Gaming mATX board FINALLY!

armyoffoo said:
FYI...for anyone having issues with SATA connectors and over-sized video cards, the answer to your problems can be found here...low profile connectors

I was having problems with my eVGA 640MB GTS ACS3 not seating correctly, these cables are low enough for my video card to clear the connectors.
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Thanks for that link, Armyoffoo! Out of curiosity which part did you end up buying and using in your setup?
 
So most of the issues with this board seems to come from the use of an E4300? Would it be fair to say that?
 
I just got the review sample board, and I will have an E4300 by friday. Ill test it out and let you guys know.
 
:D Something like that. Thx. Didn't make an difference to my stability over 2.7Ghz though, so now stuck at 300Mhz memory speed .:mad:

Surely if the board is meant to support CPIs that require DDR800 it should be able to run 400Mhz no problem? Or am i over-simplifying?

BTW With my setup, DVD playback full screen (Div X) was really low frame rate vs a Philips HD compatible DVD player. Not making it the ideal HTPC setup yet!
 
Skott said:
Hmmmm... that brings the known number to 5 now that died. I'm thinking maybe a E6600 with a aftermarket hsf (Zalman 9500 in my case) and a video card (8800gts in my case) a better way to go.

Let us know if you get any more info on dead mobos, Steeeeve.
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Yea, I'm actually avoiding OC'ing at all and just going to run with a E6300. I'll upgrade to something more OC friendly when prices drop later.

I hope we pinpoint this down though, more so than now at least. I still have parts on order and I'm a bit afraid that my board is going to die after my build.
 
Neist said:
Yea, I'm actually avoiding OC'ing at all and just going to run with a E6300. I'll upgrade to something more OC friendly when prices drop later.

I hope we pinpoint this down though, more so than now at least. I still have parts on order and I'm a bit afraid that my board is going to die after my build.
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Get the e4300.
 
Everyone please stop making me nervous about this board. Like I stated earlier, I am running a E4300 at 3150Mhz with no problems other than heat due to crappy cooler. I had to increase the voltage to 1.4V but it didnt seem to jump too much in temperature. Jeez, I even have IMO, awesome RAM timings............(3-3-3-8) with cheap ram in sync. Everybody please use the modded bios and start off slow with the overclocks, loosen some timings if you have to. I know the board is capable, I am EXTREMELY glad i switched from the asrock 775vsta.

Oh yea, the HDMI driver is on the cd.............you just have to look for it .............i really cant remember but it is CERTAINLY on the cd. I installed it and it killed my sound, so I uninstalled it and my sound worked again. It is hidden in there though i know it. Hit other utilities or something like that. The reason it killed my sound is because I believe sound will only playback through optical or through the HDMI cable. I am using the adaptor with my DLP since that is all it has. No problems, I hope everybody likes this board as much as I do. I hope it gets a big "following" , so, we can tweak to the max. If anyone has any specific questions for me please ask, I hate to see others in despair with awesome new hardware waiting to be tweaked.

Derek
 
We're all just trying to hammer out the issues with it, you're not using the on-board video though are you?

Edit: Even though mine croaked I am still completely intent on using it.**
 
Here's a few pics of my system and a compilation of my system specs. It's been running at 3302mhz for over a week now (9x367) and stable.

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Raptor 150


7200.10


E4300 Q641A373
Silverstone SG01
Stock cooler, later replaced with NT06
WD Raptor 150
2x1gb PNY per hardforum, $92 http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1157009
7900GT w/ Zalman HSF
HiPro 500w psu
Samsung DVD burner
XP Pro SP2

First thing I did was pull the heatsinks off and remove a little square of factory compound that was way too big. Then I put on AS5 and reinstalled the heatsinks. I then mounted the stock Intel HSF, also with AS5. I've since mounted a Silverstone NT06 per the pics.

cpu 1.40v
ddr 2.20v
nb1.2 1.30v
nb1.8 1.944v

SuperPi 1M = 21.141s

With Intel stock HSF temsp were 46/31/42 idle and running Orthos max. 68/33/52.

With the NT06 my temps are 48/32/47 idle and running Orthos max. 71/33/54.
 
Thats a nice looking rig you got there Homer ;) If I had to guess it looks like you got it from one fine retailer:cool:
 
I am using the onboard graphics and the core is overclocked to 609. Granted, i have not done any long period gaming with this setup. (<3 hrs.) but no crashes so far.

Realistically, I dont know what more people could want out of this board, sure 500 FSB would be nice, however, i feel most people are looking for a nice board that will overclock their shiny new intel cpu and be microatx. This fits the bill. Numerous bios options, voltage options, ram timings, HDMI, HDCP, $30 graphic card built-in, no glaring design issues, (the SATA ports being blocked is an issue just not GLARING)

Also, big thanks to Steve at the Sffstore.com, very impressed with the updates, pre-order availiabilty, and FOR THE RIDICULOUSLY FAST SHIPPING ONCE HE TOOK DELIVERY!!!!! You had mine at the UPS's center before I got off of work, the amazing thing is that I paid for it on my lunch hour. I will be sure to do business again with you and to refer others for awesome service.


Derek
 
Steeeeve said:
Thats a nice looking rig you got there Homer ;) If I had to guess it looks like you got it from one fine retailer:cool:
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You got everything from Newegg? Oh ya they are great! :D ;) ;)

Tight fit, but it looks good. Shame that Raptor is so noisy, eh?
 
sleepeeg3 said:
You got everything from Newegg? Oh ya they are great! :D ;) ;)

Tight fit, but it looks good. Shame that Raptor is so noisy, eh?
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Haha...why do you hate me :)

Anyway, I just got finished talking to a guy that had 2 F-I90HDs die. He informed me that Abit has been having some trouble with these boards and lots of calls are coming in. It seems to be a first batch issue but might explain why Abit hasn't been picking up the phone the last few days.
 
Blaineikans said:
We're all just trying to hammer out the issues with it, you're not using the on-board video though are you?

Edit: Even though mine croaked I am still completely intent on using it.**
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i feel the exact same way. :D
 
derekg09 said:
Also, big thanks to Steve at the Sffstore.com, very impressed with the updates, pre-order availiabilty, and FOR THE RIDICULOUSLY FAST SHIPPING ONCE HE TOOK DELIVERY!!!!! You had mine at the UPS's center before I got off of work, the amazing thing is that I paid for it on my lunch hour. I will be sure to do business again with you and to refer others for awesome service.


Derek
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Thanks Derek. The shipping is really a luck thing. I try to ship from a warehouse close to you so most of the time it will leave within a day and if you are lucky gets there the next or a day after :cool: Once I become the size of Newegg I'll get it there in 2 days no matter what (HAHA...yeah)
 
I wouldnt necessarily say the problem lies with the E4300 itself. Its a very popular chip so that is probably why the mobos we do see dying have it as the proc. We cant exactly discount it as part of the problem though. It wouldnt be the first time a new chip didnt get along with a new mobo and BIOS. I'd also say those that use the onboard sound and video are also likely to experience potential malfunction when overclocking this mobo. It could be any one of these, or a combination of them, or none of them thats the fault. Just not enough thorough consistant testing yet to tell for sure. I'm a little leary of the BIOS quality too. Some people reported their BIOS chip saying 'not for retail sale' on them. Which makes me go, 'huh?' :confused:

Off the top of my head I'd suggest using a seperate sound card, video card, and improving cooling with a NB cooler and AS5 just to play it safe if you plan to overclock. That and avoid using rev 1.0 OCZ RAM too. Personally I wouldnt use any OCZ RAM right now considering how many have had problems with it. But thats just my own opinion.
 
Yep, Steeeeeeve did a great job getting the mobo....great job on the price too! Other bits from all over. But next time I need something that he stocks I'll buy from Steeeeeeeeeeve.

Yeah, I'm crying all the while posting about my Raptor. :rolleyes: :cool: I love em, had 4 Raptors so far.
 
DeepFishDave said:
Surely if the board is meant to support CPIs that require DDR800 it should be able to run 400Mhz no problem? Or am i over-simplifying?
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you're oversimplifying.
The board supports CPUs with a 1066 (4x266) fsb {& hopefully the 1333fsb (4x333) ones arriving shortly}.
Having support for DDR2 800 allows for more memory bandwidth - usually a good thing where integrated gfx is involved - but it will be on a ratio other than 1:1.
 
Does the Wake-On-LAN function work with your board?
Mine does not.

I have activated it in the bios but the computer won't power up on WOL.

Had no problems with a Asus P5LD2-VM SE.
 
Guess i should be happy for getting a mATX board capable of turning my £100 chip into almost a £325 E6700. But i'm not. :)

The DVD playback last night comparing two reference copied of Casino Royale showed up how choppy playback was with Div-X vs a standalone Philips upscaling DVD HDMI cabled player. For a 2.7Ghz machine that's disappointing - obviously it may be the onboard video, but why would Abit push it as HTPC when it's seems so slow..... :mad:

I did get the HDMI sound output working eventually. I had previously disabled a device on the HD Audio bus because i couldn't find the HDMI Audio driver that ATI states is on the Drivers menu of the drivers CD.

After re-enabling, Windows did a reasonable job of installing when i let it, but required one more file which I found after a while in Drivers/HDAUDIO/32 or something like that.
 
Noob question, how do you remove NB heatsink? If i look images it seems it's hold by 2 pins.
Do you just rip it off?
 
Originally Posted by fungu
Noob question, how do you remove NB heatsink? If i look images it seems it's hold by 2 pins.
Do you just rip it off?
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I just used some needle nose pliers to compress the pins in the back and pushed them through the holes. Both heatsinks are the same and both had thermal tape. I used some Artic Silver 5 before putting the heatsinks back on and pushing the pins back through the holes until they locked in place. I have my I90HD running at 370FSB with a Audigy soundcard and 7800GT video card and have had no problems. So far I am very happy with the ATI chipset. I plan on pushing it further this weekend when I get the Noctua NH-U9F I ordered and mod the case so it will fit. I hope I can get 380FSB.
 
Steeeeve said:
He informed me that Abit has been having some trouble with these boards and lots of calls are coming in. It seems to be a first batch issue but might explain why Abit hasn't been picking up the phone the last few days.
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Really? Hmmm.. Usually I always wait for revision 1.1 (instead of 1.0) but this time I haven't. Oh well...
 
Borocay said:
I hope I can get 380FSB.
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Perte de temps à mon avis... (pvhk will translate) You should be happy enough with 370 stable and I would not touch it. With 10 more you won't notice the 1 fps more you will get and you way just run into problem. Anyway, it's your rig so do what you want.
 
Rhialto said:
Perte de temps &#224; mon avis... (pvhk will translate) You should be happy enough with 370 stable and I would not touch it. With 10 more you won't notice the 1 fps more you will get and you way just run into problem. Anyway, it's your rig so do what you want.
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yes rhialto ;) , the max fsb of this chipset is around 374....
 
i'm so torn right now. i know for sure i'll be getting this board again, but i'm not sure what case to buy for it. i'm wanting to buy an enzotech ultra x silent hsf, but am not sure what cases that would fit in (118mm clearance no fan? maybe put fan under the big block and shoot air up?). pics here seem to make it look as though it's as tall as a video card, maybe a little taller.
Dimension (L x W x H)
148x148x118mm
Total Weight
835g (whoa! just noticed how heavy it is... hope it doesnt rip off when i take it places)

Fan
Delta Fan
AFB1212H-F00
Dimension (L x W x H)
120x120x25.4mm
Speed
1200~2500 RPM
Noise
24.5~38.5 dB-A
Air Flow
35.8~82.67 CFM
Voltage
12VDC . 0.35A
Connector
Molex 2695- 3 Wire
Bearing Type
2-Ball
Heatsink
Base
Forge C1100 Copper Base , Mirror Polished
Material
Aluminum Fins
Heatpipes
4 Piece of 8&#8709; Pipes
Thermal Grease
Arctic Silver&#174; 5
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the thing is i already own a noctua nh-u9 which has 128mm clearance...
Height (without fan) 128 mm
Width (without fan) 95 mm
Depth (without fan) 70 mm
Height (with fan) 128 mm
Width (with fan) 95 mm
Depth (with fan) 95 mm
Weight 570 g
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will the 10mm make any difference? is the enzotech too tall for most cases already? i might just have to fall back on the nt06, but that thing's just as expensive as the enzotech yet doesnt perform as well. i wanted to throw it into a sugo, but i'm sure it wont fit as an nt06 is already a snug fit without the fan. what are the best cases for big coolers though? if they have room for big cpu hsf's i'm sure they'll have room for big video card hsf's too (like the hr-03) :D thing is is that i don't really dig the microflys, and xqpacks... yah... i know it's a little off topic, but i just wanted to get the rest of the rig started before i get my board in. any links?

ps. steeeeve! hehe i was wondering how well the x-gene mini htpc (WxHxD) 295x235x350mm fits in the silverstone accessory bag (if at all) 5mm off!
Overall dimension 300mm (W) x 260mm (H) x 570mm (D)
Maximum case capacity 290mm (W) x 230mm (H) x 480mm (D)
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we can see here that the noctua is really efficient! 36°C :eek:
a very good e4300 indeed!
 
Sweet Mother of Pearl! What case is that? Looks like the HDD is gonna choke out the vc for cool air.
 
it's a modded nsk3300! i know it cause olive66 is in our french forum (at hfr)...

My rig, at last in its "case": an asus vintage1:
 
Steeeeve,
All those calls are probably coming from people here at the HF. ;) Gary Key did say they (ABIT) were at CEBIT (or whatever its called) this week so maybe thats part of the problem of no responses?

Thenemsis,
Looking forward to your results using the E6600. :)


The AT mATX Roundup isnt planned to be released until Friday next week (3/30/07) according to Gary's latest post concerning it. I so wanted to read it this week. :( Oh, well... I guess I can wait another week. Especially if the first batche is bad as supposedly rumored. I hope ABIT makes a announcement wether thats true or not soon.
 
pvhk said:
we can see here that the noctua is really efficient! 36&#176;C :eek:
a very good e4300 indeed!
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I'm not sure efficient is the right word... more like humongous! :eek: Nice quiet case you have their, olive. ;) Good wire management pvhk.
 
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