Abit IX38 Quad GT - Living Review II

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by Clunk

How about a chiller unit, just for the PWMs?

Funny how perception varies - you see I don't see 70C for the PWM as a problem at all as it's barely 56% of the default warning level (& abit probably allowed a margin for that).

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by BUFF

Funny how perception varies - you see I don't see 70C for the PWM as a problem at all as it's barely 56% of the default warning level (& abit probably allowed a margin for that).

It's not perception, it's simple fact.

You put this board, as it is, in a case, with a quad core CPU, mildly overclocked and you will see over 110c on all the PWMs - Mine did it, and so did supershanks's.

If you add a fan (assuming you can get hold of some clips), you can keep them down to around 70-80c, but, as I said in the review, it is heat that just isn't needed, or wanted.

I'm sure the PWMs are safe to 110c or whatever it is, but what's the point?

[Hawklan]

Hi

Are the extreme temps on the PWMs unique to this board, or is this a problem with the Asus and Gigabyte boards as well.
I fall into mildy overclocking quad category and really want to keep heat / noise down

Many thanks

RON

[supershanks]

Hi Hawklan,
Welcome to the forum

Well I'd call them warmish. At the moment i'm still refining my cooling options, that's why as you probably saw earlier i'd like to try the missing retension clips. Although i'm not sure that a 40mm fan would be sufficient.

The actuallity is probably some where between Buff & Clunks perceptions.. On my p5k I used a Thermalright HR-09U on the Mossfet area. I had a digital thermal sensor attached which read 40~45C. Now that was attached to the cooler rather than being a signalled temp, which probably means the chip temp was 53C ish ?? At peak that means i have an extra 20C to get rid off (more if you allow that i have a 60mm fan on it now.)

So I guess in answer to your question about 20C~30C is probably unique to this board.

I noticed no PWM heat issues on the Gigabyte X38 DQ6 which has a very substantial copper heatsink. I'm not sure about the maximus, not having had 1st hand experience.

It really depends on your case & preference, also what you describe as mild over clocking. The values i'm quoting is with 1.3v vcc & 8x450

If your mild ocing &

really want to keep heat / noise down

is paramount then the copper heatsink of the DQ6 & lower temps would probably suit you best, The quad has the edge on it performance wise. As always you pays your money & makes your choice.

Luck

[Hawklan]

Hi

My reference to mild overclocking is on the basis that I haven't overclocked in the past, but after following yours and Clunks reviews I'm getting very interested

However the PC will double as a HCPC so avoiding fans if possible is a must. I expect this will greatly reduce my ability to overclock. I intend to use a Zalman Resorator XT water cooling system which has rec'd pretty good reviews and far out performs the Resorator 1+ that I have at the moment.

Many thanks

RON

[supershanks]

I expect this will greatly reduce my ability to overclock

Yes it will be a bit restrictive, as well as the pwm area the memory usually needs active cooling if running 1000 & upwards >2.1v

I must adnit that i'm not too familiar with the zalman , that will sort your CPU & graphics card??

[supershanks]

Kicked off last night. got back lunchtime to see it still running with 16hrs up. played with skins in guru, went to open cpu-z ready for the pics.............. It Froze.:shrug

8x450 = 3.6k @1.40v
DDR 1080 5,5,5,12 2.175v
vMch 1.43v
vICH 1.12v
vICHIO 1.50v
CPU vtt 1.30

Honest
Oh well re-running:

[Clunk]

So near, and yet so far - If its any consolation, I did 420x9 on the DFI for 14 hours and it failed on one core, re-running here as well

Edit: it wasnt 420x9 it was 460x8...oops

[glowball]

Originally Posted by supershanks

Well I'd call them warmish. At the moment i'm still refining my cooling options, that's why as you probably saw earlier i'd like to try the missing retension clips. Although i'm not sure that a 40mm fan would be sufficient.
Luck

Missing retention clips... make your own, two paper clips is all you need and a pair of small flat-nosed pliers.
At 3GHz PWM's never go over 50 with a 40mm fan running 3/4 speed.

Edit picture not loading, (try) Picasa Web Albums - Mark - Abit IX38

[Hawklan]

Originally Posted by supershanks

I must adnit that i'm not too familiar with the zalman , that will sort your CPU & graphics card??

Hi

Yep it will take care of CPU, graphics card and northbridge, southbridge and ram (you may well be pushing it trying to cool all of them)

Not enough post to post a link so here goes (add another w)
ww.guru3d.com/article/cooling/467/1
Edit:
Zalman Reserator XT Liquid Cooling review Sortrd

RON