After a month of waiting, the ABIT AT8 32X is finally going retail. ABIT AT8 32X, based on the ATi CrossFire Express 3200 gives users another choice of dual graphics cards solution with Dual 16X slot similar to NV SLix16.

In our test, this board performs pretty well in most tests. In fact, we chose to compare with an almost equivalent setup using boards based on NF4 SLI and ULi m1697 paired up with dual 6600GT. In the performance section, the ABIT AT8 32X performs on par or faster than the A8R32-MVP. So far, running the board has been pretty smooth at 1T cmd.

Features wise, this board has some pretty nice features that suits most users. There is a GbE, 1394, SATA RAID. Dual GbE seems to be good to have but it seems that there is only one. eSATA support is also missing on this board.

Overclocking is probably the most talked about. In our case, we tested for the max stable HTT. This is done by lowering the CPU multiplier to a low of 6x and increasing the HTT to anything beyond 300MHz, HT multiplier is set to 2x (400MHz). We were able to get lucky and reached a max of 340HTT using our old FX-53 processor. This is done using default CPU voltage, DDR memory set at 2.8v and running ASync DDR266 mode. Due to the engineering bios, the o/c portion of the BIOS probably needs some rework as sometimes i can't even POST at 266MHz x 6 even with the lowest adjustments available. We will revisit the o/c again when a new bios arrives.

May 14 - We restested the same BIOS with a different combination, this time round, we increase the voltage levels to the 1.2V and 1.8V options and HT voltage in the BIOS by 0.1v, the CPU voltage still at default voltage of 1.50v, DDR set to 2.8v, 3x(600) for HT multiplier and ASync DDR266. The system POSTED at 6x266 all the way up to 6x350MHz. The DDR modules are set at CAS 2.5, 6-3-3,2Tcmd DDR266. We were able to do that previously but it seems that the HT multiplier set to 2x(400) has some issues, we wanted to use 2x(400Mhz) as we wanted to find the max HTT the board can reach. Below is a screen shot of 350x6. Some of you mentioned that what is the use of underclocking it, the purpose as we have said, is to find the max HTT the chipset can support.

Next, for most users, it would be worthwhile using the board with  a pair of DDR600. We used our Corsair pair, ran it at CAS 2.5,6-3-3,2T cmd with CPU set to 8x300MHz. The system POSTED and is stable. Below a screen shot.

The odd positioning of the PCIe based Sil3132 controller at the rear of the board makes it difficult for one to fit the heatsink (a huge one). The ATX4P1 is on the extreme left of the board. That means you would have to wire a 12v line across from the PSU to the plug.

Overall, this board is should serve the needs of the power user. Considering the chips used, I think this board is more affordable than and would appeal to most who is interested in running a quiet, stable and oc packed board.

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