uGuru Questions

[EtheAv8r]

My AB9 Quad GT has a uGuru connector. I am not too sure what this is for – the manual with this board is not exactly overwhelming with information about anything and is completely devoid of BIOS detail, rather poor actually.

Anyway I see SCAN have the uGuru Guru Clock GC-02 available on Today Only. I checked on the Abit site and there appear to be 3 different members of the uGuru family:

Guru Clock GC-02
Guru Clock GC-03
Guru Panel

None of them list the AB9 (any version) Works With…. Lists.

Is uGuru useful? Worth having? Which one(s) work with QuadGT is “Yes” to previous two questions?

[Richh]

My AB9 Quad GT has a uGuru connector. I am not too sure what this is for – the manual with this board is not exactly overwhelming with information about anything and is completely devoid of BIOS detail, rather poor actually.

From what I recall the QuadGT manual makes specific mention of the Guru Panel. You're right tho, there is a "missing" section on the BIOS, which Abit will hopefully correct in a future documentation update.

I checked on the Abit site and there appear to be 3 different members of the uGuru family:

There are more than that actually. There was the original, first generation Guru Clock, and I believe that the "current" version of the Panel is also the second version. There is also a brand new Guru Panel coming soon, more of which below.

None of them list the AB9 (any version) Works With…. Lists.

That's cos they'll work with any uGuru equipped board. The level of functionality varies from board to board tho. The GC-02 is the second generation Guru Clock, and thus may not support all of the AB9 QuadGT's uGuru functionality. The GC-03 is a better match, but I've not used either personally so not sure on what level they differ.

Is uGuru useful?

Are you asking whether the Clock/Panel is useful, or whether uGuru as a concept is useful? The uGuru processor is the chip on your motherboard basically responsible for running all the hardware. It controls the PC's power status, instructs the clock generators, voltage regulators and so-forth, does the voltage/temperature/FanEQ/LEDs/etc entirely in hardware. As such, the uGuru concept is very powerful and useful, yes.

What the Guru Clock and Guru Panel give you is an external, OS and BIOS-independent control interface to the uGuru processor. As such you get an external display panel indicating clock and fan speeds, temps and so-forth, as well as the ability to switch some of the speed/performance parameters without needing to use the BIOS or the in-OS utility.

Think the third generation one can also display a "new email message" icon, MSN Messenger status and a few other random things like that.

The Guru Panel also offers a remote CMOS-clear button, which is in my view a hell of a lot more convenient than the rear panel switch or the regular jumper. Then again, I do flash my BIOS a lot...

Worth having? Which one(s) work with QuadGT is “Yes” to previous two questions?

All will work with the QuadGT, but the newer ones give you more toys. Speaking of which, there's going to be a brand new version of the Guru Panel available in the next few weeks, which includes a remote control and wireless capability. Not sure whether this runs to including an Airpace adapter in the box, or whether it's just a front panel aerial, but either way it looks good, and should be available in the next few weeks.

[0iD]

This is the version of the clock I'm running with my Quad GT. Got to say it's turned out to be very handy, even if it was purchased on a whim with the board.

[ABIT Sean]

They should all work with the AB9 quad GT. Apart from the guru panel as it uses a AC97 audio cable and the AB9 series uses HD audio.

But if your not worried about the audio connectors then all the other functions will work fine.

[EtheAv8r]

OK thanks..... the new one might be worth waitning for but I am not interested in wireless.....

The one 0iD is using (Guru Clock GC-02) is the same one SCAN have, but would appear to be a older version (if more stylish) than the Guru Clock GC-03 an so I will just leave it for now and wait and see.

When I asked if it was useful, it was from the perspective of 'does it work and is a benefit, or is it a gimmic?' To be able to display temps (IF they are accurate) without running one of several software utilities (which all give different results) would be useful. To be able to OC stably and reliably without multiple reboots, would be useful. I just want to find a stable, reliable OC that will run reliably all the time. I want to OC to get best everyday performance, not as a hobby or end in itself. I just want the machine to be a fast as it can be.... and then use it.

Gotta build the machine first (replacing ASUS Commando with the Quad GT - hoping for a better stable 'every day' OC).

[0iD]

Yes, it is accurate, it's great for no fuss on-the-fly overclocking within Vista/XP without re-boots. It has the facility to set up multiple user 'profiles' and has some pre-set. So before a game you can use a 'turbo' or userdefined overclock profile & when you're just surfing clock it back. All at the push of a button.

You can keep an eye on all relevant temps, voltages & fsb etc without having the uGuru app maximised. And it tells the time

[DratUK]

If you find the 03 version let me know as I have been looking for some time.
Using the 02 and its useful especially when OC assuming the bios temp readings are correct.

[BUFF]

I've got all 3 (well, did you expect anything less from me?).
Of the 2 clocks I prefer the GC-02 as I don't use things like Skype that the GC-03 can interract with, it's cheaper & it's readily available.

the GP-02 panel has the useful external clear CMOS - great for the older boards without 1 & which also had the jumper in an awkward position if running SLI/Crossfire with dual slot coolers.
On the other hand unless you have your case up on the desk the display tends to be out of your line of sight which is where the Clocks score.

[EtheAv8r]

OK thanks for the advice. Suitable persuaded, I got a GC-02 today for £8.53 brand new and boxed including postage from eBay.

[0iD]

Let us know what you think

[EtheAv8r]

Well it arrived today, looks (as described) brand new, still has protective covering. No installation or Driver CD - I take it I can download from abit site?

[BUFF]

it'll just plug into the uGuru header.
You already have uGuru 3.xxx loaded?

I don't think that the software will work with a 3rd gen uGuru chip anyway as it was designed for the 2nd.

[EtheAv8r]

I have not yet built the machine (maybe this weekend... I have all the parts). I have downloaded uGuru v3101, which I will install before I connect the uGuru GC-02 to the connector.

Which software do you think won't work, the original on the CD (I hope you mean)?

[BUFF]

latest uGuru is 3.103

& yes, I mean the original clock software

[EtheAv8r]

Thank you Buff - Have now downloaded 3.103

[EtheAv8r]

Let us know what you think

Well I think it is really useful. Having CPU speed, temps and fan speeds constantly available off monitor without running any software is really very very good - every PC should have one! The power on facility is also very usefull... I am going to have to move two fan header connections as soon as I can get a couple of extender cables, Aux 3 and 4 were nearest, but not available on the GC-02 display cycle (pity).

My only criticism is no backlight, so it is not easy to read unless in bright light, but well worth the few quid it costs.