The first impression of Abit AW9D-Max From OPB

[Onepagebook]

Well , here we go, before I got this board, heard about some said it's awesome,

some said it's POS. I then decide to get this and try it by myself.
So it is here, let's see the real experience from me.:)

First of all, this is the appearance of the whole package. I don't know why Abit pick

this as their slogan..just so courious.

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax01.jpg

the first layer of the package; pretty interesting transparent windows..

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax02.jpg

finally, see the board;)

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax03.jpg

accessories:)

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax04.jpg

ok, let's see the board;)..whole scene:

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax05.jpg

CPU socket area , pretty clean and also the CPU vcore regulator used is different

than most Asus or other manufactures.

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax06.jpg

alright, now, let's look at Ra socket area, pretty rigid and massive power here;)
very special position of placing the cpu atx 12v.
http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax07.jpg

let's see the left part of the board, PCIEX area.
well the space is good, but well, only one PCI slot?...:giveup:

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax08.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax09.jpg

how about the I/O area? That's pretty good for abit high end board that they

usually place a debug led at I/O area. I like it. but the bad is the location of floppy

socket placed.

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax10.jpg

now, let 's see some more pictures about the interested points:

the clock generator:

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax11.jpg

the rear I/O:

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9dmax12.jpg

later, we will check BIOS key screens out.

**BTW: I think some of this board owners migh be frustrated is because they might be NOT aware of some
voltage values off from abit guru EQ especially if they are previously using Asus or other manufactures motherboards.

I can directly boot from bios by the following settings for DDR810(405fsb) 1:1:
CPU vcore: 1.45v(actual measurement is 1.39v)--->e6600 es b1
vdimm: 2.20v (actual is 2.24v)
vmch: 1.65v (no off)

memory timings:

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/ddr810timings.jpg

[Onepagebook]

continue:
Bios key points:

main screen

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/bios01.jpg

abit OC Guru and Abit EQ

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/bios02.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/bios03.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/bios04.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/bios05.jpg

for the aircooling users who plan to use huge heatsink like Tuniq Tower 120, I don't see any obtacles in clearance concern.

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/clearance01.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/clearance02.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/clearance03.jpg

Tobe Continued for 1st bech of stability (Super pi xs 1.5)@ 400+ FSB 1:1

[Onepagebook]

405mhz fsb:ram 1:1 easy effortless for the super pi 1, 8, 32m with not bad VMCH (1.65v) and Vdimm(2.25v)

CPU: E6600 ES B1S5
OS: Windows 2003
PSU: Zippy 950w
RAM: Team Group DDR800 OPB II Beta ES

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/f405spi1m.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/f405spi8m.jpg

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/f405spi32m.jpg

I am in the process of doing this by rasing fsb to 426 1:1..

[NO1B4ME]

Allright man post results. LOL

[[XC] mysticmerlin]

Welcome back OPB, lets got the results up ! I have read a lot of good on this mobo. I know you got the magic touch on it but I can't wait to see what you do.

[Onepagebook]

Updated 1st 405 fsb super pi test!

[SLi_dog]

Wicked OPB.

I was hoping you'd get this board and show us how it's done :clap:


One question, I'm a little concerned about the MCH and PCI-ex voltages being linked :confused: . How risky is it to feed 2.0v to the PCI-ex?

[TheDro]

Great review opb :toast:

The placement of the cpu atx 12v is done nicely with my inverse atx setup w/ Silverstone Tj-06, cable reaches perfectly.

[roro]

Nice job opb.
Exists the way to unblock the multiplier with the 6800? Thanks

This is the my best result, full air no mod whit this board.

http://www.pctuner.info/test/results/th_20060923232255_454.JPG (http://www.pctuner.info/test/image.php?src=20060923232255_454.JPG)

[Onepagebook]

I think I will need to get rest couple days!! Got pretty shocked and sad about
Captain Insano's passed by serious auto accident. I barely can do anything now.

here is the best I can do for this board with the beta bios. If you have fatty, you can try it.

OPB

http://www.bestoverclocking.com/onepagebook/aw9dmax/aw9d900fc432pi32mwc.jpg

[runmc]

Terrible news my friend. We will grieve for friends left behind. :(

[Neinhalt]

Is this board compatible with Scythe Ninja? I am a little bit concearned about the mounting system of Ninja being blocked by the capacitators. I plan to buy this board whe it arrives in my country and I need to know if my Ninja would fit this board.

[SMa]

Nice review.
Could this board be 'better' then the P5B?

vdimm and vmch options look great,
do they really go that high, or are they a bit of the hoock when monitored?

[day187]

Welcome back OPB

Very nice and thanks

I really want a 975 motherboard but it’s a toss up between the ABIT MAX or ASUS P5W64 Pro, OPB have had chance to use the ASUS P5W64 if so how do you rate it against the ABIT.

Thanks Day

[mr_knowitall15]

OMG What happened to Cpt. Insano? Wasnt he hurt a while back too?

[Shon]

here is the best I can do for this board with the beta bios.
OPB



Beta 13 Bios ? :confused:

[[XC]Atomicpineapple]

OPB, is it possible to remove the NB heatsink and heatpipe without having to find alternative cooling for the PWM area and the SB?.

[ownage]

Does this board has more settings in the bios then the AB9-PRO?
The AB9-pro does has a crappy bios with only a few settings, it isn't even possible to choose between single -or dualchannel (offcourse OCZ rev2 cant OC on this board when in dualchannel). And is it a good bios, not just some beta like the AB9?
I'm glad the AW9D hasn't a pink bios like the AB9 lol

[LordofDoom]

Looks awesome, thnx OPB! Nice ram too :)

-Satan