Abit IP35 Pro appeals to users still using DDR2 ram ...

INTRODUCTION

Thanks to Abit, our CPU3D review can now take a look at the Abit IP35 Pro. Abit has now become one of many manufacturers which have recently released an Intel P35 chipset based motherboard. We were expecting the Abit IP35 to support DDR3 ram, but it looks like they may have decided against it, and save that option for their next motherboard release (using the Intel X38 chipset) in September.

In our recent reviews, we've already looked at some of the motherboards which uses the P35 chipset. We discovered that by using DDR3-1066 ram, there was only a marginal difference in performance over DDR2-1066. So, it's quite understandable why Abit chose to stick with DDR2 ram for their P35 motherboards.

         

Going back to the motherboard itself, the Abit IP35 Pro uses Intel's P35 express chipset and offers support for 1333FSB, DDR2-1066 ram, it's Quad Core ready and has future support for Intel's next generation processors codenamed "Penryn". It's mainly targeted at the mainstream market and should provide a very good performance/price ratio.

The IP35 Pro motherboard contains some of Abit's innovative features as found on their enthusiast board .. the IN9 32X-Max. These include the uGuru overclocking feature in the BIOS, diagnostic LEDs, silent OTES heat-pipe cooling for the chipset and the ingenious CMOS reset switch loacated on the back panel.

The board also contains solid Japanese capacitors which is an added bonus, and gives the board extra stability and longevity. Located within the motherboard itself are two very handy switches, which are ideal for the enthusiast ... one for power and the other for reset.

Abit motherboards has always been very good with performance, stability and especially their overclocking abilties. Using their innovative uGuru overclocking feature in the BIOS, overclockers and enthusiasts alike have been able to achieve great performance and overclocking results. And for this reason, I like Abit motherboards very much.

         

It will be interesting to see what Abit might come up with in September. That's when their next-gen motherboard using the Intel X38 chipset finally gets released. Just imagine ... Intel's latest high-end X38 chipset with a 1333FSB processor using DDR3-1333 ram. It should be a stormer! But for now we'll have to contend with DDR2 and P35 chipsets.

OK, let's not waste any more time time and take a closer look at the specifications ...