Intel D975XBX2 Overclocking and Water Cooling Questions

[AARRGGHHH]

I've been finding a lot of useful information in this forum, thank you. I have a couple concerns about the D975XBX2 board:

• 1. I read an article from October 2006 that stated "There is no BIOS option that would allow the user to raise the CPU core voltage, which is essential for aggressive processor overclocking attempts".
  
  Is this still the case, or has the BIOS been updated to address this issue? If the BIOS issue has not been addressed, is there another way to overclock the CPU? (I know I've seen references to overclocking the CPU with this board.) I'm obviously new to over clocking.
  
  2. I saw another comment that said "Board doesnt include back plate support which sucks because my watercooling needs to have it".
  
  Is it correct that you cannot use water cooling with this board?

Thanks again for your assistance.

[seanriddle]

In the BIOS settings, under Performance/Processor Overrides, there is the option CPU Voltage Override that lets you set the CPU voltage from 1.2875 to 1.6. There are also options to adjust voltage to the memory, FSB and MCH/ICH. I'm doing modest overclocking without changing any of the voltages (CPU is currently 1.35v).

My system came with a CoolerMaster Mini Aquagate R120. I had to replace it after 3 months because it leaked (not from the tubing, but from the water block itself). When I took everything apart to swap it out, I noticed that the system builder had not included the "universal back plate". When I was putting it back together, I noticed why- the back plate wouldn't fit without touching some pins. I thought the support would be helpful, so I notched the plate so it would seat without touching anything.

Sean

[Bio-Hazard]

Almost every 775 MoBo out there has something on the backside under the CPU area that can come into contact with a backplate. Some backplates can be notched as about and others are made out of steel and come with a thick (1/8") foam pad to insulate the plate from the board. You'll just have to try which method works best for the board that you get.
As for myself, my water bolck doesn't require a back, but I modded a heavy steel one with a foam pad because it adds a ton of extra support to the board and keeps the board from bowing when you apply high pressure to the water blocks mounting screws to mak better contact with the core..

This is the type that I use on my systems, it's from Scythe..........