DFI nForce4 Ultra-D is on its way!

[essential]

My DFI nForce4 Ultra-D is on its way. I ordered it with an A64 3500+ Winchester, and a WD Raptor. Before I get started, I have a couple questions so I don't screw anything up.

After searching and reading many other topics on this board, after everything is first put together this is what I will do from what I have gathered from other posts:

I should attempt first boot with just the Raptor and one DVD/CD-Rom drive hooked up. I should go right into BIOS and set CD-Rom as first boot and SCSI as second. Then reboot with my Windows XP CD in the ROM drive. Now, the nForce4 natively supports SATA, so I shouldn't need hit F6 and load SATA drivers correct?

Also, I read this a lot in regards to the nForce3 boards, but many people had trouble getting SATA drives working with SATA ports 1 & 2, and had to use 3 & 4, is this still true with the nForce4? Which SATA ports should I initially be using for the Raptor (OS Drive), and my secondary storage SATA drive?

After Windows is installed, should I go back and put SCSI first on the boot order, or should I leave the CD-Rom first?

Please correct me if any of the above is wrong, but here is where I start having questions:

After Windows is installed, and I am looking at my desktop, what is my next step?

1) Install chipset drivers.
2) Shut down and install additional hardware (CD-Roms, HDs).
3) Install Windows updates.
4) Install video drivers.

It seems to me that the chipset drivers should come first, then the video drivers, then the additional hardware, then the Windows updates. I'm not sure though, so I thought I'd ask.

Also, should I install the chipset and video drivers from the CDs I get with my products, or should I download the nForce4 and 6600GT drivers from the nvidia website, since they might be newer?

My last random question is about flashing. I have never flashed BIOS as this is my first build, but once new versions of BIOS are put out by DFI, after a flash, are all settings default again or what? After a flash will I have to go in and re-do all my settings?


Thanks!

 

[lancer45]

I have the exact setup and am ordering my 3500+ and msi next week. Was also wondering the same questions. What are the odds!!!

 

[ribbon13]

Are you getting it for SLI? you may be dissapointed...

 

[essential]

No, I'm not interested in SLI, just wanted a rock solid stable motherboard. I don't overclock either. I was waiting for a non-SLI ASUS A8N, but it never came out, then I was just going to get the Asus A8N-SLI just cause it was an ASUS even though I didn't want SLI, but after reading the Anandtech review of the DFI nForce4 boards, I decided to get that instead.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

You order of events looks good.

I would use the drivers from the nVidia website not off the disc

Yes, flashing bios will reset to defaults and you will have to redo your settings.

Some people have experienced trouble booting with the shipped bios and 2 sticks of ram (especially TCCD chips). If you have this problem boot with 1 stick of ram, set optimum defaults in bios, adjust the vdimm and timings to those specified for your ram. Then flash to the latest bios, power down add the second stick of ram and then boot to the Windows CD and install.

Good luck! Hope you enjoy your new rig!

 

[imported_BadKarma]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
You order of events looks good.

I would use the drivers from the nVidia website not off the disc

Yes, flashing bios will reset to defaults and you will have to redo your settings.

Some people have experienced trouble booting with the shipped bios and 2 sticks of ram (especially TCCD chips). If you have this problem boot with 1 stick of ram, set optimum defaults in bios, adjust the vdimm and timings to those specified for your ram. Then flash to the latest bios, power down add the second stick of ram and then boot to the Windows CD and install.

Good luck! Hope you enjoy your new rig!

If I may add, remember to put the memory in slot #2, the orange slot near the edge of the mobo, when using only 1 stick of memory. When running dual channel, use slot #2 and #4. And make sure you plug in all of the additional power cables to the mobo(1 molex and 1 floppy power cable, IIRC).

Good luck on your build.

 

[Capt Caveman]

The Asus A8N-e NF4 Ultra is out now. Check the listed thread about it for more info.

 

[essential]

Anyone have any knowledge on which SATA ports I should use?

 

[Waylay00]

A8N-e is VIA, correct me if I'm wrong?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Waylay00
A8N-e is VIA, correct me if I'm wrong?

A8V-E = Via K8T890
A8N-E = NF4 Ultra

 

[n7]

If you plan to OC, make sure the SATA ports you are using are locked.

Maybe someone here knows which ones are & are not, as i know usually 1 & 2 are not, & 3 & 4 are?

 

[Snowice]

all sata ports (1 to 4) are locked on this board... but really doesnt matter since you don't OC, just choose one of them. i use sata 1. also, if you dont OC, you should have chosen a different board because this one is very picky on RAMs. what kind of RAM do you have?

to flash a bios, you can use WinFlash. when you flash, you can choose either keep the current cmos setting or clear it. but i would suggest you to clear it. you can also do it the traditional way by using a floppy disk.

anyway, good luck with your new system :beer:

 

[essential]

I'm using Corsair XMS XL, pc3200 (2-2-2-5) ... from what I've heard this RAM has been fine with this board ... so far.

 

[Snowice]

your ram should be good to go, but you might have to increase the voltage to get it to run stable.

 

[mooncancook]

I have a very similar setup.
Originally I hook up my Raptor to SATA 3, and my 2 old optical drives to IDE. My rams are in slot 2 & 4. I set first boot device to CD-ROM. I had no problem installing WinXP SP2. Once windows loaded, I installed the chipset drives (Audio, Lan Adaptor, etc) from installation CD and updated video driver downloaded from manufacturer website. I don't think the order in which you install the drivers really matters.

I d/l the latest NF4 drives but i haven't used it. After my system was setup I installed a 2nd HDD to SATA 4. I also got rid of my IDE drives and installed a plextor at SATA 1. So far the only issue I have with this NF4 system is overclocking. It wouldn't OC. Right now I'm blaming it on my 20-pin PSU until I get a new 24-pin one. It might also be the bios but I don't want to flash with beta bios as it'll void warranty.

 

[essential]

Sounds promising mooncancook ... but let me ask, was there any specific reason you chose to start with your Raptor on SATA port 3 and 2nd HHD to SATA 4? From all the reading I have done on nForce3 boards, typically people used SATA 3 & 4 for HDDs, but I never knew why.


Thanks.

 

[mooncancook]

Originally posted by: essential
Sounds promising mooncancook ... but let me ask, was there any specific reason you chose to start with your Raptor on SATA port 3 and 2nd HHD to SATA 4? From all the reading I have done on nForce3 boards, typically people used SATA 3 & 4 for HDDs, but I never knew why.


Thanks.

yeah i read the same thing that why i did that. Ppl were saying on some boards SATA 1 & 2 are not locked (i think they mean the frequency) and cause problems if fsb is overclocked. I wasn't sure if SATA 1 & 2 are locked on the DFI board so I use SATA 3 & 4 to be safe. Now I have a 3rd sata device so i have to use 1 & 2 now. I think SATA 1 & 2 are locked on this board and you should be able to use any of them without problem. I like the way how clean the case is without any IDE and floppy drives cables.