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

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orion7144

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2002
4,425
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0
Originally posted by: NordicNINE
So far, I'm really disapointed with my IS7 & 2.4C (retail with retail heatsink & artic silver 3)

I bought two 512MB modules of Corsair Value memory. I figured 1GB at higher CAS would be faster than 512MB at lower CAS.

I've tried overclocking, but I can't overclock a little without problems. Even if I bump the memory down to 3/2.
I also can't enable any of the Game Acceleration stuff without causing it to not boot.

Any ideas on what settings I should try? I've tried bumping the vcore to 1.6 and the ddr to 2.8, but still not stable. It would boot and run WinXP, but got errors in Prime95 pretty quick.

What speed memory? If it's "Value" memory that is probably your problem. This board is real picky about memory. Also remember to lock the AGP/PCI clock. Turn GAT off and then try and OC with the 5:4 divider.

 

DeludedBuzz

Junior Member
Jun 17, 2003
3
0
0
So has anyone got their Abit IS7 board to work with Corsair CMX512-3200C2PT memory? My problem is is that I get file not found errors when I try to install Windows XP Home. I've set my settings to the lowest I can 3 5 5 8 and I still get the same problems (I'm now trying bumping up the voltage.) I do eventually get XP to install but I run into the file not found while reading the optical drive problem (by the way this happens with other optical drives as well.)

Any hope of eventually running at normal settings, will an updated BIOS 13 help? Or should I get different brand of ram?

Grrr... Not what you want on your first self built computer...

 

NDENT2003

Banned
Apr 7, 2003
372
0
0
What is the best memory i can get for this if i'm on a budget ?.I also wanna buy a P4 2.4c & o/c it to at least 3ghz but i'm clueless on which memory to buy.I need something fast & good.
 

orion7144

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2002
4,425
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I can highly recommend OCZ PC3500EL from Newegg. It is around $65 per 256mb stick. Make sure it is the EL series though. I am finding out that they have outstanding support. I post about this on the previous page.

Originally posted by: NDENT2003
What is the best memory i can get for this if i'm on a budget ?.I also wanna buy a P4 2.4c & o/c it to at least 3ghz but i'm clueless on which memory to buy.I need something fast & good.

 

NordicNINE

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,072
26
91
www.heatware.com
It's PC3200. I would think it should run fine at 400MHz or lower if I keep the CAS settings easy.

The only other memory I have on hand is some PNY PC2700.

I can see the Value stuff limiting me on the FSB if I keep it at 1:1, but if I go 5:4 or 3:2, I would think it shouldn't be an issue.
 

mngisdood

Senior member
Sep 15, 2002
844
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0
Has anyone experienced a fsb 'wall' with the IS7 wherein it won't exceed a certain fsb. Our review unit won't post past 250fsb, no matter the voltage (up to 2.8), the bios, the game accelerator settings, nor with the multipliers 1:1, 3:2, 5:4?
 

neutralizer

Lifer
Oct 4, 2001
11,552
1
0
I have the same problem, XMS3200C2, the best I can do is 2-3-3-6 @ 2.6 V with GAT off. If I turn on GAT to F1, it refuses to post. If I turn on GAT to Street Racer, Turbo, or Auto, I get BSODs relating to memory in WinXP. Even with voltage at 2.8 V, I still get BSODs. If I disable GAT by turn off the last two settings, no BSODs at all. So in the end, I'm blaming GAT. Although I'll try running my memory at SPD and turning on GAT.
 

AirGibson

Member
Nov 30, 2000
60
0
0
Time for some more CHEAP MEMORY QUESTIONS!! :D

I've ordered the following:
- IS7
- 2.4C P4
- two 256 PC3500 sticks. El-cheapo generic memory. They're shipping memory that is supposed to be compatible with 875 / 865 chipsets. I know, I know, IS7 is picky and memory isn't good to go cheap on. No need to tell me "Dude, go buy some better memory."

I've tried to read through the whole thread, and here are the questions I have for the experienced users:

1. Which BIOS version should I get? I saw some people complain that they thought the beta 13 were better than the release 13. Is there any common ground that most IS7 users agree on here?

2. When people say the IS7 is picky with memory, what do we mean? Are we saying that it flat out won't work AT ALL with several types of memory, or are we saying that we have to run loose memory settings to get several types of memory to work? (I know there are a few that flat out will not work. I'm refering to the "average" stick of memory.) What percent chance would you guys give my generic PC3500 DDR memory of working AT ALL in the system.

3. Assuming you have the system running 100% properly with two identical DDR RAM sticks, are there any known reasons why Dual Channel would not work? I know "anything is possible". Just asking for known problems in this department.

4. What default voltage is the 2.4C using, and what should I expect to bump it up to when overclocking towards 3.0 ghz?

5. After updating my BIOS, will PAT only run in a 1:1 timing ratio? Seems like I saw someone mention this. SHOULD I worry with enabling PAT on my 2.4C assuming it's possible with my memory?

 

Entropy99

Junior Member
Jun 30, 2003
7
0
0
Voltaire,
I played some more with the settings and am not having the success you are. I was able to run stable at 240 FSB with SPD memory timings of 2,3,3,7 with a 5:4 divider. CPU voltage was at 1.575, DDR voltage at 2.6. I didn't mess with the GAT settings this time -- they were left at AUTO.

I'm finding that if I give my DDR any additional voltage beyond 2.6 volts it just reboots and this is the case even when setting everything else back to stock speeds. Also, max CPU voltage appears to be 1.575 before it reboots again with everything else at stock settings. Anyhow, all of this is with a 2.4C, Zalman 7000 CU heatsink fan, Bios 13, Corsair XMS 3200 512X2 C2 and Abit IS7.

Any idea what the weak link(s) might be? As for the Zalman cooling unit I found it on special a couple weeks back at SVC for $37 plus $7 shipping. The Zalman 7000 got a great review on Frostytech where the only unit it trailed at the time was a much louder Thermalright SLK-900. Anyhow, I will keep working on this and continue to post results.
 

Entropy99

Junior Member
Jun 30, 2003
7
0
0
Airgibson

I can't answer most of your questions but the default CPU voltage on the IS7 is 1.525. So far 1.550 appears to be the most my 2.4C CPU can handle.
 

NordicNINE

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,072
26
91
www.heatware.com
Well, I put the PNY PC2700 in and I can do 250MHz (3GHz) easy.
I set the memory to 3:2 and turned GAT to Street Racer.
No problems except Prime95 won't run more than 5-10 minutes without error.

I'm running everything else fine. Did some UT2K3 batches too and no problems.
Also Prime95 only runs at 50%. I can run 50% on each HT "thread" or max out one thread, but I can't get both threads maxed.

Any trick to get Prime95 to run stable or is it no biggie?

I didn't bump any voltages and I'm running pretty cool at 80% fan.

So, it looks like I should return this Corsair Value stuff.
 

NordicNINE

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,072
26
91
www.heatware.com
The E doesn't have SATA raid or Firewire.

Since I'm getting a digital camcorder soon, I figured the Firewire was worth the extra $10 or so.

Also I'd like to get a pair of Raptors if they come out with bigger ones for a decent price and put them in a RAID setup.
 

jhites

Golden Member
Mar 19, 2000
1,854
0
0
Originally posted by: mngisdood
Has anyone experienced a fsb 'wall' with the IS7 wherein it won't exceed a certain fsb. Our review unit won't post past 250fsb, no matter the voltage (up to 2.8), the bios, the game accelerator settings, nor with the multipliers 1:1, 3:2, 5:4?
Just put a IS7-E together yesterday and did not experience any problems at all.
Have tested it at 240, 250, 260 and 270fsb so far.
I loaded the updated 13 bios and set the vcore to 1.55v, since it undervolts.
Using HyperX-PC3500 set to 2-2-2-5 (5:4) DDR432 @ 2.8vdimm
Only complaint that I have so far is the temp reading problem that has been
mentioned several times. Running 1 instance of Seti with 1 instance of Prime95
at the same time and using the retail stock heatsink gives me 58-64C load temps.

 

abasinfreak

Junior Member
Jul 2, 2003
2
0
0
Great thread... I just got my system setup last night but haven't got to OCing yet. Can't wait to try it.

Anyway, I haven't seen this question answered yet so here it is.... I setup my IS7 system with two SATA drives (120G Seagates) that I run in RAID 0 using SATA1 and SATA2. Seting up Windows was pretty easy but I'd also like to run Linux on that machine. However I can't seem to be able to find any Linux drivers for the ICH5-R RAID, was anyone able to setup Linux?
 

Entropy99

Junior Member
Jun 30, 2003
7
0
0
Interesting thread here on the Abit USA Forums. Bascially, it sounds like a lot of people are having problems with the IS7 series and any memory using Winbond CH5 chips. Many of the Corsair memories appear to be using CH5 chips.:frown:
 

orion7144

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2002
4,425
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0
Originally posted by: Entropy99
Interesting thread here on the Abit USA Forums. Bascially, it sounds like a lot of people are having problems with the IS7 series and any memory using Winbond CH5 chips. Many of the Corsair memories appear to be using CH5 chips.:frown:

I noticed that thread as well. I am not sure what chips are on the OCZ memory that I am using since it has the heat spreader. I am sending another email to OCZ to find out what chips they use.

 

NordicNINE

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,072
26
91
www.heatware.com
Originally posted by: Entropy99
Interesting thread here on the Abit USA Forums. Bascially, it sounds like a lot of people are having problems with the IS7 series and any memory using Winbond CH5 chips. Many of the Corsair memories appear to be using CH5 chips.:frown:

Sounds about right. I'm not sure what chips I have on my Corsair. I'll have to look later.
I am having problems with any divider except 1:1.

I can overclock to 220 if I bump the DDR up to 2.8, but I can't do anything if I set it to 5:4 or 3:2.

I take it that it's fixable with a BIOS update, correct?
 

orion7144

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2002
4,425
0
0
Originally posted by: NordicNINE
Originally posted by: Entropy99
Interesting thread here on the Abit USA Forums. Bascially, it sounds like a lot of people are having problems with the IS7 series and any memory using Winbond CH5 chips. Many of the Corsair memories appear to be using CH5 chips.:frown:

Sounds about right. I'm not sure what chips I have on my Corsair. I'll have to look later.
I am having problems with any divider except 1:1.

I can overclock to 220 if I bump the DDR up to 2.8, but I can't do anything if I set it to 5:4 or 3:2.

I take it that it's fixable with a BIOS update, correct?

Most people are seeing the opposite of you. They can't OC with the 1:1 but can with the Dividers.

 

KaptainK

Junior Member
Jun 30, 2003
3
0
0
Originally posted by: vetteguy
Well so far this board has turned out to be nothing but crap. It has taken me 3 hours just to get it to the point where the board will actually get all the way through the boot process to allow me to attempt to install Windows. There, more troubles arise.

I have 2 Raptors on the ICH5 controller, and one Seagate on the Silicon Image. The Raptors are set up to be in RAID 0. When I launch the Windows install, I do the F6 thing and install the RAID drivers. When it asks me where I want to install windows, it sees the Raptors as one ~68GB partition. I make a partition and attempt to format it. However, it "formats" very quickly, then comes up with a message that says Windows cannot be installed on the drive because it could be damaged or not configured properly. I tried this 20 times and it failed 19. One time it actually started copying files but then failed at about 10%. I thought one of the Raptors might be bad, so I pulled them out and am now attempting to install XP just to the Seagate. However, when I disconnected the Raptors, the SATA connector on one of them broke off when I pulled off the cable. Nice. I'm glad an "enterprise-class" drive is so robust that the connector breaks when you REMOVE a cable. I've already gone onto WD's site to do an RMA, but they don't do online RMA's for Raptors. Nice again.

...I'm speechless...
The reason I say this is b/c I have a near identicle config as that which you are using...or attempting to use I should say...
I aswell have an IS7-G and dual Raptors in R0...although I'm using the 80G Seagate on the SI controller.

I'm not trying to make light of your situation by any means, but my install went through w/o a hitch.
This may not help but I have had installation/suspected corruption issues under Win2k setup using both SCSI and IDE RAID arrays in various levels. Never with XP though...so it's pretty fair to say that the drive(s) are fugg'd.
On the up side though...once you get the pair up and running you should be mildly (understatement) satisfied with its throughput and general overall performance.

Good luck w/ it though...

I just realized this post is about a week old...so it seems I'm just coming out of nowhere here...anyway...
Greetings all I'm new by the way and I like what I see so far...i might stick around a bit.


 

AirGibson

Member
Nov 30, 2000
60
0
0
Originally posted by: AirGibson
Time for some more CHEAP MEMORY QUESTIONS!! :D

I've ordered the following:
- IS7
- 2.4C P4
- two 256 PC3500 sticks. El-cheapo generic memory. They're shipping memory that is supposed to be compatible with 875 / 865 chipsets. I know, I know, IS7 is picky and memory isn't good to go cheap on. No need to tell me "Dude, go buy some better memory."

I've tried to read through the whole thread, and here are the questions I have for the experienced users:

1. Which BIOS version should I get? I saw some people complain that they thought the beta 13 were better than the release 13. Is there any common ground that most IS7 users agree on here?

2. When people say the IS7 is picky with memory, what do we mean? Are we saying that it flat out won't work AT ALL with several types of memory, or are we saying that we have to run loose memory settings to get several types of memory to work? (I know there are a few that flat out will not work. I'm refering to the "average" stick of memory.) What percent chance would you guys give my generic PC3500 DDR memory of working AT ALL in the system.

3. Assuming you have the system running 100% properly with two identical DDR RAM sticks, are there any known reasons why Dual Channel would not work? I know "anything is possible". Just asking for known problems in this department.

4. What default voltage is the 2.4C using, and what should I expect to bump it up to when overclocking towards 3.0 ghz?

5. After updating my BIOS, will PAT only run in a 1:1 timing ratio? Seems like I saw someone mention this. SHOULD I worry with enabling PAT on my 2.4C assuming it's possible with my memory?


One bump for my questions before letting them die.
 

KaptainK

Junior Member
Jun 30, 2003
3
0
0
Originally posted by: AirGibson
Originally posted by: AirGibson
Time for some more CHEAP MEMORY QUESTIONS!! :D

I've ordered the following:
- IS7
- 2.4C P4
- two 256 PC3500 sticks. El-cheapo generic memory. They're shipping memory that is supposed to be compatible with 875 / 865 chipsets. I know, I know, IS7 is picky and memory isn't good to go cheap on. No need to tell me "Dude, go buy some better memory."

I've tried to read through the whole thread, and here are the questions I have for the experienced users:

1. Which BIOS version should I get? I saw some people complain that they thought the beta 13 were better than the release 13. Is there any common ground that most IS7 users agree on here?

2. When people say the IS7 is picky with memory, what do we mean? Are we saying that it flat out won't work AT ALL with several types of memory, or are we saying that we have to run loose memory settings to get several types of memory to work? (I know there are a few that flat out will not work. I'm refering to the "average" stick of memory.) What percent chance would you guys give my generic PC3500 DDR memory of working AT ALL in the system.

3. Assuming you have the system running 100% properly with two identical DDR RAM sticks, are there any known reasons why Dual Channel would not work? I know "anything is possible". Just asking for known problems in this department.

4. What default voltage is the 2.4C using, and what should I expect to bump it up to when overclocking towards 3.0 ghz?

5. After updating my BIOS, will PAT only run in a 1:1 timing ratio? Seems like I saw someone mention this. SHOULD I worry with enabling PAT on my 2.4C assuming it's possible with my memory?


One bump for my questions before letting them die.


I'll take a crack at it...

My understanding and experience states that the memory issues around the IS7 are chipset wide.
Meaning there are issues with most every 865PE/P/G based board. Issues...though in the sense that
you may be unable to take advantage of certain performance optimizing features (Game Excelerator) and/or aggressive timings, etc..etc...due to "cheap" memory. Personally I have never tried single channel on any 865 board so I'm not sure there.
As far as BIOS versions go...I'm using 13 (final) and am able to utilize any and all features...although I'm using substantianlly better RAM (TwinX PC3200).
My advise would be to give it a shot...there's no harm in trial and error (as long as you can return the RAM).
It's unlikely that the budget RAM would cause the system to not operate entirely...as long as you start with the default settings (SPD timings and keep your RAM under 200MHz)...and then work your way up from there.
On a different note...most have probably not attempted SC configs cause of the obvious bottleneck when compared to an overclocked FSB. At present my FSB is moving close to 9.6GB/sec while my "good" ram running 2-2-2-5 (F1) @ DDR400 (3:2) is only a hair over stock bandwidth (6.5GB/sec)...I'm working on this.;)
Imagine a system with 9.5GB+ FSB paired with single channel DDR400 at linient timings none the less (2.5-3-3-7).
Now I'm not the one to preach the real-world effect this may have on any given app but on paper it looks mighty substantial...I know my system could use a little boost in that area.

I may have to hunt down a budget PC3200 stick to see how it runs SC aswell as its potential for assertive timings.
Hope this helps a bit...good luck.