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*** Official Albatron PX865PE Pro/II (865PE) Thread ***

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Well it is listed at Googlegear: Albatron PX865PE Pro II
Out of stock though.

I'm also keeping an eye on this board for my new setup.

About the onboard sound:
I like that it offers rca in/out and optical in/out, but wondering...
I read a post that suggests that the Envy24PT DSP is 24/96 capable, but limited by the 18/48 AC97 2.2 codec. Is that accurate? If so, is it possible to upgrade the codec to 24/96 or is this something that's always fixed? If upgradable, how and how much $? I'm not concerned with output quality, only digital/analog input quality for recording purposes.

Karpl
 
Originally posted by: KevinF
Does the Pro's (non-II) onboard audio do SPDIF out?
Click to expand...

It looks like both non Pro-II versions do have the spdif headers, but use a different controller and codec. I know the Pro-II provides a bracket for the headers. Not sure about the non Pro-II's. I would download the manuals to verify. I was impressed by the thoroughness of the Pro-II manual and it cleared up a few questions.

Just go to each separate board's page and click "Manual": Albatron
 
Hmm. The manual doesn't seem to say.

"Note that the SPDIF bracket is optional in the packaging that comes with this mainboard."

Any idea what that means?
 
Originally posted by: KevinF
"Note that the SPDIF bracket is optional in the packaging that comes with this mainboard."
Any idea what that means?
Click to expand...

The ProII manual says the same thing. Plus this review shows the whole shmeel packaged with it. digit-life.com I think it means its included but you have the option of using it.

But then again this Pro review xbitlabs.com says:
"The package of Albatron PX865PE Pro includes not too much stuff. The mainboard is shipped together with a CD-disk with the drivers, a set of FDDM IDE and SerialATA cables, and a bracket for the case rear panel with additional 4 USB 2.0 ports."

Is it clear now? 😀
Anyone have the Pro? What'd you get?
 
I've noticed that other 865PE boards (Asus P4P800 in particular) were having compatibility problems with DDR400 memory. Does this board have the same issues? I'm asking because Anand's review doesn't mention anything about memory problems (except for the warm reboot problem after every 15 reboots).

From his review:
All performance tests run on 865PE 875P-based motherboards utilized two 256MB Corsair TwinX PC3200 modules set to CAS 2/2T/5T/2T timings running in dual channel DDR400 mode. Any other performance-enhancing timings (like Command Rate or Bank Interleave) were enabled in 865PE and 875P-based motherboards that contained such timings.

Most people have noted that they were having trouble with Corsair TwinX memory on other 865PE boards.

Thanks,

morkman
 
I just emailed Albatron asking them about the compatibility problems between the 865 chipset and DDR400 memory. Here's their reply:

Dear John,

How are you? There should not be any compatibility issue between PX865PE PRO motherboard and DDR400 dual channel memory. The PX865PE PRO motherboard natively supports DDR400 memory. Albatron's testing department has tested the motherboard with OCZ, Xtreme memory modules, Corsair, etc. Please check the following website about the memory recommended : http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/where2buy/where2buy_memory.asp . Please feel free to contact us if you have any question. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Ken
714-893-8113 Ext. 105


Customer service seems awesome. I emailed them at 1:12 pm, and I got their reply at 2:00pm (Less than 1 hour!).

morkman


 
If the Pro (non-II) has the S/PDIF output then I would get that. How would it perform if I didnt use the dual channel ddr (i.e. I would be single channel)?
 
I have had the board (PX865PE Pro II) for over 3 week+ and I am very happy with it (except sound drivers are not available for linux yet - not that this really matters as I am using it as a server - but the sound is excellent in windows - I think better then my turtle beach santa cruz, can't compare it to a audigy 2 as I don't have one). All optional addons mentioned in the manual are included (in oz anyway).

The only problem I had initially was memory voltage. I am using Corsair 3200LL and found that I had to increase the default voltage from 2.55 to 2.65. From what I have seen in other forums this seems to be normal for other 865/875 boards as well. At first I thought my problems was due to the CPU (2.8C at 57 degrees c at full load - but this seems normal for these new CPUs).

I have not had any problems running in DUAL DDR mode. Currently have 2 x 512MB 3200LL Corsair RAM at 2.75V running 222FSB (444Mhz) using 2,5,3,2. I have tried my other 2 x 512MB 3200LL to find the best 2 (but they didn't have any problem running at 400Mhz either. 222FSB with memory at 1:1 is as far as I can push them at 2.75V.

Individually the RAM in single stick mode all go to 460Mhz (230 FSB), and the revision 3206 v1.1 goes to about 475Mhz. My other 3 are 3205 v1.1 so it seems the newer 3206 v1.1 go higher (i actually was wanting the 1gb twinx but they weren't in stock, so I got another 2 x 3200ll - i should have inisisted in getting 2 revision 3206 v1.1 sticks at the time). I wonder if the latest bios update (1.02 beta) might let me go higher then 222fsb in DUAL DDR mode. I am currently running 1.01.

The latest beta bios is available from albatron:
http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/it/mb/bios.asp?pro_id=51

R 1.02b (Beta) 2003/6/5
Beta Version
1.Enable Serial ATA Device function on Dos Mode 2.Enhance the stability and Performance during overclocking

I am tempted to try it as I found also when OC the CPU voltage seems to drop by 0.05 eg. under load like prime95/super pi/quick pi default of 1.525 will drop to 1.475, same each time I increase voltage (i.e 0.05 less - could be PSU though - topower 420w). They might have also enabled PAT like the ABIT and ASUS boards to improve performance???
 
"They might have also enabled PAT like the ABIT and ASUS boards to improve performance???" This board looks kick ass, but if they do that, then woohoo! Forget paying $100 more for the Chaintech 9CJS Zenith.
 
I emailed Albatron and asked about the SPDIF out. I got a response in two hours, which was pretty good, but unfortunately, I got bad news from them.

"Dear Kevin,


How are you? Thank you for your interest in Albatron's PX865PE PRO
motherboard. The SPDIF bracket does not come together with PX865PE PRO
motherboard package. You can check and purchase from your vendor or you can
purchase this SPDIF connector with Additional Audio Connection from Albatron
that works with the PX865PE PRO for $20 plus shipping.


Please contact Kristi ( kristi@albatronusa.com ) if you want to purchase
one. Please see the attachment for your reference.


Please feel free to contact us if you have any question. Thank you very
much.


Sincerely,


Ken
714-893-8113 Ext. 105"
 
Originally posted by: KevinF
I emailed Albatron and asked about the SPDIF out. I got a response in two hours, which was pretty good, but unfortunately, I got bad news from them.

"Dear Kevin,


How are you? Thank you for your interest in Albatron's PX865PE PRO
motherboard. The SPDIF bracket does not come together with PX865PE PRO
motherboard package. You can check and purchase from your vendor or you can
purchase this SPDIF connector with Additional Audio Connection from Albatron
that works with the PX865PE PRO for $20 plus shipping.


Please contact Kristi ( kristi@albatronusa.com ) if you want to purchase
one. Please see the attachment for your reference.


Please feel free to contact us if you have any question. Thank you very
much.


Sincerely,


Ken
714-893-8113 Ext. 105"
Click to expand...



Quite honestly, IMO, if you dont need the extras that the Pro II has but you want the SPDIF output then its worth getting the Pro non-II then spending an extra 25 bucks or so to get the SPDIF. Thanks for finding out.🙂
 
I couldn't resist and have just flashed my board with the 1.0.2 beta bios and as per the Abit/Asus boards it gives you to enable "PAT". These are the changes I saw:

In [MAIN] bios - additional 2 ide channels (i.e i presume the 2 devices on the sata controller)

In Advanced:

Advance Chipset Features:

- Memory Performance (in the help this is explained as: "Memory Pefromance Acceleration Mode" in FSB800/DDR400 - in other words PAT I presume).

Option here of disabled/enabled.

When "disable" I noticed the option x O.C Dram Stability is available as either "Standard" or "Optimised".

When "enabled" option O.C Dram Stability is disabled, but "Extreme Timing" option is available, can be set as "enable"/"disabled".

I am doing a quick test of "Memory Performance" enabled with "Extreme Timing" disabled and there are performance improvements.

I am currently running (pre bios update) 222FSB/444Mhz (1:1) @2.75 and memory timings 2,6,3,2 and an 2.8C CPU these are the following results:

Bios: 1.0.1

AIDA32 (v3.61) Memory Benchmark Read/Write: 4270/1904
Sandra 2003: Int Buffered: 4805
Hexus PiFast: 65.17
Quick Pi (32m): 313.82
PCMark 2002: Memory: 8568

Bios: 1.0.2

As per 1.0.1 settings, Memory Performance ->Disabled, OC Stability ->Standard

AIDA32 (v3.61) Memory Benchmark Read/Write: 4295/1940
Sandra 2003: Int Buffered: 4836
Hexus PiFast: 65.14
Quick Pi (32m): 313.82
PCMark 2002: Memory: 8515


With Memory Peformance -> Enabled, and Extreme Timings ->Disabled:

AIDA32 (v3.61) Memory Benchmark Read/Write: 4915/1940
Sandra 2003: Int Buffered: 5170 - Float: 5128
Hexus PiFast: 64.16
Quick Pi (32m): 311.69
PCMark 2002: Memory: 9098

With Memory Peformance -> Enabled, and Extreme Timings ->Enabled:

with 222FSB/444MHZ -> does not boot.

Please note that if this DOES happen keep you finger on the "Insert" key and it should reset the FSB, Voltages, Memory, AGP/PCI ratio all to the default. If you do turn the PC off keep your finger on the "Insert" key on power on and it should reset so you can get into CMOS. This should save the time and hassle of clearing the CMOS on the board it self (unlike my Gigabyte SQ800 Ultra).

with 200FSMB/400 -> boots, but when loading windows xp it reboots.

It looks like that it chooses the most aggressive memory timings it can and my corsair memory doesn't like it. In DUAL DDR mode I can only go 2,6,3,2 (I can't set RAS# to CAS# delay to 2, although with a single stick I can do 2,5,2,2). So if you have already found your optimal memory timings the "agressive timing" settings must ignore your manual settings or auto spd. So stick to leaving "agressive timing" disabled.

Note: these are quick test results, run once.


Next thing to try/test is to up my current limit for stability in DUAL DDR mode of 222FSB/444Mhz (1:1). I am currently running Quick PI and Prime95 for a while to ensure that these settings with Memory Performance Acceleration Mode enabled is stable.

Also, for owners of the non PRO II board (PX865PE Pro) an updated bios is available as well with these new options (Version 1.08b).




 
gst28,
Great post, your post has just made my day 🙂 I have been planning to get this mobo since the start, but no place stocks it yet, now i want it for sure 🙂
-2hot
 
I just got the PX865PE Pro as well, with Corsair TwinX 3200LL 512MB modules. I couldn't get windows XP to install at all unless I bumped my ram speed down from DDR400 (dual channel) to DDR333 (dual channel). Once I got XP installed I found that if I increased the ram voltage up to 2.65 (like you did) and left the timing settings at [BY SPD] I could go back to DDR400 and everything seemed pretty stable. It just kind of sucks that the memory wouldn't work at the default voltage - increasing the voltage only lessens the life of the ram stick if I'm not mistaken. Oh well... I was just doing some quick benchmarking on SiSoft Sandra and noticed that the memory bandwith increase from DDR333 (dual channel) to DDR400 (dual channel) wasn't really that big (~200MB/s). I thought at DDR400 you should be able to get around 6400MB/s - I am getting about 4300 MB/s. Any idea what could be holding me back? I have the following setup:

Intel P4 2.4C GHz 800Mhz FSB
Albatron PX865PE Pro
Corsair TwinX 3200LL 512MB
Radeon 9000 Pro
Enermax 350W Power Supply
2 WD 60GB ATA100 Hard Drives

Hyperthreading is enabled, and memory timings are [BY SPD]. Everything else is default... Is the 6400 MB/s just theoretical?
 
I just ordered a pro from newegg, 2.4c 2x256MB pc3200 kkngston ram to go in a new PC for the parents.

I'll post results when it all comes in.
their new system specs will be:
Albatron 865PE PRO
2.4C
SK7-w/80mm fan (not sure which fan yet)
2x256MB PC3200 kingston valueram
---all below from old system---
ati radeon 7500
win2k
40GB maxtor 7200rpm 2MBcache
 
Yeah, I just ordered one too.

I got the PX865PE Pro (not II) from Newegg along with a retail 2.4c. I got a gig of Mushkin PC3200 blue to go along with it. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
 
mcveigh,
how did everything work with the kingston ram? my px865 pro is coming this afternoon with a 2.4c 512 kingston 3200 (dual channel of course) and i thought you might have some advice on timings or the like.
also, anyone have any advice on some conservative overclocking for that chip? i want to use stock cooling and not reduce the life of the chip. i know this isnt exactly the right place, but i figure those of you who have used this board might be able to offer more detailed advice. thanks!
 
Gotta like this board. Straight out of the box and my 2.4c does 3Ghz on stock settings with the stock fan. And the box says 1200FSb....mmmmmm......
 
So far, it seems that its still not stocked anywhere... 🙁
Looks like that will hurt sales of this mobo. Its ironic that it appeared
to be one of the first motherboards reviewed in all the tech sites.
 
How come there is no mention in todays round-up of this motherboards updated 1200MHz FSB feature????

And where is the Chaintech 9CJS Zenith, well should be getting mine by tomorrow anyway.
 
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