Same Hardware - New ABIT KX7-333 slower than my MSI K7T Pro

[Texun]

I recently swapped out my MSI K7T266A Pro board with the Abit KX7-333 and used the same components and it is noticeably slower than the MSI. Not only does it bench slower it feels slower. I forget what Sandra shows exactly, but I do remember the file system dropped by 500 points using the same hardware. Other than that the board is fine. Anyone know what I might have missed?

I have the newest 4N1's from Via.
Newest drivers from nVidia
XP1700 Stock Clocked
512 PC2100 DDR
45 Gig Maxtor ATA100 (will be upgrading to something else soon, but it is the same drive that I used in the MSI)
GForce 4TI4200\128
WinXP Pro

The only thing that is different is the board and may be the drivers. I don't remember what version I was using in the MSI. Did a fresh format and install with the new board so that little piece of history is gone.

 

[RanDum72]

You probably need to tweak the BIOS a bit, especially in the memroyand chipset settings. You are also running regular PC2100. The VIA KT333 chipset is basically the same as the KT266A when using PC2100 so you won't notice any difference there unless you use PC2700.

 

[yodayoda]

double-check the little things--make sure your memory settings are "ultra" and such. make sure the IDE channels are all running in Ultra DMA mode, not PIO mode. make sure the chip is being detected and set to the correct speed (wCPUid helps here). it should be about the same speed--shouldn't be slower.

 

[faZZter]

Where do you check if your drives are in Ultra DMA mode in XP pro? I know in 98se it had a little checkbox in device manager under the properties....can't seem to find it in XP.

 

[Paolo]

.

Where do you check if your drives are in Ultra DMA mode in XP pro? I know in 98se it had a little checkbox in device manager under the properties....can't seem to find it in XP.

In device manager > IDE ATA/ATAPIcontrollers>Primary (or Secondary) IDE Channel> Properities> Advanced Settings, you will find the DMA settings for each device.

 

[Mangler]

Check simple things;

Some ideas no offense to be taken!

When you install a mobo you must re-install the OS for good performance, Update Bios, Tweak Bios, Update 4in1's, defrag, defrag, defrag!

Make sure in bios its running at 133FSB, and 166DDR

Also if you are new to tweaking a bios the uber basics are on THIS page for the KX7

Hope this helps...

 

[Texun]

Outstanding info. Thanks everyone. I am familiar with most settings, a little fuzzy on the deep end of the BIOS though. I don't do this every day so a little reminder helps.

DMA is set to DMA so my next visit will be to the BIOS. Still think the 3 platter 45g HD is a bit sluggish compared to the 40g platter jobs. Much cheaper to tweak the BIOS for now.

I also know I'll need to swap some cards around. Think I have a conflict somewhere. The PS2 mouse will sometimes flash the AGP card momentarily, other times it will send the PC in to an instant reboot. If I connect the mouse through the USB and it restarts on shutdown.