ASUS A7M266 + T-Bird 1.2 question?

[sac130e]

Just got the Asus A7M266 board, but have question on cpu. Even if I get a 1.2 unlocked or unlock it my self, there still is no way to set fsb with this motherboard. So is there any point in getting the 1.2 (200fsb) or wait for the 266fsb cpu's? Waiting is hard.

 

[Mean MrMustard]

I am in the same predictament as you...I'm waiting but I don't know for how much longer. I've waited about 2 months now.

 

[CARDR]

Guys,

Two reviews about the A7M266. One at: http://gotapex.com/index.php, and the other at: http://www.socketa.com/

If you go into the BIOS and set the Operating frequency to user defined, then you should be able to step the FSB up in 1MHz increments all the way to 180MHz!~!!!

I've been doing research on the best MB to get for the T-bird utilizing DDR, and this is one of my options. Could you give me your opinion as to buy or look somewhere else? Also, let me know if the FSB overclocking works!!

 

[gaucho]

thats true cardr, but you cannot change the multiplier wich is KEY to OC. If you just up the FSB to 133, then thats 133X12=1.6!!! wont work, trust me, learned the hard way! hehe
you need to be able to set the clock multiplier to something like 9.0x133=1.2 and so on.

now, if you just got the board, im interested in knowing if you have revision 1.04.. because i beleive 1.04 has the clock multiplier dip switches my 1.03 is missing..

 

[Zipperhead]

i have 1.04-it does not have the dip switches for multiplier adjust.

 

[gaucho]

ARRRGGGG!! I wonder if they will unlock the multiplier in the BIOS in future updates.. i guess im gonna either install the dip switches my self or modify the L6 bridges

 

[CARDR]

Gaucho,

NO, I'm trying to decide which board to go with! Please let us know if you have success with the dip swithches. I'd really like to make this happen considering all the other great features of this board!!:|

 

[gaucho]

i agree cardr.. im not willing to spend more money on a new board.. i'll either change the L6 or add the dip switched.. im more afraid of the latter because i have been reading about having to change some resistors and stuff as well.. im no engineer, so it seems easier to change the multiplier at the core. We shall see

 

[DarkMajiq]

You'd probably just be better off to do the L6s than try to screw around adding dipswitches if you're not completely sure of what you're doing.

 

[gaucho]

i agree.. i just got back from buying a conductive pen and an Exacto knife.. the sales person told me the exacto knife should work to cut the bridges.. any comments on this?

 

[CARDR]

Gaucho,

Kinda off the subject, but I'll ask anyway. Does the A7M266 have temp sensors on the board to monitor CPU, and mainboard temps? I'm wanting to have some program running on my desktop, or better yet live like Compu Nurse to be able to read temps all the time. What's the best way to go about this, so that I don't have to go to the BIOS everytime I want to look at the temps?

Thanks!

 

[gaucho]

the A7M266 , as most asus boards, come with a temp monitor. So you can see from your desktop what the temperatures and voltage are..

 

[lundog22]

I was going to pick up this ASUS A7M266 and 2 128MB PC2100 DDR. But I just can't justify the cost.

PC2100 DDR RAM are overpriced at the moment.
A7V don't let you change the multiplier.
No game really need that mush memory speed.

So I just picked up the A7V133 instead. Got a 1G retail T-bird and overclocked it to 133FSB x 8. And still be able to keep my 2 good 128MB KingMax PC150 RAM, and run them @ 143Mhz cas2.

just my .02

 

[gaucho]

lundog.. i only wish the idea of overclocking would have entered my head before i purchased the A7M266.. then i would have come on this board and realized that i could have saved around $250 (or more) and get the same performance as i wanted when i fell for the 266 ddr hype. Oh well.. live and learn.. now im stuck with a board that in order to get the performance i wanted i have to mutulate the cpu or wait and pray that asus fixes the multiplier issue on a BIOS update..

 

[DaddyG]

Gaucho, you do not have to 'mutilate' your cpu. Instead of cutting the L6 bridges, just insulate the corresponding CPU FID pin with shellac or clear nail polish. You have a 1.2 gig which has the following L6 bridge config

. | : | |

Ideally you would want to reconfigure them to

. | : | : which would default your cpu to 800 at 100 fsb.


But if you insulate the FID3 pin then you will achieve the same effect. Look around the net, you'll find diagrams of the FID pins.

 

[CARDR]

Daddy G

Sounds like I'll be trying some of the same things unles ASUS comes out with that BIOS update! One other question for all of you who have the A7M266. What Heatsink and fan do you have? I have read several reviews, and I'm leaning toward the Alpha PEP66t. curious if it will fit. From the Motherboard reviews, and pictures it looks like it will fit. I just want to be sure before ordering!

Thanks

 

[gaucho]

finally! someone gives me an alternative! i have been searching and have found nothing on the FID3 pin.. i'll keep searching though.. that sounds like a better alternative..