ABIT IP35 PRO Bearlake REVIEW

[gilgamesh]

Universal Abit IP35-Pro review

I am sure we all have heard of Intel’s new generation chipset entitled ‘bearlake’. After the Intel announcement a slew of motherboards were brought out by various manufacturers of varying specifications. I received my board soon after. The board I received was the Abit IP35 Pro (off limits)

I greeted this board with a little sceptism, in all honesty as we all know the X38 chipset is on its way, which promises to be much faster.

The following are the screenshots from the box art itself, however I shall not repeat the motherboard specifications here instead it would be wise to direct the reader to the following link.

LINK:

http://www.uabit.com/index.php?optio...ampaign=U95095

Box art images.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...4182538&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...4182556&size=o

A brief note on testing Equipment IF I may
TESTING equipment
Q6600 quadcore
2GIGS of corsair XMS 2 SLI Mem @ 4-4-4-12
8800GTS XFX VGA
1X SATA 2 500GIG Seagate Hard Disk Drive
Corsair HX620 psu (WHICH Is actually a rebadged Seasonic)
COOLING equipment (water cooled)
THermochil PA120.3 Radiator in push/pull config (best WC rad around)
DDV 5 vario pump
Apogee gt waterblock
All tubing 1/2 " Id
All nickel High-Flow Barbs

Upon reading the box before opening the product, I glanced over the specifications, and one line caught my eye.
‘Abit Silent OTES™ Heat-pipe cooling’ As a result my first thought was ‘oh dear not ANOTHER board that is passively cooled’ I am pretty well known to be an advocate of active cooling especially when Overclocking is being carried out. So initially my thoughts where ‘this board is going to get HOT’ however I am pleased to tell you I could not have been more WRONG! More on this aspect later!

Inside the motherboard box we have various SATA cables USB connectors and of course the manual.

A brief word about the manual if I may. As most abit users in the last few motherboard releases have been aware, the BIOS section in the manual has been very poor with only ONE page only for the BIOS section. Well abit has listened to us and have included a comprehensive chapter on how to set the BIOS.

Upon looking at the SATA cables themselves I admittedly was a little puzzled on why they have only chosen to include straight SATA cables only. Since the board itself has right-angled SATA connectors then logically it would be better to have a SATA cable that has a straight through connector on ONE end, this part connects to the board itself and the other end of the cable should be RIGHT-angled to connect to the hard drive or DVD RW ! Why abit did not do this as they have with the AB9 Quad GT and the IN932MAX. However I have had a word with abit on this minor issue and this is now being corrected.

Straight-through cable
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/845477586/

Right angled Cable at one end
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/845477610/

Board design

Now we come to the board itself. As you can see by the layout that the basics are very similar to the QUAD GT. Since the insane placement of the AB9 Pro board, Abit boards have radically undergone a design re-think, based in part from the users’ comments. Upon looking long and hard at the motherboard layout, I honestly cannot really find ANY fault with it. All critical components on the board have been placed at locations that make sense.

Board shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564182994/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564189080/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564189118/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564604795/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564604787/

What does appeal to me is that abit (on this board anyway) have done away with the HOT running digital MOSFET chip and as such have reverted back to the good old tried and tested ones that you find on most boards. This actually appeals to me as this means we have a MUCH cooler running motherboard. Upon speaking with abit they mentioned that the digital chip was the first generation and on the X38 board the chip will be a MUCH improved second generation type. Interesting to note that most of the CPU area is clean of MOSFETS so third party coolers and water cooling blocks are not a problem unlike other models. You will also note by the photograph below that I have attached a ‘Swiftech Apogee GT’ block to the board, you will also note that there is AMPLE clearance on all sides of the block

Mosfets
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564189064/
Cpu Area
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564183002/
CPU area with WATER block
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/846112572/

Next we take a look at the heat-pipe array! Once again we have aluminium heats-sinks made to look like copper. However I could have been wrong, so I carried out the good old ‘scratch test’. The results were indeed what I surmised before hand, the heat sink array was indeed Aluminium. However later I was to conclude that COPPER is not need for this board.

Scratch test
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564182568/

As in the last motherboard release the IN932 Max abit have once again utilised the EZ-Clear CMOS switch at the back of the board. This is for when you have set the BIOS incorrectly and the board no longer POST’s correctly. You can then reach around the back of your case, flip the switch, and hey presto your back to default settings. This is a nice feature as then you have no need to crack your case open to clear CMOS!

Lastly it is noted that the fan headers on this board have their own MOSFET so you can connect a high performance fan without blowing the fan header.

Installation

Motherboard installation in my case was a breeze. It must be noted that I have a Lian-Li V2000b+ case at the time of writing this review and that the board is INVERTED in this case. The reason why I have mentioned this is that some Heat pipe based systems do not work very well whilst the board is inverted. The abit system handles this with EASE, so for those whom have esoteric cases out there that require an inverted motherboard, please be rest assured that the abit solution will work for you!

Board inside the case

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/705123959/

Soundcard

The onboard Soundcard is basically the same as the IN932 Max solution, however with the IP35 pro there is no output to DTS.

Lastly upon looking at the board, I noticed the ‘JMicron’ Controller for the IDE ports. Why Abit decided to utilise this I have no idea, there are far more effective solutions out there. Admittedly Jmicron have improved, but still it’s not the best.

BIOS

Abit have done a nice job on the BIOS, notice the manual adjustment of the ‘GTL ‘Regs in the setup.

A few criticisms were that the BIOS timings for the RAM would go no lower then CL4 and that the command rate for the RAM could not be set. However updated BIOS has been released which addresses these issues.

BIOS Screenshots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564203288/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/564604865/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/846127794/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/846127784/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/846127770/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/846127748/

IP35 Pro/IN932 MAX Results comparison



In the first instance it could be said that it is an unfair to compare these two motherboards as they are two totally different chipsets. However when we ask the following questions then the comparision then makes sense.

Does the User want/ or need SLI?
Is the user going to overclock? If so then HEAT issues come into effect here
Does the user need a Out-of-the-box Solution or are they happy to modify the board?
Price Point

When we factor into account these questions then it is worth testing these two boards.

The In932 Max is a great board however, due to the nature of the Nvidia chipset the motherboard gets hot, as a great many users have reported, and to overclock the board to higher levels. Therefore a new heatsink solution with fans is needed.

Generally the IP 35 Pro board is faster in most departments than the IN932max as the following test results will prove. This leaves the only real advantage of the IN932MAX is its SLI facility.

Test Results for the IP35 Pro

Cachemem
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/845536346/
3DMARK 05 results with a 8800gts quadcore AT STOCK
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/845536322/

CPU Queen
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...5536374&size=o
CPU LIB
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...5536356&size=o
FPU Julia
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...5536392&size=o


Test Results for the IN932 Max
cache mem
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/844699123/
CPU Queen
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...4699129&size=o


In short if you have a use for SLI then go for the IN932 MAX! If this is not the case then your attention would be better direct towards the IP35 Pro, especially if we factor in the price point of these two boards


Overclocking



Test for this are still being carried out and an update will be posted to you ASAP. However my initial results are positive. On a QUAD core 6600 472mhz FSB is achievable WITHOUT any board modification, which is BETTER than the IN932 MAX!

Temperature


I am most impressed by how COOL this motherboard runs, and therefore how stable it is. However this applies to the PWM's only! The northbridge still gets quite hot! Pushing this board at the above FSB on a QUADCORE says it all really. True water cooling has been used, however if you note that the board has been utilised with the STANDARD default cooling method only, then you realise the boards true potential.

Despite how good this board is, one can not help feeling that Abit are saving the best for the X38. So with this said, this is another factor that must be taken into consideration.

Once again I must say that I am impressed by the overall speed of the chipset, how cool and stable it is. The Overclocking potential as an Out-Of-The-Box situation is very impressive indeed. I have found a few glitches which can be improved, which I have mentioned above, however Abit’s implementation of this board is superb.

I must confess that I have not tested the RAID potential on this board as of yet as I have only one test drive, so as soon as I mange to get hold of another , will then keep you updated.
All in all the IP 35 pro is just does what it says on the tin. It’s a very good implemented board and is a great performer. It just what we want from Abit, rock solid and a great Overclocker. I am glad to know that abit have NOT included fancy stuff like some other boards that I can name and instead concentrated on a decent board.

In all honesty I would not be surprised if Abit won a award or two for this board, even considering the x38 will be released soon.

Pro’s:

Fast motherboard
Great overclocking potential
Stable
Runs very cool on the PWMS only (due to the old style mosfets)
Sorry did I mention Stable, ahem I meant VERY stable
OLD Style MOSFETS
Clear area around the CPU
NO Flashy onboard LED’s I.E around the edge like in previous boards

Cons:

J-Micron controller for IDE (grrr)
Soundcard has no DTS output like the IN932MAX
Northbridge still can get hot
Firewire performance is not always up to scratch.
Bundled SATA leads (minor observation only)
UGURU CPU temperature is WAY out (under windows)
Shipping Bios does not support CL3 and command rate of 1T (however that has now been fixed)
X38 out soon!


If I had to give this board a rating, I would say between a 89 and 91% percent mark, which therefore should put the board in the ‘gold award’ category.

Lastly if Abit continues to produce work of this quality then I see a return to the glory days of the IC7 MAX 3 (I still have one) All in all a job well done!

Cheers

Gilgamesh

[danroyle]

another top notch review gilgamesh mate

couldn't find a component list in there mate ie what ram psu etc you were using on it would help us a little more clearly


p.s flogged my ic7 max 3 for a small fortune on ebay about 18 months back vaguely remember two guys going for it and pumping her up to almost £150 was very pleased as i paid about £60 for it

[gilgamesh]

Sorry mate I will address the component issue Now

Thanks for that buddy

gilgamesh

[gilgamesh]

Originally Posted by danroyle

another top notch review gilgamesh mate

couldn't find a component list in there mate ie what ram psu etc you were using on it would help us a little more clearly


p.s flogged my ic7 max 3 for a small fortune on ebay about 18 months back vaguely remember two guys going for it and pumping her up to almost £150 was very pleased as i paid about £60 for it

Ok mate testing equipment used has been added, including water cooling equipment. Hope it helps

Gilgamesh

[danroyle]

Originally Posted by gilgamesh

Ok mate testing equipment used has been added, including water cooling equipment. Hope it helps

Gilgamesh

much better mate gives us a fuller picture of what you did with the system


p.s didnt mean to tell you how to do your job your reviews are always very good except for the advanced snippit on the fp-in9 sli (we all make mistakes)

[DratUK]

Good review M8.

Like yourself I am awaiting the X38 to see if it is going to be faster. If it is then Kudos to Abit, put together with the Penryn for Quarter 1 2008 should bring some nice results.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble.

[gilgamesh]

important Update for IP35 PRO review OVERCLOCKING!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As promised I will include an overclocking section in my review

disclaimer: If you blow your board and or cpu through overclocking dont hold me responsible people

Equipment used:

AS in the main review, but also now tested with Crucial ballstix DDR2 1000 @5-5-5-15
qaudcore cpu used

Very few reviews that I have seen have included the BIOS screen shots with the adjustments needed TO overclock.

You will notice that with the 3.8 (480FSB X8 overclock) that I have had to set the vcore on CRAZY voltages to get anywhere! This does confirm the fact the QUADCORES especially the q6600 are much much harder to overclock, generate more heat and need MORE volts to get anywhere. It also confirms the fact that the latter week numbers of various Core 2 Duos and Quads need a lot more voltage to get to the same levels as erlier week numbers. THe proof of this is that when I lowered the vcore to a safe level of 1.55 the PC refused to boot.

All overclock results have had 'Orthos' running for 3 hours

The following are the BIOS screenshots:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/893104345/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/893104321/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/893104451/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71909665@N00/893104487/

The next is the super pi score

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...4013736&size=o

After playing about some more, I further managed to increase the FSB to a wopping 498FSB !
and for a QAUDCORE thats a massive acheivement!

Below is a screenshot

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...3104269&size=o

You may note that this is the limit that this CPU would do, I have hit an FSB wall and could not even get 500FSB x8 stable, which is the 4 gig barrier. However using a qaudcore q6600 model thats very hard to do, BUT as you can see I came VERY close.

Note do not use a X9 multiplier if you have a q6600 when overclocking as this will hit a wall around 410FSB !

Summary:

GREAT overclocking board only let down by the CPU itsself, 4 GIG barrier VERY nearly Broken. THE CRAZY VCORE needed to achieve this shows that its the LIMIT of the CPU NOT the board that stops myself breaking the F500FSB X8 Barrier!

Again I am very very impressed with this board.

Soon to follow OVERCLOCKING with a CORE 2 DUO!!

Hope you like my scores folks

cheers

Gilgamesh

[danroyle]

last two links are coming up bad mate can you rectify please

[Lord Midas]

Good review M8.

And now all I need is a bunch of cash and an excuse to by it

[gilgamesh]

ok here is my super score again m8
first is 3.8=480fsb x 8
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...4013736&size=o

second is even better a wopping 498.1 FSB X 8
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...3104269&size=o

HOPE THESE links work mate.

gilgamesh

[DratUK]

Work fine M8.

There is a Quad core Overclock thread in the Hardware section started by clunk. It would be worth either linking this thread or show the results you have so far in that thread.
Great result Gilgamesh shows this board in its true function as an overclockers board.

[gilgamesh]

ok mate, i have no problem with linking threads. might also be worth asking sean to put this thread on as a sticky ,since it has the bios setting needed to overclock on a quadcore for the ip35 pro!
Will keep you updated

[gilgamesh]

Warning new update!!

IP35 PRO has some issues with all makes of OCZ ram at this time. Problem has been fixed and I should get the bios update soon. Problem due to the SPD autodetect feature!

This ONLY effects OCZ ram!
I am liasing with ocz and abit on this matter

Ip35 pro has been tested with corsair and Crucial Ballistix

gilgamesh

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by gilgamesh

Ip35 pro has been tested with corsair and Crucial Ballistix

& G.Skill, Mushkin, Team, Cellshock.
Some people have also had no problems with OCZ.
http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=124502

[DratUK]

Sean can we make this a sticky? It would be useful as Gilgamesh has got great result from the Kentsfield Quad and I am sure would prove very useful for other folks.
Cheers

[gilgamesh]

for The FIRST published score 480fsb x8 the base i worked from to get 498fsb these are my settings!

DO NOT even try these settings without a good water cooling system I.E thermochil rad 120.2 and above !!!
vcore 1.6650
vdimm 1.950
cpu vtt .123
mch 1.52
ich 1.38
ichio 1.50
gtl regs 67%
1:1 divider ddr 2 960
=480FSB X 8

IO f anyone can find away of duplicating this on a q6600 by lowering the vcore and mch and get teh SAME result please post here!

cheers

gilgamesh