*** Official ABIT IS7/G/E (865PE) Thread ***

[orion7144]

In an effort to make finding information about the <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjsp/index.htm">ABIT IS7/G/E motherboards</a> easier for all forum members, please post and discuss your issues, problems, experiences, rants, raves and FAQs here.


5/31 <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://fae.abit.com.tw/download/beta/is7/">IS7 Beta BIOS.</a> Serveral Fixes. Readme shows that it is for IS7/IS7-G/IS7-E
5/26 New Silicon Image 3112A SATA Disk Driver v1.2 Released
6/03 New Hardware monitor software
6/07 <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.64bits.se/upload/is7g13b3.zip">Here is the B3 bios that enables PAT</a> (LMK if this goes down and I will host it)
6/13 Release version of the 13 BIOS is posted on Abits site. It's interesting that it the same BIOS for all three boards.
7/14 New audio drivers released.
7/29 BIOS 15 released
8/11 New SiliconImage 3112A SATA Driver (For IS7-G)
8/26 New Bios 16 released

AnandTech Moderator

- <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&amp;model=79">ABIT's IS7 Spec page</a>
- <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&amp;model=81">ABIT's IS7-G Spec page</a>
- <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&amp;model=80">ABIT's IS7-E Spec page</a>

 

[orion7144]

Currently I am not able to OC (P4 2.4C) with my generic PC2700 DDR using 1 stick of 512meg. All I get it LOUD beeps and no post, having to reset CMOS to boot. Mine came with the 3Com Gigabyte nic chip. I will be getting some PC3700 ram asap and try again

 

[orion7144]

I am currently running at 225 FSB with the NB strap set at FSB800 with the 3/2 divider. PCI/AGP locked at 66/33. Both pipes have been follding all night long. CPU temp is at 58C full load on both pipes, with an ambient room temp of 79F.

What is the recommended methode that we are going to benchmark?

 

[edwardhchan]

Here are my notes for this board from a previous post...

1. In order to use ALL the IDE ports (IDE 0&1 and SATA 0&1) you need to Map the SATA ports to IDE3 and IDE4. If you want to boot from SATA, you have to turn on the RAID controller, even if you're not running a RAID. My config right now is 3 optical drives on the parallel IDEs, and 2 hard drives on each SATA channel. By using the SATA channels (with a converter box on each drive) I was able to toss my PCI IDE card into the "sell on ebay" bin.

2. This board is less than happy with my Kingston HyperX KHX3200/256 memory in dual-channel mode. I had to bump the voltage up to 2.6V, and manually set the timing to 2-6-3-2 (in order of the BIOS), even though the memory is specified to work at 2-6-2-2.

3. With the stock HSF+thermal pad, I was getting reported full load temps of over 64C, which I thought was high. I replaced it with a CoolerMaster IHC-L71 copper heat-pipe cooler with quiet fan, and AS3, and that dropped my full load temp to around 58C, which is high as well, but knowing this HSF, I suspect the sensor is set high to begin with.

Sisoft memory scores are sub-par, (~4300) but I don't really trust those scores. It stacks up well with the PCMark compared to ExtremeTech's Intel board benchmarks, and scores well on all other benchmarks I ran. There's definitely room in the BIOS for improvement, especially with memory compatibility, but all-in-all, this is a heck of a lot faster than my old 2.4/845G combo. And as far as stability, once I got the memory timing right, this thing is rock-solid. Of course, I'm not O/C'ing, so I guess you can say it's working as advertised.

<edit>

My Rig:
P4 2.8C
IS7
2 256MB Kingston HyperX PC3200 RAM (dual channel)
80 GB Seagate, 120GB Maxtor
DVD-RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW
Radeon 8500LE
Santa Cruz

</edit>

Ed

 

[orion7144]

My DDR voltage was defaulted to 2.6. I have also noticed that sometimes when I try and go into the BIOS the keyboard freezes. I am going to try later today to up the FSB higher.

Originally posted by: edwardhchan
Here are my notes for this board from a previous post...

2. This board is less than happy with my Kingston HyperX KHX3200/256 memory in dual-channel mode. I had to bump the voltage up to 2.6V, and manually set the timing to 2-6-3-2 (in order of the BIOS), even though the memory is specified to work at 2-6-2-2.


<edit>

My Rig:
P4 2.8C
IS7
2 256MB Kingston HyperX PC3200 RAM (dual channel)
80 GB Seagate, 120GB Maxtor
DVD-RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW
Radeon 8500LE
Santa Cruz

</edit>

Ed

 

[emjem]

My iS7 doesn't seem to have any temperature reporting problem.

I am running a 2.4/533 cpu overclocked to 2.7 and the idle temp is 38C (system temp 33) and maxes out under Sandra burn in stress test at 52C. And running Seti the temp averages about 48C.

That's using a GlacialTech Diamond 4100 cooler (with ArcticSilver) -- $12 shipped from Newegg GlacialTech. The fan on the cooler is variable speed based on a temperature probe on the hs. While the fan is capable of running at 4500rpm it's only running around 2600rpm under stress.

I'm happy with this mobo in every way but I'm only running PC2100 DDR in it now and don't know if it has the PC3200 Latency issue or not.

Oh, the mobo came with bios version 6 if that means anything relative to temperature reporting.

 

[orion7144]

Did yours have the 3Com gigabyte lan chip on it? What are your NB settings to be able to OC with that PC2100? Did you increase the VDim voltage?

Originally posted by: emjem
My iS7 doesn't seem to have any temperature reporting problem.

I am running a 2.4/533 cpu overclocked to 2.7 and the idle temp is 38C (system temp 33) and maxes out under Sandra burn in stress test at 52C. And running Seti the temp averages about 48C.

That's using a GlacialTech Diamond 4100 cooler (with ArcticSilver) -- $12 shipped from Newegg GlacialTech. The fan on the cooler is variable speed based on a temperature probe on the hs. While the fan is capable of running at 4500rpm it's only running around 2600rpm under stress.

I'm happy with this mobo in every way but I'm only running PC2100 DDR in it now and don't know if it has the PC3200 Latency issue or not.

Oh, the mobo came with bios version 6 if that means anything relative to temperature reporting.

 

[emjem]

Originally posted by: orion7144
Did yours have the 3Com gigabyte lan chip on it? What are your NB settings to be able to OC with that PC2100? Did you increase the VDim voltage?

Originally posted by: emjem
My iS7 doesn't seem to have any temperature reporting problem.

I am running a 2.4/533 cpu overclocked to 2.7 and the idle temp is 38C (system temp 33) and maxes out under Sandra burn in stress test at 52C. And running Seti the temp averages about 48C.

It has the 3Com chip. It's 2.5 Crucial ram by SPD (1:1) : 2.5-6-3-3, voltage set at 2.6. I don't guess a 13% OC is unusual for Crucial ram.

I have to point out that I had the 2.4 P4/533 running in the iS7 at 158fsb with 2X256 Crucial PC2100 cranked up to 2.7volts (by spd, 1:1), and after running Seti for about 8 hours straight one of the ram sticks fried. Heh, heh, it was very stable until the ram gave out. That's the first time I ever had that happen. Must have been a weak stick.

I'm shopping for some PC 3500 so maybe in a few days I'll find out if this mobo has a problem with 400 ram timings (as claimed by Anand).

 

[orion7144]

I'll be posting some results with some OCZ Performace CAS 2 PC3500 that I should get this week from Newegg for $65 a stick (256meg).

 

[cmdrdredd]

what is the issue with DDR400 ram timings?

 

[Spiffae]

Here's my question: I'm looking at IS7s on newegg, and i'm seeing the IS7 at $109, with firewire, raid, and the 865PE chipset. Then i'm seeing the IS7-G for $168, and not much in the way of extra features...I'm seeing Gigabit ethernet and support for 4 raid devices. is that the only difference? If so, then isn't the IS7 a much better deal?

 

[Tom]

Seems like it to me, many IS7s, including mine, have a 3com gigabyte lan chip on them, leaving the only difference I know of is the IS7-G has 2 more SATA ports. I'm not sure but I don't think the IS7-G uses Intel's CSA for the Gigabyte lan but if it does that would possibly be significant.

I haven't installed my IS7 so I don't have any comments about performance, yet.

 

[emjem]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
what is the issue with DDR400 ram timings?

Go to Anandtech's home page to read it.

DDR400 Timings

 

[emjem]

Originally posted by: Spiffae
Here's my question: I'm looking at IS7s on newegg, and i'm seeing the IS7 at $109, with firewire, raid, and the 865PE chipset. Then i'm seeing the IS7-G for $168, and not much in the way of extra features...I'm seeing Gigabit ethernet and support for 4 raid devices. is that the only difference? If so, then isn't the IS7 a much better deal?

Comparison

I guess your own needs determine which is the 'better deal'. For me, I want fire wire and it's worth a few extra bucks -- whereas I don't need Gigabit ethernet and wouldn't pay a penny extra for it. Aside from these feature differences all iS7 models should perform and overclock the same.

 

[emjem]

Hey orion7144, what version is your bios?

 

[Spiffae]

Comparison

I guess your own needs determine which is the 'better deal'. For me, I want fire wire and it's worth a few extra bucks -- whereas I don't need Gigabit ethernet and wouldn't pay a penny extra for it. Aside from these feature differences all iS7 models should perform and overclock the same.

i was just confused...it seemed that $60 was a big jump for SATA RAID and Gigabit ethernet...they both have USB2.0 and Firewire... Either way, it's a good deal.

 

[orion7144]

The IS7-G has the 3Com Gigabyte Lan just like the IS7 that is not supposed too. I am not sure of the BIOS on my board but will look when I get my new ram later this week. The other diff on the IS7G is you can do SATA RAID 1, 0, and 1+0. on the IS7 you can only do SATA RAID 0.

 

[emjem]

Originally posted by: orion7144
I am not sure of the BIOS on my board but will look when I get my new ram later this week.

Get this freeware and you can read your bios version via Windows:

Free Utility

 

[cmdrdredd]

Got my IS7 setup. I ordered from newegg and it has the 3com Gigabit LAN on board as well as pretty good built in sound with SPDIF in and out (optical). SATA RAID (can double as IDE 3 and 4), Firewire, 4 USB 2.0 ports (2 more optional) and an active HSF on the motherboard chipset.

Here are my results.

P4 2.6c @ 2.75Ghz
Abit IS7 @ 210Mhz FSB
Corsair XMS3200 @ DDR420
Radeon 9700Pro
Hercules Gametheater XP

managed to boot at 220Mhz FSB but crashed when trying to open a program. Probably due to my PC3200 reaching the limit. Max temps at current speeds are 30C for system and 40C for CPU at idle. Under load with prime 95 the rise to 34C/46C respectively. This is with a Chieftec (antec clone) tower with 4 case fans and an Enermax Wisper 431 PSU which has a fan to expell hot air. Stock Intel HSF with AS3.

No issues at AGp 8x. Agressive memory timings are no go with current bios at DDR400. Needs an update.

Benchmarks at max detail and default control pannel settings at 1024x768 no AA or AF.

Quake3
no sound = 324.7fps
sound on = 250.3fps

UT2003
botmatch = 62.7fps
flyby = 193.7fps

Falcon 4 = 100fps max (my refresh) and never below 60fps

3dmark2k1se = 16252
3dmark2k3 = 5173
pcmark cpu = 6456 mem = 8107

sisoft sandra
CPU Arithmatic = 8406/ FPU 2336 iSSE2 5160
Memory = 4289/4297
CPU Multimedia = 12475/19865


edit: after adjusting the vcore up to 1.6 and the vdim to 2.7 I got the board stable at FSB 215 DDR430

 

[kaizersose]

which IS7 do you have, the standard or -G? any issues setting it up or with the ram timings? I am deciding between the standard IS7 and the albatron pro.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I got the regular one. If I had the others I would note it.

Anyway the ram timings must be set to 2.5/6/3/3 in order to boot. This is a bios issue I believe.

No other issues.

 

[Voltaire]

Hey guys,
Wondering if anyone could list out any known issues on the IS7, apart from the memory timing issue.
Torn between the IS7 and the BH7 for my new system.
Any comments and efforts in listing out the known issues with the IS7 will be really great!

 

[orion7144]

The IS7, The memory timming issues should be worked out soon in a BIOS rev. Abit is pretty good about that.

Originally posted by: Voltaire
Hey guys,
Wondering if anyone could list out any known issues on the IS7, apart from the memory timing issue.
Torn between the IS7 and the BH7 for my new system.
Any comments and efforts in listing out the known issues with the IS7 will be really great!

 

[orion7144]

Mine has the 6.0 bios. Pretty cool program. I guess I figured why I was not able to go much higher in the FSB. My timmings were at 2-3-3-6. Can't wait to get the PC3500 and try for 250FSB and then go from there.

Originally posted by: emjem

Originally posted by: orion7144
I am not sure of the BIOS on my board but will look when I get my new ram later this week.

Get this freeware and you can read your bios version via Windows:

Free Utility

 

[Auric]

How tall is the chipset HSF (from board surface to top)? It is very close to the AGP slot and I wonder if it would block the use of large heatsinks on the backside of graphics cards, such as the Zalman ZM80A-HP? I would of course want to use a passive HS and notice some boards come like that and in any case know they are available but if it is going to cost extra to have to modify then the equivalent Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000 Pro looks good as it has plenty of room however does not include the SATA RAID nor the "bonus" Gigabit LAN chip. It seems weird that it does have IDE RAID though. I mean, for future use I would much rather have SATA RAID available combined with PATA non-RAID.