Help with choosing P35 Board

[joker380]

Hi guys i need to buy a P35 Mobo very urgent and i am confused which one should i go with

1.) ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

2.) GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail


My cousin has Gigabyte board and i found the OC Feature a bit complicated it could be because i havent done much of OC. But after reading several forums about this both boards i think ABIT Board to be the best one out there with dummy proof OC.

Does anyone have any experience with both boards and know if the OC feature in both boards are similar and that if i find it difficult in Gigabyte it will happen same in ABIT Pro too.

Cause i dont want to spend extra 50 bucks if it's going to be the same situation.

I am not going to use RAID feature so is there any other compelling reason why ABIT would be better than Gigabyte.

TIA for all your response.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Well, I will say that with the Gigabyte you will spend a lot of time looking up the "default voltages" of just about everything in order to know how much voltage you are sending any item (they list everything as +0.1 volts, or +0.05 volts, etc., etc., and not simply 1.80, 1.85v, 1.90v.... so to get some specific voltage for your RAM, you need to know what the starting voltage is and then subtract that from what your final voltage you want the device to be and then set the result as the value in the BIOS, in other words a BIG PAIN IN THE #@$&*)

 

[joker380]

So is ABIT PRO Better in that way, i mean do they state specifically 1.8v and stuff.

Thanks.

 

[Heidfirst]

The abit is definitely the better board of those 2 but of course has more features, is more expensive etc. & imo has the more logical BIOS layout (supposedly Gigabyte are getting ready to totally redo their layout for future mobos).

 

[Regalk]

May want to now look at the MSI P35 Neo2-FR reviewed on the home page.

 

[BadRobot]

There is one big issue here... you will like one better than the other based on personal preference but since you have not used either one you don't know...

All you can do is research each feature of each board and maybe try to find some screen shots or pictures of the BIOS screens to see which one you like better or understand better...

I was in the same situation as you and I tried to find as many screen shots of their BIOS and decided which features I wanted on the board...then finally I took a gamble on an open box deal from newegg for a ASUS p5k SE board and I actually like it very much.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Abit IP35 is back at MWAVE for $95 AR. Okay deal.

 

[joker380]

Thanks guys, i guess i will have to find a screen shot of ABIT Pro Bios as per "BadRobot". I guess my only question is that if i am not going to use the extra Hardware feature like RAID, ESATA, or 1394 So is it sill worth spending 50 extra for ABIT PRO given the overall stability and easiness of the BIOS compare to GIGABYTE, or i am better of learning how to handle the GIGABYTE BIOS or does anyone know of any site where someone had done a step by step process how to OC in GIGABYTE mobo.

Thanks

 

[treker]

Abit mobo do NOT allow undervolting. As one interested in quiet computing with the new Core2Duo wonderCPUs, I use this feature on all my recent builds. Gigabyte mobo allow undervolting. Gigabyte mobo also allow easy setting of RAM parameters with CNTRL F1. I have used Abit mobo in the past but when they fell on hard financial times and all their BIOS writers left for DFI, I have found their BIOS efforts lacking and it continues today.

My current Gigabyte P35-DS4V2.0 is the best motherboard I have ever owned. So COOL even overclocking my Q6600. The heatsinks are extremely efficient. Both NB and SB are very cool. Gigabyte updates their BIOS frequently to include the latest cpu technologies...you won't soon be stuck with old technology. And when I want to run really cool, I can undervolt my Q6600 to 1.0Vc from its VID of 1.2625. And RAM is no problem either. I run Crucial Ballistix (rated at 2.2V) at the standard RAM voltage setting of 1.8V. This is at Q6600 stock speed of 2.6ghz or overclocked at 3.0ghz. I do have to up Vc to 1.225 for overclocking but that is still below VID. Gigabyte offers a whole slew of voltage settings in bios. But at stock speeds I found the standard bios settings adequate except for reducing Vc (to 1.0).

Abit uses VID to set your LOWEST Vc available. That defeats the undervolting wonderfullness of the C2D cpu for cool and quiet and stable operation.

 

[Heidfirst]

but using C1E & EIST will undervolt your CPU when not on full load anyway.
Personally I would take a $95 IP35 over a DS3L anyday especially if overclocking is involved.

 

[XBoxLPU]

I don't know

The first couple of reviews at newegg of the Abit IP35 kinda scare me away

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: treker
Abit mobo do NOT allow undervolting. As one interested in quiet computing with the new Core2Duo wonderCPUs, I use this feature on all my recent builds. Gigabyte mobo allow undervolting. Gigabyte mobo also allow easy setting of RAM parameters with CNTRL F1. I have used Abit mobo in the past but when they fell on hard financial times and all their BIOS writers left for DFI, I have found their BIOS efforts lacking and it continues today.

My current Gigabyte P35-DS4V2.0 is the best motherboard I have ever owned. So COOL even overclocking my Q6600. The heatsinks are extremely efficient. Both NB and SB are very cool. Gigabyte updates their BIOS frequently to include the latest cpu technologies...you won't soon be stuck with old technology. And when I want to run really cool, I can undervolt my Q6600 to 1.0Vc from its VID of 1.2625. And RAM is no problem either. I run Crucial Ballistix (rated at 2.2V) at the standard RAM voltage setting of 1.8V. This is at Q6600 stock speed of 2.6ghz or overclocked at 3.0ghz. I do have to up Vc to 1.225 for overclocking but that is still below VID. Gigabyte offers a whole slew of voltage settings in bios. But at stock speeds I found the standard bios settings adequate except for reducing Vc (to 1.0).

Abit uses VID to set your LOWEST Vc available. That defeats the undervolting wonderfullness of the C2D cpu for cool and quiet and stable operation.

C1E and EIST automatically drop Vcore to less than 1.1V when CPU is not under heavy load. That's much more effective than dropping Vcore! Crank up FSB to achieve the highest stable core speed with stock VID, then use C1E and EIST to dynamically reduce core speed and core voltage at low CPU load.

A modern heat pipe cooler with one 120mm fan is dead silent @ 800 rpm. Why should anyone need to undervolt to achieve cool and quiet operation? I doubt that you will save more than 7 watts by lowering Vcore from 1.1 to 1.0V.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
I don't know

The first couple of reviews at newegg of the Abit IP35 kinda scare me away

Ahhh...the old NewEgg review. IP35 is identical to IP35-E. Non E model adds RAID, 1394a, and two extra SATA ports. Double post is fixed via 14 BIOS.

Those who encountered stability problems are probably using POS OCZ RAMs. These garbage modules require about 2.1V. Stick with quality JEDEC 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs from Crucial or Kingston!

 

[cboath]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Abit IP35 is back at MWAVE for $95 AR. Okay deal.

Back at newegg for 96ish shipped (i think) no rebate. At least not that I saw listed.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Yes...it's back but no rebate.

 

[joker380]

Ok guys one last question between ABIT IP35-E AND GIGABYTE IP35 DS3L Which one is better.

Thanks

 

[SerpentRoyal]

IP35-E is a better board, but I would wait for the December rebate to resurface at NewEgg.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
I don't know

The first couple of reviews at newegg of the Abit IP35 kinda scare me away

Ahhh...the old NewEgg review. IP35 is identical to IP35-E. Non E model adds RAID, 1394a, and two extra SATA ports. Double post is fixed via 14 BIOS.

Those who encountered stability problems are probably using POS OCZ RAMs. These garbage modules require about 2.1V. Stick with quality JEDEC 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs from Crucial or Kingston!

Seems like it you hit the nail on the head:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813127029

I have got 4GB of SuperTalent DDR2-800 on the way

Time to buy a 7800 GTX and a P35 board

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Recent reviews of IP35-E are solid. Again, depends on your hardware (RAMs and PSU). It's currently $90 at NewEgg. Suspect we will see $20 or $30 rebate for December. If you can wait, then you should be able to engage IP35-E for $70 or less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813127031

 

[joker380]

hmmm i guess than i will wait like 2 weeks and if nothing shows up i will jump on Abit IP35-E as for the Ram i am planning to put in ADATA 2 X2 Gb 800 DDR2 Ram. that should work with it right?

Once again thanx all u guys for sharing ur knowledge.

 

[BadRobot]

I would probably recommend the ip35-e over pro if you don't want the extra hardware features, they both use 4-phase power design so their really isn't much difference between the two...besides the raid controller etc...

 

[Nurn]

Anandtech just reviewed the MSI P35, and gave it a silver award.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Stick with quality 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs and you will be fine.

 

[Regalk]

Quality DDR2 is always the way to go - me personally no Adata for me.

After all the issues I am seeing with The ABIT IP35-E and beta bios after beta bios I am beginning to think that I made a mistake in buying it. The GA-DS3L does not have any of the issues I see associated with the Abit. Ah well we wil see next week when it arrives.

 

[treker]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: treker
Abit mobo do NOT allow undervolting. As one interested in quiet computing with the new Core2Duo wonderCPUs, I use this feature on all my recent builds. Gigabyte mobo allow undervolting. Gigabyte mobo also allow easy setting of RAM parameters with CNTRL F1. I have used Abit mobo in the past but when they fell on hard financial times and all their BIOS writers left for DFI, I have found their BIOS efforts lacking and it continues today.

My current Gigabyte P35-DS4V2.0 is the best motherboard I have ever owned. So COOL even overclocking my Q6600. The heatsinks are extremely efficient. Both NB and SB are very cool. Gigabyte updates their BIOS frequently to include the latest cpu technologies...you won't soon be stuck with old technology. And when I want to run really cool, I can undervolt my Q6600 to 1.0Vc from its VID of 1.2625. And RAM is no problem either. I run Crucial Ballistix (rated at 2.2V) at the standard RAM voltage setting of 1.8V. This is at Q6600 stock speed of 2.6ghz or overclocked at 3.0ghz. I do have to up Vc to 1.225 for overclocking but that is still below VID. Gigabyte offers a whole slew of voltage settings in bios. But at stock speeds I found the standard bios settings adequate except for reducing Vc (to 1.0).

Abit uses VID to set your LOWEST Vc available. That defeats the undervolting wonderfullness of the C2D cpu for cool and quiet and stable operation.

C1E and EIST automatically drop Vcore to less than 1.1V when CPU is not under heavy load. That's much more effective than dropping Vcore! Crank up FSB to achieve the highest stable core speed with stock VID, then use C1E and EIST to dynamically reduce core speed and core voltage at low CPU load.

A modern heat pipe cooler with one 120mm fan is dead silent @ 800 rpm. Why should anyone need to undervolt to achieve cool and quiet operation? I doubt that you will save more than 7 watts by lowering Vcore from 1.1 to 1.0V.

Well, I cranked up Vc to VID as you suggested. I, of course, always have C1E and EIST enabled. Idle Vc did indeed drop to 1.1 at idle but temps were 5C higher according to CoreTemp. At full speed fully workloaded with OCCT, temps rose more than 7C. Both conditions caused my cpu fan to increase over its normal rpm. Going from a cool 30C to a middling 35C may not seem like much, but it caused my fan to increase and I noticed it.
I still think undervolting and overclocking Q6600 is a wonderful thing. And Gigabyte makes it way easy. Abit may make OC easy but they don't allow undervolting.