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

[CRXican]

Thanks for the input MadScientist, I'll be running the same RAM and same quantity with the same PSU with Vista Home Premium 32 (then 64 when I can get the disc from Microsoft). I'm going to give the bios flash a try with the FlashMenu utility after my fresh install. Do you download the BIOS update through the FlashMenu utility or is that seperate?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Download the BIOS file to your HDD. DO NOT USE LIVE UPDATE!!!

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Download the BIOS file to your HDD. DO NOT USE LIVE UPDATE!!!

Exactly, I always download the bios file first to my hard drive before flashing in Windows. The 14 beta bios is not available through Live Update. Use Serpent's link on his first post to download it.

 

[Thund3rb1rd]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
WMP 11 is a big fat PIG.

:laugh:
tell us how you really feel SR.

 

[MadScientist]

I posted this last week in the Rebate Tracking thread in the Hot Deals category. It may apply to others reading this thread who are also having trouble tracking their Abit rebates.

"Abit's Rebate Tracking does not seem to be working. I sent in a $20. rebate submission for a I-35E MB 6 weeks ago and after entering the info on their site exactly as I filled out the rebate I get:
"No status results were found matching your search criteria. Either we did not receive your rebate/promotion or it is in the process of being entered in our systems. Please check back periodically."

I called them at (510) 623-0500 (toll call) and left a message. Three hours later they called me back and told me they had received it and it was processing. I suggest anyone else having problems tracking their Abit rebates to call them."

 

[MadScientist]

After reading this whole thread, I've come away with some useful info. I did notice that some of you, as I once did, are still applying your TIM (most here are AS5 users) to your CPU by spreading it out in a very thin layer. I know old habits are hard to break and if this works for you then fine, but I have found that Artic Silver's instructions for applying AS5 to dual and quad cores are quick, easy, and almost foolproof (is anything).
AS5 application instructions for Intel Dual core CPU
AS5 application instructions for Intel Quad core CPU

 

[brencat]

Hi guys. I'm putting my PC in sig together and I want to double-check something:

To flash directly from shipping 11 Bios to 14 beta Bios, I need to:

- Download the official 12 Bios files
- Download the 14 beta Bios
- Rename the beta to M630A_12.bin and copy this over the real 12 Bios
- Edit the ABITFAE.BAT file with the wb switch
- Flash using Floppy

but...if instead I decide to use Abit FlashUtility after installing Vista, do I only need to download the 14 beta and rename it? And if so, am I renaming it M630A_11.BIN or _12.BIN?

Sorry for the weird question, but I've only owned Asus boards in the past and have always flashed thru windows (Asus FlashMenu program) without a problem.

Thx in advance, B.

 

[bal3wolf]

I found this looking for a droop mod what does a Vpll mod do ? yet to find out what the Vpll does.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...=161797&highlight=Vpll

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: CRXican
Thanks for the input MadScientist, I'll be running the same RAM and same quantity with the same PSU with Vista Home Premium 32 (then 64 when I can get the disc from Microsoft). I'm going to give the bios flash a try with the FlashMenu utility after my fresh install. Do you download the BIOS update through the FlashMenu utility or is that seperate?

I forgot to mention that I only used 2 sticks of ram for the initial boot and when installing Vista 64. I have read posts here and on other forums that some people were having problems installing Vista 64 with 4 sticks installed. I installed the other 2 sticks after installing Vista 64.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: brencat
Hi guys. I'm putting my PC in sig together and I want to double-check something:

To flash directly from shipping 11 Bios to 14 beta Bios, I need to:

- Download the official 12 Bios files
- Download the 14 beta Bios
- Rename the beta to M630A_12.bin and copy this over the real 12 Bios
- Edit the ABITFAE.BAT file with the wb switch
- Flash using Floppy.

you should be able to go straight to 14 beta.
you should be able to rename it to M630A_14.BIN as long as you edit the runme file to reflect the BIOS name.

 

[WEW]

I am having a problem - where when I boot up the first time - my computer hangs - it goes past the Abit screen, its like a screen prior to windows loading, its black and hangs. I also notice my Western Digital MyBook 500GB keeps flashing.

I'm not sure why this is happening - I have reinstalled XP back to my hard drive, doing a clean install.

Now, when I force the restart i boot fine straight to Windows.

I'm not sure what the problem could be, any suggestions?

Also, lastly, what is the most stable BIOS, I was wondering if I needed to update my BIOS.

Thanks!

 

[Heidfirst]

Is your MyBook connected by eSATA or what.
If you unplug it does the mobo boot normally?

 

[nyker96]

Just put together my second IP35-E, found that it has quite a large vdroop. I put it on 1.325 but shows up 1.272 on cpuz. I think the same thing happens to the other one as well.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: brencat
Hi guys. I'm putting my PC in sig together and I want to double-check something:

To flash directly from shipping 11 Bios to 14 beta Bios, I need to:

- Download the official 12 Bios files
- Download the 14 beta Bios
- Rename the beta to M630A_12.bin and copy this over the real 12 Bios
- Edit the ABITFAE.BAT file with the wb switch
- Flash using Floppy

but...if instead I decide to use Abit FlashUtility after installing Vista, do I only need to download the 14 beta and rename it? And if so, am I renaming it M630A_11.BIN or _12.BIN?

Sorry for the weird question, but I've only owned Asus boards in the past and have always flashed thru windows (Asus FlashMenu program) without a problem.

Thx in advance, B.

If you're using the flash program in windows, then download 14 BIOS and change the name to *.BIN.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: bal3wolf
I found this looking for a droop mod what does a Vpll mod do ? yet to find out what the Vpll does.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...=161797&highlight=Vpll

Picture of 650 ohms and ground should work for Vdroop.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: WEW
I am having a problem - where when I boot up the first time - my computer hangs - it goes past the Abit screen, its like a screen prior to windows loading, its black and hangs. I also notice my Western Digital MyBook 500GB keeps flashing.

I'm not sure why this is happening - I have reinstalled XP back to my hard drive, doing a clean install.

Now, when I force the restart i boot fine straight to Windows.

I'm not sure what the problem could be, any suggestions?

Also, lastly, what is the most stable BIOS, I was wondering if I needed to update my BIOS.

Thanks!

USB devices connected during boot can cause a lot of problems. USB mouse/keyboard are okay. Remove all other USB devices and retest.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: nyker96
Just put together my second IP35-E, found that it has quite a large vdroop. I put it on 1.325 but shows up 1.272 on cpuz. I think the same thing happens to the other one as well.

Nominal for DC is 0.04-0.05. The PSU can also affect Vdroop by 0.015.

 

[bal3wolf]

That photo is for a ip35-pro tho.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: bal3wolf
That photo is for a ip35-pro tho.

Nope...IP35-E. 2nd pic from the top.

 

[dispair]

I'm looking at CPUZ right now and it is saing my core speed is 1800.1, then it jumps to 3300, i'm assuming there is a problem.

Anyone able to help?

 

[sukhoi37]

how to mod the vdroop?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: dispair
I'm looking at CPUZ right now and it is saing my core speed is 1800.1, then it jumps to 3300, i'm assuming there is a problem.

Anyone able to help?

C1E and EIST will automatically lower voltage and core speed when idling.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: sukhoi37

how to mod the vdroop?

I've seen various posts on the net but haven't done the mod. No need to with my rig since I have C1E and EIST enabled.

 

[brencat]

@ Serpent or anyone...

What is the best all around bios for the IP35-E out of the main 3 (i.e. 11, 12, or 14 Beta 05)?

I'm currently testing my system using the shipping 11 bios and am not bothered at all by the double-POST issue. Currently at 3.2ghz (320 x 10) using 1.44v in Bios (1.408v after droop) and load temp is 56C after 90 mins Orthos. AS5 has not cured yet either. I figure I may have another 200mhz to go before I top out with this chip given the 85C TJunction.

So...I may not risk flashing to 14 Beta unless it will make a meaningful difference in my OC headroom.

Comments appreciated.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I like 14. 12 is best for speed if you don't care about the double post.