UnOfficial EVGA X58 Classified Owners Thread

[CryptiK]

Hey guys, just have a couple of questions, and I'd like your opinions.

1) What is the max stable BCLK that can be used on the E760 without raising PCI-E frequency? I want to use this board overclocked as a 24/7 system board so I need the onboard network adapters to actually function all the time.

2) Does the loose bios chip / FF problem plague many of you? I ask as this would be used as a 24/7 board for me and problems like that would irritate me significantly.

3) With good case airflow, and some semi-direct airflow, how hot does the PWM run and is this ok long term? I read somewhere the volterra's are rated to operate at 100*C+ correct? I'm seeing temps in the 60's & 70's in this thread.

From reading over this thread and others, I get the impression this is an 'ok' board for 24/7 use, but it does seem to have certain design issues that may or may not make some people turn to an alternative. I do realize its designed as a bench only board, though.

The fan header number and positions really make the use of a fan controller essential (some may say they're essential anyway but I have managed good/satisfactory control over my fans with the Asus boards I have recently used). The PWM seems to have temperature issues and requires direct air or better yet water cooling to keep temps reasonable. Some guys seem to be fine on air though (Kuntz for example).

The loose BIOS chip / FF code issue worries me the most however. I would not like to pay a significant amount for a board to have issues like that when its used for a workstation. If it was bench only I'd solder the chip legs to the contacts myself and be done with it but I'm not doing that for a workstation board. I don't really like the BIOS layout much either but I could live with it.

There are features that draw me to it though, like the digital PWM (when its kept cool), which seems to allow the same cpu to be stable at lower vcore/Vtt at the same clock/ram clock compared to other boards, the PCI-E slot spacing (I will be running SLI) and the general quality of the cpu socket, and power regulation components.

I need a reliable workhorse with solid performance, so basically I want to know, does this board fit that criteria? If any of you could compare it specifically to the Rampage II Extreme, which is what my other choice is, I would be most appreciative.