Question for Chaintech vnf3-250 owners

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djm68

Member
May 7, 2004
79
0
0
Hello,

I am seriously considering this mobo -- those of you whom have purchased one, can you tell me if it is possible to disable the onboard sound and network via the bios or a jumper?

I have never bought a chaintech product, so I am just researching before I plunk down my cash!

Thanks,
DJM
 
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StumbleBum1

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
6,084
0
71
I have this board and onboard sound can be disabled in the bios but you can't disable the network (Nic)
 
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Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
I can understand turning off the onboard sound and installing a Via Envy sound, santa cruz, etc... soundcard, but why do you want to turn off the network card? Its is a standard PCI network card that is just on the board. It is not different then putting a PCI network card in.
 
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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
I can understand turning off the onboard sound and installing a Via Envy sound, santa cruz, etc... soundcard, but why do you want to turn off the network card? Its is a standard PCI network card that is just on the board. It is not different then putting a PCI network card in.
Click to expand...

heh, yeah..
onboard ethernet kicks ass.. i use it whenever i can.
 
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BlindBartimaeus

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2002
1,601
0
76
I have it too and can confirm the audio in bios option is there and I agree about the Network disable...even if you want a Gigabyte lan...no need to disable the other but you are still going to ride the PCI bus which is still ok for now. Don't hesitate...this IS the best A64 mobo out there for the cost conscious overclocker.
 
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djm68

Member
May 7, 2004
79
0
0
Thanks for all the feedback. The reason I inquired about disabling the on-board NIC has nothing to do with wanting Gbit enthernet or fretting over PCI utilization...it is simply that I do not only use Windows on my system...I also use Trustix Linux, and I am not 100% sure if the realtec NIC is supported. I have several Intel pro/100+ laying around and has very good driver support under linux...

Cheers,
DJM
 
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djm68

Member
May 7, 2004
79
0
0
Another question for the vnf3-250 owners: what memory to buy?

So, I want a gig of ram; I have read really good things about OCZ's "Enhanced Bandwidth" memory. Any thoughts on the use of this memory with the vnf3-250?

Also, do you think it would be better to go for 2x512mb or 1x1Gb Dimm?

Thanks!
DJM
 
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Schnieds

Senior member
Jul 18, 2002
518
0
0
Originally posted by: djm68
Another question for the vnf3-250 owners: what memory to buy?

So, I want a gig of ram; I have read really good things about OCZ's "Enhanced Bandwidth" memory. Any thoughts on the use of this memory with the vnf3-250?

Also, do you think it would be better to go for 2x512mb or 1x1Gb Dimm?

Thanks!
DJM
Click to expand...

I personally got 2x512 Geil Golden Dragon PC4000... it is VERY FAST (2-4-4-7), overclocks great and runs very stable.... I highly recommened it with the VNF3-250.

Also, just as another note... I also highly recommend the VNF3-250. Awesome board, especially when you factor in the price.

Schnieds
 
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essasin

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,777
0
0
Get some high freq stuff and geil seems to be cheapest and oc pretty well....but honestly the neo platinum is reported to come out this month and its not a long wait unlike abit or dfi which we dont even know when they are realeasing their boards
 
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BlindBartimaeus

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2002
1,601
0
76
OK guys...here is what I think is THE memory to get for these:

http://www.hardcorecooling.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=579

The reason I say this is for FIVE reasons...er...SIX

1. This memory will be good for 1:1 ratio as high as your CPU will allow more than likely, and if a new stepping comes out and you want to upgrade...you will still be good for 1:1 operation.

2. This is also rated for dual channel ops so if they come out with a 754 dual channel mobo NF3-250 which it is rumored they will...you will still be set.

3. They have a high reseller rating and are good to talk to on the phone, and have a ZERO restock fee on memory if it is not compatable with your motherboard.

4. STUPIDLY cheap for high performance ram.

5. CAS latency really doesn't mean a whole lot with an onboard CPU memory controller.

6. Cause that is what I am getting.

Hope that helps
 
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djm68

Member
May 7, 2004
79
0
0
Hey Guys,

Okay...I finally ordered it all!

Amd64 3200+
Swiftech MCX6400-V heatsink
Chaintech vnf3-250
1Gb OCZ PC3700 EB -> yes, this was a bit pricy ($345), but I will eventually try to get 250fsb and this stuff seems quite good. Though, BlindBartimaeus's suggestion also makes a lot of sense...what can I say, I have a little spare cash these days!
ENERMAX Noisetaker 470W Power Supply
SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800PRO Video Card

Hope to get it all together this weekend...will post me results...

Cheers,
DJM
 
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travanx

Member
Feb 5, 2000
187
0
76
bwengr.com
This computer I am building right now is a little thank you present from my work for setting up our network. I am considering buying this motherboard and a amd64 3000+. I like the pricing on that ram that was listed in here. I am also looking at the Geil pc4400 at newegg. So money isnt a super huge factor but I don't want to go overboard. Is there anything about the chaintech board that isn't too good for overclocking?
 
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BlindBartimaeus

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2002
1,601
0
76
You are limited to 1.7 volts Vcore, and there is no lower multiplier adjustments. Everything else is very good. I love to overclock and have done so for some time, but I am not an Extremist with liquid N2 or anything. This board SHOULD cover all your needs.
 
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Schnieds

Senior member
Jul 18, 2002
518
0
0
Originally posted by: djm68
Hey Guys,

Okay...I finally ordered it all!

Amd64 3200+
Swiftech MCX6400-V heatsink
Chaintech vnf3-250
1Gb OCZ PC3700 EB -> yes, this was a bit pricy ($345), but I will eventually try to get 250fsb and this stuff seems quite good. Though, BlindBartimaeus's suggestion also makes a lot of sense...what can I say, I have a little spare cash these days!
ENERMAX Noisetaker 470W Power Supply
SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800PRO Video Card

Hope to get it all together this weekend...will post me results...

Cheers,
DJM
Click to expand...

Let us know if you have any problems or questions... I am VERY happy with my VNF3-250...

Schnieds
 
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djm68

Member
May 7, 2004
79
0
0
Hey Schnieds,

I do have a question for you. I have read about some people using software to lower the cpu multi on the vnf3-250 since it lacks this option in the bios -- I have also heard about software which allows you to raise the FSB in windows. Is such software available for the vnf3-250?

I hope to have all my gear before the weekend...I will let you all know how the build goes.

Cheers,
DJM
 
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BlindBartimaeus

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2002
1,601
0
76
I have heard of numerous issues with the windows based multipliers and seems very hit or miss right now. A lot like softmodding a 9800se...bout 50/50.

I will try to find some links tomorrow...er...later today.
 
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Schnieds

Senior member
Jul 18, 2002
518
0
0
Originally posted by: djm68
Hey Schnieds,

I do have a question for you. I have read about some people using software to lower the cpu multi on the vnf3-250 since it lacks this option in the bios -- I have also heard about software which allows you to raise the FSB in windows. Is such software available for the vnf3-250?

I hope to have all my gear before the weekend...I will let you all know how the build goes.

Cheers,
DJM
Click to expand...


From what I have heard the normal software used to change CPU multipliers on the VNF3-250 is as BlindBartimaeus said, hit or miss. I think the best course of action will probably be to wait for a BIOS with unlocked multis... speaking of which....

I found out that there is a beta bios out for the VNF3-250 that has unlocked multis. I have read that a few different people have used this bios without any problems and they are indeed able to adjust their multis. However, I have not tried it myself yet. Here is the link if you are feeling saucy:

VNF3-250 Beta BIOS

Let us know if you try it and the results...

Schnieds
 
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BlindBartimaeus

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2002
1,601
0
76
If this works this would be BY FAR the best budget gaming OC platform period! The only thing I am somewhat disappointed in...just minimally is the no gigalan with firewall protection. It is going to take a dual channel platform to get me to sell this now
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
Schnieds, do you think that new beta BIOS will fix any of the weird problems with the RAID on the VNF3-250. I sure hope so, for my friend's and chaintech's sake, because all I've read (except for you and BlindBartimaeus) is people returning this board, because the RAID won't function correctly.
 
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BlindBartimaeus

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2002
1,601
0
76
Additionally I just ordered my Venus 12 and PC 4200 cas 2.5 ram...I am like a giddy kid in a candy store with a buttload of money. I was looking at the higher ram speed scores on anandtechs and it is quite impressive.

Check this out. I got 1 gig of 4200 cas 2.5 ram, pci firewire card, Venus 12 HSF, and artic silver 5 for under 300 bucks...WOOT
 
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Schnieds

Senior member
Jul 18, 2002
518
0
0
Originally posted by: BlindBartimaeus
You have made my WEEK twice now schnieds...YOU DA MAN!!!!
Click to expand...

You're welcome! :D

Let me know how the BIOS works... I don't have time to test it unfortunately...

Schnieds
 
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