Abit IB9 looking pretty sweet

[BlingBlingArsch]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst

Originally posted by: BlingBlingArsch
thats the on/off bug alot of gigabyte boards are sufferung from afaik. didnt hear of any asus board showing that bug.

I had never heard it called that before.
Both the P5B & P5W used to exhibit it, particularly when overclocked - they fixed it on the P5B first & the P5W owners used to moan like hell.

Strangely enough I've never noticed it being reported as prevalent on the Gigabytes (& I run 1 so would have expected to notice that ahead of the Asus)

then u havent read all the "not again..having trouble with the on/off Bug too" threads in the gigabyte forums like i did when i was researching for my new build.

 

[neags23]

Yeah, I'm definitely one of the ones starting a few threads in other forums about the IB9. The board was top notch on features, but there was little to no info available. Even the Abit website didn't have the manual posted. No reviews anywhere. Thought I'd give it a shot, anyway (my mistake). The setup was definitely a pain, but I didn't mind that so much. What I did mind was the on/off problem. You wouldn't think it'd be too bad, but when working on OC'ing, it's huge. And that's another thing...

The OC'ing is disappointing. I know for 100 bucks, you shouldn't expect much, but then why can the Biostar tforce965pt go up to 525 fsb and it's cheaper??? Yeah, I know that's on the 1333 strap, so you lose performance, but the IB9 doesn't even boot past 435, and won't go into windows past 415 or so. And that's not stable.

I haven't tried the new BIOS, because I already ordered a tforce board, and am going to RMA the IB9. Hopefully mwave.com doesn't give me any trouble about that. The board is buggy, though I don't know if you'd call it defective. We'll see if mwave makes me pay that 15% restocking fee.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: BlingBlingArsch
then u havent read all the "not again..having trouble with the on/off Bug too" threads in the gigabyte forums like i did when i was researching for my new build.

I've never managed to find a good Gigabyte forum - it's spread thinly across the web.

Originally posted by: neags23
What I did mind was the on/off problem. You wouldn't think it'd be too bad, but when working on OC'ing, it's huge.

apparently fixed now though with the new BIOS.

And that's another thing...

The OC'ing is disappointing. I know for 100 bucks, you shouldn't expect much, but then why can the Biostar tforce965pt go up to 525 fsb and it's cheaper??? Yeah, I know that's on the 1333 strap, so you lose performance, but the IB9 doesn't even boot past 435, and won't go into windows past 415 or so.

It will probably improve with further BIOS releases though.
It's maybe a bit cheeky but if you're going to jump on a new mobo you have to have some patience - I can't think of when a mobo was last released that was perfect from the getgo (not even the Intel Badaxe2 is).

& as you say for $100 for a high performance 400fsb isn't too bad.
If abit introduce the 1333 strap it will probably go a lot further but I suspect that they won't as they have the QuadGT for the hardcore overclocker - 500fsb + on the 1067 strap!

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Not to mention, if you're buying this motherboard which has just been released, then why not buy a 4300 over a 6300. Getting it to run 400 would mean 3.6Ghz or a 100% OC.

 

[MotF Bane]

Sorry to resurrect an almost dead topic, but how are these Abit IB9 boards doing for overclocking after the newest BIOS updates?

 

[Binky]

E4300 3.1ghz running perfectly on the IB9 with stock HS/fan and 1.35v. Using the latest beta bios (1.3b?). Only thing keeping me from pushing further is 65 deg core load temps running Orthos.

Not sure why people have such a problem with the double boot thing. It starts, stops, then starts again and boots perfectly. No big deal.

 

[madmikeee]

Binky, did the 1.3 beta bios not fix the boot problem for you?

I am about to finish my build with this board and I have to say, other than some minor annoyances the install is straightforward and the board is running fine.

I have yet to upgrade to the 1.3 beta until I see a few more people that have done it offer their reviews (I have BAD luck with Beta Bios's no matter who's boards they are) but from what I am seeing right now the 1.3 cures the boot issue and addresses other things that make this board a great inexpensive board for people who aren't into major OC'ing such as myself. I enjoy doing some small OC'ing here and there but I am not someone who has to squeeze every last drop of speed out of my machines. Once I find a nice stable setup it stays that way.

 

[Binky]

The 1.3 beta bios did NOT fix the double boot problem for me.

I still don't think of this as a serious issue at all. The MB is operating perfectly for me so far.

 

[Doomguy]

Originally posted by: Binky
The 1.3 beta bios did NOT fix the double boot problem for me.

I still don't think of this as a serious issue at all. The MB is operating perfectly for me so far.

The double boot happens on all P965 motherboards when certain settings are changed in the BIOS, or some boards do it every time. The board is doing a global reset, which the chipset requires for certain settings to be changed on it.

 

[mjcutri]

doh! forgot i could edit my message...got used to the dailytech "no edit"

 

[mjcutri]

^ sorry for the blank message.

i am running at a core freq of 333 for a 1333 FSB, 667 mem freq at 4-4-4-12 (2.0V just to be safe), and a 2.33 Ghz proc freq on stock cooling, stock voltages (except mem) and no tweaking. I didn't try to push it at all, just set it and go. running at about 45ºC normally (i think). i tried the 1.3 beta bios, didn't do anything for me so I found the 1.2 bios on the abit FTP site and tried that too. Neither fixed the double boot prob for me, but I rarely restart my computer anyway. i hope that abit is able to fix it in a later bios, but it doesn't really bother me.

 

[jbmx4life]

Hey I was wondering if someone could help me out with some IB9 settings. No matter what I do I cannot seem to get the board to post past 300FSB and sometimes with I set it to 300FSB it results in a NO POST. I am not very familiar with the BIOS settings since I just came from an A64 AGP setup on an MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum.

Abit IB9
E4300
Patriot Extreme Performance PC6400 4-4-4-12
Sapphire X1950Pro

Those are the parts I upgraded to. I am running a Vapochill Micro heatsink and temps are fine (40c BIOS, 38c SpeedFan, 20C CroeTemp(?)). I just seem to need some help with getting the BIOS settings right.

Thanks!

 

[Binky]

jmbx - this site might help: http://www.peakin.com/xbx2/calculator.html?fsb=320&mult=9

Try this for an easy 2.88ghz (hopefully):

Softmenu screen
320mhz External Clock
1066 N/B strap
DDR2 667 DRAM (4/5 ratio, should display new 400mhz memory clock right below)
Voltages to what you think you need (Try 1.4v for now, but I can do 2.9ghz at stock)


This setup is the 6th line down on that site I linked above. Note the 1st column (320mhz bus), 4th column (2.88ghz cpu), 7th column (DDR2-800), and 9th column (1066 strap).

You shouldnt need to relax your memory timings at all since you are at 400mhz with this.

 

[jbmx4life]

Thank you very much Binky. That link you put helped me out greatly. I had no prior understanding of the strap/DRAM SPEC before this since I was comming from the older system. I greatly appreciate your help!

 

[UNhooked]

up, any updates on tis board, how do the other IDE ports work.

I am torn between this and the Biostar, since these are the only two boards that don't have the Jmicron controllers.

 

[Binky]

I have no problems with the IDE ports. You do have to use a driver disk on Windows install since Windows will not recognize the IDE ports without drivers, leading to a BSOD.

I'm still trying to get my E-SATA drive to work. I have only tried a few times, but I cant find any bios settings that would make the SATA ports stay active even if no device is detected upon bootup. If anybody knows this....

 

[UNhooked]

hmm I c. Getting the board tomo. Will keep you guys posted.

Parts ordered
E4300
IB9 Pro
OCZ DDR 900
7900 GS KO
PSU Topower 650Watts

 

[UNhooked]

Well finally got in installed. Had some trouble with my cooling since my WW Block wouldn't fit over the cpu socket so had to run out and get the TDX block with has a much smaller footprint.

I didn't get a chance to update the bios since the Abit site seems to be down. However with the shipping bios I am at 365X9 and climbing with my E4300 @1.4V, so far Orthos stable at 30mins and SuperPI stable. I don't know why everyone is complaining. For $109, this board is a true performer with dual IDE channels.

Also just a note. I had trouble with my old wireless card that had an Atheros chipset, so I had to get another wireless card.

I do however had one beef, my TAT tool doesnt seem to work

Also something I noticed. When IDle my Cpu downlocks by switching to the 6th multi atleast thats what CPUz show, but when on load it goes back to 9multi

 

[SmallKiwi]

Originally posted by: UNhooked
I didn't get a chance to update the bios since the Abit site seems to be down. However with the shipping bios I am at 365X9 and climbing with my E4300 @1.4V, so far Orthos stable at 30mins and SuperPI stable. I don't know why everyone is complaining. For $109, this board is a true performer with dual IDE channels.

I do however had one beef, my TAT tool doesnt seem to work

Also something I noticed. When IDle my Cpu downlocks by switching to the 6th multi atleast thats what CPUz show, but when on load it goes back to 9multi

Im running 315x9 on my e4300 with stock voltage (mem at 472) on the IB9, with the shipped bios as well. Using speed fan my stock HSF setup hits about 62 under orthos load, wondering what temps you are seeing. Thats using SpeedFan to monitor, although im not sure whether that is reliable.

I get the same issue with the cpu downclocking, i believe thats a feature to reduce temp and fan noise, you can probably disable the auto clocking. I also get the boot on/off issue others are getting (im guessing its standard because ive tried 3(!!!) p965 boards so far and all had this issue). Its not a big deal though, works fine. Anyone got a feature list for the 1.3 beta bios? thanks

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: UNhooked
Also something I noticed. When IDle my Cpu downlocks by switching to the 6th multi atleast thats what CPUz show, but when on load it goes back to 9multi

that's Intel EIST - you should be able to disable it.

 

[UNhooked]

Hmm 62C with stock on Orthos huh...thats not too bad. Running 1.4V using watercooling I get about 39Idle 48C doing SuperPi but arount 57- 60C doing Ortho. Not too sure if those are accurate. I was kinda bummed to see it hit 57C with Watercooling. It should go down a little once the Ceramique cures.

Also I was using Stock Vcore until 350FSB but to go 360 it needed a bump

I am running mem 1:1 by using N/B strap by CPU and using the 533 divider for mem. Altho it says one thing the in bios when you boot into windows it shows as 1:1. This was also confirmed by Sandra.

Also once you get past 333, you NB runs in sync with your FSB.

 

[Binky]

Still at 340x9 here with 1.35v and perfect stability. It gets above 65 deg running orthos but has no errors. In actual use, it never gets anywhere close to that temp.

My only issue is still my external eSATA drive. It's a Vantec Nexstar 3 USB2/eSATA enclosure. I believe it uses a Jmicron chipset. This enclosure refuses to play nice with the IB9. I have confirmed that the internal SATA is fine and the enclosure works on other computers. It's just that this enclosure doesnt register with Windows when I plug it in.

Anybody have an issue with this Vantec enclosure on any P965 board?

 

[UNhooked]

hmm looks like Jmicron and this chipset don't play nice

In my case I believe my Atheros chipset doesn't place nice either (Wireless Pci)

 

[SmallKiwi]

Originally posted by: Binky
Still at 340x9 here with 1.35v and perfect stability. It gets above 65 deg running orthos but has no errors. In actual use, it never gets anywhere close to that temp.

My only issue is still my external eSATA drive. It's a Vantec Nexstar 3 USB2/eSATA enclosure. I believe it uses a Jmicron chipset. This enclosure refuses to play nice with the IB9. I have confirmed that the internal SATA is fine and the enclosure works on other computers. It's just that this enclosure doesnt register with Windows when I plug it in.

Anybody have an issue with this Vantec enclosure on any P965 board?

This is no surprise whatsoever to me, the first p965 board i picked up, an ECS one, i forget which exactly... I could not even get Vista to install, it was a big pain in the ass having the jmicron on there conflicting with the sata and pata, and no way to fix it because the bios didnt allow any kind of sata mode switching.

Im thinking about picking up an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro because its cheap and extremely effective. When I do, I'll let you know how high my overclocking gets

 

[UNhooked]

Just an update.

I tried the Beta bios but didnt like it. So reverted back to bios 1.2

atm at 385 X 9. Super Pi stable. 3Dmark and Aquamark stable. I did have to bump my vcore to 1.5V to go beyond 360FB. At this point I thnk the CPU may have reached its limit

LINKY