*** Official ABIT NF7/S (nForce2) Thread ***

[MangoX]

I've flashed the bios to 1.2 on my rev2.0 also. Noticed no differences at all, and have never had any problems that I am aware of either.

 

[Corporate Thug]

for overclocking purposes is CPU interface supposed to be enabled? thanx

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: shady06
for overclocking purposes is CPU interface supposed to be enabled? thanx

yes

 

[MangoX]

Yeah, CPU Interface will enable slightly more agressive timings, but at the cost of stability

 

[NOX]

Anyone having problems running Corsair XMS (CMX256A-2700C2 C2 256MB PC2700) with revision 1.x in dual channel mode?

I'm currently running Kingston Value RAM DDR266 (PC2100) in dual channel mode without any problems what so ever (100% stable). I just want to know before I buy this ram. I'm very happy with my ram speed(s) now, however I have some extra money and know DDR333 should give me a nice little boost.

 

[Noid]

NOX ....

get the Corsair XMS PC3200c2 ,,, you can reach 200 Mhz with it.
(it goes higher ,,, but you might have to volt mod the NB like I did)

do whatevar ,,, to get that extra scatch to get those modules ... you wont be sorry.

 

[tc17]

Originally posted by: MachoDonut
I flashed up to 1.2 on my rev.2.0 and have had no problems with it.

BDSM - Although I haven't experienced any of the sound problems that you have, I know that some people are also disabling "enhance PCI performance" due to some video problems with ATI Radeons. Again, I haven't had any such problems.

I have debated between this board or the Asus a7n8x. Does anyone here know if the sound on the Asus is better than the Abit NF7-S? Or if they are the same? I read that the Asus may be better?

I have a soundblaster Live card, but would prefer not to use it if I could. Although I use the propietary digital connector on it with my Cambridge speakers, so I'm not sure if I would change from it or not.

 

[MangoX]

The NF7-S have Digital out on the rear. I'm sure the ASUS doesn't.

 

[Z80]

I ordered a NF7-S refurb from Newegg for $79. I received a version 1.0 with everything but the IDE and SATA cables. I also ordered a 2100+ CPU and the Chieftec silver aluminum case to go with the NF7-S. The total order came to $217. The case is awesome especially with the SLK-7 cooler and 80mm blue led fan from SVC. I gotta get me a UV light kit and some UV sensitive cables to really make it shine! For memory, I went with a 256MB stick of Crucial PC3200 direct from Crucial. After all the horror stories of memory problems people were having with this MB, I was really leary about going with generic memory or spending alot for Corsair or Mushkin twin packs. The Crucial stick was rated at CL=3 but defaulted to the MB's "Optimal" (6/2/2/2) setting when I first booted. I changed the setting to "SPD" (8/3/3/3) before attempting to overclock. I'm running stable at 2.2Ghz but I had to bump the vcore up to 1.8v to get it to loop through 3DMark2001SE multiple times. Temps are running between 38C and 42C at full load using Sisoft's burn-in utility running just the CPU benchmark. I noticed that even though I have the vcore set to 1.8v in BIOS all of the monitoring utilities (Sisoft, Winbond HW Doc, etc) show 1.74v - 1.76v or about .05 undervoltage. Anyone else notice this or could it be my power supply (300W CompUSA cheapy)? If anyone has a link to simple instructions on how to best overclock this MB using the CPU multiplier and FSB/DRAM ratio, I'd appreciate a reply. This is my first PC build in two years and alot has changed . Thanks

 

[Shimmishim]

don't worry about the voltage as the abit undervolts.... i currently am using 1.8 volts and it shows as 1.74 volts (average) actual...

 

[Noid]

Z80 ---- > nOOb guide to OC

 

[Noid]

New BIOS's .....

1.9 for 1.x versions

BIOS ID: 1.9
BIOS Compile Date: 5/13/2003
1. Please use AWDFLASH 8.23D or later to update NF7 series BIOS. With incorrect AWDFLASH version, the GUID will be erased, and leads to IEEE1394 peer to peer function failed.AWDFLASH 8.23K is included in this BIOS package.

2. Fixed CPU temperature too high issue.
3. Raised highest CPU FSB up to 300 MHz for "user define mode" in SoftMenu.
4. Fixed SATA RAID-0 data corruption issue by adding a new option "EXT-P2P's Discard Time" in "integrated Peripherals". The default setting is "30 us"; which is recommended by NVidia. In case the problem is still there, try "1 ms" please.

BIOS Compile Date: 5/13/2003.

2.0 version has ....


BIOS ID: 1.4
BIOS Compile Date: 5/14/2003
1. Please use AWDFLASH 8.23D or later to update NF7 series BIOS. With incorrect AWDFLASH version, the GUID will be erased, and leads to IEEE1394 peer to peer function failed.AWDFLASH 8.23K is included in this BIOS package.
2. Fixed CPU temperature too high issue.
3. Raised highest CPU FSB up to 300 MHz for "user define mode" in SoftMenu.
4. Fixed SATA RAID-0 data corruption issue by adding a new option "EXT-P2P's Discard Time" in "integrated Peripherals". The default setting is "30 us"; which is recommended by NVidia. In case the problem is still there, try "1 ms" please.
5. Changed DDR400 DRAM timing according to NVidia's recommendation.
6. Updated BPL to v3.01 according to NVidia's recommendation.
BIOS Compile Date: 5/14/2003.

 

[Noid]

CPU idle temp now 32c .... 10c lower

 

[Z80]

Originally posted by: Noid
Z80 ---- > nOOb guide to OC

Thanks for the noob guide noid but it didn't say anything about FSB/DRAM ratios. What's the difference between 4/4, 5/5 and 6/6? My first guess is nothing. So here's what I did for BIOS setup:
-reset to optimized defaults / reboot
-set: CPU user define 200 x 11, 6/6, enabled and up PS voltage 1.8/2.7
-disable: FSB/AGP spread spectrum, thermal-throttling / reboot
-W2K benchmarked for stability
Did I miss anything? Now should I up my multiplier until it becomes unstable and then start dropping my FSB until it stablizes?
I'm already on BIOS 1.9 and drivers 2.03, I did notice my temps went up when I disabled the thermal-throttling, 47.5C now at full load :frown:

 

[Noid]

47c is good for full load ...

Your temps will rise with more voltage.

The divider 6/6 may work for you (not for me)
I use 5/5.

generally, If you read the guide, you want to keep the multiplier low (like 8 or 9) to find your highest stable FSB.
(this is to find your MB and memory compatibility)
You want to see how far your memory goes first. (trying different timings and voltages)
My memory voltage is 2.8 with Cas 2.0 3 3 6.

If you do your homework ,, you find out that your FSB will be limited by the NB voltage while running 3D graphics.
(like games and benchmarks) (even thou Prime95 runs ok)

Set your chipset voltage to 1.7 (its highest setting)

Then, try raising the multiplier while increasing CPU voltage. I dont like going over 1.8v on CPU (air cooled).
When Prime95 wont run stable anymore, then try dropping the FSB.


You can always find more info at NforcersHQ.com and the Abit forums also.

PS. Take your time ,,, take notes ... its a slow process.

 

[Shimmishim]

if you want more voltage to your chipset, you can do the vdd mod which iinvolves a pencil, mulitmeter and a resistor on the board...

pretty easy to get .2 to .3 volts on your vdd

 

[barrese]

I got a NF-7 board and had been using a PCI soundcard I had, but decided to try the built in card to test the quality. When I play MP3s with the on-board sound it get tons of random skips like the APU is having problems processing the load. This is happening with a 1700XP and everything at default specs. Anyone else have this problem? In general the on-board sound seems to have better sound quality than my PCI card, but this skipping for no reason with no load on the computer is ridiculous.

 

[beatle]

Finally they admit to the temperature issue! My temps dropped 10C with this new bios. This didn't stop them from denying the whole issue a month ago when I called up to see what the problem was. Now @ a respectable 46C at idle with some sloooow fans.

 

[BDSM]

1. Will a Zalman NB32J chipset cooler be enough to cool my NF7 2.0?
I am probably going to use 200 mhz fsb.. Maybe a li'l higher.

2. Will I be able to run a Barton 2500+ @ 400 mhz fsb on this board without having to mod the processor?
I remember reading somewhere that 333 mhz fsb processors won't run @ much above 333 mhz without some sort of mod.. Is this true?

3. How do I put "My rig" info in these messages?

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: BDSM
1. Will a Zalman NB32J chipset cooler be enough to cool my NF7 2.0?
I am probably going to use 200 mhz fsb.. Maybe a li'l higher.

2. Will I be able to run a Barton 2500+ @ 400 mhz fsb on this board without having to mod the processor?
I remember reading somewhere that 333 mhz fsb processors won't run @ much above 333 mhz without some sort of mod.. Is this true?

3. How do I put "My rig" info in these messages?

i ordered a zalman nb32j for my SB

you can try a vanteq iceberq for you NB... that seems to be the most popular combo

2. yes this is true.. some have been lucky enough to not have to mod the chip... i would test the chip out first to see if it will run 200.. if not then you're gonna have to cut the 3rd L12 bridge (if i'm correct)

this will trick the board into thinking the processor is 266 processor instead of 333... then you can bump it to 400 and it'll be all good

 

[BDSM]

Hey Shimmishim

So the NB32J will not be sufficient for cooling the northbridge?
I want to have my system as silent as possible and that abit fan is too loud for my taste.

Btw.. another question.. I have a 1700+ that I am running at 2 Ghz at 1.52 V actual.

On the Nf7 my temp is at idle 47-49 C.. I used this cpu on an Asus A7V 333 before and the temps were around 42-44 C idle.
Why is this? I have the latest Bios installed but that made no difference at all.

Anyone have a clue why this is?

 

[Shimmishim]

what cooler you using???

cuz that is pretty high

i am running 1.74 actual and have temps of 50C's and that's w/o the new bios... and running at 2.42 ghz

 

[BDSM]

I'm using an AX-7 and arctic silver 2.

I tried first with that crappy white paste that ya get with a cooler cuz my friend had the arctic silver when I got the mobo and I was anxious to try my new mobo!

Not sure I cleaned the core sufficiently before applying the AS2. Do you think this could have impacted the cooling performance much?

I'm very close to ordering a slk 900 with 92mm fan.. but.. it will cost me almost as much as a barton 2500+!

So I am not sure what to do at the moment.

 

[BDSM]

Hello again Shimmishim!

Well.. I thought I had the latest bios but I didn't.. Now I do.. Now I am at 36,5 C idle. Seems VERY low to me!
Dunno if I can trust this reading! gah!

 

[Jen]

Originally posted by: BDSM
Hello again Shimmishim!

Well.. I thought I had the latest bios but I didn't.. Now I do.. Now I am at 36,5 C idle. Seems VERY low to me!
Dunno if I can trust this reading! gah!

also depends on your room temps and the amount of case fans you have. tempuratures do sound close to me.




Jen