**Official ABIT IX38 QuadGT Review/Overclock/Guide Thread**

[Ad1tya]

Whats the MAX. FSB done on a E8400/E8500, on the Ix-38?

[nasrul_88]

can i ask something.is it all pci-e in this motherboard are V2.0?
thank you

[ante_ante]

Back to my multipel problems with my qx9650. Is there anything in bios i have to disable/enable for enableing the higher multis? Tried official 11 and that really sucked. Anything over multi 9 didn´t work, then it was keept on multi 6 whatever i was doing......Now i´m on beta 9 and still nothing works :/

Tested my E8500 quick and i could go up to atleast 540fsb....Didn´t try any harder. But i noticed that the cpu needs less vcore with 9 against 9.5 multi...

EDIT: Ace-a-Rue this cpu i have can do atleast 4.8 on ss. Good or bad i don´t know ^^

[pL4ciD]

Can anyone run all dividers stable? I only can use 1.5 but i'm note sure on what this depends on.. Memory is HyperX PC2-8500 (D9GKX?) CPU E2160 (stable@3.2@1.41V). Maybe I should try another CPU?!

need help

[Ace-a-Rue]

Back to my multipel problems with my qx9650. Is there anything in bios i have to disable/enable for enableing the higher multis? Tried official 11 and that really sucked. Anything over multi 9 didn´t work, then it was keept on multi 6 whatever i was doing......Now i´m on beta 9 and still nothing works :/

Tested my E8500 quick and i could go up to atleast 540fsb....Didn´t try any harder. But i noticed that the cpu needs less vcore with 9 against 9.5 multi...

EDIT: Ace-a-Rue this cpu i have can do atleast 4.8 on ss. Good or bad i don´t know ^^

hey man, i had good success with this board when i had it with the 9650...don't know what to tell you but just make sure you have CIE and EIST disabled...i presume you already did that but worthwhile to check because i forgot a couple of times after clearing CMOS; the reason why i couldn't get sh*it for a good overclock!

[karlpox]

what nb block can i use with abit x38??

[ante_ante]

Thanks Ace. I will try b.03 today maybe

[Spyrus]

Test a Quad GT myself. I have also a Maximus Formula.

Abit cannot overclock memories. This is also happened with IP35 Pro exact
the same behaviour. On 5:6 divider memories cannot past 560 stable
although tested on Maximus Formula that do easily 600+.
Another thing is the Performance Level.
On both IP35 Pro & Formula is 7 but here seems to be 9 for 450fsb@540 memories on 1:1.2 divider. This is too slow.
I am using latest official 12 bios. Also i have two strange things in bios:
1)I have an 8400 but it gives me 9.5x multi to play (did not set it though to see if it works). It has been reported also by other users in this thread.
2)Also when loading a profile at memory divider setting it shows unknown symbols and set memories to 2200+ Mhz. Very strange bug!!
3)The memory overclocking might have to do with tREF. This is the only option
that according to memset differs in Abit and Asus. I have tested with exact same modules. I think 3120 that set Abit there is too tight according to 16000+ of Asus.
All other settings where same on both mobos.
4)I have set vcore to 1.325. On idle it is 1.33-1.34 and on load 1.30-1.31. CPUz 1.44 though shows 1.5V+!


I have not the time to test further be right back after work.
I will try the 400 fsb /600 Mhz divider to see if it works.

[pL4ciD]

Test a Quad GT myself. I have also a Maximus Formula.

Abit cannot overclock memories. This is also happened with IP35 Pro exact
the same behaviour. On 5:6 divider memories cannot past 560 stable
although tested on Maximus Formula that do easily 600+.
Another thing is the Performance Level.
On both IP35 Pro & Formula is 7 but here seems to be 9 for 450fsb@540 memories on 1:1.2 divider. This is too slow.
I am using latest official 12 bios. Also i have two strange things in bios:
1)I have an 8400 but it gives me 9.5x multi to play (did not set it though to see if it works). It has been reported also by other users in this thread.
2)Also when loading a profile at memory divider setting it shows unknown symbols and set memories to 2200+ Mhz. Very strange bug!!
3)The memory overclocking might have to do with tREF. This is the only option
that according to memset differs in Abit and Asus. I have tested with exact same modules. I think 3120 that set Abit there is too tight according to 16000+ of Asus.
All other settings where same on both mobos.
4)I have set vcore to 1.325. On idle it is 1.33-1.34 and on load 1.30-1.31. CPUz 1.44 though shows 1.5V+!


I have not the time to test further be right back after work.
I will try the 400 fsb /600 Mhz divider to see if it works.

This 1.5 divider should work for you. But test it and post your results please I'm going to test my memory on Asus Maximus tomorrow.

[Spyrus]

I will test it only to see not to use on 24/7.
On Formula with 450 fsb and dividers 3:4,4:5,5:6,1:1 worked with PL=7.
With memory from 900 to 1200 with no problem.
Just note that :
1)Divider 1:1 on both boards is on strap 400
2)Divider 5:6 on abit strap 400 on asus strap 333
3)Divider 4:5 on abit strap 333 on asus strap 266
4)Divider 3:4 on abit strap 333 on asus strap 400.

Much of a difference. As performance wise at same clocks:
Abit IP35Pro>Asus Maximus Formula>Abit Quad GT

The good thing is that VTT is as low as 1.1 (this is enabled only on E8xx i think) (also on Formula)

Also boot times on Quad GT is much faster that formula ( second delays on reading usb and on searching for boot devices)

[jcool]

Test a Quad GT myself. I have also a Maximus Formula.

Abit cannot overclock memories. This is also happened with IP35 Pro exact
the same behaviour. On 5:6 divider memories cannot past 560 stable
although tested on Maximus Formula that do easily 600+.
Another thing is the Performance Level.
On both IP35 Pro & Formula is 7 but here seems to be 9 for 450fsb@540 memories on 1:1.2 divider. This is too slow.
I am using latest official 12 bios. Also i have two strange things in bios:
1)I have an 8400 but it gives me 9.5x multi to play (did not set it though to see if it works). It has been reported also by other users in this thread.
2)Also when loading a profile at memory divider setting it shows unknown symbols and set memories to 2200+ Mhz. Very strange bug!!
3)The memory overclocking might have to do with tREF. This is the only option
that according to memset differs in Abit and Asus. I have tested with exact same modules. I think 3120 that set Abit there is too tight according to 16000+ of Asus.
All other settings where same on both mobos.
4)I have set vcore to 1.325. On idle it is 1.33-1.34 and on load 1.30-1.31. CPUz 1.44 though shows 1.5V+!


I have not the time to test further be right back after work.
I will try the 400 fsb /600 Mhz divider to see if it works.

Hey m8,

1. Bios 12 final sucks. Try 12.B08 it's the best for most people (except for QX9650, you need 12.B02 or B03 to get free mult)
2. Interesting what you have to say about TREF. Will try playing around with that option once my two dead IX38 are back from RMA (I couldn't get mem really stable over 1100 either)
3. CPU-Z Voltage works if you set Sensor=OFF in CPUZ.ini - otherwise just use the µguru Software or latest Everest Beta

[Spyrus]

Thank you for advices.
No post/boot trying either 9x400@600 (divider 1.5 strap333) MHz memories
or 9x432@540 MHz memories (divider 1:1.25 strap 333)
Unfortunately at 9x450@540 divider 1:1.2 (strap 400) PL=9 though both
formula and ip 35 pro could do pl=7 with ease (formula up to 500+ fsb as well running memories at 600MHz!).

tREF cannot be changed in either 3 mobos from bios (only memset and only in formula but i did not play with it).

I hope a new bios can fix the PL thing is the most important.
A tRD bios option auto +/- 1,2,3 or (4-10) would be the magic in this mobo.
Also tREF.

Timings though can be set as tight as formula or even better but everest latency is 58ns instead of formula that was at 53ns.

I am testing orthos stability now playing with GTLs.

Also i will give a try to 12 beta 08. But i hate myself being a mobo tester don't you guys?
The bad thing is that Abit takes a long time to release bioses not great work there (remember it also back in NF7-s days)

[ante_ante]

Trying to find the beta03 bios but can´t find it. Anyone can help me ?

[HitMaker]

I've just bought this mobo, and i have one question:

-If i set my memory timings to CL4-4-4-10 in the bios then CPU-z tell me they are 4-4-4-16 ?

I am using bios 11 and CPU-z 1.44 (last one)..

By the way, where can i download the beta bios? thanks anyway

[pL4ciD]

Trying to find the beta03 bios but can´t find it. Anyone can help me ?

Get it here: http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/4758-post173.html

[Spyrus]

Hey m8,

1. Bios 12 final sucks. Try 12.B08 it's the best for most people (except for QX9650, you need 12.B02 or B03 to get free mult)
2. Interesting what you have to say about TREF. Will try playing around with that option once my two dead IX38 are back from RMA (I couldn't get mem really stable over 1100 either)
3. CPU-Z Voltage works if you set Sensor=OFF in CPUZ.ini - otherwise just use the µguru Software or latest Everest Beta

1. Tried beta 08 same things happened. No luck for 600MHz with 1:1.5

3. With sensor off i have set voltage to 1.3250 uguru shows 1.33 and cpuz 1.225V no luck in there either (1.44 CPUz)

MCH was up to 1.6V (same voltage needed for maximus),relaxed timings, more vdimm.

[Spyrus]

I've just bought this mobo, and i have one question:

-If i set my memory timings to CL4-4-4-10 in the bios then CPU-z tell me they are 4-4-4-16 ?

I am using bios 11 and CPU-z 1.44 (last one)..

By the way, where can i download the beta bios? thanks anyway

bios 11 is responsible for wrong tRAS (10 to 16 in your case)

[HitMaker]

Aps, thanks, i will update to number 12 so...

Is there any Q-Flash utility or something like that?

[Spyrus]

Do it with a usb drive. Instructions will find in this thread.

[jcool]

1. Tried beta 08 same things happened. No luck for 600MHz with 1:1.5

3. With sensor off i have set voltage to 1.3250 uguru shows 1.33 and cpuz 1.225V no luck in there either (1.44 CPUz)

MCH was up to 1.6V (same voltage needed for maximus),relaxed timings, more vdimm.

I don't know about 1,44... someone posted this on the German HWLuxx forums and it works for him (I think he uses 1,42 though)
Can't test it myself since both my IX38 are in RMA...

Somehow I feel like something is wrong with these Intel mobos anyways...
The fastest S775 mobo still was my 1st one, the AW9D-Max (clock-by-clock wise). Then follows the P965 QuadGT (latency/Bandwidth with only ~1000 Mhz), then the IP35 Pro and the X38 is somewhere off... sure the newer chipsets can handle more FSB, more Memspeed (usually), new CPUs and so on. But do they have to get slower and slower at lower clocks?

[vanovich]

I don't know about 1,44... someone posted this on the German HWLuxx forums and it works for him (I think he uses 1,42 though)
Can't test it myself since both my IX38 are in RMA...

Somehow I feel like something is wrong with these Intel mobos anyways...
The fastest S775 mobo still was my 1st one, the AW9D-Max (clock-by-clock wise). Then follows the P965 QuadGT (latency/Bandwidth with only ~1000 Mhz), then the IP35 Pro and the X38 is somewhere off... sure the newer chipsets can handle more FSB, more Memspeed (usually), new CPUs and so on. But do they have to get slower and slower at lower clocks?

u shure your ram kan do 600 ,my ballistiks have no problem with lose timmings and 2,3v ,but they seem to run better anyway with less volt and better timmings at 500 .

[jcool]

Yeah I'm sure... they can do it on a Gigabyte X38 and also on a 680i. But I don't care anymore, I won't return to the IX38 for long anyways. If two boards died@3,6Ghz there's no way in hell they're gonna last with the CPU running >4Ghz+. under SS. I'll need something with serious PWM power like the DFI X38.

[Chiboy04]

Yeah I'm sure... they can do it on a Gigabyte X38 and also on a 680i. But I don't care anymore, I won't return to the IX38 for long anyways. If two boards died@3,6Ghz there's no way in hell they're gonna last with the CPU running >4Ghz+. under SS. I'll need something with serious PWM power like the DFI X38.

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=300345

my 24/7 settings is
3.6ghz @ 1.46 v.core
ram 900mhz @ 4-4-4-12 2.1

[Spyrus]

No need to post that we believe you.
Abits' can overclock only few ram modules.
But i think with 2x2GB modules it will have better luck
because of manually setting of tRFC (formula only on auto can have 52+)

[Humble]

1. Tried beta 08 same things happened. No luck for 600MHz with 1:1.5

3. With sensor off i have set voltage to 1.3250 uguru shows 1.33 and cpuz 1.225V no luck in there either (1.44 CPUz)

MCH was up to 1.6V (same voltage needed for maximus),relaxed timings, more vdimm.

Well, FYI I'm using B08 BIOS too and running my RAM (Team Xtreem) 600Mhz@5-5-5-15 daily on divider 1:1.5 without single problem. I using vMCH 1.35v and vDIMM 2.2v.
Rock solid for it pass Dual Win Memtest 500% and more. Booting and operating flawlessly.

This board seems to have a little compatibility issue with some RAM. One of my friend had trouble running Geil Black Dragon 8 GB on this mobo. No post at all. After he changed the RAM to Team Elite with the same size, his problem was solved.
The same problem had been heard with OCZ Titanium Alpha that belong to one of the member here.

About the CPU-Z sensor, I think it actually have a little problem detecting the right voltage for this motherboard. The newest one v1.44 shows no difference.
I prefer using Everest for seeing the right value as it shows same voltage as shown in uGuru.