The *Official* MSI K8NGM2-FID GeForce 6150 Motherboard Thread

[grits]

Well, I got some good results, but a little puzzling.

I had tested coreavc some time ago and found only a few % drop. Went back to ffdshow since I could handle subtitles better with it.

So I oc'd to 11x230=2.53 and there was only a little change on my "problem" MKV file. Then I changed the merits on coreavc and it dropped usage 20%. Wow. Changing back to 11x200 made a little difference when skipping forward, but not crucial.

The thing that puzzles me is graphedit has the following video path:
movie.mkv -> coreavc -> 0002 -> ffdshow -> EVR

I don't remember seeing ffdshow there before.

 

[Roca05]

I installed the MSI NX8800GT OC 512MB GeForce 8800 GT card today and everything seams to be working normally. The card does block the upper SATA ports as well, but the bottom ports aren't blocked. I haven't tested much graphics latelly but I can run AOEIII with all set to maximum settings and the card doesn't get that hot at all, it stayed at 50C after about 15 minutes of play time. I like this card!

 

[citizentony]

Hi. I have this board in my HTPC. It's been working fine running XPMCE but I wanted to upgrade it to Vista. So far it's been terrible.

I've worked out most of the problems, but one has me confused. I'm using the onboard 6150 which runs my kids laptop with Vista just fine, but on the HTPC it's choppy. Even most of the Vista animations are choppy, but MC is really bad. Like it has a low FPS in a game. You can see it from the second it loads and does the intro, to when you move the selector.

I tried using the latest Nvidia drivers from their site, and I've tried the Windows Update drivers. Neither make any difference.

I guess it could be the RAM? But my kids laptop has the same graphics and the same 1GB of RAM and Vista is smooth as glass. Am I doing something wrong with a driver?

TIA.

Specs are:
AMD 3500+
1GB RAM
250GB SATA HDD
Stock everything else

 

[citizentony]

Solved. It was the RAM. I put in 2GB of new RAM and it works perfectly in Vista. Animations are smooth and Media Center works without a hitch.

 

[Roca05]

Hi, I just bought 2GB of Kingston Hyperx memory and I want them to run at 2-3-2-6 timing in my motherboard. Do I just need to go into the MCT timing and set the values there? I think my memory has to have 2.65 volts for it to work properly so I think I should change that as well. By just doing these two things will my memory will run alright? Am I missing something here?

 

[avi85]

I started having problems last week where my comp would freeze randomly, and to make a long story short it turned out to be the SATA cable attached to my OS hard drive. I replaced it and everything is fine, this is the cable that I got with my mobo and I just thought that I'd let everybody know that it may cause problems...

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: avi85
I started having problems last week where my comp would freeze randomly, and to make a long story short it turned out to be the SATA cable attached to my OS hard drive. I replaced it and everything is fine, this is the cable that I got with my mobo and I just thought that I'd let everybody know that it may cause problems...

Thanks for the tip.

Not the first place I would look in a situation of random freezes. Not even the second or third place... :roll:

 

[bigsnyder]

This might have been covered, but is anybody successfully using hardware video acceleration with PowerDVD 7 (DVD or HD media)? Seems like PowerDVD disables hardware acceleration for either SD or HD regardless of what I set before playback.

 

[h0mi]

Got a question. I've been running the MSI motherboard for maybe 2 years now. If I wanted to add a RAID array, this would require a reformat of my system? I wouldn't be able to just throw 2 SATA drives in the box and create a RAID array?

 

[plasman]

Folks,

I recently upgraded my living room to an LG Plasma 50PG100R with 720p and HDMI input. My PC is using a K8NGM2-FID with latest BIOS v3.6, XP Prof. SP3 and latest nvidia reference drivers. Main Display is an old 19-inch CRT via VGA.

Now if I try to connect the PC to the Plasma using the DVI-D output of the board and the HDMI input of the Plasma with a DVI-D-to-HDMI-cable (15m, 45 ft.), the PC recognizes the Plasma display (LG...?). But if I switch nview to the Plasma, the Plasma stills says "no picture". (Yes I did change the Plasma input to HDMI...). I tried various resolutions and BIOS settings without any luck.

Do you have any hints on this?

Can this be related to HDCP not implemented properly with nvidia drivers?

thank you....

 

[ra990]

HDCP would only come into play if you are watching a high def movie. I'm guessing the resolution you are set at or the refresh rate isn't supported by your monitor. Try 1280x720 @ 60hz.

 

[blimey]

So I've had 2 & 1/2 years of excellent performance from my K8NGM2-FID... but I opened up the case today to install a larger drive, and I noticed that three of the tall capacitors near the CPU have their tops all swelled up. Looks like they could blow. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm using an opteron 185 with this board, and I think I might have a tough time finding a replacement board with a bios that supports the 185. Any ideas for a replacement board? Maybe I could try to replace the capacitors?

 

[bigsnyder]

Finding a new replacement will be tough, though a used board shouldn't be too hard. Fixing the capacitors is doable if you are comfortable doing it, but I would find a replacement first just in case something goes wrong. I would also consider selling the opteron and getting an am2 setup since those are getting so cheap.

 

[Roca05]

Hi, I recently started having problems with my computer. Its no big deal because I only have problems when I play a game, however I want to be able to play a game that's why I bought an 8800GT. The problem is that when I'm playing AOEIII after about an hour and 1/2 or two hours I start to see the water turn black and the textures go crazy on me. The horses look purple and then in the black water I see some numbers that I don't understand why they're there. Could this be that my card is heating up? I was monitoring it with nvidia monitor and it (the card) never goes past 55C So I was wondering if it could be a NB chipset that is going bad on me as the temperature for that was 66C when I was playing. Also this only happens in AOEIII. Does anyone have an idea as to what is going on with my computer?

 

[BernardP]

My K8NGM2-FID just died apparently. Here is what I posted a couple of days ago in another forum:

------------------------------------------------

While browsing the net, there suddently was about 2 seconds of screen corruption, followed by no signal. The monitor is OK.

See system specs in sig.

Trying to reboot, the ON light goes on, the fans CPU, P/S, case) are spinning. There is no HD activity light and nothing happens. Nothing appears on screen. The comp doesn't even get to the BIOS screen. No error code is sounded (beeps).

Looking inside, nothing unusual is visible. I have checked connections, reseated memory and switched cables. No difference.

The comp won't boot on a startup diskette or on the Windows XP CD (can't even get to into BIOS).

I figure that if the Integrated Graphics chip was dead, there would be an error code when booting. Anyone can confirm this?

Unless someone has another idea, I am forced to believe that I have a dead mobo or processor.
--------------------------------------------------

Following blimey's post above, I'm gonna have a second, longer look for any suspicious-looking caps.

Someone suggested that I clear CMOS, and I will try this tonight, but will only the faintest of hopes

--------------------------------------------------

EDIT: 18 nov:

Every component on the mobo looks brand-new. Of course, clearing the CMOS didn't do anything.

I had brought my comp to a local shop for a last chance exam and they confirm the mobo is dead. I will be ordering a new Motherboard/CPU/Memory combo tomorrow.

--------------------------------------------------

EDIT: 30 nov:

My new motherboard, processor and memory are now up and running. See revised sig. I have stayed with NVidia/AMD. This is my last entry in the K8NGM2-FID thread. Thanks to all those who helped me, especially to renethx.

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: BernardP
My K8NGM2-FID just died apparently.

Mine died too recently. One of the capacitors blew. I haven't tried replacing it. I have a spare K8NGM2-FID board and I am using it now.

 

[Roca05]

Hey renethx, did you have your computer running 24/7 all the time? I'm hoping mine doesn't die soon. Thats why I'm asking: How long did you use yours until it died?

 

[renethx]

Mine had been running 16 hours/day everyday for three years until it died.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Originally posted by: renethx

Originally posted by: BernardP
My K8NGM2-FID just died apparently.

Mine died too recently. One of the capacitors blew. I haven't tried replacing it. I have a spare K8NGM2-FID board and I am using it now.

First, I just want to say thanks for a very helpful thread that I've used over and over again to help build and maintain my K8NGM2-FID system over the past 3 years.

Unfortunately, I too must add my board to the list of those that have suffered capacitor failures. I first started getting rare BSOD crashes starting late last year. However, the frequency of these crashes has been increasing and are now becoming a real nuisance. After taking a look at the motherboard, I can definitely see 3 capacitors around the CPU socket (on the side nearest to the rear port connectors) that have developed noticeable bulges on the top.

Luckily, the capacitors have not completely failed yet and I can at least still use my system to help me build and setup my new computer ...

 

[avi85]

Originally posted by: renethx

Originally posted by: BernardP
My K8NGM2-FID just died apparently.

Mine died too recently. One of the capacitors blew. I haven't tried replacing it. I have a spare K8NGM2-FID board and I am using it now.

After reading this, I checked out how my caps are doing, and one of them is swelling, so I'm ordering these and replacing it...
Thanks for the heads up!

 

[comdw]

My K8NGM2-FID died yesterday. The board is now removed from the case, nothing plugged in except power & CPU. When trying to power on the fans spin briefly and then stop, then I have to power off and back on the PSU to try again.

Tried BIOS reset, different PSU, different CPU, various memory modules (and none). Even tried removing the CPU but I'm not sure if the PSU is supposed to stay on in this case.

My capacitors all look fine and I can't see anything shorted or burnt out.

Any suggestions before I give up?

How about recommendations for a new board? I need something similar in terms of features but happy to move to a different socket and get a new CPU and RAM.

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: comdw
How about recommendations for a new board? I need something similar in terms of features but happy to move to a different socket and get a new CPU and RAM.

Currently GeForce 9300/9400 is the best IGP. For example,

- GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H or MSI P7NGM-Digital (lacks S/PDIF and eSATA ports in the rear panel)
- Core 2 Duo E7400 or Pentium Dual-Core E5200
- DDR2-800 2 x 2GB

9300/9400 also supports 8 ch LPCM audio over HDMI, good for HTPC.

AMD 780G is also good.

- GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H or GA-MA78GPM-UD2H (SidePort memory for better IGP performance, Dolby Home Theater)
- Phenom II X3 710/720 AM3 or Athlon X2 5050e AM2+ (Phenom significantly improves IGP performance.)
- DDR2-1066 or DDR2-800 2 x 2GB

Check my signature for more.

 

[comdw]

Thanks for those suggestions. The target system is really just a file server so I'm interested in the lowest power consumption and I have to be sure WOL is going to work, though I do still co-ax digital out and a reasonable graphics performace as I use it for everyday stuff too.

Will have to research this one carefully. Also I thought my MSI might still be under warranty but wondered what they would sent as a replacement if so.

 

[bigsnyder]

Just an FYI, since the G.Skill 2 x 1GB DDR400 kits kits at newegg have been very reasonable as of late, I went ahead and bought another pair for my board for a total of 4GB. The board did drop the speed down to 167Mhz, but I was able to manually change it back to 200Mhz. Passed several hours of memtest without a hitch. Just thought I would share just in case anyone is considering maxing the memory out.

 

[peter236]

Can this board support 1 terabyte drives? I tried to install windows xp on this board, but it would not reboot.