Epox EP-8KDA3J ?

[Pocket]

I've trying to decide what motherboard to get for an Athlon64 setup. I saw this board and it looked pretty good to me, but nobody on AnandTech has mentioned it at all. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with it and/or what kinds of problems they've had?

 

[robisc]

I too am looking at this board and have found very little about it, FWIW I have had pretty good luck with a couple EPOX Socket A boards in the past.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I have one - I've been very pleased with it. Nice and stable, easy overclocking, good feature set - what's not to like?

 

[JBT]

Its a GREAT board if you don't plan on OCing much highier than 2.45-2.5 GHz. I would love the thing if I didn't want to get to 2.5 so bad grrr.Other than that it has an excellent price and good features too. It has good performance but HIGH OC's are out of the quiestion. Mid to low are fine though.

 

[osage]

I have one as well. With the latest bios the undervolting problem has been fixed.
As JBT said it is a good board, but for max OC you will want something else. Stock speeds, or a mild OC the board has been very good.

 

[Pocket]

Thanks for the input guys. I too am currently using an Epox 8RDA+ and it's been great. However, I've decided to spring for the DFI Lanparty UT. Been hearing very good things about it.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[Ketchup]

I just bought this board, and I think it is going to be a good overclocker. So far I have gotten my A64 3200 to 2.54 GHz with 1:1 memory and HT at 4x, default multiplier of 11. I am using the newest bios, but am having problems with undervolting unless the bios is set to 1.7 vcore. I am going to try an older bios to see if it will fix this. I have tried lowering the multiplier, but can't get above 240 ATM, even though I have lowered the HT to 3x and the memory to 166. I have only spent a couple hours today on overclocking this thing, so I think with a little more work I will be able to find out just how far this thing can go. But, at 2.5 GHz, this thing scores higher than a 4 GHz P4 in Arithmetic Calculations, which is very encouraging!

 

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by: ketchup79
I just bought this board, and I think it is going to be a good overclocker. So far I have gotten my A64 3200 to 2.54 GHz with 1:1 memory and HT at 4x, default multiplier of 11. I am using the newest bios, but am having problems with undervolting unless the bios is set to 1.7 vcore. I am going to try an older bios to see if it will fix this. I have tried lowering the multiplier, but can't get above 240 ATM, even though I have lowered the HT to 3x and the memory to 166. I have only spent a couple hours today on overclocking this thing, so I think with a little more work I will be able to find out just how far this thing can go. But, at 2.5 GHz, this thing scores higher than a 4 GHz P4 in Arithmetic Calculations, which is very encouraging!

Update: ok, I am up to 260 FSB now.

 

[SRGilbert]

I'm curious to get more information about this board as well. From what I've been able to ascertain, it's virtually the same board as the Epox EP-8KDA3+. Am I correct in assuming the only differences are the missing 4 SATA ports, and the optical audio output? Other than that, I can't find anything that account for the nearly $80 difference between the two. If so, the $73 with free S&H is a pretty good deal!


On the same topic, what is the real poop on the double sided memory issue? From what I understand, the manual states that you should not run more than one ds dimm at a time? From the look of it, almost EVERYBODY is running at least two ds PC3200 512mg modules in their NF3 boards. I'm planning on getting two of the standard Corsair Value Select 512MB DDR PC-3200 that seem popular (and affordable) should I be concerned?

Besides, the manual doesn't make a lot of sense when it says that it supports up to 3gig of memory. There can't really be single-sided 1gig dimms available can there?

 

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by: SRGilbert
I'm curious to get more information about this board as well. From what I've been able to ascertain, it's virtually the same board as the Epox EP-8KDA3+. Am I correct in assuming the only differences are the missing 4 SATA ports, and the optical audio output? Other than that, I can't find anything that account for the nearly $80 difference between the two. If so, the $73 with free S&H is a pretty good deal!


On the same topic, what is the real poop on the double sided memory issue? From what I understand, the manual states that you should not run more than one ds dimm at a time? From the look of it, almost EVERYBODY is running at least two ds PC3200 512mg modules in their NF3 boards. I'm planning on getting two of the standard Corsair Value Select 512MB DDR PC-3200 that seem popular (and affordable) should I be concerned?

Besides, the manual doesn't make a lot of sense when it says that it supports up to 3gig of memory. There can't really be single-sided 1gig dimms available can there?

As far as differences go, all that you have mentioned is correct, (it does have 2 sata ports) but the "J" only has a small passive heatsink on the chipset, whereas the "+" has a much larger heatsink with a fan. The chipset does get pretty hot, especially when overclocked, but I have had it up to 260 FSB with no problems.

Another neat thing about this board is the RAID controller. You can use the IDE ports or the SATA ports for creating a RAID array, something that could be very handy for someone who already has an IDE RAID setup. Only thing is you would have to get a controller card for your optical drives.

As far as memory goes, the manual does say to only run 1 double-sided module. I am running two 256's without problems, except that I can run with one installed up to the 250-260 range, but with 2 I can only get 230-240 FSB. And downclocking the memory is almost NEVER a good idea with this chipset.

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: ketchup79
As far as memory goes, the manual does say to only run 1 double-sided module. I am running two 256's without problems, except that I can run with one installed up to the 250-260 range, but with 2 I can only get 230-240 FSB. And downclocking the memory is almost NEVER a good idea with this chipset.

256's are typically single sided. If you can only get 230-240 with 2 single sided DIMMs, I shudder to think what you'd get with 2x512 double sided DIMMs.

 

[Avalon]

I've been sitting around on Newegg and review sites...still trying to decide what board I want to get. When the Epox board was originally announced, I was pretty excited, until I heard about the DFI NF3 Lanparty. Back at that time, the 8KDA3J was $85. Now it's $73, compared to $130 for the DFI. I was also considering the Chaintech for $72 at one point, but the Epox eclipses the Chaintech in features and is the same price.

From what I've read, CnQ has been disabled in the newer bios revisions for the Epox board due to CnQ incompatibilities with 2xDS DIMMs. I heard some other random incompatibility issues concerning two sticks of SS DIMMs, but I can't seem to find a confirmation on that. None of this particularly concerns me, since I won't be using CnQ and my memory is DS. However, I'm wondering if newer bios updates have bolstered memory voltage options for the board. I was pretty dissapointed with 2.8v max for memory, when my 8RDA3i supports 2.95v for memory. I've got two sticks of Geil that I know have a lot of potential in them, so I'd like the extra juice that the DFI would provide. That $57 price delta is absolutely brutal, though. Arrrgh.

Think I could pull off a decent memory OC with just 2.8v for DIMM voltage?

 

[SRGilbert]

Originally posted by: ketchup79
As far as memory goes, the manual does say to only run 1 double-sided module. I am running two 256's without problems, except that I can run with one installed up to the 250-260 range, but with 2 I can only get 230-240 FSB. And downclocking the memory is almost NEVER a good idea with this chipset.

Thanks for the info, another question about the above statement. I really have no intention of overclocking this board (I know, I know..... :disgust: ) so would this really affect me? Bottom line is whether Nforce3 boards are designed to run in the way I'm intending (2x512mg DS DIMMS) or is it just this particular board?

 

[SRGilbert]

Originally posted by: Avalon
From what I've read, CnQ has been disabled in the newer bios revisions for the Epox board due to CnQ incompatibilities with 2xDS DIMMs. I heard some other random incompatibility issues concerning two sticks of SS DIMMs, but I can't seem to find a confirmation on that.

Ack, I may have to forget about this board after all. C&Q was actually something I was very interested in personally (I'm building 2 systems that will be in a room together adjacent to our bedroom, these will be replacing 2 Athlon 1ghz noise boxes I've had forever.) Again, is this an issue common to NF3 boards or only the Epox line?

 

[Ketchup]

I do know that 2 DS dimms are a no-no altogether, not sure what that would have to do with cool and quiet. These chips run pretty cool if you don't overclock them. If you want something quiet, I would buy a Thermaltake Silentboost to cool the CPU. And as far as I know, the double sided issue is an issue with the chipset itself, as somebody in another thread is having the same problem with his Soltek board.

 

[SRGilbert]

Originally posted by: ketchup79
I do know that 2 DS dimms are a no-no altogether, not sure what that would have to do with cool and quiet. These chips run pretty cool if you don't overclock them. If you want something quiet, I would buy a Thermaltake Silentboost to cool the CPU. And as far as I know, the double sided issue is an issue with the chipset itself, as somebody in another thread is having the same problem with his Soltek board.

In any case, the manual for the Epox is either a misprint, or they are misleading. As I mentioned before, how can the board support 3gig of ram if it can only use 3 single sided chips at a time? Is there really such a thing as a SS 1 gig DIMM???

 

[Nessism]

You guys may want to check the Epox manual posted on-line HERE.

Like ALL 754 socket A64's, the 8KDA3J supports two double sided DIMM's. Remember, the memory control is in the CPU, not the chipset.

 

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by: Nessism
You guys may want to check the Epox manual posted on-line HERE.

Like ALL 754 socket A64's, the 8KDA3J supports two double sided DIMM's. Remember, the memory control is in the CPU, not the chipset.

Hmm, yeah, ok, did you even at page 3-6?

 

[Nessism]

Originally posted by: ketchup79

Originally posted by: Nessism
You guys may want to check the Epox manual posted on-line HERE.

Like ALL 754 socket A64's, the 8KDA3J supports two double sided DIMM's. Remember, the memory control is in the CPU, not the chipset.

Hmm, yeah, ok, did you even at page 3-6?

Time to eat crow here. Manual does state, only one DS Dimm.

Back pedal time...I wonder if the manual is wrong?? Memory controler is in the CPU so this restriction seems very strange. Maybe they made a mistake?

Ed

 

[osage]

I have run 2 double sided dimms in mine without issue.....

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: osage
I have run 2 double sided dimms in mine without issue.....

Whew, glad to hear it. Its probably a typo in their manual.

My epox will be here Friday along with a 2800+ A64 and aftermarket heatsink/fan combo.

 

[sheemone00]

I was interested in this board to go along w/ my new Athlon64 2800+, but im wary about the memory issue. I have 2 512 sticks mushkin 3200, but I cant seem to find out whether they are DS or SS. Can someone tell me if the memory will be compatible w/ this board?

 

[Cancer12]

when mine worked it did 2 ds no prob, but then it unexpectadly died and would not revive. I got the lanparty which is awesome, and will rma and sell the epox

 

[scaryclownsarefun]

I am trying to get all of the Epox 8kda3J info in one place... could you guys posts your comments about it in the unnoficial Epox 8kda3j thread?

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...2453&enterthread=y