Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Overclocking on abit IN9 32X-MAX Wi-Fi

During our discussion of BIOS Setup features I have already mentioned that N/B Strap CPU As parameter allows changing FSB strap, but in reality these changes didn’t affect the performance in any way, only when you set it to PSB1333 the mainboard started but wouldn’t boot the OS. If we can’t change FSB strap manually, let’s do that automatically: all we need to do is replace Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 processor with 266MHz (1066MHz) nominal FSB frequency with the E4300 supporting 200MHz (800MHz) FSB.

The tests revealed that with the Vcore raised to 1.445V the CPU can work stably at 375MHz. almost 90% is definitely not a bad result, but it is primarily important for us today because it allows us to investigate the performance of abit IN9 32X-MAX Wi-Fi with CPUs supporting different FSB frequencies.

Since our platform was already set for work at 375MHz FSB, we decided to start with this value gradually reducing the frequency and running the benchmarks. At first it was all very similar to what we have just discussed, the same “swing” with the drops at 375MHz and 325MHz:

• FSB 375MHz – 7760MB/s read speed;
• FSB 350MHz – 8543MB/s read speed;
• FSB 325MHz –  6737MB/s read speed;
• FSB 300MHz...

However, when we finished the tests at FSB 325MHz the mainboard refused to start and froze, so that the only thing that could help us out was the Clear CMOS lever, and at 300MHz the mainboard simply wouldn’t start at all. 350MHz FSB – the board starts and works, 300MHz FSB – the board starts but doesn’t go through the POST stage and freezes. Looks like another FSB hole to me…

All in all, we would strongly recommend waiting for the new BIOS updates for this board, then abit IN9 32X-MAX Wi-Fi may show better results.