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

[mike525]

I would like some advice. I am using the Abit IP35-e with an e6750. It is cooled with a Scythe SCINF-1000. I am using 2 1gb sticks of Corsair XMS2 DHX (4-4-4-12). This is in an Antec 900 chassis. So far I have pushed my ram timings back to 5-5-5-15; the fsb pushed to 488 with the Vcore set to 1.4925 in bios; DDR2 voltage pushed to 2.1v (manf spec.). I haven't touched anything else. Should/could I push any other voltages for more fsb?
I tried to post a pic but couldn't figure it out.
anyway, during prime95 torture test I get the following.
Speedfan
System 28C
CPU 43C
Core0 44C
Core1 43C
Vcore 1.42V
+12V 6.81V
AVcc 3.20V

CPU-Z
1.416V core voltage

Core Temp
55-62C

Abit EQ
1.42v Vcore
2.06v DDR2 voltage
1.20v CPU VTT
1.26v MCH
12.09v ATX 12v
3.2v ATX 3.3v

CPU 47C


So far, Prime95 has been running for 1 hour 15 min with no failures.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mike525]

watching abit EQ i notice occasional "spikes" in VTT and MCH voltages. for instance I just watched the vtt jump from 1.2v to 1.4v for about 2 seconds.
Is this just a glitch or something to be worried about?

 

[hokiealumnus]

Originally posted by: PushLoop
First of all, I bought the Abit board based on the comments in this thread. So thanks to SerpentRoyal for clear directions in OC?ing a Core Duo/Quad on the Abit IP35 (-E) as well as using appropriate monitoring and testing tools. In addition, thanks to all the other posters who posted relevant info. My first OC, totally painless but I learned a lot.

I bought the IP35 version for the firewire capability and at the time there was only a $10 difference AR between it and the IP35-E. I was mainly interested in a fast video-processing setup; however, in retrospect I should have gone with the IP35-E and added a 1394 card. The heatflow issue from PWM to MOSFET is probably a negative too. Also used the budget cooler Hyper TX-2 recommended by WolfLover as a perfect fit for an Antec Solo.

Current Hardware: Abit IP35 w/ E4400 L2 version; v12 BIOS, stock Antec Solo, CoolerMaster Hyper TX-2, 2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800, 80GB SATA for the OS (XP), 400GB SATA for the Apps.

Orthos (1 hr) Stable Results:
1. E4400 stable at stock voltage (1.325) up to 2.9GHz, Vdimm 1.8, memory divider 1:1 timing 5-5-5-15. T ambient 20C.
2. E4400 at 3.0GHz (300x10) required Vcore 1.365. Temp results at load: Tcore 57C, PWM 47C, T ambient 19C.
3. E4400 at 3.1GHz (310x10) required Vcore 1.405. Temp results at load: Tcore 58C, PWM 47C, T ambient 16C.
4. E4400 at 3.2GHz (320x10) required Vcore 1.445. Temp results at load: Tcore 63C, PWM 50C, T ambient 16C.
5. E4400 at 3.3GHz (330x10) required Vcore 1.485. Temp results at load: Tcore 68C, PWM 52C, T ambient 17C.
6. At 3.4GHz and Vcore 1.485; Windows would not load. Bumped Vcore to 1.505 but it was not Orthos stable. Found the ceiling so I did not go any further.

Ultimately I dropped the settings down to 3.0GHz where this E4400 is stable with Vcore 1.365, Tcore temps of 57C and PWM at 47C. Final memory settings: Vdimm (1.8V), 4-4-4-12 timing, memory divider 1:1.25 (750MHz). Memtest 24 hr stable.

My original goal was a moderate overclock into the 3.0?3.2 GHz range with a 70C cap on the cores at load so I?m quite satisfied.

Wow, your results mirror mine exactly (well, temps are different of course with different coolers; I didn't keep a good diary of that...yet). 3.4 seemed Orthos stable (only ran for ~4min) and ran SuperPi fine on mine @ 1.505. Once temps cool down (again), I'll run for longer to see if it maintains stability.

Going above 3.4 really isn't worth it. I pushed as far as I was willing to go and got 3.42 @ 1.525 and 3.45 @ 1.565. My goal was 3.5, preferrably under 1.565 but hey...should have bought a faster chip if I wanted such speeds. Certainly can't argue with this one.

Congrats on the setup!

 

[hokiealumnus]

Originally posted by: mike525
I would like some advice. I am using the Abit IP35-e with an e6750. It is cooled with a Scythe SCINF-1000. I am using 2 1gb sticks of Corsair XMS2 DHX (4-4-4-12). This is in an Antec 900 chassis. So far I have pushed my ram timings back to 5-5-5-15; the fsb pushed to 488 with the Vcore set to 1.4925 in bios; DDR2 voltage pushed to 2.1v (manf spec.). I haven't touched anything else. Should/could I push any other voltages for more fsb?
I tried to post a pic but couldn't figure it out.
anyway, during prime95 torture test I get the following.
Speedfan
System 28C
CPU 43C
Core0 44C
Core1 43C
Vcore 1.42V
+12V 6.81V
AVcc 3.20V

CPU-Z
1.416V core voltage

Core Temp
55-62C

Abit EQ
1.42v Vcore
2.06v DDR2 voltage
1.20v CPU VTT
1.26v MCH
12.09v ATX 12v
3.2v ATX 3.3v

CPU 47C


So far, Prime95 has been running for 1 hour 15 min with no failures.

Thanks in advance.

Temps look good. If you get Speedfan 4.34 beta, it will fix the under-reporting of core temperatures issue.

I'm very surprised you got where you are with the default MCH. If you're running into stability issues, bump it one or two notches and keep going. You may have to bump Vcore a little more, but only 12MHz more to go and you're at 4GHz. The board may reach its limit before then, but there's only one way to find out.

FYI, keep a lookout for high NB temps at that FSB; it's bound to get warm. You may want to add a fan to keep it down.

 

[rodrigu3]

got my E2180 stable at 3Ghz (10x 300Mhz) at 1.4V (w/ Vdroop of 0.02V)
2048Mb crucial ballistix at 4-4-4-12-2T 1:1 @ 2.1V

temps never go above 47C (lapped HS and IHS, thermalright ultra 120 extreme)

I've tried getting up to 3.2 but comp starts complaining when I go above 3.1 (need to bump voltage up too much, lots of BSODs, etc.)

any ideas on how I can get more out of my setup (E2180, crucial ballistix DDR2-800, IP35-E)

 

[mike525]

hokiealumnus,
How do I monitor the NB temps?

 

[mike525]

Just touching the HS with my finger it feels a little warm but certainly not hot.

 

[hokiealumnus]

Originally posted by: mike525
hokiealumnus,
How do I monitor the NB temps?

Unfortunately, there is no sensor on the NB. You could use an infrared thermometer if you really want to know. Most likely, if you're running the default voltage and not too high of an FSB, you should be fine. What settings are you running for FSB and MCH voltage?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
This thread is very good a help and you deserve the main credit.

However, this Mobo is New and I am just trying to make it work at default. There No indication on Specification/Data Sheet that this Mobo needs special components to operate as a normal device.

All the specific components that I used to test the board are working with a Wide variety of Motherboards including other motherboard models made by Abit.

If this motherboard needs special components for normal operation it has to be disclosed by Abit to begin with.

As a first step, I am going to exchange the current motherboard with another one.

If the exchange motherboard is going to behave like this one I am going to take it with Abit.

I hope that this is Not the same ?fiasco? as it was years ago with the BE-6 RAID board
that needed to be altered by soldering to make it work.

There is no issue with your RAMs. Since we are testing with the bare minimum hardware, the only other variables are the PSU, MB, and CPU. You've tested the CPU, and it's okay. There are confirmed reports of compatibility problem with some Asus and Abit boards and Antec Trio/Corsair 520/Corsair 620. These are high-end PSUs known to work with other boards.

I'm not familiar with your PSU. Therefore, it would be prudent for you to try another brand that's known to work well with these boards. If your PSU is at fault, then you can buy another $30 Antec Earthwatts 430/500, or return the IP35-E for a refund.

Staples will refund your $ if the PSU will not work with your rig. The only risk is your time and gas.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33
Hey SerpentRoyal, my IP35-E and 6400 @ 3.2GHz are completely stable but the NB heatsink feels very hot to the touch. Just because I like to run my hardware as cool as possible do you think a Thermalright HR-05 IFX would help much?

What's your Vcore? Are you running stock NB and SB settings? This board should work well at default NB voltage up to about 450MHz FSB. You only need to bump NB if you have so so RAMs.

Heat sink gets hot because there is insufficient air flow across the fins. cheapest solution is to blow air on the fins to remove the heat.

I have the Big Typhoon. To get extra cooling to NB, SB, MOSFET, and RAMs, I built a small bracket to secure a 92mm fan to one of the 120mm fan mounting hole.

You can also lock-wire a 40mm fan on top of the NB to blow air into the heat sink.

My only concern with the passive TR solution is the lack of air flow across the fins. Without good air flow across the case, the heat will still be trapped on the TR heat sink.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: mike525
I would like some advice. I am using the Abit IP35-e with an e6750. It is cooled with a Scythe SCINF-1000. I am using 2 1gb sticks of Corsair XMS2 DHX (4-4-4-12). This is in an Antec 900 chassis. So far I have pushed my ram timings back to 5-5-5-15; the fsb pushed to 488 with the Vcore set to 1.4925 in bios; DDR2 voltage pushed to 2.1v (manf spec.). I haven't touched anything else. Should/could I push any other voltages for more fsb?
I tried to post a pic but couldn't figure it out.
anyway, during prime95 torture test I get the following.
Speedfan
System 28C
CPU 43C
Core0 44C
Core1 43C
Vcore 1.42V
+12V 6.81V
AVcc 3.20V

CPU-Z
1.416V core voltage

Core Temp
55-62C

Abit EQ
1.42v Vcore
2.06v DDR2 voltage
1.20v CPU VTT
1.26v MCH
12.09v ATX 12v
3.2v ATX 3.3v

CPU 47C


So far, Prime95 has been running for 1 hour 15 min with no failures.

Thanks in advance.

I probably would not pump anymore juice to CPU or MB since your Coretemp is already up to 62C. I don't pay attention to VTT and MCH. If Vcore is stable (idle and load) and you're okay with 1 hour Prime, then run your applications to make sure that the system is okay.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: rodrigu3
got my E2180 stable at 3Ghz (10x 300Mhz) at 1.4V (w/ Vdroop of 0.02V)
2048Mb crucial ballistix at 4-4-4-12-2T 1:1 @ 2.1V

temps never go above 47C (lapped HS and IHS, thermalright ultra 120 extreme)

I've tried getting up to 3.2 but comp starts complaining when I go above 3.1 (need to bump voltage up too much, lots of BSODs, etc.)

any ideas on how I can get more out of my setup (E2180, crucial ballistix DDR2-800, IP35-E)

I'd reset BIOS to return system to factory condition. Use 1.465 Vcore, 1:1 memory divider, 2.1V, and 5-5-5-15-2T timing. Dial-in 3.15GHz and see if the rig is stable. You may also want to drop the CPU multiplier to 9x and retest at 3.15GHz. If you still have stability issue, the run memtest86, test #5 for 50 loops to check RAMs.

 

[JackMDS]

SerpentRoyal, I was (long time ago) a designer of Electronics communication equipment (including Power Supplies) for the Air Force. I have a good understanding of issues that involve electronics.

A lot of the PSU hype that was going around the forums in the last year (not concerning the IP-35E), is clear Voodoo.

Unless it is a defective PSU, what could be the issue that deems a standard ATX203 PSU to be not compatible with the IP-35-E?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I have no problem overclocking this board with E4300 up to 3.49GHz using Antec SP350! The issue of concern has never been a lack of power.

A basic PSU should come with a logic module to detect excessive voltage/current, and to turn on/off the PSU. There are folks with HIGH-END PSU that will not POST or run erratically with some boards. These people swap out the PSU and the problem went away. They hookup the same PSU to another board and it run like a champ. The only logical explanation is that the PSU is not receiving the proper signal from the MB to output the necessary voltage and current.

I also owned two marginal SP350s. Both with less than 50 hours of use. Symptoms very similar to your current build. In addition, the PC will boot into windows, then lock-up or shut-down without warning. Replaced the PSU and the problem went away. Some said the problem is caused by bad caps. The PSU was under warranty so I didn't have the opportunity to disassemble the unit to check for problem.

The theory behind an AC/DC power supply is very simple. However, the electronics used to start/stop the PSU and regulate voltage and current may not interface properly with the signal received from the MB.

 

[PushLoop]

Originally posted by: hokiealumnus

Originally posted by: PushLoop
First of all, I bought the Abit board based on the comments in this thread. So thanks to SerpentRoyal for clear directions in OC?ing a Core Duo/Quad on the Abit IP35 (-E) as well as using appropriate monitoring and testing tools. In addition, thanks to all the other posters who posted relevant info. My first OC, totally painless but I learned a lot.

I bought the IP35 version for the firewire capability and at the time there was only a $10 difference AR between it and the IP35-E. I was mainly interested in a fast video-processing setup; however, in retrospect I should have gone with the IP35-E and added a 1394 card. The heatflow issue from PWM to MOSFET is probably a negative too. Also used the budget cooler Hyper TX-2 recommended by WolfLover as a perfect fit for an Antec Solo.

Current Hardware: Abit IP35 w/ E4400 L2 version; v12 BIOS, stock Antec Solo, CoolerMaster Hyper TX-2, 2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800, 80GB SATA for the OS (XP), 400GB SATA for the Apps.

Orthos (1 hr) Stable Results:
1. E4400 stable at stock voltage (1.325) up to 2.9GHz, Vdimm 1.8, memory divider 1:1 timing 5-5-5-15. T ambient 20C.
2. E4400 at 3.0GHz (300x10) required Vcore 1.365. Temp results at load: Tcore 57C, PWM 47C, T ambient 19C.
3. E4400 at 3.1GHz (310x10) required Vcore 1.405. Temp results at load: Tcore 58C, PWM 47C, T ambient 16C.
4. E4400 at 3.2GHz (320x10) required Vcore 1.445. Temp results at load: Tcore 63C, PWM 50C, T ambient 16C.
5. E4400 at 3.3GHz (330x10) required Vcore 1.485. Temp results at load: Tcore 68C, PWM 52C, T ambient 17C.
6. At 3.4GHz and Vcore 1.485; Windows would not load. Bumped Vcore to 1.505 but it was not Orthos stable. Found the ceiling so I did not go any further.

Ultimately I dropped the settings down to 3.0GHz where this E4400 is stable with Vcore 1.365, Tcore temps of 57C and PWM at 47C. Final memory settings: Vdimm (1.8V), 4-4-4-12 timing, memory divider 1:1.25 (750MHz). Memtest 24 hr stable.

My original goal was a moderate overclock into the 3.0?3.2 GHz range with a 70C cap on the cores at load so I?m quite satisfied.

Wow, your results mirror mine exactly (well, temps are different of course with different coolers; I didn't keep a good diary of that...yet). 3.4 seemed Orthos stable (only ran for ~4min) and ran SuperPi fine on mine @ 1.505. Once temps cool down (again), I'll run for longer to see if it maintains stability.

Going above 3.4 really isn't worth it. I pushed as far as I was willing to go and got 3.42 @ 1.525 and 3.45 @ 1.565. My goal was 3.5, preferrably under 1.565 but hey...should have bought a faster chip if I wanted such speeds. Certainly can't argue with this one.

Congrats on the setup!

Thanks. I found it interesting that the extra voltage (.04V) needed to stably increment every 100MHz from 2.9GHz to 3.3GHz was so linear. I wasn't brave enough to push past 1.505 Vcore, I see your higher Vcore values would plot right on an extrapolated line from my values. Also my ambient temperatures were quite low when I ran these tests so I need to take into account to allow for an extra 10C ambient (during summer).

I would probably be OK with the 3.2 OC if I could lower temps a little bit with more organized airflow. Currently running the Antec Solo with a solitary 120mm exhaust fan; I should add one or two intake 92mm medium speed fans so more of my incoming air is filtered and the hard drives get better airflow.

 

[rodrigu3]

decided to stop ocing at 3Ghz - I'm satisfied with a 50% overclock and I'm able to run it at 1.4V orthos stable

I was able to get it stable at 3.15Ghz, but at 1.44V the increases in voltage needed after 3Ghz does not justify the gain in clock speed
I'm running my memory at 4-4-4-12 2T 2.1V 2:3 @ 900Mhz
Temps stay rather cool as well

on another note, I was able to OC my 8800GTS to 702 core, 2.1Ghz mem, and 1.7Ghz shader, while staying under 70C

 

[pekay26]

hello!

Thank you SerpentRoyal for this great topic. I built very fast, cheap and stable pc thanks to all of you here. I decided to stop overclocking at 2880 Mhz (memory@800Mhz) do you think I could overclock some more? CPU-Z shows 1.384 core voltage but my cooler is not even warm, is it OK or should it be hot?

 

[mike525]

I just got it an noticed my stress test failed on core0 after 8hrs 18min. Should/Could I bump up another voltage (other than vCore) to stabilize or do I need to back off my fsb?

BTW, I appreciate the help and this forum. This is my first rig to OC. I am building it for my brother-in-law as a gaming rig. Thanks again.

 

[mike525]

Sorry, I was a page behind. Anyway, it looks like after the stress test ran overnight, my temps have dropped. My idle temps yesterday were around 33C, today they are around 26C... my load temps down from 63C to 56C. Could this be the AS-5 just getting "broke in" or a reporting error?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: pekay26
hello!

Thank you SerpentRoyal for this great topic. I built very fast, cheap and stable pc thanks to all of you here. I decided to stop overclocking at 2880 Mhz (memory@800Mhz) do you think I could overclock some more? CPU-Z shows 1.384 core voltage but my cooler is not even warm, is it OK or should it be hot?

Download Coretemp and check your maximum core temp under Orthos Large mode. You can safely test Orthos up to 70C. I would use 1:1 memory divider.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: mike525
Sorry, I was a page behind. Anyway, it looks like after the stress test ran overnight, my temps have dropped. My idle temps yesterday were around 33C, today they are around 26C... my load temps down from 63C to 56C. Could this be the AS-5 just getting "broke in" or a reporting error?

Lower room temp will result in lower core temp. Use coretemp to check your CPU temp. No need to run Orthos for more than 2 hours. If the PC is stable with your applications, then you're in good shape.

 

[RetailDirect]

WOW!! Anand didn't mention the IP35-E once in their review of the IP35-Pro.... I just thought that seemed a bit strange.

Anyways, my IP35-E, E6420, and 2 x 2gb G.Skill 8000CL5D, and 8800GT will be here today. Im putting them all into my Thermaltake Tsunami with fresh install of Vista Ultimate 64. The cpu will be cooled by my Zalman cnps9500 with AS5. I also have an X-Fi xtreme music that I'll be hooking up (I hope there aren't any conflicts with this card and P35).

Im upgrading from a Pentium D 930 OC to 3.9GHz, Asus P5LD2 Deluxe, 2 x 1gb Mushkin, and a x1900xt. (I never updated my sig from my previous rig)

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: RetailDirect
WOW!! Anand didn't mention the IP35-E once in their review of the IP35-Pro.... I just thought that seemed a bit strange.

Anyways, my IP35-E, E6420, and 2 x 2gb G.Skill 8000CL5D, and 8800GT will be here today. Im putting them all into my Thermaltake Tsunami with fresh install of Vista Ultimate 64. The cpu will be cooled by my Zalman cnps9500 with AS5. I also have an X-Fi xtreme music that I'll be hooking up (I hope there aren't any conflicts with this card and P35).

Im upgrading from a Pentium D 930 OC to 3.9GHz, Asus P5LD2 Deluxe, 2 x 1gb Mushkin, and a x1900xt. (I never updated my sig from my previous rig)

IP35-E is the bare-bone version of IP35 Pro. Same power section. No AC, no power windows, and no heated seat. They both overclock my E6750 to 488MHz FSB.

Abit creates one P35 core platform to save $. Bells and whistles are added to fill various levels of entry.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: mike525
Sorry, I was a page behind. Anyway, it looks like after the stress test ran overnight, my temps have dropped. My idle temps yesterday were around 33C, today they are around 26C... my load temps down from 63C to 56C. Could this be the AS-5 just getting "broke in" or a reporting error?

Please list all your hardware and settings.

 

[harbin]

Originally posted by: RetailDirect
WOW!! Anand didn't mention the IP35-E once in their review of the IP35-Pro.... I just thought that seemed a bit strange.

Anyways, my IP35-E, E6420, and 2 x 2gb G.Skill 8000CL5D, and 8800GT will be here today. Im putting them all into my Thermaltake Tsunami with fresh install of Vista Ultimate 64. The cpu will be cooled by my Zalman cnps9500 with AS5. I also have an X-Fi xtreme music that I'll be hooking up (I hope there aren't any conflicts with this card and P35).

Im upgrading from a Pentium D 930 OC to 3.9GHz, Asus P5LD2 Deluxe, 2 x 1gb Mushkin, and a x1900xt. (I never updated my sig from my previous rig)

I am using x-fi music with ip35-e. It works fine. The abit air-pace pci-e wireless card is also working fine once I disabled the fast post option in BIOS. Great board! Takes my e6420 to 3.7G stable.