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

[jcool]

Ok, so I've done a little testing with the X38 QuadGT today

First of all, I gotta say this board didn't disappoint me, just like the IP35 Pro and my AB9 QuadGT it runs absolutely stable and "behaves" in a rational way when overclocked.
The board was shipped to me with bios 11.b02 which I used for testing, since it didn't give me any problems at all.

The Q6600 stayed at 3Ghz throughout the testing, because a) it's a customer's system and b) it sucks
The old L727 needs 1,31V to be primestable at 333x9 so I just left it at that. I was very favorable surprised by the PWM temps, didn't see anything higher than 53C, with the fan on the IFX-14 running fixed@1000rpm - plus phase temps are all pretty even. They really did improve the digital PWM over the first QuadGT. Also the NB doesn't get too hot, I'd say it was about 40-45 C with 1,4V Vmch.
CIE + EIST worked fine using the Vcore add feature, so no problems there either. Raid 0 works too, performance is slightly below the IP35 pro - tested with the ecaxt same drives, 2x WD4000ABYS, 128k stripe size, HDTach 3.0.4.0. long bench:

IP35 Pro - 131,5MB/s average read, 13,4ms random access, burst 2912MB/s
IX38 QuadGT - 125,5MB/s average read, 13,2ms random access, burst 2754MB/s

In both cases the HDDs were mounted in a decoupled way and write-back cache was enabled.

Now, how about the Mem OC? This is where I get to the good stuff
I was able to run my 4x1GB Ballistix 800 at 1000 4-4-4-12 no problem with 2,25V. I also tested 1110Mhz with 5-5-5-15 timings and 2,2V - it passes memtest and runs prime blend
For the latter I just had to up the MCH a bit --> strap change, since I left the CPU FSB at 333.

Also noteworthy: The PWMs don't emit any strange sounds under load, like they sometimes did with the old QuadGT.

One issue I noticed: As soon as I start CoreTemp 0.95.4 the screen goes blank and I have to restart the system. Haven't tried any other version however.

All in all, I am pretty pleased with the board. I'll probably get one for myself, since the Mips PWM Freezer from my old QuadGT seems to fit.
Will be running "real" CPU overclocks then, I've got a L737 Q6600 that does 3,4Ghz@1,22V waiting for it

[Ace-a-Rue]

good info...i might jump on this bandwagon

[superbowtie]

danger you lucky fella. my e2180 would go on strike if i tried 3Ghz at those voltages i gotta use 1.47 to be that stable. I think i got a lame chip. but anyhow already got two 3870's.. simply put THEY Rock!! get call of duty MW youll love it!

[Hazzan]

Where latest bios update for this board ? last bios with 12B02............

[DangeR!]

danger you lucky fella. my e2180 would go on strike if i tried 3Ghz at those voltages i gotta use 1.47 to be that stable. I think i got a lame chip. but anyhow already got two 3870's.. simply put THEY Rock!! get call of duty MW youll love it!

Thanks. I do belive I got really lucky for a change on CPU's.
Normally I have to fight with the dam things to get decent overclock, but clocking this chip on this bored was simplicity itself.
I got 3.0 at 1.3v straight away and left it like that, 3.0 was great for now.
But my real goal was 100% o/c for £42 cash. (loving that price for that speed, its just unreal)
It failed after 3 mins (3.2) with 1.3v so upped it to 1.3125 and it failed again but after 3 hours.
So, 1.325v later and stable for 6 hours, ohhh AND my heating came on for the last 2 and it was like an oven in my room, sooo hot.
I was worried it may fail due to temps but the Thermalrigh Ultra 120 Extreme was just laughing its ass off; screaming "bring it on", temps increased by about 2-3 deg c, lol, so all was well.

I'm going to put in my other pair of Balistix in, my 2x3870's and my 2 150 raptor's and stress it all to high hell for about 12 hours, some time this week. Probably weekend. Fingers crossed it will be fine.

I really like this board, I can feel its like a rock. I have had some MB's and you can tell there going to be a , randomly dropping even when Orthos stable.
My PSU hopefully will be up to the task. I really like it and its been solid as a rock in the past.
I think my DFI Expert had issuse with it, but it wasn't to oftern and would of got rid of the board before I ditched the PSU.
Its some times hard to find a great PSU and this one, for me, is.

@ jcool... I think this board is great too. Only problem for me is pulling the cord out of the PSU and loosing the O/C settings, but thats not too much of a hassle.

Thanks for all your input guys and I will continue to do the same once my 3870's get here and I put it fully together.
Also, when I get my Q9450, IF I get one that is... this little E2140 ain't no slouch so I may not bother .

If you would like my to test anything I will if I have the time, just ask .

[Funkers]

Set up my new Pc yesterday (Finally a keyboard with all keys working )

i have q6600 g0, abit ix38, 2gb crucial 8500 ram, enermax infiniti 720, ultax 120 extreme.

After a few hiccups getting vista64 installed its all up and running. Managed to run 9*400 at approx 1.42v core after a bit of tinkering.

I've noticed that Core0/Core1 seem to be running 15C hotter that Core2/Core3. I presume i need to reinstall the heatsink??

Good board though, just need some decent software for vista64.

[mark0326]

Funkers, what was your problem installing Vista 64 & how did you overcome the problems? Thanks.

[Funkers]

Well i set up the raid in bios for my 2x500gb westerns and then went to install vista. All ran smoothly however and i got to the point where you choose your langauage etc but decided to leave the installation until later as i was going out so turned off the pc.

When i then came to install vista it would load the vista installation (copying needed files on the black background) - but then it would freeze on the greeny/blue swirly screen and wouldnt go any furthur. I'm sure i just reset the cmos eventually and started again and i got in and installed. I also deleted the raid partition and then created again which could have been the issue after perhaps going to far with the original installation i aborted. I know som have a number of problems with enermax power supplies with this board so hopefully this infiniti 720w wont cause problems

I've still got some issues however. I don't seem to be able to adjust the multiplier from x9. I can set it in the bios to x7, x8 etc but once in windows it reverts back to x9 again and i'm not sure why.

I also need to re-install the hetasink as one of the cores (0/1) is running around 15C higher than cores (2/3) both idle and when running multi core prime which is allowing temps to get too high.

On a side note, had a play with the new leadtek 8800gt im running and clocked it upto 750/18090/1050 however temps are becoming an issue. great card though. gave me 14600 in 3dmark2006

[Ademcg]

Finally, after a few false dawns, flaky PSU and a duff dimm, I am starting to get there.

3.0GHz prime stable 12 hours:


One thing, this is on 2 x 1 GB Crucial Balistix 8500 Ram, I plan to get the other 2 Gb back (RMA after failing memtest) How will this limit the overclock ?

Should I pause here for now until I get up to 4Gb again then start to push on ?

Also, what is the latest version of uGURU I can use...the one on the CD that came with the board seemed to crash / lock a lot and the temps and volts were way off.

[hazardous]

anybody been able to get above 500 fsb stable? I'm seeing lots of 450ish results, just curious to see how far it can go before i convince myself to buy one. Sorry if i missed it.

Edit: woops i found a 520 and a 530 hidden in there! if it can do this much with an early bios, I'm in.

[ante_ante]

Between Coretemp and Uguru for me it´s about 10 degrees. I trust more on coretemp.

Any new bios out yet?

[Supershanks]

I trust more on coretemp.

Well i've yet to find a mobo that reduces my cpu temps when running at same vcore
I must admit it's the 1st time i've used Guru, am surprised how accurate the voltages are, probably the most accurate I've seen. It seems even stranger then that the CPU temps so far out

[ls206]

DangeR, hows the board treating you?

any updates with the 2x3870s?
If I'm lucky I might be able to get this board and 1 3870
and if I'm even luckier another 3870 along the line.

I'm also curious to see how far this board can take the fsb

[Ace-a-Rue]

Well i've yet to find a mobo that reduces my cpu temps when running at same vcore
I must admit it's the 1st time i've used Guru, am surprised how accurate the voltages are, probably the most accurate I've seen. It seems even stranger then that the CPU temps so far out

Uguru on the Pro board is accurate for vcore too!...it might oscillate but measuring it off the board, i found the peak vcore was spot on with actual DMM reading!

[Heidfirst]

I've still got some issues however. I don't seem to be able to adjust the multiplier from x9. I can set it in the bios to x7, x8 etc but once in windows it reverts back to x9 again and i'm not sure why.

C1E & EIST enabled?
if so try disabling them.

Also, what is the latest version of uGURU I can use...the one on the CD that came with the board seemed to crash / lock a lot and the temps and volts were way off.

I believe that 3.106 is the first with support for the IX38.

[andre X_X]

just received this board for tested..

here's what i achieved.... E6600 is on air. later will put cascade on it

system details:

Abit IX38 QuadGT bios 12B02
E6600 Week30A
Team Xtreem PC5300 2gb
HIS HD2900XT
FSP Epsilon 800w
all on air cooling

orthos on 530fsb... might still have room to orthos.


540fsb




max FSB on air - 546mhz (got 548mhz, but file corrupt)
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=276918

[sonofander]

Hows the vdroop on this board? I'm running the IP35 Pro right now and I love it except for the vdroop... been thinking about going to IX38 Quad GT.
Hows hte board treating you guys?
Vdroop? FSB on quads? Fill me in!

[andre X_X]

dont know about vdroop. cpuz cant read the right vcore. abit uguru says only 0.02v vdroop.

[DangeR!]

DangeR, hows the board treating you?

any updates with the 2x3870s?
If I'm lucky I might be able to get this board and 1 3870
and if I'm even luckier another 3870 along the line.

I'm also curious to see how far this board can take the fsb

Just got them both today, so will test tomorrow some time hopefully.
If not, it will have to be Thursday... bit busy atm .

As for the board, its great. I don't have temp problems, though I have just 2 cores to supply.
Not to sure about vdrop as I haven't measured it yet. Will do once I know where the points are.

I really haven't got that much time lately to do a proper job of testing everything.
I only just had time to test the CPU overclock.

I'll try a few games tomorrow hopefully with 1 and 2 cards in .

[jcool]

Hows the vdroop on this board? I'm running the IP35 Pro right now and I love it except for the vdroop... been thinking about going to IX38 Quad GT.
Hows hte board treating you guys?
Vdroop? FSB on quads? Fill me in!

Vdroop is exactly the same as with the old AB9 QuadGT, since it's essentially the same 5 phase digital PWMs (except that the new ones don't emit any buzzing noises and keep a lot cooler - which doesn't mean they're cool in an absolute sense ).
You can expect 0,02V droop with DCs and 0,03-0,04 with Quads, depending on your OC and how you cool the PWMs.

Got one for my private rig today BTW, will post results asap

[ls206]

Nice one DangeR,
I look forward to your experiences when you have time

[Supershanks]

Vdroop see bottom of post

[Viper GTS]

Had one of these delivered Friday to replace my 680i board. I'm having nothing but trouble, I can only get it to post directly after a CMOS reset (and not even reliably then). When it does post I can get into the BIOS, but when I make any changes (ie set USB-FDD as the first boot device so I can update to the 12B02 BIOS) & save/exit it hangs again. Clear CMOS, rinse, repeat.

I've gone so far as to tear apart one of my machines that has a traditional floppy drive so if I can ever get it to post again I'm hoping it will boot straight off that drive allowing me to update.

This guy seems to have had the same issue(s), unfortunately a known good CMOS battery didn't help me:

http://forums.hexus.net/yoyotech-car...le-faulty.html

I've read this entire thread to date, I'm not really sure if a BIOS update will help me but I'm not going to give up until I've at least managed that.

Anything else I need to try?

[Ademcg]

Had one of these delivered Friday to replace my 680i board. I'm having nothing but trouble, I can only get it to post directly after a CMOS reset (and not even reliably then). When it does post I can get into the BIOS, but when I make any changes (ie set USB-FDD as the first boot device so I can update to the 12B02 BIOS) & save/exit it hangs again. Clear CMOS, rinse, repeat.

I've gone so far as to tear apart one of my machines that has a traditional floppy drive so if I can ever get it to post again I'm hoping it will boot straight off that drive allowing me to update.

This guy seems to have had the same issue(s), unfortunately a known good CMOS battery didn't help me:

http://forums.hexus.net/yoyotech-car...le-faulty.html

I've read this entire thread to date, I'm not really sure if a BIOS update will help me but I'm not going to give up until I've at least managed that.

Anything else I need to try?

what PSU are you using?
I had similar problems with an Enermax Galaxy 850W (which Scan couldn't find fault with btw ) I think there is an incompatability issue with the X38 and some PSUs.

Replace with a known good unit and I am sure you will be finding things a lot easier.

[Viper GTS]

what PSU are you using?
I had similar problems with an Enermax Galaxy 850W (which Scan couldn't find fault with btw ) I think there is an incompatability issue with the X38 and some PSUs.

Replace with a known good unit and I am sure you will be finding things a lot easier.

I'm using a virtually brand new ToughPower 750W, the only other unit I have available at the moment is a Seasonic S12II 380W. I suppose that would be sufficient for troubleshooting purposes.

The Galaxy & ToughPower lines don't share OEM's do they? I saw the mention of PSU issues but figured I was safe with the ToughPower.