EPoX "EP-9NPA+Ultra" NVIDIA nForce4 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard

[IlluminiX]

LZ1GJD - Which BIOS are you using? I actually have the same issue with PC Mark with my OCZ Plat Rev 2 @1T, but I think that was only when I overclocked. Since I am using the Beta BIOS, I wasn't sure if that was related or if it was common with previous BIOS versions, but it's not something to get too too excited about unless you experience problems elsewhere. Since I experienced random restarts when I performed different operations, I went back to 2T, but the issue could have been that my processor was overclocked too hard (2400Mhz from 2000Mhz stock). That's just me.

If you experience no random restarts, and everything seems stable, then you probably are ok at 1T. If you do a Google search for this, you'll find that many others have problems with the same memory tests at 1T in PCMark, and the conclusion is that there is most likely something wrong with PCMark.

IlluminiX

 

[sgtdic]

just FYI, i had to turn off my external usb drive in order to run pcmark05 or 3dmark06. it would BSOD even before the program even started up fully. i just ran pcmark and my score was 3184 (@ default). what kind of scores is everyone else getting?

 

[LZ1GJD]

The bios I am using at the moment is the latest beta bios, but I have tried some of the older ones and the same problem still appears. I have tested the memory with memtest86+ for at least a couple of hours and there was no problem. I also have done Prime95, StressPrime, SuperPI 32MB tests with realtime priority for many hours and still everything was fine.

[IlluminiX] Could you tell me if are you able to reproduce this 1T/PCMark problem at your default ram timings and speed ?

 

[IlluminiX]

Are you asking if I had the PCMark problem with my ram at 1T but everything else at stock? 1T isn't stock; that's why I ask. As I recall, everything worked just fine at 1T with everything else at stock when I tried that sometime ago, but I would have to run it again to verify as it's been awhile.

If everything has been fine, then I wouldn't worry until you sense instability.

Thoughts?

 

[LZ1GJD]

You are right, I did not express myself clearly enough. My question was if this issue happens when cpu is at stock and all ram timings except for command rate are default. I have a reason to believe my mobo is faulty because before this one I had ASUS A8N-E and did not have this problem, and if I want to have it exchanged I will have to prove this, but as for now PC Mark is the only test that fails I don't think they will be willing.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Has anyone had a problem running UT 2004 or Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on this motherboard? For some reason mine crash after a few minutes of play. Could it be a motherboard or nForce4 chipset issue? Could it be a Realtek sound issue?

 

[Ultralight]

The only thing I can say to your questions is that I've been advised that Realtec sound will interfer with your framerates when gaming. That's whyI went with an M-Audio Revolution 5.1 sound card.

 

[Ultralight]

Please excuse my ignorance (I tried researching but couldn't find what I was looking for) but when I look at Epox's specs on the 9NPA+Ultra it specifies the regular 64s as well as the FX cpus. My question is, can this board handle dual core or will there be issues? Will the BIOS recognize dual core?

 

[Mem]

My question is, can this board handle dual core or will there be issues? Will the BIOS recognize dual core?

Latest BIOS supports the new FX cpu,as to dual core yes since June last year BIOS wise,btw I'm using a x2 3800+ with no problems.

 

[Ultralight]

Originally posted by: Mem

My question is, can this board handle dual core or will there be issues? Will the BIOS recognize dual core?

Latest BIOS supports the new FX cpu,as to dual core yes since June last year BIOS wise,btw I'm using a x2 3800+ with no problems.

Thanks, Mem. And as for your dual core, sweet!

 

[Mem]

Ultralight: Just remember to install the AMD dual core driver from AMD,helps a lot in gaming for smooth FPS and no stuttering.


AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual Core Processor Driver for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Version (exe) 1.2.2 (bottom of the page).

 

[Ultralight]

When I bought my parts for my new build I went with Crucial Ballistix 2x512 PC 3200 RAM dual channel set-up. If I had to do it over I would have gone with a 2x1 GB set-up in dual channel. Ah, live and learn.

Anyway, I want to add another Gig and yes I understand that there will be a slight performance hit if I do so.

However, someone informed me that the 4x512 configuration has issues with NF4 motherboards. Is this correct? Does anyone know if the 9NPA+Ultra has issues with the 4x512 configuration? Thanks.

 

[archcommus]

Quick question,

If you enable PC Health readings on POST, what is the "system temperature"? Is that the chipset temp?

 

[RobbyG]

Originally posted by: Ultralight
However, someone informed me that the 4x512 configuration has issues with NF4 motherboards. Is this correct? Does anyone know if the 9NPA+Ultra has issues with the 4x512 configuration? Thanks.

You shouldn't have any issues with 4 sticks apart from having to set your Command Rate to 2T.

 

[wayliff]

will this work on this board? Thermalright HR-05
To cool the chipset...I do think it would.

 

[Rotax]

RE: Motherboard Monitor and 9NPA3ULTRA support.. Is it doable?

The 'bundled' software is garbage for use in the real world.

I need to see all voltages, fan speeds, all temps (including hard drives) and I want to see them in the taskbar.

The bundled app is way to 'pretty' and lacks functionality IMO . . Can anyone help with any info reguarding this?

 

[wayliff]

somebody suggested to me motherboard monitor or speedfan.

 

[Rotax]

mbm doesn't support...built in at least. i'm using speedfan now, does ok . . not quite exactly what i'd like, but does at least monitor the 4 temps i want. and i'm using USDM (non fancy version of epox's software) . .

i really liked having avg,min,max temp/voltage/fan speed info from mbm . . oh well =\

 

[you2]

How does the 9NPA+sli compare to the 9NPA sli to the 9NPAj sli? Not so much feature set but reliability... newegg has the non + for 40 dollars less.

 

[Podunk]

I am having problem w/ 9NPA+ Ultra (non-SLI) and Opteron 146. Won't boot, won't show any video life, can't get to bios. All the diagnostic LEDs are lit (CPU, Chip set, and Dram), meaning they're all getting power OK. It displays FF on the hex display. (Supposedly FF means board checks out OK and is booting.) Started with system fully configured. Tried a variety of DDR RAMs from old Socket A systems and some new sticks. The FF came up so fast I wondered--so, took out all RAM and video and HD and FF still came up--seems like that shouldn't be?? BIOS is stock one with board but as it is doesn't seem I could flash it.

 

[sgtdic]

what do you mean by system fully configured? did you try to load the OS again/new from scratch?

 

[Podunk]

Fully configured = all hardware hooked up (HD, FD, video, etc.) I didn't even get to OS because system just showed FF and did nothing 9except fans whirring and all blue lights on). Reset switch on board wouldn't even pause fans.

 

[sgtdic]

the reset is only for the operating system. it does not reset power.

if i were you i would unhook everything that doesnt need to be and try again, ie fdd, usb headers, pci cards, and whatever else not required to boot. just leave hdd, disk drive, and video card in. also make sure the jumper on your disk drive is set to master, or else you will not be able to load an OS.

 

[RideFree]

Podunk, sarg,
Wouldn't hurt to try memtest from either drive A: (provide you even have a floppy) or as a self-boot CD. This, of course, is with the hardware configuration that sgtdic has just enumerated.

 

[Podunk]

Thanks for thoughts. I did unhook everything and made no difference. It never got to point where it would read floppy. Looks like RMA coming up.