epox 9npa+ supports OPTERON 146/148, right?

[thesurge]

Has there been a BIOS upgrade yet for these motherboard to allow the Opteron's to be compatible? Does anyone have one with an opty?

 

[MTDEW]

What he said.

 

[Maluno]

I sure hope so, because I just ordered this board for my new rig with an opty 144, and I have no method of flashing the bios if it doesn't post. Fingers crossed, but I believe it will work!

 

[Fallengod]

It does. If you think about it. Theres no reason it shouldnt anyways. Its basically just a san diego. It would read as a san diego if anything. But yes, it works perfectly fine. Ive already confirmed it with epox.

 

[MTDEW]

Emailed Epox and just got the reply this morning.

Dear Sir

The board bios have add the Opteron processor code,so it can be recognize ,but Opteron processor was for server and workstation used,we have not to do the full function compatibility test with Opteron processor .



Thank you for your interest in EPoX products and contacting our support
department. If you reply ensure to include all previous E-mail text. It will
prevent unnecessary delays and guarantee the fastest possible response.

Best Regards,
=================================================
Technical Support (CMH)
EPoX Computer Co., LTD. (Head office)
E-Mail : support@epox.com.tw
Web : www.epox.com
Please provide previous E-mail text if replying.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
=================================================

 

[MTDEW]

Popped in my new Opteron 148 in my Epox 9NPA+ SLI board.

Mobo detects the cpu just fine as an Opteron 148.
Only problem is it defaults the cpu voltage to 1.5v.
But if you grab the latest bios dated 11-22-2005 you can adjust the cpu voltage to a minus value as well as plus values if you want more or less voltage.

Not sure if you NEED the latest bios to get the minus values, all i know is i didnt have them before i updated to that bios , my old bios was dated 4-7-2005


BTW: my Opteron 148 was a CABYE 0540 FPBW / Retail Boxed

It does 2.9ghz @ 1.55v
It boots just fine at 3ghz but i havent gotten that speed stable in Prime95 yet, i even went up to 1.65v and its looks like a NO-Go for this cpu.
But i'm not complaing at all for the money and of course i'm still testing.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Is there any chance of damaging the chip with a voltage of 1.5? Isn't 1.35 the default? I wonder what the maximum safe voltage is.

 

[MTDEW]

Depends who you ask.
Generally from searching, the majority of people say 1.5v - 1.55v.

Then you have those that say temps matter, if it runs cool enough 1.6v - 1.65v

Ive even seen people suggest 1.7v with extreme cooling...LOL

So my guess is, EVERYONE else is guessing too, no matter what they say.

Any voltage over stock is gonna shorten the life of your cpu.

But i dont plan on running it more than a week, cuz my Opteron 170 will be here Monday, so i'm throwing everything I have at this thing while testing.

 

[Fallengod]

Just so you know, that voltage problem isnt an opteron problem. That is a epox 9npa+ problem. It defaults to 1.5v for any cpu. You have to get the latest bios update and set the thing to subtract .1 volts, which makes it 1.4.

 

[Avalon]

The default voltage for a s939 Opteron is 1.36v, according to what both of mine have defaulted to in my DFI NF4 Ultra-D. Specs on etailer sites for these Opterons also claim default voltage as a range, which is 1.35v-1.4v, so 1.36v sounds about right to me.

 

[imported_PRAETORIAN]

Modempower love the quote... I've had many laughs on that one!!

Ok so , I installed my Opteron 146 on my Epox 9NPA+, and all lights up and whirls, but I am getting the dreaded FF code. I cannot get into my BIOS because it doesn't POST. I reset the CMOS as instructed during first attempt at support. When I told EPOX support my CPU, heres what they said yesterday:

"Dear Sir
The board origin bios was not support Opteron processor ,the new bios have add the Opteron processor code,so it may be can recognize ,but the Opteron processor was for server and workstation used,we have not to do the full function compatibility test with Opteron processor .Please update the new bios for your processor support.

Thank you for your interest in EPoX products and contacting our support
department. If you reply ensure to include all previous E-mail text. It will
prevent unnecessary delays and guarantee the fastest possible response.

Best Regards,
=================================================
Technical Support (CMH)
EPoX Computer Co., LTD. (Head office)"

As I've invested alot of cash into this computer, I don't know what to do. I cant update BIOS with no POST:disgust: I've removed the memory, GPU, even tried other memory...No help. Maybe this weekend I'll remove CPU, and MB, and look for post grounds, but I can tell you...this isn't fun after built!! Unless someone wants to loan me a athlon 939 64bit , LOL, Any suggestions???

 

[MTDEW]

FF= Fully Functional

Try only 1 stick of ram.

 

[MTDEW]

PRAETORIAN,
Sorry for just a quick suggestion and then just leaving you hang, but i had to step out for a min.

FF is GOOD

Your board isnt posting for some other reason, usually on The 9NPA+ if its the memory, you'll get a C1 error on the LED.

So, do the normal stuff.

Cpu, video card and 1 stick of ram ONLY, no hard drives or cd/dvd drives plugged in.
Also, NOTHING plugged into your USB ports. (use a ps2 mouse and keyboard or adapters if possible)

And to be sure the board is good, try posting with no video card or no memory and see if it beeps an error code, that way you can at least rule that out.

 

[MDE]

Try your RAM in slots 3 and 4.

 

[imported_PRAETORIAN]

Well I tried the ram stick 1 idea, the post with CPU, GPU, and memory only, and then tried them in slots 3 and 4. No POST.
Support has asked me to upload the lastest BIOS. Now I ask you, how is that possible? Should he even be employed?
Ok any other solutions? Im trying here..need help..mayday mayday

 

[MTDEW]

PRAETORIAN,
Other than what you have tried , try removing the cpu heatsink and reseating the cpu itself and the heatsink.

Where do you live?

 

[imported_PRAETORIAN]

Hi MTDEW, Listen, I sure appreciate your help. I'm going to remove MB (make sure no ground), clean CPU (reapply artic silver-reseat chip), and then re-hook this baby up. I cannot believe that it cannot "see" the chip to access BIOS. VERY frustrating! I would be delighted if custiomer support could understand the delemma. I cant be the only EPOX owner fighting this front. I would have had the above done save my starter moter died, and I froove my butt off replacing it in 23 degree weather. I cant feel my toes yet!

I live in Lancaster PA. How about yourself?
Hey thanks for the help man!!!

 

[MTDEW]

Well, its your lucky day dude!
I live in Carlisle Pa.

If you need to borrow an Athlon64 3200 Winchester cpu, to see if that will get ya up and running, to flash to the latest bios, i have an extra one laying here.

Drive might be a bit far, but next day mail should be a breeze.
Or we could meet half way or something.

Let me KNow

 

[leigh6]

WOW.

GREAT JOB MIDEW!!!! YOU CERTAINLY CAN PUT US ALL IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: MTDEW
Drive might be a bit far, but next day mail should be a breeze.
Or we could meet half way or something.

This is why I love AnandTech.

 

[Xchus]

I bought a 148 from newegg right now and overnight it, I also have a 9npa+ ultra hopefully it will work and OC like hell.

 

[imported_PRAETORIAN]

DAGGONE DUDE! ! Merrrrry Christmas everyone!!! I would love to borrow the chip! You tell me what you'd like for this to happen. I can meet you with my 'puter in Carlisle at your house (iF YOU DON'T MIND) swap the chip quick install Bios upgrade and be out of your hair in no time. OR any other way you'd like to do it.

I really really appreciate whatever you choose. AnandTech is great! EPOX hmmmm I'm not feeling it....

healthavitar@peoplepc.com is my address..I won't be home tonight (Wednesday), as I need to go to my Fiancees place.

Message me when you can....THANKS

 

[MTDEW]

Dont knock the Epox board just yet, its a great mobo.
You got PM.

 

[MTDEW]

PRAETORIAN,
Sorry, about that, i guess with 5 posts the letters PM probably made you wonder what i was trying to spell.
Thats a personal message. (you'll see the icon on the top left of your screen while you are logged into this forum)

So instead...
You got mail.

If for some reason you dont recieve the email since i'm using a yahoo email address which might get blocked by any spam blockers or anything.
Just email me directly at mtdew2k2@yahoo.com

 

[imported_PRAETORIAN]

well thanks to some serious generosity...I might have this computer thrashing in no time..SPECS

Motherboard: EPOX 9NPA-ultra
CPU: AMD Opteron 146
Memory: OCZ ultra high performance (1GB)DDR400 (PC3200)
Graphics: XFX 6600GT
Fan: Zalman CNPS7000B
PSU: Ultra 500 watt ATX

OH BTW MTDEW..how did the 170 opteron perform?
XCHUS..let me know if your MB recognizes the OPTY