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

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Thund3rb1rd

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
The latest Crucial Bs can be hit or miss since there is no guarantee that you will get D9 ICs.

source?

Visual. You can also call Crucial's toll-free line.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Official 14 BIOS is available to the general public.

http://file.abit.com.tw/pub/download/bios/ip35/

 

[Danzilla]

Okay, was looking for a new system and finally bought the 35-E when Fry's had it in a combo special. Now I'm looking to set up and I see the bios for US (uabit.com) is a good bit behind the abit.cn site (most recent US version 12 from 7-19-07). Heck, looks like .CN has had two upgrades since then (1.3 and 1.4?). SO I had a couple questions, sorry if already answered but this is a big thread...

Does the bios remain in English if I flash it with rom file from .CN?
Is there significant improvements to make picking 1.4 over 12 worthwhile?

Thanks,
D.

 

[GundamF91]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Official 14 BIOS is available to the general public.

http://file.abit.com.tw/pub/download/bios/ip35/

So this is the official 14 final now? I've gotten more careful with BIOS upgrade since the 13 final was worse than the 13 beta.

 

[bal3wolf]

offical bios is same as b8 thats whats labeld in cmos setup im running it was running b8 befor looks exacty the same.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Your best chance to run 4-4-4-12-2T with four modules is to secure quality 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs. I have no problem with four sticks of 1.8V DDR2 667 HP/Crucial or 1.8V DDR2 800 Kingston N5. By bumping Vdimm to 2.0, I was able to hit 476MHz with 4-4-4-12-2T timing.

@ SP - You run XP SP1 correct? So does that mean you run 4 x 512 modules as opposed to 4 x 1gb (since XP can't take advantage of 4gb)? I just want to be clear what you have versus us.

I'm on Vista with 4 slots filled and so is MadScientist per his sig. Vista is much less tolerant of RAM instability vs XP per what I've observed in comments in other forums so MMV with timings. Anyway, I'll give my thoughts after testing.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: bal3wolf
offical bios is same as b8 thats whats labeld in cmos setup im running it was running b8 befor looks exacty the same.

Which software did you use to check the BIOS?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: brencat

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Your best chance to run 4-4-4-12-2T with four modules is to secure quality 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs. I have no problem with four sticks of 1.8V DDR2 667 HP/Crucial or 1.8V DDR2 800 Kingston N5. By bumping Vdimm to 2.0, I was able to hit 476MHz with 4-4-4-12-2T timing.

@ SP - You run XP SP1 correct? So does that mean you run 4 x 512 modules as opposed to 4 x 1gb (since XP can't take advantage of 4gb)? I just want to be clear what you have versus us.

I'm on Vista with 4 slots filled and so is MadScientist per his sig. Vista is much less tolerant of RAM instability vs XP per what I've observed in comments in other forums so MMV with timings. Anyway, I'll give my thoughts after testing.

Yes, WXP SP1. I run 1GB x 4 (HP 1.8V DDR2 667), and also 1GB x 2 plus 512MB x 2 (Kingston N5 1.8V DDR2 800). Also tested with Vista business. No problemo.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: brencat

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Your best chance to run 4-4-4-12-2T with four modules is to secure quality 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs. I have no problem with four sticks of 1.8V DDR2 667 HP/Crucial or 1.8V DDR2 800 Kingston N5. By bumping Vdimm to 2.0, I was able to hit 476MHz with 4-4-4-12-2T timing.

@ SP - You run XP SP1 correct? So does that mean you run 4 x 512 modules as opposed to 4 x 1gb (since XP can't take advantage of 4gb)? I just want to be clear what you have versus us.

I'm on Vista with 4 slots filled and so is MadScientist per his sig. Vista is much less tolerant of RAM instability vs XP per what I've observed in comments in other forums so MMV with timings. Anyway, I'll give my thoughts after testing.

Yes, WXP SP1. I run 1GB x 4 (HP 1.8V DDR2 667), and also 1GB x 2 plus 512MB x 2 (Kingston N5 1.8V DDR2 800). Also tested with Vista business. No problemo.

And do you have the Command Rate line item in Bios specifically set to "2T" or have you left it at "Auto"? (I have mine set to 2T).

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Manually set timing to 5-5-5-15-2T in 12 BIOS. You may want to lower tRFC to 42 and retest. Have you added more juice to NB and SB?

 

[bal3wolf]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: bal3wolf
offical bios is same as b8 thats whats labeld in cmos setup im running it was running b8 befor looks exacty the same.

Which software did you use to check the BIOS?

When you enter bios at the bottom right corner i think it says b8.

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: brencat

Originally posted by: MadScientist
My question was can this board run 4 x 1 GB ram stable, specifically, Crucial Ballistix PC6400, at 4-4-4-12-2T. I know after testing that it can run both pairs (2 x 1 Gb) of my ram individually stable at these settings, actually 1T, but not together (all 4 slots populated). Could be the ram, or it could be the memory controller. I did state that I will try upping the NB voltage a bit. I'll post back with the results.

Brencat,
Thanks for the reply. Yours is not the same config as mine, 1 GB less, but it may answer my question.

@MadSci - Forgot to ask what Bios are you running? I'm on 14 Beta 05. Reason I ask is that this beta still does the double-post whenever you change RAM timings or divider, but doesn't double-post when changing anything else. This probably means Abit has manipulated the strap settings to fix double-post -- I don't know, frankly I don't have the technical knowledge here. But I wonder if this fix could also impact timings when all 4 slots are filled. Anyway, just speculation right now. If I start having probs testing at 4-4-4-12, I may go back to Bios 12 and redo the tests.

Please be patient...I work 14hrs/day and do my OCing/testing overnight so it may take me a while

I was using bios 14 beta, flashed back to bios 12 and got the same results. I also noticed that the 14 beta still double posted when you changed something in the bios. I'll probably flash back to 14 since it's now been officially released. I was going to wait until my 8800 GT came in but I doubt it will be here before Christmas, so I'll swap out my 7600 GT again from my current rig and mess with it some more.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

OK...was thinking that you had checked with a BIOS editing tool.

 

[bal3wolf]

http://awdbedit.sourceforge.net/
can edit award bios its old and no longer works but it works enugh to see what ver each bios is.

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Your best chance to run 4-4-4-12-2T with four modules is to secure quality 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs. I have no problem with four sticks of 1.8V DDR2 667 HP/Crucial or 1.8V DDR2 800 Kingston N5. By bumping Vdimm to 2.0, I was able to hit 476MHz with 4-4-4-12-2T timing.[/quote]
Did you also have to bump the NB or SB voltage up a notch or two to achieve this?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Not with my HP/Crucial DDR2 667 or Kingston N5 DDR2 800. I manually set Vdimm to 1.8, and timing to 4-4-4-12-2T. No need to mess around with NB and SB even with four sticks at 476MHz FSB (2.1V/4-4-4-12-2T).

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Manually set timing to 5-5-5-15-2T in 12 BIOS. You may want to lower tRFC to 42 and retest. Have you added more juice to NB and SB?

@ SP -- I personally am not having any probs yet b/c I haven't tested 4-4-4-12 at all yet with 4 sticks. I'm using bios 14 Beta 05 and am stock NB/SB volts right now. Thx for the tRFC tip and I'll let you know how it goes when I get there.

@ MadSci -- So it happened to you with Bios 12 also? Hmm, in that case I may not reflash back then if I run into problems. Anyway, I'll see how it goes and let you know. I'm jumping the gun here bigtime.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

You should be able to run good Crucial B at 1.8V/400MHz/4-4-4-12-2T.

 

[imported_Husky55]

On a different subject, does anybody have a cold boot problem?

I usually shut the computer down overnight. Over the summer, no problem, but now, my downstairs is about 62F AM and at boot through a powerstrip, computer just stopped.

If I shut the power down and reboot then it's OK.

I have checked the memory: Crucial DDR2-800, 4 Sticks @420 @2.05V with memtest. No problem. My PS is Corsair 550VX. Video BFG 8800GT.

SPD for the Crucial at 1.8V is 5-5-5-15. So I am running at SPD

Frankly, my system is Orthos stable. It's just the cold boot. DVD 1 is sata ,the other is IDE. I wonder if the MIcron chip is the problem.

Running the 14 final BIOS that Serpent has provided the link on the first page. But this is a problem with the 12, 14 beta 4 and 5.

I upped the ICH, MCH and CPU VTT a notch no help.

On the Abit side, it was reported that this problem is mostly for NON US boards. I am in CT, USA.

Wonder if anybody else has this problem or it's just my luck!!!

Thanks,


isgust;

 

[SerpentRoyal]

There are confirmed reports about no POST with some boards if the ambient temp falls below 63F overnight. Yesterday, there was a post about heating a transistor at the power regulation circuit to get system to POST. I tested five boards in the garage this morning (54F). No problem.

I would recommend that you do the same tomorrow. Connect the PC directly to the AC outlet and let it sit overnight in the garage. If you cannot POST in the morning, then wait later in the day for the ambient temp to rise above 68F. Retest.

If you have the cold boot issue below 63F, then RMA the board. Ask Abit to cross ship the replacement board. One person receives an upgrade to IP35 Pro.


TO OTHER IP35-E/IP35 OWNERS:

Anyone else with the overnight no-POST problem with <63F room temperature?

 

[imported_Husky55]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
There are confirmed reports about no POST with some boards if the ambient temp falls below 63F overnight. Yesterday, there was a post about heating a transistor at the power regulation circuit to get system to POST. I tested five boards in the garage this morning (54F). No problem.

I would recommend that you do the same tomorrow. Connect the PC directly to the AC outlet and let it sit overnight in the garage. If you cannot POST in the morning, then wait later in the day for the ambient temp to rise above 68F. Retest.

If you have the cold boot issue below 63F, then RMA the board. Ask Abit to cross ship the replacement board. One person receives an upgrade to IP35 Pro.

Serpent, you are a walking wikipedia. I really appreciate it.

As matter of fact I already tested the below 63F scenario. It's absolutely true. No post. But works fine at 64-65F.

Tested it again at 60F, no go. It is cold here today in CT, as I typed this and looking at my radio controlled weather station, it's exactly 33.5F outside.

I had no idea that Abit would honor the warranty for the no post. I was thinking about replacing my 35-E altogether.

You gave me ideas!!! Will let you know what happens when we contact Abit.

Thanks, man!!!

 

[imported_Husky55]

I have abit phone 510-623-0500

@serpent,

Do you have a better number to call?

Thanks,

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Husky55

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
There are confirmed reports about no POST with some boards if the ambient temp falls below 63F overnight. Yesterday, there was a post about heating a transistor at the power regulation circuit to get system to POST. I tested five boards in the garage this morning (54F). No problem.

I would recommend that you do the same tomorrow. Connect the PC directly to the AC outlet and let it sit overnight in the garage. If you cannot POST in the morning, then wait later in the day for the ambient temp to rise above 68F. Retest.

If you have the cold boot issue below 63F, then RMA the board. Ask Abit to cross ship the replacement board. One person receives an upgrade to IP35 Pro.

Serpent, you are a walking wikipedia. I really appreciate it.

As matter of fact I already tested the below 63F scenario. It's absolutely true. No post. But works fine at 64-65F.

Tested it again at 60F, no go. It is cold here today in CT, as I typed this and looking at my radio controlled weather station, it's exactly 33.5F outside.

I had no idea that Abit would honor the warranty for the no post. I was thinking about replacing my 35-E altogether.

You gave me ideas!!! Will let you know what happens when we contact Abit.

Thanks, man!!!

They will fix the problem but I cannot guarantee that they will upgrade your board. I've seen similar anomaly with other electronic devices. I think there was a bad batch of transistor mounted on the MB (near PWM control circuit). Another confirmed problem is bad solder at SATA headers. We're probably seeing several hundred defective units in the field.

Another way to simulate the problem is to put an ice pack on top of the electronic circuit next to the middle-top motherboard mounting hole (A2A transistor area). DO NOT allow moisture to contact the electronics.

Has anyone tested these problem boards by leaving the standby power in the ON state? Shutdown PC but leave the PSU connected to the AC outlet. The red LED on the MB should remain lit. Perhaps the small 2 watts of power flowing to the MB will help with the cold morning POST.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Husky55
I have abit phone 510-623-0500

@serpent,

Do you have a better number to call?

Thanks,

That should work.


What is the warranty for my motherboard?

The first 2 years parts and labor is free and on the 3rd year parts is free but labor is $25.00.




How can I get the rma no.?

You have to go to our website https://rma.abit-usa.com go to the eRMA to fill out the rma form.

 

[hrbngr]

Ok,

just to confirm here--the motherboard that we have been speaking about, the IP35-E is no longer available at all? OR If it is available, it is priced higher than before?

Could someone link to a reputable dealer selling the mobo right now? Also, am I looking to buy a particular version of this mobo? v2, etc?

Finally, if the pricepoint is much higher for the remaining IP35-Es that are available, is the PRO version of this mobo the better option to still get the quality components?