Abit NF7-S V2.0 - Everyone getting above 200 FSB?

[MichaelD]

Hi all,

I'm on a mission. The mission (and I have decided to accept it) is:

To eke out a little more performance from my XP2100/Corsair PC3200 combo.

I'm currently running an Epox 8RDA+ (the earliest revision...1.0 I think...) and I am getting 200MHz out of the FSB. I have been told "you're lucky...very few people can get 200 out of that board." I do have AS3 on the chipset HS and it is helping.

I know I can get more than 200MHz out of this Corsair ram, but the board ain't havin' it.

Not even 202MHz, no matter if I up the memory voltage all the way. It isn't the memory that's holding me back. I'd like to lower the multiplier (from it's current 10.5) and raise the FSB. Bandwith is God.

I have read folks getting 210 and even 220MHz out of the NF7-S V2.0. Is this the "Majority Story?"



<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?
ProductCode=240109">Oh, and what are the odds that this is a V2.0 board? It doesn't specify....</a>

*another edit*

Yeah, I've weighed the Athlon64 equation against this.

XP CPU+Mobo = $200 or less
A64 CPU+Mobo = $350 or more

Plus, I "only" have PC3200 memory...kinda a waste on an A64, no?

 

[hytek369]

i got one running with corsair xms3200LL at 210fsb, default voltages

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: hytek369
i got one running with corsair xms3200LL at 210fsb, default voltages

Oh...you SO suck!!! j/k I am jealous...especially of that stock voltage thing. I'm at 1.800v. It'll crash Prime95 w/anything lower. :|

 

[Megatomic]

I got 220MHz FSB with Vdd at default, Vcore at 1.675V, and Vdimm at 2.7V.

It's stable, too, but I don't need my CPU clocked that high (2310MHz) for anything I do yet. Doom III may change that.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I got 220MHz FSB with Vdd at default, Vcore at 1.675V, and Vdimm at 2.7V.

It's stable, too, but I don't need my CPU clocked that high (2310MHz) for anything I do yet. Doom III may change that.

Thanks, Megatomic. A little more CPU MHz never hurts though! (hey...that rhymed...yeah, I'm cool ) Neither does a wider FSB.

I see you're running an XP2500. May I ask exactly what stepping, if you know it? I have a thread in CPUs about this exact thing....

 

[screw3d]

My spankin' new NF7-S ran 205Mhz FSB out of the box at default VDD. I need to find out how far I can take it this weekend

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: screw3d
My spankin' new NF7-S ran 205Mhz FSB out of the box at default VDD. I need to find out how far I can take it this weekend

Awright! Go for it! :wine: LMK how it works out. I am also looking for the most bang for the back. I've been the "early adopter" enough times. I want the most I can get out of this platform this time around. Beat on that board!~ :evil:

 

[MDE]

I got to about 215 FSB stably on my NF7-S 2.0 before something started flaking out (dunno if it was RAM, CPU or the mobo).

 

[screw3d]

No go for me at 215MHz FSB I think it's my RAM - 2x512MB TwinMOS PC3200 CH-5. It crapped out on me real early on Memtest86+ in Slot 1+2, but it was OK for several hours on Slot 1+3 It errorred on the 7th pass anyway.

215FSB on prime95 gave me a quick BSOD. Now trying to prime at 210MHz.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys. Good luck, screw3d!

I've got two 512Mb sticks of Corsair XMS3200C2...good stuff when I bought it six months ago. I really don't know how high it will go as my original (V1.0) Epox 8RDA+ mobo is lucky to make it to 200MHz FSB. Interestingly enough, it'll do 200MHz stably all day long, and has done so for six months. Go to 202MHz or above and CRASH. :disgust:

 

[Soulkeeper]

i had trouble getting over 210 with the 3 nf2 ultra400 board i tryed with my pc3500
but it was prob just the mem holding me back i can get 225 with my abit i875 P4 board and the same memory tho

most people have no problem hitting 200 and many get 220

 

[thirdlegstump]

Mine is doing 214 with a 2800+ @ 2140MHz default voltages.

 

[bootoo]

MichaelD - I have a 1.1 epox and can't get 200 stable, so you're ahead of me! I'm running at 196 right now - so close. 197 is all I've had really stable.

I am concentrating on another system right now but I was planning to vdd mod my motherboard and see what results I got at vdd higher voltage; I bought the grabbers and resistor but just haven't done it yet.

Have you thought about trying it or is it time to get a nice upgrade motherboard anyway?

 

[Budarow]

How's this board running "good" memory with fast timings AND a 200 FSB? Seems a LOT of "ultra" nV2 mobos can run 200+ FSB BUT with relaxed memory timings.

Thanks,

Bud

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: bootoo
MichaelD - I have a 1.1 epox and can't get 200 stable, so you're ahead of me! I'm running at 196 right now - so close. 197 is all I've had really stable.

I am concentrating on another system right now but I was planning to vdd mod my motherboard and see what results I got at vdd higher voltage; I bought the grabbers and resistor but just haven't done it yet.

Have you thought about trying it or is it time to get a nice upgrade motherboard anyway?

I'm at 200! I'm at 200! *PBBBTTTTH!!!* j/k

Yeah, I know I am luck to be sitting at 200FSB. I attribute it to three things: 1. The PS (Antec Trupower 430) 2. A good HS (AX-7) and
3. I removed the sticky pad off the Northbridge and put AS3 on there. Now instead of the HS getting warm, it gets HOT, which shows the diff the AS makes.

Maybe you could try that?

The Upgrade Bug is just bouncing around in my shorts, that's all. I wouldn't mind seeing if this memory (Corsair XMS3200C2) can do more than 200MHz; I'm pretty sure it can...but I dunno...

The NFS-7 is $85 now. I may do it just for the hell of it. I really want an A64 rig, but the performance vs. cost just isn't there right now.

Going to wait for the NF3250 chipset to come out before moving to an A64 platform.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Budarow
How's this board running "good" memory with fast timings AND a 200 FSB? Seems a LOT of "ultra" nV2 mobos can run 200+ FSB BUT with relaxed memory timings.

Thanks,

Bud

Well, here's my experience.

I'm running two 512Mb sticks of Corsair XMS3200C2. These modules are rated at 200MHz CAS2 with ONE module installed, or 200MHz, CAS 2.5 with TWO modules installed.

At 200MHz, CAS2 or CAS2.5 dual-channel, the board will not boot. It will at 166MHz, but who cares about that? :disgust:

At 200MHz, CAS2.5, single-channel it runs like a top at 200MHz and has for the past 9 months or so.

My timings are:

CAS 2.5
3
3
8

From what I've seen, the FSB speed has more of an effect on memory scores (SANDRA) and gaming than the timings do, to a point. *shrug* Could I eke another 2% performance out of this setup with some extensive testing, tweaking and CMOS resetting? Probably. But I dont' have the desire to muck w/it that much. Heck, my rig is a screamer. Runs hot as hell, but it's fast. :evil:

 

[petery83]

I've been able to do 215 before my generic PC3200 couldn't handle it

 

[bootoo]

Actually I used ceramique; that other a3 epox board just won't budge but it was sold to me as a sub-200 board and I bought it.

Just cooled my main rig which I'm concentrating on - fan on n/bridge with ceramique under and I got 203 tonight.

I really think epox uses some fugly tape under their hsf's. Glad for you; bet you beat me again with my new 8rda+ and yours. Dang, and a v. 1.0 too - I thought they were doggish! Congrats and lets keep trying

Edit - remember what happened to the 8rda+ fanatics; newegg and others sold them cheap and then discontinued them like that. Why not upgrade while you have the bug? Instead of haunting the refurb section like I did? You KNOW you deserve it.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: bootoo
Actually I used ceramique; that other a3 epox board just won't budge but it was sold to me as a sub-200 board and I bought it.

Just cooled my main rig which I'm concentrating on - fan on n/bridge with ceramique under and I got 203 tonight.

I really think epox uses some fugly tape under their hsf's. Glad for you; bet you beat me again with my new 8rda+ and yours. Dang, and a v. 1.0 too - I thought they were doggish! Congrats and lets keep trying

Edit - remember what happened to the 8rda+ fanatics; newegg and others sold them cheap and then discontinued them like that. Why not upgrade while you have the bug? Instead of haunting the refurb section like I did? You KNOW you deserve it.

Oh, sure; like I need more encouragement to spend money!

I've flashed the BIOS a few times on my v1.0 board. I'm running the 5/7/2003 BIOS. Don't know if that's the latest one or not. I know I'm lucky to hit 200MHz w/this v1.0 board. As you know, many others don't. I'm positive it's b/c of the AS on the NB HS. The HS gets HOT to the touch.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to pull the trigger on an NF7-S. I'm sure this Corsair PC3200 has got more than it's rated 200MHz in it. I want to find out.

Now, I don't think my current XP2100 has much more than 2.100GHz in it. That's all I can hit with it w/this 8RDA+, and at 1.825v...that's the danger ceiling for me. Currently, I've backed it down to 200x10@1.700v. A nice, comfy 2GHz. But more is ALWAYS better. :evil:

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: screw3d
No go for me at 215MHz FSB I think it's my RAM - 2x512MB TwinMOS PC3200 CH-5. It crapped out on me real early on Memtest86+ in Slot 1+2, but it was OK for several hours on Slot 1+3 It errorred on the 7th pass anyway.

215FSB on prime95 gave me a quick BSOD. Now trying to prime at 210MHz.

Same here almost. 210 is fine and 215 is dodgy. Same RAM combo as well (TwinMOS CH-5 2x512mb).

My 1700+ is happy at 210x10.5 and im happy with it. Dont want to push the voltage any more (1.71V actual). Cant bump the multiplier by another 0.5.... its flaky as well.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Thanks, Megatomic. A little more CPU MHz never hurts though! (hey...that rhymed...yeah, I'm cool ) Neither does a wider FSB.

I see you're running an XP2500. May I ask exactly what stepping, if you know it? I have a thread in CPUs about this exact thing....

Sorry, I missed this question the past few days. I'll post my stepping when I get home from work tonight.

 

[Megatomic]

MichaelD,

AthlonXP Barton 2500+ CPU Markings:
AXDA2500KV4D 9507352260201 AQXDA0313MPMW

It's an older stepping but the chip kicks much butt.

 

[MichaelD]

Good stuff, Megatomic. Thanks for researching your chip for me.

 

[Megatomic]

Not a problem.