Which Intel Board?

[Psykotik]

I'm definitely going phase change now (that's another project to run alongside my already wallet draining uber watercooling project) but have not really had any experience with Intel boards or CPU's (bar installing the bloody things for other people)

I know after talking to Shigs that I should be looking at a 30 capper 3.2, but I have no idea which board to buy.

I have read the specs for the two Asus boards (P4C and P4P800) and they both look pretty good, but I have heard a number of negative issues about both (toasty FETS, voltage fluctuations) so I would appreciate anyones opinion on either or both.

Also, are there any other manufacturures boards that are in common use for phase change clocking (I saw an Abit that looked quite spangly I think??)

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[Dazboots]

Psykotik

I'm definitely going phase change now (that's another project to run alongside my already wallet draining uber watercooling project) but have not really had any experience with Intel boards or CPU's (bar installing the bloody things for other people)

I know after talking to Shigs that I should be looking at a 30 capper 3.2, but I have no idea which board to buy.

if i was u i would go for a asus p4c800-e deluxe board m8.

i have 2 and im using phaze change now.

im running my 3.4 EE @ 4444 mhz.

im on 90 k on aquamark

and on 15918 on 2003

and on 2001 33285

29 seconds super pi 1 meg

5 min 48 seconds super pi 8 meg.

the fluctuations on the board can not be helped.

but its the same with anyboard u get when @ high speeds.

just get it droop modded cost u a couple of quid.

if u r after the asus p4c-800-e deluxe board

i have 1 for sale boxed m8.

like i said i have 2 but sold my other cpu so the board needs to go.

ask about on the forums and ask shigs he will tell u p4c800-e is the way to go.

 

[Psykotik]

Cheers Daz.

It says you have an IC7 Max 3 in your sig, which is the board I was just looking at (and damn sexeh it is too).

Is that one any good or is the Asus definitely the way to go (it is seeming so)

I may well take you up on the offer of your board if it's the best one to go with too

Andy

 

[Dazboots]

Psykotik

Cheers Daz.

It says you have an IC7 Max 3 in your sig, which is the board I was just looking at (and damn sexeh it is too).

Is that one any good or is the Asus definitely the way to go (it is seeming so)

I may well take you up on the offer of your board if it's the best one to go with too

Andy

need to change my sig m8 sold it about 2 months ago.

i bought a asus p4c800-e deluxe loved it to bits.

then bought 1 more to go with my other 3.2 EE.

sold my 3.2 EE to phill who owns this forum so im selling my other board.

yes its far better than the max 3 @ higher overclocks.

 

[Psykotik]

Cheers for that.

Just one more quessie:

What's the difference between the P4C800 E Deluxe and the P4P800 E Deluxe?

Chhers again

Andy

 

[Thickbrit]

I like max 3's for p4.They do have a few issues(vtt mainly),but after a couple of fairly simple mods,they rock.I have booted to windows at 325 fsb with 2.4c on max3.Every time i blow one up,i get another,great boards.All that said ,you wouldn't go wrong with the asus.

 

[Psykotik]

Arrrghh, decisions decisions..

I would be modding (or getting modded) both boards if necessary anyhoo, and the Max 3 looks far better aesthetically IMO, but the Asus seems to be king of the ring.

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGHH!

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

There are 3 Intel boards.

Asus P4C800-E

Abit Max 3

DFI Lanparty Pro 875 B

Each board has its pros and cons, apparently the DFI is the fastest board when overclocked believe it or not.

 

[Psykotik]

Well, I've just read the guide on the vDroop mod for the P4C800 (27k + 1k fixed resistor method) and it seems easy enough, so that overcomes the main shortcoming I was worried about, but I have yet to find the main issues with the IC7.

If I can find the main issues on the IC7, and see how difficult the vMods required to remedy them are, I will be able to make me mind up.

EDIT:

Seems that the main problem with the IC7 is vDIMM fluctuations when using voltages over 2.8v (which would mean I'd be buggered as my BH6 seems to need 2.8v to clear POST!)

But surely this could be remedied using the OCZ mem booster?? (which I have on order)

 

[Warlord Shigs]

Psykotik the best board 2 get for the P4c is without doubt the p4c800-e deluxe. with vdroop mod no mobo cums as close 2 this board 4 speed and stability. jus my 2p worth

shigs

 

[Psykotik]

Bugger aesthetics, I'm going for the P4C, really can't be [reverse desrA] to do the VTT mod on the IC7 either.

Cheers guys

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Have you not considered the DFI? I've tested them all - the DFI is the under-dog here but it might surprise some people.

 

[Psykotik]

I've had a look around most forums (still haven't found one as quick as this for replies to my quessies tho) and the general opinion I'm getting is that the DFI is a bit hit and miss (a bit like the Infinity I was running an XP M on) the IC7 is a beast with the VTT and VDIMM mods (Hipro5's guide was pretty interesting) and the Asus is gods gift to nutbars as it's always a solid performer once the vDroop has been done.

I really wanted to give the IC7 a go (mainly for aesthetic reasons, sad I know but that black PCB would look amazing in my setup) but the Asus seems to be the better choice (and I know Asus are pretty good for customer service, me having 7 A7N8X Deluxes)

I'll try the P4C, and if I get narked I may well try the others

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Thats a good solid choice - the Asus is one of the best boards for stability at high fsb - I had one of mine at 320FSB!

 

[gibant1]

Haven't voltmoded mine yet but is rock solid at 4195Mhz it a 3.2c 30 capper.

 

[Brwmogazos]

Stick to the P4C800E if you wanna go Intel with a Northwood CPU and get the MAX 3 if you wanna try a hot prescott and overclock the *()&$ out of it

I have modded several P4C800E....Vdimm and Droop....its a great board which hasnt got any issues with its VTT as its tracking properly the VDIMM as well as the Northbridge voltage that follows the VAGP.

So it only needs a few volt mods to get it right .Its biggest problem is the VCore fluctuations that are sorted with the Droop mod.

I have tried northwoods on this board up to 4.7ghz....it runs without any probs and over 320fsb without probs...thats not with just one board but with all 4 i have owned for myself.

Recently i took my 3.4E presscot up to 5.2ghz with an Asus but the mosfets under load are freaking out...some may blow if you stress it tooooooo much and again its not something you may experience...

I now own the IC7-MAX3...due to its large MOSFETS and its ability to handle the extreme stress the prescotts apply to the board.It doesnt have the 1.6Vmax limit of the P4C800E and its the board to get if you want the best mem bandwith .

It needs several volt mods though to be perfect.the VTT doesnt track properly over 2.8V .That is sorted by volt mods off course but it needs cutting tracks to the board something that many wont like.The VAGP goes up to 1.65V if i am not mistaken whereas on the asus up to 1.85V so running dividers on your mem would be better than on the Abit unless you mod it again...same applies for the northbridge voltage etc.The Vcore does fluctuate too.

I am getting a device soon from hipro5 from greece that will allow me to get higher Vdimm up to 4.1V...cures the VTT prob of my board without any mods and it will have many more features as well as VGPU volt mod capabilities too ...Just because cutting traces on my board would void its warranty...therefore i aint bothered doing these two volt mods myself.

Whichever board you get will be fine with your rig...out of the box the MAX 3 is a better board...however if the P4C800E gets volt modded then its an excellent board.

And yes i have tried them both....IC7-MAX2...4xP4C800Es all volt modded by me...and now IC7-MAX3

 

[Psykotik]

Cheers Dimi,

I've got my hands on a vdroop modded P4C800 E and a 3.4 Northy to play with at the mo (well, as soon as I can track down some DC4 and my PCB laquer arrives among other things)

If Hipro5's Maximiser does what it says on the tin, then I may well be playing with a Prescott on a Max 3 before long (hopefully) as well.