Which cheap P35 MB?

[Def]

I used to be much more into "higher end" overclocking, but now I just want something cheap and relatively fast. So about 2 months ago I built a Pentium E2160, Abit IP35E, 4GB A-Data DDR2 etc. just to get something that could encode .mp4 a little faster than my old P4 2.4@3Ghz.

Chip ran 3 Ghz with a copper cored stock cooler I got from a coworker(he has a Q6600) with reasonable junction temps(about 60-65 C under full load - it's hot in TX).

Ran 24/7 for about 40 days before the MB died. I test the PSU - it's fine. Pulled every component from the system, won't boot/nothing. I remember there being a red LED on the IP35E board(I think, couldn't find mention of it in a quick scan of the manual), but now thing is lit up.

So I'm pretty sure I need a new MB.

Any recommendations on something comparable to a IP35E in features? I don't really need anything except onboard ethernet and a PCI-E slot for graphics. I'm really not thrilled with my first Abit experience, so I'd rather avoid it. I see MSI has a cheap P35 board, but I built an MSI MB system for two friends a long time ago and they were nothing but problems.

 

[Heidfirst]

there should be a red VSB LED with power connected to the mobo & a green VCC wwLED when switched on.
how did you test the PSU?
why not RMA the IP35-E?

 

[Gillbot]

Neo2-FR

 

[Def]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
there should be a red VSB LED with power connected to the mobo & a green VCC wwLED when switched on.
how did you test the PSU?
why not RMA the IP35-E?

Ok - no red LED going when connected to the PSU, no activity when the power pins are jumpered(by switch or with a screwdriver).

The PSU fires up when you ground the green pin, and it fires up fine on my old ASUS 848 board(PSU died, so I decided to do an upgrade since it'd been about 4 yrs).

The board only has a 30 day warranty from what I can find on Newegg. Sucks that it lasted just beyond that then bleh. I just got the rebate in the mail yesterday after 4 months. So much for 8-12 weeks.





The board should do something with everything removed right? At least POST right? As it is it's nothing - no activity at all when jumpering the power pins.

 

[Def]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Neo2-FR

What manufacturer makes that?

 

[Mgz]

MSI

so u bought an open boxed unit ?

 

[Sylvanas]

You can actually get the P45 Neo F Cheaper than the 'older' P35 Neo2 FR. P45 Neo F :thumbsup:

Did you have adequate airflow over the NB/ Mosfets of the IP35-E?

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
You can actually get the P45 Neo F Cheaper than the 'older' P35 Neo2 FR. P45 Neo F :thumbsup:

Did you have adequate airflow over the NB/ Mosfets of the IP35-E?

I got my Neo2-FR from newegg for $60, no rebates.

 

[Def]

Originally posted by: Mgz
MSI

so u bought an open boxed unit ?

It wasn't an open box unit. I cannot find mention of an RMA/warranty period through Abit, but the exchange period is 30 days through Newegg.

It'd be nice if it had a year long warranty/RMA, but I can't find any firm evidence of this.

 

[Def]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
You can actually get the P45 Neo F Cheaper than the 'older' P35 Neo2 FR. P45 Neo F :thumbsup:

Did you have adequate airflow over the NB/ Mosfets of the IP35-E?

It was in a Lian-Li PC-60B case that had a total of about 50-60 CFM of air going in and out of the case. MB temps weren't that high. It's not like an E2160 @ 3 Ghz is a crazy OC or anything.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You should have at least a one year warranty through Abit, for a brand-new mobo purchased through NewEgg.

 

[o1die]

I would rma it to abit, and use the return board for a spare. You probably won't get the ip35e, since abit was out of them the last I heard. But at least you'll have a spare board. Newegg will have a record of your purchase if you can't find your original invoice. Just use your printer to make a copy. I would check newegg for another p35 board; they still have plenty to choose from. I would personally go for gigabyte or msi. I have experience with msi rmas, they're ok.

 

[Def]

I guess it was in warranty. Maybe it's documented it somewhere in the manual, but they make you look for it.

I'll RMA it... will probably take a while, but I'll just use the replacement board because I'm not interested in dumping anymore money into a desktop at this point(hence the cheap build).

 

[Heidfirst]

iirc abit USA warranty is 3 years.

 

[Def]

Strange development... so the board wouldn't power on with all components removed.

I start pulling off all the cables to put it in an anti-static bag.. and when I pulled off the front USB connectors, the board fires up by itself. Then turns back off after about 4-5 seconds, then back on for 4-5 seconds, 1 second off, over and over. I get no graphics output during this time.

Red LED is now on all the time, Green LED comes on when it's booting up like it's supposed to.

Honestly never heard of something like this happening in all my computer experience. The front USB ports were fine on my other two MBs that have been in the case, and it ran fine for 7 weeks, so not sure what the issue is. The front USB cables are not frayed, nothing in the front USB ports.

I guess something grounded out in the USB controller chip and removing the front USB port cables broke the loop, but it looks like some permanent damage was done.


Oh well, something new to me.