Shuttle AK35GTR owners: Have you flashed your BIOS?

[MichaelD]

I am contemplating flashing the BIOS on my AK35GTR (KT266A chipset). Usually, the rule of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" applies especially to flashing the BIOS...but I've been itching, you know? Currently, there is absolutely nothing wrong w/the board or the performance.

My board has the shipping BIOS (AK35S00D). I've DL'd the latest BIOS (AK35S00H) and have it with DrDOS all on a floppy...just waiting.

I have some PC3200 (Corsair) coming; I'm obviously going to be trying some massive OCing...just for the hell of it..if I kill anything, oh well.

If you have this board and have flashed it, what are your opinions, please? Thanks.

 

[Rafael]

Hey Michael!

I got mine flashed to AK35S00H, well I didnt notice much improvement in performance. And no new features in the BIOS.
Mine came with AK35S00G. You might get a little improvement from D to H version as you can see here.
And I was ritght thinking that my CPU was holding me back. Got a Athlon XP to test and make all the way up to 158 Mhz, but didnt hv time to run many benchies, just ran SISoft Sandra. But just got to run Sandra cos my old HDD got burned n I didnt hv the other programs to test and I had to give the processor back to my friend.
I dunno if we can make all the way up to 166 Mhz, but I bet we can go up to 160 Mhz.
R U thinking about getting a new mobo?

Raf

 

[Insane3D]

/subliminal message mode


Get the Epox


/end subliminal message mode

 

[Rafael]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
/subliminal message mode


Get the Epox


/end subliminal message mode

Yeap! I agree with Insane!
Can't go wrong with them if you want to OC Michael!

Raf

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
/subliminal message mode


Get the Epox


/end subliminal message mode

Hahaha, you are quite the salesman! I have been seriously looking at the 8K5A3+. Aside from having the Highpoint 374 controller and USB 2.0, this is the one w/the improved Southbridge, correct? I recall you saying something about that it allows a higher FSB or words to that effect?
Newegg has it for $130...a little stiff...I realize though that the board has "the kitchen sink" in it though...it's got every darn thing you need built in.

Rafael
Thanks for the detailed info and the linkies as to the results of your BIOS flash. Currently, I can't get the Micron PC2100 in my board to do more than 138MHz...I doubt it's the board. I have some PC3200 coming in. I want to see how far I can push that; then I may flash the BIOS. Thanks for the info.

 

[Insane3D]

Hahaha, you are quite the salesman! I have been seriously looking at the 8K5A3+. Aside from having the Highpoint 374 controller and USB 2.0, this is the one w/the improved Southbridge, correct? I recall you saying something about that it allows a higher FSB or words to that effect?
Newegg has it for $130...a little stiff...I realize though that the board has "the kitchen sink" in it though...it's got every darn thing you need built in.

Michael..there are 3 boards in the 8K5A series...the 8K5A2, 8K5A2+, and the 8K5A3+. All three are the same board except for a few minor differences. They all use the newest Via South Bruidge, the 8235, that is on all KT400 boards. The 6 USB 2.0 ports are powered by the new South Bridge, and not by a add-on chip. I think the 8K5A2+ is more up your alley.


The only difference between the 8K5A2+ and the 8K5A3+ is the former has the regualr two RAID ports, like on your Shuttle, and has three DDR slots. The latter has a fourth memory slot and the four port RAID chip from Highpoint..the Hpt 374, previously only seen on the Abit MAXX boards. If you don't need 4 RAID ports for a 4 drive RAID array, the 8K5A2+ should suit you better.


I would suggest getting it @ Mwave. Their prices on the Epox boards are cheaper, and they don't have that disclaimer Newegg has about exchanging with the same item only. The 8K5A2+ is under $100 @ Mwave...

Look here for pictures of both boards...

8K5A2+

8K5A3+

Hopefully those pictures illustrate the differences...one has 3 DIMM slots and two RAID ports, while the other has four DIMM slots and four RAID ports.

Both boards come with 5.1 sound, 6 USB 2.0 ports, Onboard LAN, and Onboard ATA/RAID. They also will fully support the 333mhz Athlon's when they are released. I run both my boards @ 166mhz FSB and the PCI and AGP are in spec just like @ 133mhz.

If you still have questions...drop me a line...



Epox 8K5A2+ @ Mwave for $99.51

 

[MichaelD]

Thank you, Insane3D. I appreciate you taking the time to detail everything out. Nice job. Nice boards...my Itchy Trigger Upgrade Finger is a'twitchin'. I like the fact that it will support the future 333 Athlon XPs as well.

We'll see what happens w/my OCing venture with my AK35GTR/PC3200/XP1800. We'll see how far that takes me. If it ain't far, I'm going shopping.

 

[Rafael]

Hey Insane how much Epox is paying U to sell their mobos?! LOL J/K

But if I could afford a Epox now I would buy one. I wouldnt think twice to get one.
And Michael Im pretty sure you will get past the 138 Mhz. BTW, you got the Corsair XMS memos? Those ones Thugsrook put a review in a topic? Seems pretty goods memos. LMK the results when U got it.

Thnx guys!

Raf

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Rafael
Hey Insane how much Epox is paying U to sell their mobos?! LOL J/K

But if I could afford a Epox now I would buy one. I wouldnt think twice to get one.
And Michael Im pretty sure you will get past the 138 Mhz. BTW, you got the Corsair XMS memos? Those ones Thugsrook put a review in a topic? Seems pretty goods memos. LMK the results when U got it.

Thnx guys!

Raf

Man, this is too funny. I just finished posting in Thugsrooks' thread about this memory. I got it today, but won't have a chance to play w/it until Friday (work and other committments ) I don't understand the whole P4 overclocking thing...he was saying he couldn't run this very memory at 166MHz, CAS2...when that's what it's rated for!!! I flipped the hell out. But he was talking about 166 x howeverthehellyouoverclockaP4...I don't really understand.

I'm one of those people that once I actually do it MYSELF I understand and can explain it to you...but I've never owned a P4, so I don't know.

Anyway, I've got the memory (It's snazzy looking...I'm digging the black heatspreader....real cool!) I'm going to try it in my Shuttle (KT266A) board.

I've already ordered an EPOX 8K5A2+ and a AGOIA 1600 from Newegg. I plan on starting off (for about ten minutes ) at 10.5 x 166 CAS2, max timings. We'll go up from there.

Thru my own semi-limited testing, I've discovered that it's not really worth it to up the FSB to the stratosphere if you have to reduce the memory timings to crap. I go as hi as I can at CAS2 with the max timings and that's it. I am hoping to get to 180MHz CAS2, max timings with this Corsair XMS. It's rated CAS2 @ 166MHz and CAS 2.5 @ 200MHz..so CAS2 @ 180MHz shouldn't be too much of a stretch.

 

[Rafael]

Nice! I heard good things about this memo Michael!
They r "MEAN" to ur system! LOL I never owned a P4 either, n didnt understand that part too. But he took the memo to very high FSB.
About my timings it seens I cant run @ CAS 2 over 133 Mhz! Dunno why. I will wait till friday to see ur results. Good luck Mike! Hope U got some nice results there!
Ooohhhh CONGRATS for ur new purchase! Couldnt resist the tempting Epox mobo?! Hehehehehehehehe I understand you are a few bucks poor now, but will be 238743287 times happier when U get it! Hehehehehehehehehe


Raf