OC3D Review: abit AW9D Max Socket 775 Core2Duo Motherboard

Hey, I wouldn't switch out the 'Balstix' either!;) And you're right, I pretty much talked about everything but what you asked about.:crazy: But I can always blame it on the drugs I'm taking for my back, seem to make me drowsy and fuzzy headed more than anything...

Okay, the only 'problem' with the AW9D (and MAX) is that the PCI/PCI-E layout isn't the best, but since you're not planning on a dual video card setup it shouldn't be a problem. (Hate having the molex EZ power connector down in the lower left corner of the board... don't know if others didn't like this placement.) There are plenty of RAM dividers in the BIOS so you shouldn't have a problem when overclocking; overclocking is also very good with the AW9D, I only remember one person who had any problems with his AW9D-MAX. I also didn't know if you were planning on SLI or not, so I thought I'd put in a recommendation... I mean, you're planning on putting in 200+euros into a mobo, didn't think it'd break your bank:rolleyes: and you would also have SLI capability in the future should you change your mind.

Didn't see anything on your earlier posts about getting a new HSF, just that you had 'stock' in your sig and you would use 'decent cooling'. As for the Vapochill I looked into them some months ago and saw mixed reviews (I love Newegg)... but if your experience with them is good, then you know its good.

To sum up-- you won't be disappointed.

TJS

...think I got it right this time... :P
 
name='steve30x' said:
Please do suggest a good cooler that is easy to install then.
Click to expand...

All after market coolers are pretty simple to install imo, just got to the time to read the directions, but meh...I just install it with out instructions and realize i put it in wrong and do it over agian about 15min later.. :nono:
 
if its max memory is ddr 800 that means more then pc6400 is useless on that board and that the max oc in a e6600 with pc6400 memory is 3.6 ghz ?? 400*9
 
name='limqareb' said:
if its max memory is ddr 800 that means more then pc6400 is useless on that board and that the max oc in a e6600 with pc6400 memory is 3.6 ghz ?? 400*9
Click to expand...

My current motherboard has a maximum ram setting of ddr2 800 also but I had to tweak and overclock the thing to get my ram to 1000mhz just like any other motherboard that says its maximum ram frequency is 800mhz. I have seen people get their ram to above 1000mhz with the AW9D-MAX.

Also about the VAPOCHILL. When I had it on my motherboard and I had my AMD X2 400 @ 2.9ghz the CPU never went above 55 celcius , but when I had stock cooling on there and I had the CPU @ 2.7ghz the temperature went up to 58 celcius with slightly lower voltage. I will find some reviews and post the links in a seperate thread instead of hijacking this thread.
 
Just because a mobo maker puts forth a RAM specification per board doesn't mean that higher rated RAM won't run on your mobo, or RAM makers wouldn't be making PC2-7200 or higher. It's made for enthusiasts so we can clock our cpu's faster and not be limited by our RAM (or at least not raise our RAM timings for faster cpu clocks, which can defeat the purpose). I really don't know how certain RAM incompatabilities happen per mobo (RAM is RAM is RAM, right?).

To answer Steve30x, just about all LGA775 cpu coolers require mobo removal to install an HSF, so the only thing you should consider is what size HSF you can fit in your case. Like I said, if you got good results with the Vapochill then stick with it. The other two I mentioned are very popular, as is the Zalman 9700. Oh yeah, the Enzotech Ultra-X HSF that Frag checked out has gotten a lot of good reviews and it ain't huge.

TJS
 
Ive just read a few reviews on the Enzotech Ultra-X HSF and it does seem to make an excellent cooler. This changes things completely. Its a much better solution than what I origanilly wanted. It doesnt stick up and take up a lot of space.

Thank you for piointing out that HSF TJS. Now I just need to find a place to buy one of those.
 
Well crap that Enzotech isnt available in Europe. Ill look into the other cooler you mentioned

OK How about an AC7 PRO? I can pick one up at newegg. If I get an AC7 Pro Ill pick up Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound to help heat disipation.

[EDIT] Never mind. Newegg is us only. I need to find a decent cooler on Komplett IE instead.
 
Sorry, dude, I'm a US resident... anyone else know a UK-based component supplier that would have an Enzotech Ultra-X HSF? I usually buy from Newegg and will be buying exotic stuff from Performance-PCs for now, see how they do (had bad business with Xoxide and FrozenCPU:mad: ).

Just looked at a couple sites with reviews of the Freezer7Pro, not a bad HSF, especially for the money. I was looking at the Thermaltake Orb earlier, the new silver one, and it seemed to do pretty good, with a low profile if a bit wide... space considerations would be the PWM's and RAM, but that seems to be a prob with a lot of enthusiast HSF's... :P Other low-profile coolers are Zalman's 7000 series, got a buddy who uses one and really cools well for him.

TJS
 
I usually get my parts from Komplett but they dont have either the and or the Freezer 7pro. But I asked the Tekheads if they deliver to Ireland and they do. So I will be buying a Freezer 7 pro from them next month. I should be all set for to get my e6400 up to 3.2ghz then. Case cooling wont be a problem either.
 
depends on the chip you got, i have my E4300 at 3.33ghz on a AW9D-MAX and have had it up to 3.6ghz but takes a lot of volts and aint really worth it.
 
Certain factors aside (room temp, case temp, luck of the draw in cpu-chips, etc) you should hit 3.2GHz with no problems using a Freezer 7 Pro, and since you have some super RAM I would say 3.4 is within range with a max of 3.6 or thereabouts. Just be sure to give the AS5 time to cure before taking your cpu to the max and give it the stress tests to ensure stability. Good luck,

TJS

Edit: I don't go for all that revision, stepping, hopping, jumping stuff... you got a cpu, thats that, see what you can do with it.
 
Thanls for the help TJS. I dont think Case temps will be a problem because I have plenty of air going through it. I moved the 2 front 120mm fans up two slotw (Just below my DVD BURNER) so that the cooling from the fans are being as efficient as they can be. I also added a fourth 120mm fan on the side panel of the case and theres a 200mm fan on the top of the case venting air.
 
I got an AW9D-MAX today but every time I set an overclock the thing reverts back to default settings for the CPU and ram. I have the latest 1.5 bios flashed which may be the culprit but no matter how low I set an overclock when I reboot it reverts back to the defaults.

CDPU : C2D e6400

ram : Crucial Ballistix ddr2 8000

Powersuply : coolermaster Purepower 550watt 30amp

any suggestions please?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Is LTT forum is choke full of spooks ?
Replies
5
Views
418
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