 Its happened to other manufacturers and companies. Gigabyte would be immune from such problems because...its a very special company or because God is on Gigabyte's side?

godbrother

Distinguished

Aug 22, 2009 1,022 0 19,290 tcsenter : Its happened to other manufacturers and companies. Gigabyte would be immune from such problems because...its a very special company or because God is on Gigabyte's side? So are you telling me the 8800GT in that machine, is not performing at 2.0? But at 1.1 instead? What is that like... Half of its bandwith? G

GhislainG

Titan

Jul 16, 2008 23,934 5 74,965 You should read this article: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crossfire-pci-express,2095.html

Emissary Of Pain

Distinguished

Aug 27, 2009 70 0 18,630 That was a great article !! ... Thank You ! ... ... And the great thing is how a single Pci-e 1.1 card keeps a steady score ... B

b3owulf

Distinguished

Jul 15, 2008 49 0 18,530 Thread has been dead for awhile it would seem, Emissary of pain where bout in SA are you from? if by chance anyone else finds this thread best place in SA to look for stuff is matrix warehouse (they will put in special orders for you) Or www.computersonly.co.za I have a G31 MB and it is crap regret buying it... altho im running a HD 4870x2 on it but the things over heats and shuts down.. alas the G41 i doubt will be better go for a EP45 mb simple and reasonably priced.. T

tcsenter

Distinguished

Jun 18, 2008 452 4 18,815 Your HD 4870x2 is not over-heating because of the motherboard.

Inkiad

Distinguished

Jul 10, 2010 1,320 0 19,960 Answering this thread i would say gigabyte G41-ES2L is better. I have one of this and it has quite good ocing option. And the onboard chipset is also good. Running my oced dual core 2.7 on 3.4 for about 1 year now.

Lian

Distinguished

Oct 9, 2010 124 0 18,690 Inkiad : Answering this thread i would say gigabyte G41-ES2L is better. I have one of this and it has quite good ocing option. And the onboard chipset is also good. Running my oced dual core 2.7 on 3.4 for about 1 year now. I know im a thread necro now, but any chance you could post a GPU-Z screenie so i can see if the G41 is PCI-E2.0 or 1.1? Would be much appreciated if you could. Been having some arguments with a online store on there G41 boards as they say it does have PCI-E2.0 and i have no proof of this what so ever as it doesnt state it has anywhere... Not from Gigabyte or Intel. K

kiran_43

Distinguished

Jun 24, 2011 1 0 18,510 I have a core 2 duo e6550 @ 2.33 processor with foxconn g41mxe and ddr3 2gb ram.... can i play a graphic more games and how is this system? You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

TRENDING THREADS

• Tom's Hardware Member System Gallery
  • Started by tecmo34
  • Apr 30, 2011
  • Replies: 5K
  Systems
• NewsIntel’s comeback weapon to fight AMD reportedly drops this spring — Core Ultra 200K Plus and 200HX Plus CPUs set for March or April launch
  • Started by Admin
  • Yesterday at 1:40 PM
  • Replies: 57
  News Comments
• DiscussionWhat's your favourite video game you've been playing?
  • Started by amdfangirl
  • Aug 3, 2014
  • Replies: 4K
  PC Gaming
• NewsMicron addresses Crucial exit backlash: 'We are trying to help consumers around the world' — company warns that DRAM drought could last until at le...
  • Started by Admin
  • Monday at 6:50 AM
  • Replies: 70
  News Comments
• NewsIntel showed up for consumers at the 'Consumer Electronics Show;' AMD didn’t
  • Started by Admin
  • Friday at 11:55 AM
  • Replies: 73
  News Comments
• QuestionLatest NVidia drivers impossible to install, break system
  • Started by corniger
  • Today at 7:59 AM
  • Replies: 2
  Graphics Cards
• NewsElon Musk wants to build a dirty fab that you can smoke and eat cheeseburgers in — bets that Tesla will turn the concept of cleanrooms upside down
  • Started by Admin
  • Jan 7, 2026
  • Replies: 89
  News Comments

Latest posts

• M QuestionUpgrading Motherboard and CPU
  • Latest: Misgar
  • 5 minutes ago
  Motherboards
• [SOLVED]BSOD (WHEA 19 error) & Game crashes - Dying CPU?
  • Latest: keeperthekiller
  • 10 minutes ago
  Systems
• S QuestionPC won’t boot anymore —> no display output after working fine for a year ?
  • Latest: Sharkonabicycle
  • 43 minutes ago
  Systems
• QuestionRX 7600 No VGA Output – Can I Use a Second GPU (GT 750 Ti) Just for a VGA Monitor?
  • Latest: Math Geek
  • Today at 8:52 AM
  Graphics Cards
• A QuestionDoes anyone have Logitech Z906 5.1?
  • Latest: Anxy
  • Today at 8:35 AM
  Home Audio & Theater
• QuestionLatest NVidia drivers impossible to install, break system
  • Latest: SkyNetRising
  • Today at 8:11 AM
  Graphics Cards
• QuestionUsing multiple USB WiFi dongles on the same computer ?
  • Latest: Ralston18
  • Today at 8:01 AM
  Wireless Networking

Moderators online

• 
• 

Share this page

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link COMPANY Space.com is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. RESOURCES

• Advertising
• Cookies Policies
• Privacy
• Term & Conditions
• Topics

FOLLOW Facebook Twitter Instagram Top Bottom