Abit IP35-E Review (500MHz FSB board)...$90 @ NewEgg + $6.61 ship

[SerpentRoyal]

Dunno. Don't have that much $ to test with 8GB. Works fine up to 4GB but my 32-bit OS will only detect up to 3.2GB.

I've seen posts with 8GB on IP35 Pro. It's the same board, so you should be fine as long as you stick with JEDEC 1.8V DDR2 800 modules.

 

[AlucardX]

Originally posted by: Modular
Does anyone know if Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 works with this board. I'd love to get some 800mhz memory in there then use dividers and OC an E2140 without having to really mess with my RAM.

I use Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1066 with no issues on my IP35.

 

[jhigh2000]

I have question about memory timings/voltage/speed. The Crucial Ballistix are rated at 4-4-4-12 with 2.2v at 800 Mhz. If I have the Q6600 at 9x333 and maintain 1:1 ratio, the RAM is running at ~667 MHz.

Would it make any sense run the RAM with the same timings but at a lower voltage since it's running under it's rated speed? Would it make any difference on temps, etc?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Yes...RAM speed is the same as FSB speed with 1:1 memory divider. You can try 3-3-3-8-2T @ 333MHz or 4-4-4-12-2T @ 400MHz (1:1.20 memory divider). It's always a good ideal to run the RAM at the lowest stable Vdimm.

 

[jhigh2000]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Yes...RAM speed is the same as FSB speed with 1:1 memory divider. You can try 3-3-3-8-2T @ 333MHz or 4-4-4-12-2T @ 400MHz (1:1.20 memory divider). It's always a good ideal to run the RAM at the lowest stable Vdimm.

So is there actually a benefit of using a higher than 1:1 ratio?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Small but measurable. You'll never notice this gain under normal use. The sweet spot is around 460 to 480MHz with 4-4-4-12-2T or lower timing. Core speed is still KING.

 

[rodrigu3]

just put my new rig together - up and running on the first try; great board!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: rodrigu3
just put my new rig together - up and running on the first try; great board!

R U overclocking?

 

[rodrigu3]

not yet, I'm letting my tim set in; I also have to run benchies on the system as it is and make sure everything is ok before I go on and overclock it

also have to update bios and all drivers, not to mention getting used to vista - I actually think it's pretty nice

I'm not sure if this is correct but I have speedfan measuring the temps of my cores to be 22C and 25C on average - I have my rig in front of my air conditioner (It wasn't purposefully done this way), so I guess that may be helping. Also, I lapped both the IHS and heatsink and have pretty good cable management / airflow going on (pics to come soon)

 

[SerpentRoyal]

11 BIOS will work fine. 12 BIOS will show core temp, which is 15C higher than 11 BIOS. Speedfan 4.33 should show the correct CPU temperature. Looking forward to those pics!

 

[Sergex]

This is more of a Vista question, but I think there may be a IP35-E specific work around out there...

I'm trying to install Vista Home Premium 64bit on my new system, but it won't install properly on my SATA Raptor 1500ADFD. It installed great on my crappy old $30 Maxtor drive with all other hardware being the same, so I'm 99% sure the problem is with the Raptor. The microsoft site doesn't have much help, but they suggested to try only using 2 GB of ram instead of the 4 GB that I have now.

The reason I'm posting in this thread is because some people seem to think that the problem is with the motherboard's support for SATA. Are there any BIOs settings that I can use on the IP35-E to let me get Vista to stick onto the Raptor? Everything works great as long as I unplug the Raptor and use the Maxtor, but I would really like to use the faster drive.

Thanks!

 

[IEC]

The motherboard should treat SATA drives as normal hdds by default... shouldn't need to press F6 or install RAID drivers during O/S install. Can you verify your Raptor is working on another computer?

 

[hokiealumnus]

Some folks are having troubles with raptors and the IP35 series motherboards. Post over at the abit forums and I'm sure someone with knowledge of the issue will try and help you. There have been discussions of it before, so you may want to just do a search and see what comes up.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Sergex
This is more of a Vista question, but I think there may be a IP35-E specific work around out there...

I'm trying to install Vista Home Premium 64bit on my new system, but it won't install properly on my SATA Raptor 1500ADFD. It installed great on my crappy old $30 Maxtor drive with all other hardware being the same, so I'm 99% sure the problem is with the Raptor. The microsoft site doesn't have much help, but they suggested to try only using 2 GB of ram instead of the 4 GB that I have now.

The reason I'm posting in this thread is because some people seem to think that the problem is with the motherboard's support for SATA. Are there any BIOs settings that I can use on the IP35-E to let me get Vista to stick onto the Raptor? Everything works great as long as I unplug the Raptor and use the Maxtor, but I would really like to use the faster drive.

Thanks!

Issue is Raptor drive. This is not unique to IP35-E.

 

[imported_jnk]

jc2mm2 Send Message View User Items on October 24, 2007 03:44 PM
@all
Just got an update from GCI's sales personnel (He also did the tech job, no worries though, he's also a great tech )

It was confirmed that it is a sensor problem with, specifically, E2160. They brought 2 other units, namely an E6320 and E4500 ES. They found out that with the E6 series, it was around 35-40C (which is quite normal), the E4 plays around 38-42, and when they did check the the E2160, boot up temp was a whooping 52C! To make sure it was a sensor problem, they let it run for a few minutes, turned it off, and touched the HSF, and as expected, it wasn't warm, is was even a bit cool.

Although E4's temps are decent, it's a bit high, but it's just a sensor reading, so it's tolerable unlike E2160's 50-60C temps.

Let your voices be heard Send an email! hahaha!

This is from a forum from my country, got several other people having temp issues with the E2160+Abit IP35-E.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Perhaps this is an isolated incident. Others with E2160 don't have this problem. I suspect you have poor contact between the CPU core and the heat spreader. I would replace that CPU.

You idling temp is approximately 10-15C higher than the norm.

 

[timtodd]

Just finished reading through the entire thread. Phew!

Unfortunately, I ordered the DDR2 800 Crucial Ballistix 2.2v before I realized SerpentRoyal was recommending 1.8v memory. I also ordered the Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro before I saw the recommendation of the Big Typhoon. Not looking forward to fitting the Arctic Cooler into place. Hopefully that goes without incident.

I will be using a USB drive to flash the Bios to version 11. I am getting everything lined up and ready to go for when the equipment comes in (tomorrow ).

Has anyone added a 92mm fan with the Arctic Cooler like Serpent did with the Big Typhoon?

My original plan was to design a solid, high performing, low cost, gaming system. My initial emphasis was on low cost. The problem came when I realized the base system's performance potential. If I was going to come close to utilizing the base system potential, I needed a good graphics card. Because the base price of this gaming system was so low and looked like it would perform so well, I eventually transitioned to an 8800GTX. Because I went for the 8800GTX, I needed a good high resolution display to fully utilize the 8800GTX. I ended up with a 24" 1920 x 1200 LCD (non TN panel).

To cut initial purchase cost and maximize performance I did not purchase a Raptor but went for a 160GB 7200rpm drive. This cost savings was the difference between an 8800 GTS and an 8800 GTX. I may purchase a Raptor in the future.

Here is what is coming tomorrow (all from NewEgg).

Abit IP35-e,
e2160 1.8 Ghz Dual Core,
2x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 (2.2v),
Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP MidTower Case allows for 7 fans,
Thermaltake Purepower 500W PS,
XFX 8800 GTX,
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro,
Westinghouse 24" 1920x1200,
WD 160GB 7200RPM SATA,
Samsung DVD Burner.

I am hoping to overclock from 1.8Ghz to 3-3.4Ghz. The reality is that I could get a bum chip, or something could go wrong, so I am tempering my hopes against that sobering reality.

Thanks to RoyalSerpent and the others who have spent time helping out with this thread, it is a great help.

 

[Tannahill]

Got my IP 35-E up and running. Seems it did not like my OCZ memory. Would not boot until I changed memory voltage to 2.1. Updated bios to beta 13 and solved double boot issue. Very stable right now. Haven't tried overclocking yet. Paid less then $70 for this board and less then $600 for complete setup and could not be happier. My thanks to OP and all the knowledgeable people here that led me to decide on this board. I'm sure I will have questions in the future.

Abit IP35-e
e6750
2x1GB OCZ Reaper HPC DDR2 800 (2.1v) (4-4-4-15)
Cooler Master RC-690
Thermaltake Purepower 500W
EVA 8600 GT
Maxtor 500GB SATA2
Samsung DVD Burner
Windows XP

 

[boke]

Originally posted by: jnk

jc2mm2 Send Message View User Items on October 24, 2007 03:44 PM
@all
Just got an update from GCI's sales personnel (He also did the tech job, no worries though, he's also a great tech )

It was confirmed that it is a sensor problem with, specifically, E2160. They brought 2 other units, namely an E6320 and E4500 ES. They found out that with the E6 series, it was around 35-40C (which is quite normal), the E4 plays around 38-42, and when they did check the the E2160, boot up temp was a whooping 52C! To make sure it was a sensor problem, they let it run for a few minutes, turned it off, and touched the HSF, and as expected, it wasn't warm, is was even a bit cool.

Although E4's temps are decent, it's a bit high, but it's just a sensor reading, so it's tolerable unlike E2160's 50-60C temps.

Let your voices be heard Send an email! hahaha!

This is from a forum from my country, got several other people having temp issues with the E2160+Abit IP35-E.

I have the same problem. From what I can tell my cpu always reads about +12C or so above what it actually is.

After a long run of orthos, with the core temps at about 75C, The heatsink feels just slightly warm. Maybe just slightly above 40C or so. I know I'm getting good contact as the processor & heatsink were carefully lapped.

I can shut it down while hot. Immediately pull the heatsink and touch the back of the processor or motherboard with the same results. Its cool to the touch.

Only thing I can think of is poor internal heat spreader contact. But I am not really brave enough to remove it.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

You should be okay with Crucial B although the risk of no-POST still exist.

$18 open box Big Typhoon is the best deal in town for a high performance cooler, but you must be quick to jump in. The FREE AR Cooler Master Hyper TX (hot deals forum) is almost as good as the Freezer Pro. I know, too late to change order.

IP35-E should come with 11 BIOS. Load windows, then install Intel chipset, sound, and LAN drivers. Reset CMOS and load Optimized Default in BIOS. Boot back to windows. If you're runnin the Crucial B, then return to BIOS and bump Vdimm to 2.1V. Now return to windows and load the Abit windows flash utility to flash 12 or 13 BIOS. Follow the instruction @ my 1st post if you want to flash 13 BIOS.

Many E2160 should be able to hit 3.2-3.4GHz with 1.465Vcore.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Tannahill
Got my IP 35-E up and running. Seems it did not like my OCZ memory. Would not boot until I changed memory voltage to 2.1. Updated bios to beta 13 and solved double boot issue. Very stable right now. Haven't tried overclocking yet. Paid less then $70 for this board and less then $600 for complete setup and could not be happier. My thanks to OP and all the knowledgeable people here that led me to decide on this board. I'm sure I will have questions in the future.

Abit IP35-e
e6750
2x1GB OCZ Reaper HPC DDR2 800 (2.1v) (4-4-4-15)
Cooler Master RC-690
Thermaltake Purepower 500W
EVA 8600 GT
Maxtor 500GB SATA2
Samsung DVD Burner
Windows XP

OCZ RAMs may also require a one notch bump in NB voltage. Keep this in mind if you encounter stability problem.

 

[timtodd]

I run 12 BIOS because it's a hair faster than 13. I can live with the extra 13 seconds of boot time.

Oops. I got the bios version mixed up. Based on your quote above I am going to go with 12.

SerpentRoyal,

If the following was true, which would you go with and why?

1) 3-3-3-8-2T @ 333MHz (2.1v). Stable.
2) 4-4-4-12-2T @ 400MHz (2.2v). Stable.
3) 4-4-4-12-2T @ 333MHz (1.9v). Stable.

What would be your second pick and why?
What would be your third pick and why?

This will help me set my priorities in regard to OCing and configuring my memory.

Thanks!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I'd go with 1 but should be close between 1 and 2. You'll need to run 32M Super Pi to confirm. Good DDR2 800 RAMs should run 1.8V/4-4-4-12-2T. Have you tested with that configuration?

 

[timtodd]

Sorry, I wasn't more clear. Those were theoretical numbers based on your posts yesterday with jhigh2000 (who also has Crucial Ballistix). I was trying to figure out what might be better and why. My equipment comes tomorrow, so I haven't had a chance to test anything yet. Excited by the prospect of putting the new system together and waiting for my parts to arrive, I was looking for a deeper knowledge of the subject and was attempting to theorize. I.e. Too much time on my hands. When I get the system together, I will see what I come up with and go from there. Thanks a bunch.

I copied and pasted this thread/topic into Word so I could search it better. It is 431 pages in Word. :shocked:



BIOS question:



9-04-07 (Is this what we are calling BIOS 13?)

Beta BIOS is slower than 11 BIOS (same settings). Was 16.3 seconds 1M SP. Now 16.7 seconds with Beta BIOS. Might be some minor memory timing adjustments.

I see the same numbers in Memset...Beta vs 11 BIOS. Beta BIOS is clearly slower by about 0.4 sec per 1M Super Pi. That's equivalent to a drop of 50 to 60MHz core speed.

Page 159 of 431.


9-15-07 (BIOS 12))

An official new 12 BIOS for IP35-E/IP35

-Added more RAM timing options (as low as 1, plus 1T/2T)
-Fixed CPU temp to reflect true core temperature
-Fixed Super Pi speed issue of previous Beta BIOS

It appears that the double post patch and the FP Audio selector menu were omitted from the Beta BIOS. No double post during restart. The system will double post after the PC is shut down.

Page 181 of 431.

Is BIOS 12 as fast as BIOS 11?

I took in 431 pages of posts yesterday, so my thinking may be affected.

 

[imported_jnk]

regarding the E2160 temp issues, those who did the test were other users and not me. Ill update you guys if we find a fix for this, hopefully we do.

@tim, i apologize for sounding a bit negative but i think i read somewhere that the freezer pro wont fit on our board. let me search for that, i hope im wrong.

btw, you have nicely specced system arriving