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

[Fern]

SirRob, use MBM5 and see confirm the vdimm (voltage to ram). The nf7 series overvolts ram a bit normally. Maybe yours too much so.

 

[Megatomic]

Fern is right, the NF7-S I have sets Vdimm to .1V higher than it is set it to in the BIOS. It's no biggie as the overvolted value is still only 2.7V, well within safe limits.

 

[weirdichi]

This week, BestBuy has some Kingston HyperX 512MB PC4000 DDR DIMM Memory Model: KHX4000/512 for around $100 after rebates and I have looked everywhere to find if this will be compatible with the NF7 motherboard. I want to confirm this before actually ordering it. Can anybody help me?

After looking through the Kingston website, seems I can only get 512MB max of 400MHz memory. Is it even worth it getting this memory or should I just settle for some 333 or 266MHz memory?

 

[vlsi54199]

I heard that the Kingston memory will not work on dual channel setting.

 

[weirdichi]

Originally posted by: vlsi54199
I heard that the Kingston memory will not work on dual channel setting.

Do you have a link to that information?

 

[magratton]

Well, I went out and bought 2 sticks of this. Windows boots, MemTest86 has not problems with it (at CAS 3). BUT! Prime95 would not run stable. I tried RAM at 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8v. All to no avail. I tried Dual Channel and Single Channel. No difference. System is setup at 211x12@1.85v. Put my Muskin Level 1 2x256 back in and it works fine.

So all in all this RAM seems like a no go for this board/chipset/system/whatever.

 

[Megatomic]

I have seen other reports of HyperX not liking the NF7 boards. Myself, I had 2 x 512MB PC2700 HyperX and they didn't work well in this board either. The Corsair I upgraded to (see sig) works great though.

 

[rh71]

ABIT NF7-S V2 with Barton 2800+ (non O/C'd) running WIN XP.

I've been having auto-shutdown problems in games (UT2k4 and TOCA 2)... during map loads which leads me to believe it's an excessive heat issue. It just powers off completely with no warning and the mobo beeps as a slow siren and the only thing I can do is unplug it and start it up again (I give it some time).

Is this a known issue with the board or am I guessing correctly about the heat ? I use the AbitEQ monitor and it states 122F (89C) before I load the game. About 2 minutes into the game when I try to load a map (in either game) it powers off (but not every time so it shouldn't be a software thing).

I'm using this CPU fan with it. I guess I should also mention the RAM: DDRAM 512MB C2 PC3200 PREMIER OCZ. FYI: I recall when I first set this board up a couple months back, the -12V reading was off... but now the AbitEQ monitor says it's fine. This problem has been happening for a few weeks now.

THanks.

 

[OpTiX]

Originally posted by: rh71
ABIT NF7-S V2 with Barton 2800+ (non O/C'd) running WIN XP.

I've been having auto-shutdown problems in games (UT2k4 and TOCA 2)... during map loads which leads me to believe it's an excessive heat issue. It just powers off completely with no warning and the mobo beeps as a slow siren and the only thing I can do is unplug it and start it up again (I give it some time).

Is this a known issue with the board or am I guessing correctly about the heat ? I use the AbitEQ monitor and it states 122F (89C) before I load the game. About 2 minutes into the game when I try to load a map (in either game) it powers off (but not every time so it shouldn't be a software thing).

I'm using this CPU fan with it. I guess I should also mention the RAM: DDRAM 512MB C2 PC3200 PREMIER OCZ. FYI: I recall when I first set this board up a couple months back, the -12V reading was off... but now the AbitEQ monitor says it's fine. This problem has been happening for a few weeks now.

THanks.

yeah i had the same problem it could be your cpu or your vidio card, try playing and touch the cpu heat sink and the gpu sink.

hope that helps

 

[magratton]

Originally posted by: rh71
ABIT NF7-S V2 with Barton 2800+ (non O/C'd) running WIN XP.

I've been having auto-shutdown problems in games (UT2k4 and TOCA 2)... during map loads which leads me to believe it's an excessive heat issue. It just powers off completely with no warning and the mobo beeps as a slow siren and the only thing I can do is unplug it and start it up again (I give it some time).

Is this a known issue with the board or am I guessing correctly about the heat ? I use the AbitEQ monitor and it states 122F (89C) before I load the game. About 2 minutes into the game when I try to load a map (in either game) it powers off (but not every time so it shouldn't be a software thing).

I'm using this CPU fan with it. I guess I should also mention the RAM: DDRAM 512MB C2 PC3200 PREMIER OCZ. FYI: I recall when I first set this board up a couple months back, the -12V reading was off... but now the AbitEQ monitor says it's fine. This problem has been happening for a few weeks now.

THanks.

To be honest I have that same cpu heatsink running an OC'd Mobile 2500 and 2600 both at 1.7v running around 3300 speeds and my temps are quite a bit lower than that (like 49C lower). Are you certain the HSK is installed correctly. I had a friend just recently mount that same heatsink, and he was also seeing high 80's low 90's. He removed and reinstalled the heatsink and now his temps are down to mid 40's. His was a non-overclocked Athlon XP 2200TBirdA.

 

[rh71]

In ABIT EQ, there's an option to shut down when it reaches a certain temperature. This is not checked off (enabled). Why does it still shut it down ?

 

[Megatomic]

Maybe because it is enabled in the BIOS. Check to see if it is.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Maybe because it is enabled in the BIOS. Check to see if it is.

Unfortunately it's not the cause... not enabled there.

 

[Megatomic]

Well, looking at those temps. you have a real problem. The hsf you are using is decent but it's a fact that it is not doing it's job properly. Did you properly apply heatsink compound before installing it? Do you have it mounted properly? Do you have your case properly cooled?

 

[Fern]

I think it's (temp shutdown) in BIOS in two places: CPU Setup/SOFT MENU III and in PC Health Status. Did you check both?

 

[rh71]

sorry for leading you guys on a wild goose-chase... I've been able to purposefully replicate the shut-down problem and it only happens when I use a "bonus" code in TOCA2 which is legit/normal. When it attempts to load a map in sim mode, it'll shut-down. In career mode, with the bonus code used, it loads/runs fine. I haven't been able to replicate the problem consistently in UT2k4 at all, but I swear it's happened with that game before.

I don't really think this is a heat issue any longer. The games must be triggering *something* upon load that will shut the machine down instantly. That's the first I've ever heard of that but it seems to be the only logical cause. Nothing else is EVER causing it to abruptly power off. If you're wondering, I purchased both of these games - they are not warez that may cause instability. Using the latest 9800Pro drivers and BIOS 23.

 

[rh71]

anyone know what the slow siren means after it powers down ?

 

[Megatomic]

No I sure don't. Sorry man.

Ok, I just installed a brand new NF7-S R2. I really am impressed with it with the exception of one thing: the cheapie hsf on the NB sucks. It was buzzing from the get go. I wound up pulling the cover off of it and bending out the little section in the middle so that the blades wouldn't touch it.

I need to find another silent NB cooler now that I had to part with my beloved Zalman.

 

[Noid]

I've seen a few complaints about the NB HSF units lately.
(Abit and NforcersHQ forums)

I like my NorthPole HSF unit. But, it's probably not as quiet as YOU would like .
(I cant hear it over my Volcano 7 )

Anyway, If you want a cheap solution, the cyrstal orbs work JUST AS GOOD as my Norhpole.
(same system temps)
But, you have to make sure the base is flat. (I had to lap ALL of mine)
Some are lucky to get flat ones on delivery, but,,,, It seems I have bought a bad batch of them.
(I buy a few extra to save me shipping $$$)

Remember ,,,, copper is ALWAYS better.

 

[pelikan]

I put a 50mm K6 heatsink on my NB. I run the fan at 5V and its silent. You can get these little heatsinks for like $5. but you have to drill a couple holes to mount it (or use some thermal adhesive).

 

[3LEMENT0]

What's with some info that the new boards are of lesser "quality" that it doesn't overclock as good as the old ones? I was going to buy one already and read some info about nf7-s r2 problems? What's this all about? Should I go with DFI infinity then? I was going to order already...... I usually get ABIT/ASUS before anything else but if their quality is going down I guess I have to rethink.....

 

[pelikan]

I've heard some people say that the new boards don't overclock as well. Still they get to 220+ MHz.
Other people rave about the new ones.

 

[3LEMENT0]

How does the NF7 compare to the AN7? Is AN7 the "updated" NF7? I'll be buying my parts this weekend, what's holding me back is the MB.
l the RAM I've settled for OCZ and CPU is either XP-M 2600 or XP-M 2400(35W) if available. HSF would be either TT Volcano 12 or the Thermalright xxx forgot the numbers....I was set to get the NF7 already but now.....Help!!!!

 

[Megatomic]

I tried 2 different DFI Infinity boards, both of them new and both of them had to be RMA'd. I'm back with a new Abit NF7-S R2 and I am damn glad of that. The new board is just as good as my old NF7-S R2 so far, I haven't pushed the FSB yet but with PC3500 RAM 216MHz is as high as I'll take it. I should be more than covered.

The AN-7 is an NF7-S with uGuru on it. The uGuru is just Abit's AI feature but for the NF2 chipset. Just a flashy gimmick. I'd stick with the NF7 series if I were you.

 

[pelikan]

I'd get the NF7-S. For the cpu the 2600 IQYHA 0351 MPMW from Excaliber is a very consistent overclocker. I just got one yesterday.