Why do people prefer p4c over ic7?

[Lithan]

I got sick of waiting on my p4p800, so I'm going to order somewhere else. The IC7 is 50-75$ cheaper than the p4c800, so I'm leaning towards it. But people seem to prefer the p4c. I want to know why.

[bh2k]

Volt mods are MUCH easier. They are just strait pin to grounds while on the IC7 you have to cut traces and remove resistors and all that crap. That's the only reason I'd take a p4c over an IC7.

[Lithan]

What are the default volt options on ic7?
And are there any droop mods needed like with the asus?

[Kunaak]

1.9 for Vcore.
2.8 for Vdimm.
1.65 for Vagp.

droop mods needed for Vcore is a must, otherwise 1.9 volts drops as low at 1.8 volts under load.

[Gogeta]

Is it normal for a droop mod on a P4C to cause a slight overvolt?

[Jupiler]

Originally posted by Gogeta
Is it normal for a droop mod on a P4C to cause a slight overvolt?

Yes, but when running full load, the vcore stabilizes, and doesn't drop that much anymore.
ASUS boards always overvolt (idle) and undervolt pretty heavily under load.

[Perc]

Originally posted by Kunaak
1.9 for Vcore.
2.8 for Vdimm.
1.65 for Vagp.

droop mods needed for Vcore is a must, otherwise 1.9 volts drops as low at 1.8 volts under load.

how do you test this? ive been running this IC7 at 280 1:1 and i only have what the bios has to offer as far as vdimm goes? i never had the droop mod done. id love to see how far my vdimm is dropping under load when at those speeds. i honestly dont think mine is drooping that much if at all??

peace perc,

[OC_Newbee]

Originally posted by Perc
how do you test this? ive been running this IC7 at 280 1:1 and i only have what the bios has to offer as far as vdimm goes? i never had the droop mod done. id love to see how far my vdimm is dropping under load when at those speeds. i honestly dont think mine is drooping that much if at all??

peace perc,


Perc, he's referring to the vcore not the vdimm.

[Karnivore]

Have had my IC7-G since they first released rev 1.0, Vcore stable and no droop with 3.0 Northwood @ 4.5... Built a few Asus based system, never saw any advantage with them, and they definately need the droop @ high clocks...

[skate2snow]

On the P4C800 you have only 2 mods that are critical. The Droop, and Vdimm which both are pretty easy. But on the IC7, you have the Vdimm, VTT, VDDR(depending on your FSB you whant to hit), Electro(Depending on FSB), The Vcore mod(Depending how high you whant to go), but the droop seems to not be that much...

Ad on the IC7 the mods are way more hard....

[enzoR]

both fully modded i say ic7 is better. and both stock i also still think ic7 is better. to me the asus bios is just crap.

my 2 cents

[Lithan]

What is an electro mod?

[p0rl1n]

the "electro" mod is an electrolytic capacitor that evens out the voltage spikes to the northbridge. hipro's page has all of the ic7 mods, which aren't that difficult if you've ever done any soldering. it's way easier than modding a ps2.
http://www.thelab.gr/reviews/ic7mods_en1.php

[Rodzilla]

people people people... Get yourself a good PSU and you don't have to worry about voltage drops and spikes... (for the most part)

::Edit:: I do like the Elecro mod though... that really helps to fix a valid design/Spec flaw. (It's actually an Intel Spec Flaw)

[skate2snow]

the voltage drooping is controlled by a Regulator on the motherboard. It is not a PSU a problem. Even if you have a Fortron 550W, your voltage drooping will be the same as a 350W Generic..... You can have Rail drooping but Vcore drooping is not in the PSU part at all. Why whould 1.6V whould droop when its powered by a 12V source?

[Karnivore]

Originally posted by skate2snow
On the P4C800 you have only 2 mods that are critical. The Droop, and Vdimm which both are pretty easy. But on the IC7, you have the Vdimm, VTT, VDDR(depending on your FSB you whant to hit), Electro(Depending on FSB), The Vcore mod(Depending how high you whant to go), but the droop seems to not be that much...

Ad on the IC7 the mods are way more hard....



Ahh, but here is the difference, and please NOTE, not MAX3.. The mods aren't critical to reaching high clocks on the IC7/-G....

[Lithan]

Many thanks for the link.

Soldering is no problem for me. I've never cut a trace before, but I don't suspect any issue. Though my AN7 that arrived dead due to a manufacturer (professionally) cut trace doesn't instill any confidence in me. ;)


Edit: read the link.

Goddamn, Hipro is one crazy son of a :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:. He soldered electrolytic capacitors on his memory.


Of course the VTT mod (one of the two mods I definately planned on doing) is the one mod I'm worried about my ability to do.


Also, when refering to capacitors, he's pretty vague. He say's "High input resistance" what is a high input resistance? I doubt I can go to an electronics shop and ask for "3.300uf/6.3Volts High input resistance electrolytic capacitors".

Also, when he says "200-1000ohms trimmers" I assume he means that he suggests a 200ohm max but you can use up to a 1000ohm. Right? There's no such thing as a 200-1000ohm trimmer to my knowledge.

Finally, Where can I buy SMD resistors in small quantities? I'm too lazy to tear them off my dead boards.


Ok, now finally...

http://www.thelab.gr/images/reviews/ic7mods/VTT/VTT_21.jpg
http://www.thelab.gr/reviews/ic7mods_en12.php

Does he mean read from one mosfet to the other's leg? Or read from either to ground?


Ok, REALLY finally now.

Will your board still sit right in a case on brass standoffs after you solder the vdroop mod's caps on the back? I never measured the clearance I get, but it seems like it won't be enough to me.

[skate2snow]

That capacitor can be found on any of your dead boards....

When he says 200-1000 he means that a trimmer from 200 to 1000 OHM should be good for the mod... Like a 500OHM could be good....

And just not connect the Cap directly, just use wires as an extension of the cap legs, and put it somewhere els that it will fit...

[Lithan]

Originally posted by skate2snow
That capacitor can be found on any of your dead boards....


Problem is when I get bored, I spend my time tearing caps off my dead boards, so Im sure very few have usable legs left on them. Still I have a very recently killed board (Tried replacing a broken dimm slot with one from another board that was off from fitting by about a mm) so I might be lucky.

[skate2snow]

Yea, thats the hobby of my neightbord, each time they come, they have some fun, one had even took the AGP slot out!