Abit IX38 Quad GT - Living Review II

[Tomsen]

Originally Posted by supershanks

@Tomsen In which slots

The Cellshock ram are running in Slot 2 and 3!

Thats strange. I got crashes in prime with 400x8 (maybe the high FSB is too much for my little E4400) and the ram at 800 with 4-4-4-12 (cpu-z: 4-4-4-18).
I tested the whole night with 320x10 again and now the system was primestable for nearly 6hours. So, the ram is working in the Single Channel slots (but in the Dual Channel mode).

[glowball]

Originally Posted by gilgamesh

Still awaiting board replacement myself. I have sent supershanks the latest BIOS 12.b03 (rather than b02), let us see what this does. Arrg I feel helpless without my board.

gilgamesh

Hope the new board comes soon... good luck with it.
Any clues as to what's changed in the latest beta BIOS?
Personally, I didn't try the latest beta as I really didn't see anyone shouting praises for b02, I just got the impression people stuck with it as it didn't make their system any worse... maybe I missed something.

Despite my current problems, for me this has been my best overclocking board to date and much better than my current IN9 32X MAX, I hope we soon get a more refined BIOS making the board truly live up to it's name.

[supershanks]

Beta BIOS
Courtesy of Gilgamesh :- BTA Bios 12 v3 D.28/11/2007 - Updated = Unknown
M704B_12.B03
Copy ABITFAE.BAT, awdflash.exe, RUNME.BAT from previous updates to floppy. Add M704B_12.B03 & Rename to M704B_12.BIN Edit RUNME.BAT to

call abitfae.bat M704B_12.BIN

Save & flash as normal. See Ace-a-Rue's great guide if unsure

No improvement in 1.25 strap

My Feedback running 12.B03
Luck

[supershanks]

@Tomsen

So, the ram is working in the Single Channel slots (but in the Dual Channel mode).

Sorry it's running in single channel, despite what the software says.Though there isn't too much difference between dual & Single channel performance see the 32M Pi tests I ran Dual v Single Channel So if that's more stable for you great, I might have a play later to sdee if i can run 1200 @1.25

@gilgamesh - Sorry to hear about your board, but given the packaging not suprised to hear. Thanks for the new Beta.
The Keyboard seems a bit more responsive on post.
I tried 1.25 strap , which really borked things. I ended up pulling the battery, loading defaults & reflashing. Seems to have settled down again.

Interestingly recovering from the above i had sticky bios valuers. I'd keyed in my settings for 8x450 & booted to XP, It failed. When i got into bios the vcore had reset itself from 1.40v to the default 1.235v This happened several times until i cleared cmos again. This would appear to be the same symptoms experiernced by Optimus, Glowball & others.

@glowball - Be interesting to see how your Enermax goes after the isssues Ademcg had.

[glowball]

Originally Posted by supershanks

@glowball - Be interesting to see how your Enermax goes after the isssues Ademcg had.

Came home from walking the dog earlier, switched it on... beep, beep, defaults loaded - here we go again. No reason for that, never happened with other PSU on it... but then didn't have 8800 Ultra on it either, I think that's the real problem 8800's with Enermax Galaxy's on X38... in that order.

Prime95'ing @ 3303 right now, had to raise core voltage a couple of clicks with the Enermax tho. May bump up to 3.6GHz later but hardly seems worth the effort if 8800/PSU are not playing ball. Must raid money box for another PSU - any recommendations anyone?

[Clunk]

I'm in the same boat as you mate, I need to find something to replace this Galaxy, but I can't find anything that I fancy, or that is relatively quiet.

I do have a Corsair HX620, which is pretty solid and reliable, but the wires and connectors are rubbish really.

Also, don't forget that I had the same kind of problems using a Seasonic S12 380w/Nvidia 6200 on the QuadGT.

[glowball]

I was wondering about the Corsair HX's, glad you mentioned the wires and connectors!
One of my biggest reasons for choosing the 850W Galaxy were the cable lengths, with a P180 you need a long 8-pin ATX cable which it certainly has. I also want to replace it with more of a standard sized PSU - I had to mod my case to fit it in originally and that's why I can't swap PSU's between my machines!
Galaxy was bought as a long term investment - but already it's becoming redundant through incompatibility.

[supershanks]

That's a bummer glowball.

I think that's the real problem 8800's with Enermax Galaxy's on X38... in that order.

Is probably spot on looking at the issues Ademcg's had, with the same componnents.

The corsair HX looks good
Corsair HX620W 620W

My favourites atm are :-
Thermaltake Toughpower

Thermaltake’s Toughpower Range goes from 500w to 1200w (100A 12V )

Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W (W0156) Overview
can support the virtually silent 140mm fan, quitest psu i've had.

Ain't pretty but rock solid.

Silverstone are also worth a look at
Op Series or if you want modular Decathalon
Both ranges go from 650~1200W.

Silverstone Olympia OP650

I opted for the toughpower as it was better value & had more connections.


Luck

[glowball]

Originally Posted by supershanks

That's a bummer glowball. Is probably spot on looking at the issues Ademcg's had, with the same componnents.

We are not alone, Antec + 8800GT problems, third paragraph: Pulled my hair out for the last couple weeks... - XtremeSystems Forums

I was just looking at the Tough Power's, they seem to be quite well recommended. Good price-wise too! Thanks.

Does computing really have to be this difficult?

EDIT: forgot to add, can't find cable lengths for Tough Powers.

[Optimus]

Identified the problem!

Faulty PCIEXP1 slot.

Moving my video card to another slot solved the problem.

I'm RMAing the board now and I actually wouldn't mind a replacement tbh.
Since I was triumphant in finding the cause of my issues, I feel much more confidant with the board now.

Whoever else is having the POST problem I suggest you move your video cards down a slot to EXP3 or EXP2 (4X) and see if everything works again.