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Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with Intel processors => Topic started by: BADAMAN on November 10, 2009, 10:29:24 pm

Title: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 10, 2009, 10:29:24 pm
Hi guys
I am looking to upgrade from the mentioned mobo due to failure  :'(
I would like to keep my current hardware and software (if poss). I know most times the OS will ave to be reinstalled due to chipsets so it would be a bonus if the upgrade is the same.

My hardware is as follows:
E6600 core 2 duo
2GB x2 Ballistix Tracer 240-pin DIMM (with LEDs), DDR2 PC2-6400 memory module
nvdia Geforce GT 8800
Asus HDAV Slim
Plus various HDD and disk drives

Any ideas would be appreciated
Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: R_N_B on November 11, 2009, 09:17:42 am
The different Intel chip-sets that followed the P35 are as follows.

X38/X48 - both are basically the same chip-set with the X48 having a more thermally friendly NorthBridge (is important for the over-clocker)
P45 - the direct follow up on the P35, a very user freindly chip-set for the first time overclocker especially with the (then) newer E8400 CPU's

Find a well priced P45 chip-set that has the feature set that you require. In truth with the hardware that you are using the UD2 or UD3 variants will be perfect for you. Just make sure you order a DDR2 motherboard. This generation of motherboard saw the introduction of DDR3 ram as an option.

Have fun.
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: oggmonster on November 11, 2009, 09:39:51 am
Can personally reccomend the EP45- UD3P take a look here http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,615.0.html (http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,615.0.html). If you're living in the UK would be happy to sell it for you for a good price :) Am also looking to sell both processors + RAM if also interested. :)
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 11, 2009, 10:44:19 am
Hi and thanks for info peeps
I am in two minds now. I am kinda thinking of upgrading completly and getting a eith a gigabyte P55 or Asus P755D along with an intel i7 and some DDR3.
I suppose its overkill and is gonna cost a bomb.
What do u guys think?
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: oggmonster on November 11, 2009, 12:16:58 pm
If you've got the money to spare then go for it. Though if you're only gaming you're not going to see a huge performance difference (and pay alot for it!) and would just be aswell buying a P45 board. That way you can pop you RAM + CPU straight in.
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 11, 2009, 01:06:36 pm
If you've got the money to spare then go for it. Though if you're only gaming you're not going to see a huge performance difference (and pay alot for it!) and would just be aswell buying a P45 board. That way you can pop you RAM + CPU straight in.

Cheers ogomonster Ill consider that and your board.
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: R_N_B on November 11, 2009, 01:59:53 pm
Considering you are comming from a E6600 cpu you will see a reasonable improvement. HOWEVER you will see an even greater improvement if you upgrade your graphic card rather than your CPU. motherboard and ram. Seriously unless you are doing some hardcore CPU intensive stuff the graphic card upgrade will show by far the best return for your money.

Right now there are some really good deals on HD4870 1gb or nvidia 260 cards out there (£110 price range)

If you do wish to go the upgrade route then the UD3 board and a i5 750 CPU with some DDR3 ram is the way to go (on a budget) if you have the money to spend well that is a whole different ball game.

Gosh I love upgrading.
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: oggmonster on November 11, 2009, 02:42:01 pm
Well he has to buy another motherboard as his current one is dead.. But yeah like you said theres some amazing deals on GPUs at the moment.
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: Pottypete on November 11, 2009, 03:29:29 pm
Hi, Guys and BADAMAN,
May be that the mobo is still under the gigabyte warrantee if the serial no is checked for date, think it's 3 years, worth checking though,
There should be 10 or 12 digits following the letters "SN" on the sticker. Examples: SN0212101492, SN081600803517,
decypher,. 39-th week of 1996, as it's SN starts with SN9639.
But a new setup would be great,
Regards
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 11, 2009, 05:12:29 pm
Hi, Guys and BADAMAN,
May be that the mobo is still under the gigabyte warrantee if the serial no is checked for date, think it's 3 years, worth checking though,
There should be 10 or 12 digits following the letters "SN" on the sticker. Examples: SN0212101492, SN081600803517,
decypher,. 39-th week of 1996, as it's SN starts with SN9639.
But a new setup would be great,
Regards


Nice one!
If i can get it repaired that would be a bonus because xmas is around the corner and all that.
My serial number begins with SN071800
Is this still valid
Thanks
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: oggmonster on November 11, 2009, 05:15:36 pm
Nice one!
If i can get it repaired that would be a bonus because xmas is around the corner and all that.
My serial number begins with SN071800
Is this still valid
Thanks


18th week of 2007? If so sounds like its still under warrenty. Lucky you! ;) Raise an RMA and see how you get on :)
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 11, 2009, 05:21:59 pm
Nice one!
If i can get it repaired that would be a bonus because xmas is around the corner and all that.
My serial number begins with SN071800
Is this still valid
Thanks


18th week of 2007? If so sounds like its still under warrenty. Lucky you! ;) Raise an RMA and see how you get on :)


nice one ogg!
Can someone tell me how to setup a RMA. Doing a search on google seems to bring up US RMA website
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: Pottypete on November 11, 2009, 06:29:29 pm
Hi, BADAMAN,
returns@gbt-tech.co.uk
Always plan to check warrantees, lucky devil, ;D
Virtual drinks on you M8 8)
cheers
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 11, 2009, 07:25:51 pm
Hi, BADAMAN,
returns@gbt-tech.co.uk
Always plan to check warrantees, lucky devil, ;D
Virtual drinks on you M8 8)
cheers

Cheers Pottypete
Heres a shot on me  ;D
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: MichaelNC on November 15, 2009, 04:53:48 am
Hi Badman, I have the same board and did replace it with a i7860 P55 and then realized it was still under warrenty, not a problem since I can always use 24x7 download whore, my mains a i7950 x58.  After researching the RMA process and even calling Gigabyte which resulted in leaving a voice mail that never got returned the RMA process seemed like a PITA and then I just Bing'ed it and wala.. it's a piece of cake.. just go to:

http://rma.gigabyte-usa.com/DirectRMA/EndUser_Main.asp

And fill out the form, and then check back in a couple days and you'll have a RMA number if accepted.  Mailto instructions are on the site.  I just hope it comes back fixed.


Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 17, 2009, 07:45:59 pm
Hi guys
Thanks for all the previous info really helpful just fiiling you in with recent developments.
I managed to get in contact with rma and sent my mobo off to them.
I then got an email saying that no problem has been detected and the bios has been upgraded.
This is where i am starting to get worried.
I tested this motherboard at home with bare bones connected ie out the case with ram cpu and graphics card obviously it did not work. So i tested it without ram, 1 stick of ram , no graphics card and just the cpu, bascially every which way possible and still no joy. I then decided to pay a computer repair shop £15 to test it themselves, obviously they have access to more components than me so they are able to give it a through test. They came back saying that it is the motherbaord that is the issue. It was after this extensive testing that i decided to RMA the board, which cost me £8.50 special delivery plus a £10 postal order for the return.

The problem with the motherboard is as follows. Turn on pc, fans spin for a second and then reboot a continous loop . I have looked online and i have heard that it is a common faullt with this board. I have also heard that some people have sent the mobo onto the repair center and after been told that the baord is fine, it works for a bit and then does the same thing a few days later. I am not saying this will happen to me but i am just a bit concerned and would like to know if anybody has experinced anything simliar from Gigabyte RMA uk as it would seem odd that i and a computer repair shop could be both wrong

Just to add i have the first editon of this board
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: Pottypete on November 17, 2009, 09:20:31 pm
Hi,
Sorry to hear your still having problems
Are Your Ballistix  rated @ 4-4-4-12 with 2.0 volts?
If I'm right DDR2 motherboards only give 1.80 volts by default.
Put your "DDR2 Overvoltage Control" on + 0.20 (1.80 + 0.20 = 2.0) Try it and see!,
Or,
Have you got a value ram stick  that runs at 1.8 volts to try it with?
you could boot with that and set the ram voltage up to 2.0volts,the npower off and change over yor ram,
Regards

Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 17, 2009, 09:28:33 pm
I have not got access to any other ram pete but  surley it would at least POST or something without ram and just the cpu plugged in.When i do the screwdriver test there is nothing, no beeps, cant get into bios, just the cpu fan  spins a few seconds, then reboots, spins ,reboots.
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: Pottypete on November 17, 2009, 10:00:51 pm
Hi,
Can you explain your problem that led you to believe you had a faulty motherboard in your first post,(was it this failure to post) or some other problems?
just noticed we have the same surname, haha same clan,
I think it should give something for sure, Is your PSU Ok
Can't think of anything else to help you mate I'm out of idea's
You got the paperwork from gigabyte of the testing done, drop them an email or give them a ring explaining the situation,
And see what they can reccomend,
Explain the screwdriver test to me, is it just shorting the power button pin outs your doing?
Cheers
Title: Re: Upgrade from GA-P35-DS4
Post by: BADAMAN on November 17, 2009, 10:58:03 pm
HI mate, funnny that with the surname.
Yeah the PSU is fine as i have tested the mobo wth a spare one myself.
Ill wait and see what they say tomorrow. Yeah the screwdriver test is just shorting the pins out.
Thanks for the help anyway pete ill let you know how i get on.