OC3D Review: abit AW9D Max Socket 775 Core2Duo Motherboard

No trick here, dude, just that the large PCI-E slots are called 'x16', small ones are called 'x1', don't know if the 'x4' are the same size as the 'x1' or a little bigger (never see them on mobos anymore:rolleyes: ).

Anywho, mobos that can run SLI or Crossfire have two (or three) PCI-E x16 sized slots, but some are handicapped. Certain chipsets, like Intels 975X, switch to 'x8' (x8 electrical lanes) when using two video cards (for a total of 16 lanes). nVidia's chipsets, like the 680i, will allow the full 'x16' when using SLI, so you can get the full 32 lanes that PCI-E offers.

As of right now, full x16/32 lane mobos are nice to have but don't actually outperform x8/16 lane mobos... or at least by only a small amount.

Here's a link to wikipedia on the PCI-E spec...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

TJS

edit: wow. I was working on a response, and now everyone else has chimed in. :P oh well, agree with Kemp, go with the Abit IN9 32X-MAX... I'm holding off for a new Intel chipset since I've given up on dual-gpu configs.
 
Again Thanks!

I am not used to this - I usually post something and hear nothing back (like ever!).

Thanks for the suggestions and in depth explanation. I now understand (enlightened!) regarding the 8x and 16x - as you say it makes very little difference

at the moment.

Regarding the other mobo abit IN9 32x Max I will look it over. I really liked this mobo (abit AW9D Max Socket 775 Core2Duo) and its still the top due to the number of SATA it has.

I have come to the conclusion that raid 0 (or 1+0 or 5..) is going to be my future - i cant stand it when a disk goes down - i spend enough money on twiddle to try to save some time with redundant arrays...

Again thanks for the info - im sure to be back with questions!
 
I love my AW9D, it performs excellently. I would have liked a MAX, for extra SATA ports, but not worth the extra money at the time. What it boils down to is these 8800 series video cards that have DX10 require full electrical x16 connections, so an AW9D (or MAX) will only accomodate one card; putting in two cards won't work because of the x8 switch. If you plan one going single card and never upgrading to SLI, you're good to go, or if you use non-8800 series cards you can still go SLI/Crossfire with the AW9D (and MAX).(<---caveat: modded drivers needed to enable SLI on 975X or other non-nVidia chipsets.)

As for RAID, I use '0' for speed, and the only problem I've had was a virus jacking it up once... other than that, you really gotta try and ruin your drives to not give RAID a go.

TJS
 
AH well that settles it..

I need the option to go 8800 SLI (when/if not already they sort out the drivers) - might never do it but I want the chance.

I have raid 0 (i did have 2 sets but I got a duff disk from WD - a replacement for another duff disk). All Raptors so i r happy with that.

Now I need redundancy (No - I like my job!) - I admit I dont 'need' it but i got to try it out and if its saves a few frustrating days without my gaming rig then it wil pay for itself immediatley! :) I think 0 + 1 is the story for me. 4 SATA on the same controller (Peace of mind anyone!?)

I am looking at the abit IN9 32x Max now - it may be the (expensive) answer to my requirements.

Again thanks (I may seem fickle but I am looking at all the options presented and i do have a few other parameters for my rig I have not mentioned!) to all who have helped out.

I know a lot more about these things now (yer still things!:)

Cheers :wavey:
 
name='TJS' said:
What it boils down to is these 8800 series video cards that have DX10 require full electrical x16 connections, so an AW9D (or MAX) will only accomodate one card; putting in two cards won't work because of the x8 switch.
Click to expand...

8800s will work on x8 (e.g. 650i) but there are no hacked drivers afaik to allow SLIing 8800s on 975X.
 
Thats news to me. I read that 8800 series need x16 electrical lanes to operate, x8 wouldn't work. I don't know about the 650i chipset, is it an x8 electrical lane by default in single card configuration as well as in SLI (x8/x8)? If so, the whole '8800 series needs x16 electrical lanes' is bogus, and if that isn't correct put it out for all, BUFF... cause something ain't right if what you say is true.:nono:

TJS
 
name='TJS' said:
I don't know about the 650i chipset, is it an x8 electrical lane by default in single card configuration as well as in SLI (x8/x8)?
Click to expand...

no, it's x16 or dual x8 (except the ECS which is hardwired for dual x8 all the time).

Plenty of people running SLi'ed 8800s on 650i - you can even find benchmarked reviews.

of course nVidia would rather that you buy a 680i than a 650i ...
 
Time to offer my apologies, just got an email from nVidia and the customer rep said that the 8800 GPU's will work on x8 lanes, either single or in SLI. (Now I just need to find that goof at Club Overclockers or some such website and throttle him/her.:mad: )

TJS
 
I wonder if they'd be a significant performance drop.

Ive run my 7800 at x4, x8 and x16 and it made no difference.
 
Funny you should ask, Ham... though I don't know about the '2-3 fps performance drop' being relevant.

get.php


I'm assuming (and we all know that will make an @$$ out of U and ME) that whoever made the claim that 8800's won't work on x8 lanes thought there was a slot that was between x4 and x16 size. In any case, I remember the x16/x16 A8N32-SLI came out and didn't blow away the x8/x8 competition, and I haven't seen anything new that makes x16/x16 mobos desirable (since the clarification concerning the 8800 series gpu's).

TJS
 
Hey guys im new to this forum. I must comment the author of the review of this motherboard. I have been thinking about buying an AW9D-MAX with about two weeks now. My previous motherboard was an Abit AN8 SLI Fatal1ty and it was fantastic. My current motherboard is an ASUS P5B-VM and I wont comment on it because I dont have one good thing to say about it , But reading the reviews I have seen about the AW9D-MAX has helped me make my mind up.

It looks like i will get the full potential out of my ram and CPU with the ABIT motherboard where as I am restricted with my current motherboard. Cooling shouldnt be a problem when I overclock because I have 4 120mm case fans and 1 200mm fan on the top of my case. Currently My cpu is running @ 25 celcius on idle and it doesnt get any higher than 48 celcius on full load @ 2.7ghz.
 
Is there any minor bugs I need to know about this motherboard before buying it. For example incompatability with ram , overclocking issues or restrictions with overclocking. Will I get my e6400 up to 3.2ghz with decent CPU cooling? will I be able to lock my ram to 1000mhz without it going higher hen im overclocking the CPU? I just generaly would like to know to watch out for with this motherboard before buying it.
 
For starters, you're using stock cooling... which isn't conducive to overclocking unless you're shooting for 5 to 10 notches on the FSB:rolleyes: I'd advise a better HSF, a little money can go a long way to overclocking nirvana, Scythe Infinitys and Tuniq Towers seem to be popular. I personally like my Vigor Monsoon II TEC/HSF, but for about $110-150 its pretty pricey.

I use G. Skill RAM, and haven't had a problem yet, don't expect to either. I like the 975X chipset, but if you plan on going SLI I don't know that anyone has modded drivers for 8800 series video cards to work with the 975X mobos. I'd seriously consider an nVidia 680i or 650i mobo from ABIT or ASUS, had pretty good experiences with both... wasn't too pleased with EVGA's reference 680i (make pretty good video cards, though). Of course I did grab mine when it was just released and their were problems aplenty, I do believe most of the bugs have been worked out.

The AW9D-MAX is a good choice, but its a bit aged and if you're willing to put forth that kind of cash then the IN9 32X-MAX (680i) mobo would be my choice.

TJS
 
Agreed on the IN9 Max

Abit's site should have a compatibility list only had a problem with Kingston RAM so far (1200MHz modules)
 
I would not touch SLi on this board, i had nothing but problems with my 7950GX2 on this bored and to boot the hacked drivers dont work for the 7950GX2.

Now im on a 8800GTS and it just rawks!
 
name='TJS' said:
For starters, you're using stock cooling... which isn't conducive to overclocking unless you're shooting for 5 to 10 notches on the FSB:rolleyes: I'd advise a better HSF, a little money can go a long way to overclocking nirvana, Scythe Infinitys and Tuniq Towers seem to be popular. I personally like my Vigor Monsoon II TEC/HSF, but for about $110-150 its pretty pricey.

I use G. Skill RAM, and haven't had a problem yet, don't expect to either. I like the 975X chipset, but if you plan on going SLI I don't know that anyone has modded drivers for 8800 series video cards to work with the 975X mobos. I'd seriously consider an nVidia 680i or 650i mobo from ABIT or ASUS, had pretty good experiences with both... wasn't too pleased with EVGA's reference 680i (make pretty good video cards, though). Of course I did grab mine when it was just released and their were problems aplenty, I do believe most of the bugs have been worked out.

The AW9D-MAX is a good choice, but its a bit aged and if you're willing to put forth that kind of cash then the IN9 32X-MAX (680i) mobo would be my choice.

TJS
Click to expand...

Ok for starters I know that I need better cooling for overclocking which is why I said I was replacing the stock cooling with a Vapochill Micro Ultra Low Noise Cooler. Secondly I have very decent ram and I wont be changing it any time soon. Third and finally I wont be doing SLI, I have looked at the price of an IN9 32X max and I am certainly not going to shell out 330 euro for a motherboard. Im willing to go a small bit above 200 euro but not that far above 200 euro.

I just asked what I should out for with the AW9D-MAX before I bought it , I didnt ask to pick faults on my own hardware which I know about already. The only thing I see that is needed to be changed on my hardware for overclocking is the CPU cooling. Unless there is something terribly bad about the AW9D-MAX I will be buying it next month along with Arctic silver 5 and the Vapochill cooler.

Now before you comment on the choice of CPU cooler. My last rig had a vapochill micro on it and it done a fantastic job of cooling my AMD X2 4800 when I had it @ 2.9ghz. Ive also read many reviews about the cooler and it does an admirable job on CPU cooling.

This isnt me being annoyed BTW. Im just point out some facts that I think needs pointing out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Is LTT forum is choke full of spooks ?
Replies
5
Views
416
hmmblah
hmmblah
WYP
MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi Review
Replies
4
Views
2K
MiNo
M
tinytomlogan
ASUS Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi ITX Motherboard Review
Replies
1
Views
1K
Deadtroopers
Deadtroopers
Zoot
100TB New(ish) Home Server Build
Replies
6
Views
3K
hmmblah
hmmblah
W
What motherboard to choose for a 12900KS
Replies
11
Views
5K
Warchild
W
Back
Top