Originally posted by: PrometheusN
There is a new version of IAA that comes on your IC7/IC7-G CD - and it installs perfectly.
Originally posted by: lupohki
I still get the hardware incompatible message when I browse to the cd's IAA folder and try to install it manually.
Originally posted by: jaeger66
Originally posted by: lupohki
I still get the hardware incompatible message when I browse to the cd's IAA folder and try to install it manually.
That is normal.
This is really a tough question, because the AOpen has none of the funny memory shifting Abit is doing on the IC7 series - what you set is what you get - even if the AOpen is picky about memory. For a FULL-featured board I would probably choose the AOpen AX4C-MAX over the IC7-G, since it is now about $190 with a $20 rebate AND AOpen has been VERY responsive in fixing a couple of issues we found with a new BIOS version - UNLESS you have to have CSA LAN then Abit is your choice. On the other hand, the Abit IC7 really is an excellent value at $150 - and the same board as the IC7-G without a few features. It does seem to overclock a little better than the AOpen - but it is a close race. At the same OC, same specs, same memory, the AOpen tests faster, but that could change with a new Abit BIOS. Certainly the dog of the Canterwood boards we have seen so far is the Asus - no Intel SATA RAID, a $250 price tage, NO CSA LAN, and overclocking that is locked out in th e165 to 199 range.Originally posted by: oldfart
PrometheusN, I've read your excellent work over @ Asusboards and I have a question or two. You've put in the time with both the IC7 and AX4C. These are the two boards I'm considering. I haven't seen a better board yet. Which is the better one for 533 MHz P4 overclockers? How about 800 MHz overclockers? Why? Any input is appreciated.
We think a lot alike. The Aopen looks great to me, but I don't need all the stuff on the MAX board. I guess $190 after rebate is fair, but I would be paying for a lot of stuff I don't need. I need an AX4C- "MIN". The IC7 for $150 is getting there in price. The mem timing thing is an issue, but not all that huge I guess.Originally posted by: PrometheusN
This is really a tough question, because the AOpen has none of the funny memory shifting Abit is doing on the IC7 series - what you set is what you get - even if the AOpen is picky about memory. For a FULL-featured board I would probably choose the AOpen AX4C-MAX over the IC7-G, since it is now about $190 with a $20 rebate AND AOpen has been VERY responsive in fixing a couple of issues we found with a new BIOS version - UNLESS you have to have CSA LAN then Abit is your choice. On the other hand, the Abit IC7 really is an excellent value at $150 - and the same board as the IC7-G without a few features. It does seem to overclock a little better than the AOpen - but it is a close race. At the same OC, same specs, same memory, the AOpen tests faster, but that could change with a new Abit BIOS. Certainly the dog of the Canterwood boards we have seen so far is the Asus - no Intel SATA RAID, a $250 price tage, NO CSA LAN, and overclocking that is locked out in th e165 to 199 range.Originally posted by: oldfart
PrometheusN, I've read your excellent work over @ Asusboards and I have a question or two. You've put in the time with both the IC7 and AX4C. These are the two boards I'm considering. I haven't seen a better board yet. Which is the better one for 533 MHz P4 overclockers? How about 800 MHz overclockers? Why? Any input is appreciated.
This may change by next weekend as I have an MSI on the way to test. I generally wouldn't even bother to look at an MSI board, but after Jimmy Tang's excellent review at Hardware Zone, bigtoe and I decided to do a joint review of the MSI. MSI seems to have pulled out all the stops on this one and I admire companies who "break the rules" - particularly Intel's rules. Price wise, feature-wise and performance wise this MAY be the one - although I have to say recommending an MSI, if it pans out, will probably make me choke.
I know exactly how you feel.I have to say recommending an MSI, if it pans out, will probably make me choke
Originally posted by: oldfart
I know exactly how you feel.I have to say recommending an MSI, if it pans out, will probably make me choke
Originally posted by: oldfart
Ah, the BX-Master. I remember it well. The fabulous board that would not go above 122 FSB with a Voodoo 3 card. An Aureal Vortex 2 card would not work in any PCI slot other than PCI 1 (not recognized by the BIOS!) I was lucky enough to own both cards. Others had the same problems. I got a refund and bought an Asus P3B-F. 133 FSB and Vortex 2 in any slot right out of the gate.
Then there was the MSI 815E that would not run stable @ 133 FSB no matter what I did with it. Onboard sound stopped working after a month or so.
That being said....
MSI, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! If I buy the 865PE and it is a POS....well, I don't know what I'll do. Continue my MSI bashing I guess . If it is a good board, I'll be nice
Originally posted by: coffeesmurf
Abit is working on a new bios to fix the memory timing issue... the bios is currenly alpha...
you can get more info in this tread on abit's forums : Link
Good news for all i assume...
Originally posted by: jaeger66
Originally posted by: coffeesmurf
Abit is working on a new bios to fix the memory timing issue... the bios is currenly alpha...
you can get more info in this tread on abit's forums : Link
Good news for all i assume...
Very good news, but wow. What bunch of whiny little turds on that forum and elsewhere. This board has been out for all of a week, and people are going to "refuse delivery" because one issue wasn't fixed in a matter of hours. If this was any other company besides Abit or maybe Epox, there wouldn't be a rush for a fix and they certainly wouldn't be in contact with the users. They'd issue a fix when they were damn good and ready.
Originally posted by: jaeger66
If this was any other company besides Abit or maybe Epox, there wouldn't be a rush for a fix and they certainly wouldn't be in contact with the users. They'd issue a fix when they were damn good and ready.