MB recommendation for P3 600e FlipChip

[ucdnam]

Currently running Asus P3V4X. Would like to know of other MBs which offer better performance/quality/etc. I just got a SCSI card and it doesn't seem to agree with this board, so I was considering trying out other MBs, to see if any of them work this my SCSI card (Adaptec 2940U2W), or to deduce that it's my fault and I can't install a SCSI card.

Thanks.

 

[AndyHui]

ASUS CUSL2, if you really want a new motherboard.

You are sure your SCSI card works? How about trying it in another system? Do you have it configured correctly?

 

[Yoshi]

I'm not a big fan of VIA chipsets, and could easily be convinced that it could be part of the reason you are having trouble with your SCSI card.

If supported 133Mhz FSB is not a requirement (not overclocking) get an Asus CUBX, Socket370 board for flip-chip PIII using i440BX chipset. The CUBX is cheap and stable as hell. If you are planning to overclock get the Asus CUSL2 with the i815 chipset, this will get you supported 133Mhz FSB with the AGP port running at the correct frequency. Both these board are probably more stable and compatible than the P3V4X.

 

[AndyHui]

Given the problems a large number of people are having with the CMD ATA Controller on the CUBX, I would advise staying away from the CUBX for now, or perhaps waiting for the CUBX-E....supposedly with the CMD Controller replaced by a Promise ATA100 Controller instead.

 

[ucdnam]

Thanks for the replies. The CPU was overclocked on my first attept at installing the SCSI card and since that didn't work, I stopped overclocking.

The CUSL2 may be the only option. I currently have Mnushkin(sp) PC133 RAM and don't wanna let that go to waste.

I didn't know the ASUS P3V4X had compatibility issues, since it seemed highly touted for it's performance. I guess it doesn't take too well to high end SCSI cards?

 

[Bartman39]

Seeing as how you just got the SCSI card and tried to install it... I am to assume that you had IDE drives connected already??? If so most SCSI cards would require an open IRQ to work and if you have all of the IRQ`s taken and both IDE channels working then it would not want to do its thing... Dissable one of the IDE channels and try it then I had the same issue come up when I ran a P3V4X... Ya never know till ya try...

 

[ucdnam]

Bartman: I did as you said and it seemed to do the trick. I couldn't find out how to disable an IDE channel so I set IDE3 and IDE4 to NONE. This seems like disabling IDE channel 2. Anyway, is it still possible to have 4 IDE devices somehow?

I have an IDE HD, CDRW, and DVD drive.

I may have to let them go and buy SCSI CDRW and DVD drives, but would an IDE controller help the situation or would it cause more IRQ problems?

I'm also wondering if I could just give the PCI slot it's own IRQ?

 

[deepcover]

I have a dual channel Adaptec 39160 Ultra3 controller, and in the adaptec settings menu, You can change the IRQ the card uses.

 

[ucdnam]

Ok, this is what I did and it seems to work. I did as AndyHui and Yoshi recommended. Since I have time and money right now, I purchased an ASUS CUSL2. So far, not a problem yet. There are so many settings in the BIOS that I'm gonna read the manual thoroughly.

Thanks for the help guys. I wish there was an easier way, but getting rid of the ASUS P3V4X will probably save me trouble in the future.

I had a P3 600e FC-PGA in a slocket and that was beginning to be a pain.

I had to modify the Alpha PEP66 to make it fit correctly. By default, the fan sticks out sideways, not on the top of the heatsink.

And... the BIOS reports very low temperatures compared with the P3V4X. I hope this isn't a fluke.

 

[AndyHui]

The very low temperatures are due to a problem with the BIOS. Version 1002 is the latest version and fixes the problems, although you must be aware of certain issues which may occur when you flash the CUSL2 BIOS. This is all on the BIOS download page.

The BIOS temperatures are about 18C too low.

 

[ucdnam]

Damn, I got all happy with the low temperatures. They were even lower than ambient
Oh well. Guess I'll update the BIOS.

Is it possible to go backwards after I flash it and find problems?

I'm assuming you just download the old BIOS and install that.

 

[AndyHui]

Yup. The problem with the new BIOS is that unless you follow specific instructions, or use the correct flasher, you will get no video on boot up, and will either need to remove the CMOS battery or short the CLRTC points. No big deal, but a hassle anyway.

The new BIOS does fix a number of problems.....the latest beta BIOS is supposedly even better.