i remember back in 1999 that i had a connection to IWill board maker out in the LAX area...he told me then that Abit was financially in trouble back then and could possibly end "belly up!"...abit was taken over but it has been struggling to find the right niche...i thought their IP35 Pro was a "SUPER" good board...i was a bit taken back when they tried putting out the IP35 Pro XE model...idiotic move in my mind...when you win accolades and awards, you keep that board coming until they stop selling...why try to re-invent the wheel just for the 1600 system bus!