IT7 re2 V2 with PE chipset is it good ?

[Mentaly]

Hi all


Has anybody tried this board, I have the opportunity to buy 1, but I want to know if it`s any good :toast:.


Menty

[Jupiler]

JC's testing one. He says it's pretty good, even better than his IT7. He said he could run his Corsair 3500 at 230Mhz, 2-6-2-2, or something like that.
I just ordered one, should have it by tuesday/wednesday.

[JCviggen]

yes I liked it.

It will not go as far on 2/7/2/3 timings as the old IT7 does, but it goes extremely well at timings where the old IT7 simply doesnt even POST with the same mem.

Also the voltage regulation on the MAX2 PE is nothing less than superb.

[Bushboy]

Originally posted by JCviggen
yes I liked it.

It will not go as far on 2/7/2/3 timings as the old IT7 does, but it goes extremely well at timings where the old IT7 simply doesnt even POST with the same mem.

Also the voltage regulation on the MAX2 PE is nothing less than superb.

So you can actually get decent voltages? Did they change the voltage regulators, so voltages don't undervolt so much? If so it might have to be my next board:)

[Sjofs]

Hi
I think it really good to.
I can run a sisoft mem test in 180 fsb mem 3:4 cas 2-7-2-2 Corsair 3500C2 = 238 Mhz

[JCviggen]

Originally posted by Bushboy
So you can actually get decent voltages? Did they change the voltage regulators, so voltages don't undervolt so much? If so it might have to be my next board:)


with an unmodded PSU, the 12V line stayed slightly above 12V idle Ã:banana:nd load. The Vcore is still lower than what you set but that is the voltage controller which is offset and has nothing to do with Vcore regulation weakness. When my Vcore was at 1.70 measured it simply stayed at 1.70 without any fluctuation. At load it went to 1.69 and stayed there... this board has plenty, plenty of power to feed powerful CPU's

[Mentaly]

hi all


Well if JC gives it thumbs I have to try it out :)


Menty

[Mentaly]

Hi all


Well im exited its coming tomorrow, ill let you all know how it goes


Menty :slash:

[Mentaly]

Hi all


Well i got and installed it running like a dream :) 167*18 with 3/4 enabled on my 2.4b P4, JCViggen are you using a modded bios or is there 1 available with a little more voltage in for Vcore and ram.
I must say its xtremely stable on voltages like you said, dips 0.1 under load. Havent tried higher yet but will as soon as possible
:hehe:


Menty

[JCviggen]

You can mod it to have a bit more DDR voltage, but for more Vcore you need to wire trick, then you'll get 1.85 ;)

BTW, what colour is it?

[Jupiler]

Menty :
If you want the modded C7 bios, DL it from here :
http://users.skynet.be/MetalHead/ModdedC7.zip

Modded it to have memory voltage up to 3.2V and all PCI dividers available. JC told me it worked OK for him.

[Mentaly]

Hi



Nice thanks Jupiler :slapass: now u made me wanna clock more :)
Ohh and colour its standard coluor green and gold on the PCB, if that`s what you mean JC. Is there different colours ?? and if sp what is yours ???

Menty

[Jupiler]

Oh great, you thank me and spank me at the same time. :rolleyes:

[Mentaly]

Hi

Hehe sry I had to you made me clock more :), the bios works fine by the way thnx, well im off to try some higher speeds, damn I should have wiretriced it before I put it together :D


Menty

[Ragnarok]

umm just wondering, can u acutally get 3.2 on the mem? or is it like the IT7, where it just max out around 2.9, even when 3.2 is selected

[Mentaly]

Hi

3.2 is the real deal :)


Menty

[JCviggen]

mine maxed out at 3.0 Vddr no matter what setting

[Mentaly]

Hi


Yea youre right I was looking at IOvoltage :) sry 3.0 is what mine defaults to @ 3.2.



Menty

[johon]

great stuff guys keep the info coming!!!!!!!!!
I'm considering getting the board
but first i need to know if there is room
around the socket to install a large heatsink
- like the mcx4000
Thanks
JoHoN

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by Mentaly
Hi all


Has anybody tried this board, I have the opportunity to buy 1, but I want to know if it`s any good :toast:.


Menty

I am runnning a sample since 2 weeks, it's a very good board, you get very slightly better values in a few benchmarks than with a IT7 max Ver 1. Also: the power supply to the CPU has been improved to accomodate the new 3.06 CPU.

[PiLsY]

Jupiler - cant seem to access that webpage.

Any chance youc ould mail me that bios m8?

Pilsy@teamshs.com

Cheers,

PiLsY.

[Jupiler]

It's back up. I had to change the "runme.bat" file, made an little error.
http://users.skynet.be/MetalHead/ModdedC7.zip

[Mentaly]

Hi


hehe but if youre an Overclocker one should be able to figure out the mistake :).

Edit Btw:My board runs extremly stable and nice, I`m just watercooled right now (nice and quiet), @ 166*18 1.575 vcore, 3/4 enabled 2,5,2,3 timings with some pc2700 (Winbond 6ns) nice DDR for some cheap money.


Menty :toast:

[Jupiler]

yeah, it's simply that I had to rename the *.bin file, within "runme.bat".
Not that big of a problem, but I got a flash error yesterday when trying to update the bios. I had to rename 'it7p_c7.bin" to "it7_c7.bin", that's it.
Still testing the board, but it's a mixed bag right now, a bit flaky, perhaps due to the memory or the board itself.
Voltages aren't that good as others say, 1.70V reads 1.68 idle and 1.66 full load, same as the IT7.
Memory has it's trouble also, can't run my 512MB Corsair 3500 stick stable at 225Mhz, 2-7-2-3, 2.8V. Neither does my 512 MB 3200 C2 stick. The original IT7 is better, does 230Mhz, 2-7-2-3, Enhanced ON. This one doesn't.

[Mentaly]

Hi


Well I used my Digital MM to measure Vcore and when I set it @ 1.65 it gave out 1.585 or so, the DDRvoltage was fine, but I must stress out that this board is extremely stable, have been running prime since I set it up (3-4) days, wiht some pretty heavy timings.

Menty

[Jupiler]

DDR voltages are OK, only 0.02V fluctuations, so not bad at all.
I'm gonna try JC's 256MB PC3500 stick, to see if this would give better performance compared to mine. I know he has a good one because I sold it to him and managed to bench at 238Mhz, 2-7-2-3, Enh ON on the IT7.
This memory stick I have now already is a replacement from the first which was absolute crap. It's better than the first one but not as good as I expected. The guys from the store were nice, if this one wouldn't work as it should, they'd give me the option of getting 2*256MB stick instead of this one. We'll see how it works out in the next days.

[Mentaly]

Hi

I cant wait to hear how it goes, keep me posted :), btw all I need now is C1 stepping so I can clock some higher, looking forward to be getting 1.



Menty

[Jupiler]

Little update :
I managed to run 3dmark for 1 hour loop at 228Mhz, 2-7-2-3 and 2.9V. This tested with both 3:4 and 4:5 setting (1 hour each). Had to bump the voltage to 2.9V.
3dmark crashed at 236Mhz, 2-7-2-3 and 3.0V with the Corsair 3500 C2.
I'll keep on testing it the next days. I really would like to bench at 238, 2-7-2-3, like I could with JC's 256MB stick.

[DooM]

where can i buy that board in UK ???

[Jupiler]

PiLsY :
any updates m8?;)

[PiLsY]

www.dabs.com :).

Thats where I got mine anyway....

Theyre in short supply though, so if you see any in stock get the credit card out straight away ;).

Jupiler - could be looking at DDR500 at pretty tight timings here. All I need now is a decent 3dmark card :p. Still havent got round to RMAing my R9700 :p. Who says overclockers arent lazy?

PiLsY.

[Jupiler]

Originally posted by PiLsY

Jupiler - could be looking at DDR500 at pretty tight timings here. All I need now is a decent 3dmark card :p. Still havent got round to RMAing my R9700 :p. Who says overclockers arent lazy?

PiLsY.

hehe, sometimes I'm lazy too. Don't worry, that's normal. :)
So far, it seems going better.
I've been testing at 217Mhz, 2-7-2-2, bumped the voltage to 3.0V for a good burn-in and it passed the first 12 tests in memtest with 0 errors. Not to bad.
This morning, tried 222 Mhz, same settings, passed 12 tests with 0 errors too.
I'll try to go higher with these settings later, and redo the 217 and 222Mhz tests and a lower voltage. I hope the memory is well burned-in by then and passes the tests too.

[therecka]

Originally posted by johon
great stuff guys keep the info coming!!!!!!!!!
I'm considering getting the board
but first i need to know if there is room
around the socket to install a large heatsink
- like the mcx4000
Thanks
JoHoN

I want to know the same thing.

Is there room for a Swiftech MCX4000 on this board?

[ronnie0738]

So would you guys recommend this board with a 3.06 on a promey? :)

[Jupiler]

Yeah, I would recommend it.
I like the board, I can run my memory at thighter timings than with the IT7.
Today, I had it running 3dmark for about 2 hours at 230Mhz, 2-7-2-2 and 3.0V. This with a 512MB stick of Corsair PC3500. 2-6-2-2 was more or less possible, 3dmark crashed after 45minutes - 1 hour of looping. With the 256MB stick from JC, I could run it with 2-6-2-2. Compared to the IT7, where 2-7-2-3 at 230Mhz was possible.
It passed 12 tests of Memtest at 225Mhz, 2-7-2-2. At 227Mhz, I got 6 errors after 12 tests, which isn't to bad, lokking at the speed the memory is running.
Too bad, the memory voltage stops at 2.99V, no matter if I choose 3.2V. That's something that ABIT should have thought about and improved it.
I'm pretty sure that with 3.1 or 3.2 real volts, the memory could even go higher.

[ronnie0738]

Thanks for the input. On the IT7 v1.0 I was able to run 462 at 2.7V on 512 3500C2 w/ enhance 2-7-3-3. Hopefully, the v2.0 can match that. :)

[ronnie0738]

Just got the board...very nice and stable. But what is this "differential current" adjustment under adv settings in the bios?

[Jupiler]

I don't know what it means. I leave set at AUTO.
The manual doesn't say anything about it. I guess they took the manual from the Max2 because the option "Enhanced Memory Performance" is still written in it. Maybe to lazy to update the manual, who knows.:D

[therecka]

What is the max stable overclock that you guys g´have with this board???

Is the Corsair PC3500C2PT a good choice to use???

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by therecka
What is the max stable overclock that you guys g´have with this board???

Is the Corsair PC3500C2PT a good choice to use???

I have a 2.4 "B", it makes it stable to 2960 Mhz, runs Prime 95 at this frequency. The same CPU was 20 MHz less on Version 1. The maximum frequency I can load Windows is 3080 Mhz.

Twinmos PC3200/Winbond 400 goes up to 238 Mhz with a 256 MB stick, up to 226 Mhz with 512 MB and 208 Mhz with 1024 MHz.

[Mentaly]

Hi

My 2.4b maxes out @ 2950 or so too, running it at 2.9 with a vcore of 1.55. Can load windoze @ over 3gig but its not stable.

Menty

[Creative]

Ive been running the MAX2 for a week now and im limited by my cpu....:(

2.8 @ 210 for benching 3dmark but does 160 for sandra. This is at 2-6-2-2 @ 2.77 vdimm @ 1.62vcore.

Im really stumped cos it benches at these low volts, but 158 s no go, even 1:1 mode.....the cpu just hits a brick wall......im hoping to get more out of it with my new PE vapo coming this week. If it still sucks then ill look at maybe a new 2.66 or something.....:)

Overall, the MAX2 is a very nice board....:)

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by Creative
Ive been running the MAX2 for a week now and im limited by my cpu....:(

2.8 @ 210 for benching 3dmark but does 160 for sandra. This is at 2-6-2-2 @ 2.77 vdimm @ 1.62vcore.

Im really stumped cos it benches at these low volts, but 158 s no go, even 1:1 mode.....the cpu just hits a brick wall......im hoping to get more out of it with my new PE vapo coming this week. If it still sucks then ill look at maybe a new 2.66 or something.....:)

Overall, the MAX2 is a very nice board....:)

Creative, I thought you have a version 1? The OCAU test about version 2 will be up in a few days, by the way :)

[Creative]

Heya Chainy :)

Nah The RA place only had Rev2 boards so I payed an extra $10 and got the Rev 2 board :D

Look forward to the comparison bud

:)

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by Creative
Heya Chainy :)

Nah The RA place only had Rev2 boards so I payed an extra $10 and got the Rev 2 board :D

Look forward to the comparison bud

:)

good for you, Version 2 seems to be (very slightly better) in bandwidth, and I also got a few points more in 3Dmark 2001

[Jupiler]

Originally posted by chainbolt
good for you, Version 2 seems to be (very slightly better) in bandwidth, and I also got a few points more in 3Dmark 2001

I agree with that. The board is a bit better than the IT7, specially in memory timings.

[Creative]

I just flashed to your bios Jupiler and now everytime I change something in the bios I get a cmos checksum error and reboot and it resets my bios and i have to change things one by one or else if i change too many things at one time i get the error again.....:(

Any ideas?

Im gonna try and go back to the default C7 for now

[Jupiler]

That's strange. I changed to the modded CF bios myself and had no problem with it. I can change settings in the bios and save them without any prob.
Maybe try to flash back to the C7 bios and see if the problems still persists.

[Creative]

Hey Jupiler :)

Went back to the recent CF from Abit and all problems are gone.....hmmm strange but not to worry....I think I only need up to 2.8vdimm cos I can only go to 214mhz 2-6-2-2 with my current cpu....:)

[therecka]

I´m using the modded CF and i´m having a problem with the vdimm.
when i set it to 3,2v it only gives 2,74v :(

[Jupiler]

Originally posted by therecka
I´m using the modded CF and i´m having a problem with the vdimm.
when i set it to 3,2v it only gives 2,74v :(

Looks like you have the same problem as Creative has.
Right above the floppy connector, check if there are 6 resistors.
Creative said that his board, 1 resitor is missing and that this might be the problem not getting more than 2.8V.
Here's a thread about it, check the picture from Hipro5
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1361&pagenumber=2

[Creative]

therecka, Yep it sounds like you have the same prob as in that thread Jupiler linked to. I have that problem also and have sold my IT7 :)

Once you set to 2.9, it reverts back to thinking you put it at 2.5 so hence the volts only provide 2.5. 3.0 gives 2.6 etc etc.

Its kinda sad but there is maybe a fix if you feel like soldering...:)

[chainbolt]

Juliper, I think your IT7 Ver. 2 has also all transistors present and there is no problem enabling the hidden voltage options? In my case I have no problem. The board is slightly undervolting though, as usual. The maximum DIMM voltage I get (when set to 3.2 in the BIOS) is slightly above 3.0 volt.

I wonder why what is behind this "missing" transistor story? :smileysex

[therecka]

My friend has one IT7-MAX2 v2 as well, it has five resistors like Jupiler was talking about BUT he gets 2,99v from 3,2v in BIOS
so I don´t think it´s about the resistors.I´ll send my mobo back so they can change it for a new one

[Jupiler]

That's what I get too, around 2.96-2.99V at 3.2.
Prolly gonna try the memmod tomorrow or so, and hope the board won't blow away :D

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by therecka
My friend has one IT7-MAX2 v2 as well, it has five resistors like Jupiler was talking about BUT he gets 2,99v from 3,2v in BIOS
so I don´t think it´s about the resistors.I´ll send my mobo back so they can change it for a new one

it's a misunderstanding, the missing transistor is causing the IT7 to reset to 2.5 volt when you enable 2.9 in the BIOS. You freind has a perfectly working board. The DIMM was always undervolting. You always get around 3.0 volt when you set it in the BIOS to 3.2

[therecka]

I just noticed that my board is getting 11,58v from the 12v connector, that´s a big undervolt.

Could this be the reason that my Vdimm is so low?? (3,2v@2,74v)

I have a new Q-tec 550w PSU

[bass]

Hi there I've just got a IT7 max v2, and it just burnt out my corsair PC3500..... You see no matter what I set the VDIMM voltage to 2.5v gives me 3.3v.

I hope I can RMA my ram, any advice????

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by bass
Hi there I've just got a IT7 max v2, and it just burnt out my corsair PC3500..... You see no matter what I set the VDIMM voltage to 2.5v gives me 3.3v.

I hope I can RMA my ram, any advice????


3.3 volt, no wonder it's fried. You should RMA the board and demand compensation for the RAM module. Most probably you will get nothing, but at least the board should be replaced.

[bass]

Thank you for the quick reply chainbolt... I am calling my supplier now.:(

[therecka]

my damn board is showing me 2,74v at Vcore and Vdimm
5,68v @ my 12v connector.

Should i RMA the damn board???

[bass]

yer fella I would.

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by therecka
my damn board is showing me 2,74v at Vcore and Vdimm
5,68v @ my 12v connector.

Should i RMA the damn board???

strange, these readings are of course false, did you try to reflash the BIOS?

[therecka]

I did reflashed the BIOS to the modded CF and it´s the same.
The thing that´s strange is that in all of the following program it shows wrong Aida32, Sisoft Sandra, MBM5 and Winbond Hardware Doctror.

The Winbond HD does not even start now I get "Winbond Hardware monitor chip does not exist"

Mentaly told me to check with Fanspeed and that´s the only program that shows the real value.

[PIRATA!]

Hi!
I would like to point you all to the thread that I have opened in this forum for to ask some help in some bios modding for this mobo:
ABIT IT7-MAX2 v2.0 and BIOS Mods... (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=6280)
Please help!!!

[Mentaly]

Hi

Well I got a C1 thnx to "therecka" and I got him a Prometeia :), Im doing 3200 mhz (178+18) at 1.60 vcore and running my 512 Geil 433 Ultra Platinum @ 238 with 2.7volts should I be happy or go for more :D ????. Sandra scores are mem = 3600 and cpu was 8500.


Menty

[Sgt_Strider]

hey guys I was wondering has anyone here tried overclocking this board with 2 dimms in it? If so how high did you get? Is the board even stable with 2 dimms occupied? How does this board compare to the Asus P4PE mobo? Thx

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by Sgt_Strider
hey guys I was wondering has anyone here tried overclocking this board with 2 dimms in it? If so how high did you get? Is the board even stable with 2 dimms occupied? How does this board compare to the Asus P4PE mobo? Thx

I am running mine with 2 x 512 MB twinmos PC 3200/DDR 400 (Winbond). BUT, I know from other users that you can have problems with 2 sticks. But that is a general problem with DDR 333 and DDR 400 modules. They are so much maxed out that already the slightest fault is crashing the system when you use 2 sticks.

[Sgt_Strider]

I think god is trying to tell me something. I went all over town today trying to get a Asus P4PE because its pretty damn cheap and some ppl got pretty good results with it. However every store that I went to told me that its all sold out. I think he's trying to send a clear message to get the Abit IT7-Max2 V.2 :D ;).

[chainbolt]

Originally posted by Sgt_Strider
I think god is trying to tell me something. I went all over town today trying to get a Asus P4PE because its pretty damn cheap and some ppl got pretty good results with it. However every store that I went to told me that its all sold out. I think he's trying to send a clear message to get the Abit IT7-Max2 V.2 :D ;).

it's a very good board that's for sure. Strange is only that a few sampels were produced with a missing transistor.