Question about NF2 Chipset

[oldbutdumb]

I just picked up a computer that I had built after having problems assembling one myself. I used a MSi K7N2 Delta2 series mb. The tech said that the nf2 chipset does not automatically recognize the higher speed athlon mobile processors and defaults to 800 mhz. He had to manually use a fsb of 200 and a multiplier of 11 to get any speed out of the board. But could not rely on the automatic setup of the bios. I also have a DFI Lanparty NF@ ultra B with a nonmbile 2500+ cpu and I had similar problems setting the processor speed. I found that the mb ignored the multiplier I used and defaulted to X12 I think. I used a fsb speed of 166 (pc 2700 Dimms) to get the thing up to any speed. Never could get it oclocked as good as others say it can go. I got the new cpu in mobile version cause I read that they were unlocked. Anyone had any more experience with this problem?

 

[ITPaladin]

Abit NF7-S version 2 will not auto detect the barton 2500+ mobile
You have to set it. I am not much into OCing, not understanding nor having the time to set, reboot, reset jumper, reboot, blah blah.

 

[tcsenter]

Nothing to do with the NF2 chipset itself.

 

[evilharp]

Originally posted by: oldbutdumb
I just picked up a computer that I had built after having problems assembling one myself. I used a MSi K7N2 Delta2 series mb. The tech said that the nf2 chipset does not automatically recognize the higher speed athlon mobile processors and defaults to 800 mhz. He had to manually use a fsb of 200 and a multiplier of 11 to get any speed out of the board. But could not rely on the automatic setup of the bios. I also have a DFI Lanparty NF@ ultra B with a nonmbile 2500+ cpu and I had similar problems setting the processor speed. I found that the mb ignored the multiplier I used and defaulted to X12 I think. I used a fsb speed of 166 (pc 2700 Dimms) to get the thing up to any speed. Never could get it oclocked as good as others say it can go. I got the new cpu in mobile version cause I read that they were unlocked. Anyone had any more experience with this problem?

It's the system bios. Some boards reacted strangely to the 2500 XP-M, and would only use the 12x multiplier.

I had an XP-M (2500 as well), and my MSI KT4V-L (KT400) defaulted to 12x. I couldn't adjust the multiplier up or down. I ran it at 12x166mhz (DDR333)

I replaced the KT4V-L with an Asus A7N8X-E DLX (nForce2), and it defaulted to 12x as well with the XP-M. But it could adjust the multipliers downwards, but not up (capped at 12x). I ran it at 12X200mhz (DDR400).

You'll probably have to bump up the FSB to 200mhz, and run the ram at 166mhz. It's not in sync, but you'll have a faster CPU. Or, buy some DDR400, as it is cheap right now.

 

[oldbutdumb]

Thanks for the info. My mem is ddr400 too. Im running the fsb at 200 now but the multiplier is at X11. I might have a go at X12 but its running like a 3200+ as is and that's better than i get with my Lan Party. I saw a thread that indicated some problems with boards running with NF4 so I think Nvidia brought the chipset out and the mb makers didn't know how to set up the bios for it. I know that DFI brought out numerous bios upgrades that worked for some hardware combinations but not for all. The overclocking game is like walking on thin ice.

 

[evilharp]

Originally posted by: oldbutdumb
Thanks for the info. My mem is ddr400 too. Im running the fsb at 200 now but the multiplier is at X11. I might have a go at X12 but its running like a 3200+ as is and that's better than i get with my Lan Party. I saw a thread that indicated some problems with boards running with NF4 so I think Nvidia brought the chipset out and the mb makers didn't know how to set up the bios for it. I know that DFI brought out numerous bios upgrades that worked for some hardware combinations but not for all. The overclocking game is like walking on thin ice.

You should be able to hit 2400mhz (12*200mhz) without problems. At a 200mhz fsb, the PCI and AGP devices are running at stock timings, so the CPU is the only limiting factor. Just make sure you have adequate cooling on the CPU.

If you go beyond 200mhz, you will likely encounter problems as the bios may not lock the PCI/AGP at 66mhz. Some NF2 boards weren't very good at that.

 

[Peter]

As has been said, this is nothing to do with the chipset. For successful speed switching, the mainboard's layout must be ready for dynamic voltage switching, and its BIOS must offer the required mechanisms to the operating system. Only then can AMD's CPU driver change multiplier and voltage up and down.

If your mainboard doesn't have that, all you can do is use 3rd party software to switch the processor to full speed at boot.

 

[evilharp]

Originally posted by: Peter
As has been said, this is nothing to do with the chipset. For successful speed switching, the mainboard's layout must be ready for dynamic voltage switching, and its BIOS must offer the required mechanisms to the operating system. Only then can AMD's CPU driver change multiplier and voltage up and down.

If your mainboard doesn't have that, all you can do is use 3rd party software to switch the processor to full speed at boot.

oldbutdumb is looking at a NF2 + 2500 XP-M combo for Overclocking. Dynamic OC is not an option with NF2. There were some attempts to enable Powernow on XP-M desktops a few years back, but these rarely worked (I tried and BSODed).

I used to have the link that allowed for enabling the feature, but I've lost it. It was highly beta as it was.

 

[Peter]

As I said, enabling PowerNow! also requires support from the mainboard's layout - the CPU and its voltage regulator need to be wired up for dynamic voltage switching. Plus, the board's BIOS must be equipped to control the switching.

 

[oldbutdumb]

:disgust::| Well so much for not following my own advice. I tried to speed up my DFI mb to 2ooX12 and got a refusal to post. By the time I had jumpered the bios and got back to where I was I had lost all my internet connections. After almost 4 hours with tech help It's connected but NETWORK CONNECTIONS is trelling me that all my cables are disconnected (NOT). I should know better. All the good intentions can't match real world experience with your hardware!

 

[Spacecomber]

I'm running an Athlon XP mobile on an Epox Nforce2 board. The BIOS doesn't fully recognize the chip, but it works fine. By default, it tended to over volt the CPU (compared to what a mobile should default to) and I think it under clocked it (or at least it wanted to use a low fsb speed).

This board doesn't give you the full range of multipliers, but it does let me use 12X or less.

Currently running it at 11 x 210 = 2.3GHz. It will reach 2.4Ghz, but I have to raise the voltage beyond 1.65v to do so. 2.3GHz seemed to be a good stable speed at the regular Athlon XP's default voltage. These puppies will get hot when you start pushing the voltage higher.

Recently added a 6800GT and more RAM (up to 1.5GB), and it's still ticking. I'll probably wait until the M2 socket, now, before I make another upgrade.

 

[evilharp]

Originally posted by: oldbutdumb
:disgust::| Well so much for not following my own advice. I tried to speed up my DFI mb to 2ooX12 and got a refusal to post. By the time I had jumpered the bios and got back to where I was I had lost all my internet connections. After almost 4 hours with tech help It's connected but NETWORK CONNECTIONS is trelling me that all my cables are disconnected (NOT). I should know better. All the good intentions can't match real world experience with your hardware!

D'oh!

I assume you had to "reset CMOS" to get your system to post. Your network connections may be down as something isn't set right (or the same as before) in the BIOS.

Do you use the onboard LAN to connect to the internet?

 

[oldbutdumb]

I have a DSL router that accepts a usb cable from my wife's computer and an ethernet cable from mine (the DFI). Hers runs W98 SE and mine is XP home. She has faster memory (but cheaper). I got Mushkin matched pair top of the line at pc 2700 because someone on a bulletin board recommended that fast memory timings were more important than the chip speed. If I had it to do over I'd go for the cheapy route and get faster mem. Can't afford that any more at 75 I've outlived my savings and trying to make do on pensions is a little difficult.