ABIT boards and 1333 FSB

[Mad-Max]

I'm looking at a upgrade but what I would like to know is if there are any abit boards that can do 1333 FSB for future CPUs ?

The reason I ask is because I am looking at a ab9/quad gt board and they don't say they do but when I look on ASUS website they have a section called "support future 1333 fsb processor upgrade "

http://event.asus.com/mb/fsb1333/

[BUFF]

I may be wrong but it looks like Asus are just telling you how to configure manually?
I don't see why this approach won't also work for abits - certainly AB9/AW9D/IN9 are all capable of 333fsb plus.

[Mad-Max]

If you look at the table FSB1333 Supporting Model List it gives you what models support 1333 FSB and it tells you what Bios update you are going to need

[BUFF]

it's still telling you to configure the BIOS manually though to run 1333fsb.
The abit models that I mentioned (& probably more) will all run 1333fsb on current BIOS if you set manually e.g. my QuadGT will run over 2000fsb (500fsb quad-pumped really).

[Mad-Max]

it's still telling you to configure the BIOS manually though to run 1333fsb.

I see that you get the idea now

But first it tells you to update your bios which will include "Add new uCode to support new CPU" then it tells to select 1333 fsb

Then it gives you a list on which motherboards that can do the new uCode for CPUs (1333 FSB)

The only Abit boards that I've seen that can do 1333 FSB is

IN9 32X-MAX Wi-Fi

AW9D-MAX = with a Bios update

The other boards don't say that they do or in the bios update either, yes you might be able to overclock the board to do 1333 fsb but there are no bios updates or any mention that they do 1333 fsb or support the new CPUs.

That's why I was asking on here ie for Abit or Sean to say yes there will be Bios updates to support new CPUs (1333 FSB) or that the board will need a new revision.

The reason I want to know is because I am upgrading my system and if abit don't say that they do the new CPUs (1333 FBS) then I will get a Asus board or Evga.

I take it that by the lack of input from either abit or sean then they don't care or they will only say when the new CPUs are out, either way it looks like I will be getting asus or evga and thats a shame because I do like abit boards

[ABIT Sean]

At the moment you have to configure the bios manually as Buff suggested. But our new range of motherboards will support 1333 FSB straight out of the box. No doubt there will be new bios updates in the not to distant future for current models to run at 1333 automatically.

[Mad-Max]

Thanks for the information Sean

[BUFF]

But first it tells you to update your bios which will include "Add new uCode to support new CPU" then it tells to select 1333 fsb

all that appears to be though is an identifier string for the CPU (so it knows what to call it) - you are still told to configure it manually.

[Mad-Max]

all that appears to be though is an identifier string for the CPU (so it knows what to call it) - you are still told to configure it manually.

I see that you get the idea now I've just got to wait for scan to get the things in now

/me waits for yet another post from buff

[BUFF]

I see that you get the idea now

I got the idea from the start.
I don't really care whether a CPU is identified correctly by name or not as long as it performs as it should & manual config. should allow that.

[Richh]

I see that you get the idea now

But first it tells you to update your bios which will include "Add new uCode to support new CPU" then it tells to select 1333 fsb

Then it gives you a list on which motherboards that can do the new uCode for CPUs (1333 FSB)

Abit can add microcode updates for the E0 stepping CPU's in exactly the same way as Asus. Indeed they may already have done so on the 11 BIOS.

As BUFF correctly suggests though, this is not quite the same as offering "full" 1333FSB support, as this requires a different strap on the northbridge. Again though as he says, the AB9 QuadGT will do waaay over 1333FSB while still running the 1066 strap.

If the lack of the "full" 1333 strap remains, the only knock-on effect with a native 1333 CPU will be that the memory speeds will be a bit weird. This should not, however, be an insurmountable problem, unless you have really sh*tty RAM.

The reason I want to know is because I am upgrading my system and if abit don't say that they do the new CPUs (1333 FBS) then I will get a Asus board or Evga.

To a certain degree you are splitting hairs. If you want a board that is guaranteed to have full 1333FSB capability, then don't buy a QuadGT, as, at this point in time, it does not offer a "real" 1333FSB strap, and thus, technically, to run an E6x50 CPU you will be overclocking the board.

Incidentally, the same is true of the AW9D-Max, and a number of other manufacturers boards which claim to support 1333 CPUs. In practice, you're overclocking them, but in practice, as the chipset is easily capable of the higher speed, it doesn't matter.

Given the ability of the QuadGT to run extremely high FSBs without breaking a sweat, in practical terms it isn't going to be a problem both running one of these chips at default speed, and getting a good overclock out of one.

[ABIT Sean]

For true 1333 support its best to wait for the new models to be released.