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

[makutaku]

Does anybody know if the Thermalright XP-120 CPU heatsink would fit this motherboard ?

Is anybody using two PCI cards in this motherboard ? I know someone who bought this motherboard but RMAed it because it failed to boot when using 2 PCI cards (he used a Seasonic S12 380W PSU).

 

[renethx]

The socket AM2 version of MSI K8NGM2 is K9NGM. The new subsubsection

Choosing a GeForce 6150 Board > Available GeForce 6150 Motherboards > The Boards for Socket AM2

was added to the main post in this regard.

 

[pctwo]

Originally posted by: jimcpl
Hi All,

Another question from a K8NGM2-FID newbie. This one on my daughter's new build:

CPU: AMD 64 X2 3800+
OS: Win XP Home SP2 (all latest updates)
Drivers: All drives from CD installed (VGA, NFORCE, and HD sound)
Memory: 1 512MB stick of PC2700

Question:

In Device Manager, everything looks ok. But, when I go under USB, it shows only USB, USB Root, but nothing that seems to indicate USB2. Specifically, I don't see "USB 2.0 Root Hub".

Is there an additional driver or drivers that I need to install? FYI, I haven't worked with XP Home much, so maybe it displays devices differently?

Thanks,
Jim

On mine, I have 2 x "USB root hub", "standard enhanced pci 2 usb host controller, "standard openHCD usb host controller". I did not install from CD but downloaded drivers from nvidia (8.22 nforce, 84.21 forceware).

No "USB 2.0".

 

[RjG]

Originally posted by: HungryJ0e

Originally posted by: RjG
wake on USB always works, you can't turn it off. I have all the "wake on" options turned off in the BIOS, and it still always wakes up (S3) from USB mouse or keyboard. I don't like the mouse waking it up, so I just disabled that from the XP device manager.

??? My USB wake *does not* work from S3 using either bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or from IR remote, which is a major pain. I've poked around XP to try and find the appropriate settings you reference to see if mine are unchecked, but haven't been able to... any ideas where to look?

- HJ

Click Start, then Run, type "devmgmt.msc" and press enter.

Then, for example, open "Keyboards", and right click on your
"HID Keyboard device" and select "Properties".
Select the Power Management tab, and there should be a checkbox for
"Allow this device to bring the keyboard out of Standby".

 

[Artanis]

Originally posted by: renethx
The socket AM2 version of MSI K8NGM2 is K9NGM.

Yes, and it has mosfets heatsinks

 

[pctwo]

Originally posted by: ddm1969
Hi Folks,
I'm looking for some feedback from those of you using video cards instead of the onboard video. I've recently tried using TT+ffdshow w/ onboard graphics for DVD playback, and was underwhelmed with the results. I'm sure I can tweak it to make it at least a little better, but I am FAR from the picture quality of my Denon DVD player. My display device is a Sony GWIII. Can anyone comment on the image quality difference they've seen when using a video card (6600GT, 7600GS, etc) instead of the 6150? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. TIA,

ddm

sorry I don't have an answer for you, but a question: can you use ffdshow's resize function? when I try to resize to 1440x960 (or other res's), I get BSOD after a minute or two in nv4_mini.sys. This is with onboard video.

 

[jettoblack2]

Has anyone tried using SpeedFan with this board? I currently use SpeedFan on my K8N Neo2/Antec Sonata to control the speeds of both the CPU and HD fans based on a variety of temperature readings, and also to monitor the speed of the rear fan.

Can at least 2 of the K8NGM2-FID's fan headers be software PWM controlled? Can the other connector also at least be monitored, if not controlled? Thanks!

 

[pctwo]

jettoblack2: speedfan currently does not recognize this board, unfortunately. I can only get HD temp reading.

 

[ddm1969]

Originally posted by: pctwo
sorry I don't have an answer for you, but a question: can you use ffdshow's resize function? when I try to resize to 1440x960 (or other res's), I get BSOD after a minute or two in nv4_mini.sys. This is with onboard video.

I am able to resize 2.0x without error or studder using onboard video. I've got a LOT more tinkering to do in order to find out my system's limits w/ ffdshow, but no time to do it.

ddm

 

[RjG]

Originally posted by: bendenajones
I just got my system up with this board.

Running an Amd 3000+ Winchester @ 2.25Ghz (250Mhz cpu-ld), 1000 Mhz NB/SB/Cpu bridges. 2.6v for the ddr.
Using Antech Aria with temps in the upper 40's deg C under load, upper 30's idle.

I am disappointed with the 6150 performance generally. This is coming from an Intel 2.6 (Oc'ed to 2.8) P4 with a ATI Radeon 9600.

Only after oc'ing and other tweaks, was I able to get smooth playback of OTA HD via a Fusion HDTV5 Lite ATSC tuner. Also WMVHD trailers had problems. All now playback ok.

Benchmarking with 3DMark05, I was able to go from 569 to 603 with tweaking, still not that good. I have seen others in reviews and such getting in the 600s to 700 - none on MSI boards; either Gigbbyte or Asus.

What's your score?

http://3dmark.com/download/?3dmark05.shtml
Futuremark - Download

Running 84.21 Geforce drivers.
8.22 Platform Drvs.
MSI MB v2.0

Just for fun I did a 3DMark 05 for you... not much fun watching 3FPS, LOL
Score is 770. Nothing is tweaked at all, all "Load defaults" settings except
CPU-LDT is 250. The only other thing I maybe changed is the NB freq to 1000, I don't remember if it Bios 3.20 defaulted to 800 or not. It's in their database now.

 

[RjG]

<edit> I just noticed you can post a url for results instead of copy/pasting:
http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=1945080

 

[RjG]

This is my 3dMark 2001Se marks. I think this version is little more geared towards this hardware

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=8927981

3DMark Score 6815 3D marks

Game 1 Car Chase - Low Detail 93.5 FPS
Game 1 Car Chase - High Detail 54.3 FPS
Game 2 Dragothic - Low Detail 95.9 FPS
Game 2 Dragothic - High Detail 59.3 FPS
Game 3 Lobby - Low Detail 94.3 FPS
Game 3 Lobby - High Detail 59.4 FPS
Game 4 Nature 25.9 FPS

 

[RjG]

But problems with HD video?
This board renders 1080P hi-def content (DVB MPEG) onto a 1920x1200 screen
at around 15 to 18 percent CPU, which is absolutely great, no complaints at all.

You probably need Nvidia's purevideo codec to really use the 6150's potential for rendering mpeg video though. Can't say that for sure, it's the only MPEG codec I have installed.

WMV files, interesting you brought that up. I would have thought, since I have all the updates installed, that MS fixed this one. I tried playing "Step into Liquid 1080p" and it was running 60 to 70% CPU. I remembered a MS patch that fixed this like a year ago on my other computer, so I looked at the patch, compared my DLL files, and all mine were newer. Hmm. Installed it ANYWAY. Guess what, CPU is now 30 to 40%. So it appears installing every single update and WMP10 isn't enough. You still need this:
http://www.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;888656
PS, I did check the DLL versions after, and I still have all my newer ones. So this patch must put some registry entries in to accelerate WMV.

If anyone wants to verify those findings, you can find some HiDef WMV files here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/window...candvideo/hdvideo/contentshowcase.aspx

 

[dgauvreau]

I'm having some problems getting surround sound working properly, but I'm not sure if the issue is with my HTPC setup or my receiver. (My receiver normally drives my 5.1 surround sound just fine when I play a dvd in my dvd player - it detects a surround sound source and the rear speakers work fine.)

I just received the SPDIF bracket - so I connected my PC to my Kenwood 7100 receiver via the digital coaxial connection on the rear of my receiver. When my PC boots up, I hear the windows startup "jingle" from the front and rear speakers simultaneously. From the readout on my receiver, it looks like it's only sensing stereo output from my pc. When I configure my realtek audio, I can choose the 6 channel setup, but when it does its test of the speakers, I don't hear anything through my rear (surround) speakers. The front speakers seem to work just fine.

Any ideas? Thanks...

 

[aeroguy]

Originally posted by: helloman
I also reported a problem where the DVI doesn't show anything on my TV till window actually loads completely. I don't see any bios bootup on my HDTV using DVI->HDMI
THis is still true and I check my bios settings and couldn't find anything which could make it work.
Any suggestion please. I want to really try mythtv and not sure if I can use DVI there.

Another question I have is on my HDTV, there is significant overscan at 1280*720. I installed nvidia latest drivers. How can I comensate this. If I use understan, the desktop doesn't cover the whole screen. Any suggestions

thanks

My DVI->HDMI on a panasonic plasma shows up right away. I didn't tweak the settings or anything... the computer automatically recognizes "PANASONIC TV"

I had overscan after choosing "720p" using Forceware 81.86 in 'device settings' (which is under the nView Display Settings tab). Under 'device settings' choose "HDTV Overscan Configuration" and click on 'Underscan', the hit 'Apply', and click on 'Overscan Compensation.' This is where I adjusted the Overscan. The resolution ended up at 1256x704. Very strange, but that's what works.

Good luck.

 

[imported_mr]

>Can at least 2 of the K8NGM2-FID's fan headers be software PWM controlled? Can the other connector also at least be monitored, if not controlled?

lm_sensors under Linux reads 2 of the fans and 3 temps, so I presume the info on these sensors is easily available and SpeedFan could be updated for the board.

Since the BIOS only allows CPU fan control, I'm tempted to think that only this fan can be controlled. The Case fan speed (connector at top of board) can be monitored but it always puts out 12v. The NB fan can't be monitored or controlled as far as I know. It's also always 12v. The K8NGM-V 6100 board seems the same.

I just tied my case fan power to +5v and it runs quiet at 1400 RPM or so. On another PC I tied the case fan in parallel with the CPU fan (but I'm more nervous about that) and fan runs around 1700-1800 RPM. In both cases I use the Case fan connector so I can monitor speed and leave NB fan connector unused.

 

[imported_mr]

Been lurking on the 6150/6100 threads for 4 months now. The MSI K8NGM2-FID is a killer board for inexpensive HTPC and great for Linux.

I built a K8NGM2-FID box 2 weeks ago and now have it running almost perfectly under Fedora Core 5 Linux with MythTV, MPlayer, Xine etc. w/ SDTV component out, 5.1 channel analog, Firewire etc.

I've posted a Web guide for cheap/mid cost 6100/6150 media PCs at http://clients.teksavvy.com/~mreid/media_pc_2006.html . The upgraded MSI K8NGM2-FID 6150 config is at http://clients.teksavvy.com/~mreid/media_pc_2006.html#UpgradedHardwareList . A cheaper MSI K8NGM-V config is at http://clients.teksavvy.com/~mreid/media_pc_2006.html#HardwareLists . (The -V board is the FID's little socket 754 sibling, has many similarities to the FID board, and works well with a 6200TC for DVI and TVOut.)

The guide is focused on Linux, but the configurations work pretty well under Windows as well.

If you have any questions or comments about the guide, please post them on the thread here specifically for that purpose: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1840354&enterthread=y

If there are questions relating to this guide that are of general K8NGM2-FID interest, I'm sure they'd be welcome here.

Anyone looking for information about running Linux on 6150 boards (mostly the Asus it appears) this is a good thread: Linux on NForce 430 + GeForce 6150 http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=57791 .

 

[imported_jawgee]

Does a bracket exist that will work with this board to supply an optical out? I realize that people are now receiving a coax SPDIF bracket with this mobo, but, unfortunately, my receiver's digital input is optical only. Is my only option to get a coax to optical converter?

Thanks,
jawgee

 

[lucky123]

Originally posted by: helloman
I also reported a problem where the DVI doesn't show anything on my TV till window actually loads completely. I don't see any bios bootup on my HDTV using DVI->HDMI
THis is still true and I check my bios settings and couldn't find anything which could make it work.
Any suggestion please. I want to really try mythtv and not sure if I can use DVI there.

Another question I have is on my HDTV, there is significant overscan at 1280*720. I installed nvidia latest drivers. How can I comensate this. If I use understan, the desktop doesn't cover the whole screen. Any suggestions

thanks

Hi there, you are not alone. I connect my PC using the DVI out to the DVI input of my LG LCD TV. Everything works great except there is no bootup Posting. The first image to come out is the WindowsXP logo with the loading bar. As my LCD TV (btw, it is LG 32LX1R), has a DVI-I input, I am able to get the bootup Post if I connect the VGA out to the DVI connector with a VGA to DVI converter cable instead. This means that the problem happens only on digital signal and not analog. I have yet to try on LCD monitors but so far I have not heard anyone with this problem except if they use it on LCDTV. Perhaps it takes longer for LCDTV to process digital video signals. It looks to cool for a HTPC to startup without the initial bootup Post but just wondering if there is any problem with the motherboard or the LCDTV.

 

[HungryJ0e]

Originally posted by: dgauvreau
I'm having some problems getting surround sound working properly, but I'm not sure if the issue is with my HTPC setup or my receiver. (My receiver normally drives my 5.1 surround sound just fine when I play a dvd in my dvd player - it detects a surround sound source and the rear speakers work fine.)

I just received the SPDIF bracket - so I connected my PC to my Kenwood 7100 receiver via the digital coaxial connection on the rear of my receiver. When my PC boots up, I hear the windows startup "jingle" from the front and rear speakers simultaneously. From the readout on my receiver, it looks like it's only sensing stereo output from my pc. When I configure my realtek audio, I can choose the 6 channel setup, but when it does its test of the speakers, I don't hear anything through my rear (surround) speakers. The front speakers seem to work just fine.

Any ideas? Thanks...

dgauvreau -

there could be one of three problems: the computer isn't putting out the proper signal, the speakers aren't properly connected, or the receiver isn't setup to decode 6 channel audio.

are you using Windows MCE with NVidia Purevideo? there is a bug in the current Purevideo version which sets the output to 2 channel after running the MCE setup (patch info can be found here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder_1.02-196-trial.html). i had trouble with this on my htpc, and ran into similiar results that you describe before using the patch and running MCE setup again.

it sounds like at least 4 speakers are connected based on your comment about windows startup, but that's still something you want to verify. i'm familiar with panasonic and sony receiver setups, both of which will output test tones to verify the individual speakers are connected properly. i can only assume kenwood receivers have a simliar feature...

again, i'm not familiar with kenwood receiver setup for ensuring proper decoding on 6 channel audio. my experience with panasonic receivers is they will usually recognize and decode properly with little or no user input. sony receivers however can inadvertantly get stuck in an "advanced" mode that will output 6 channel sound as stereo. i'd check the kenwood manual thoroughly to ensure they don't have such "features."

- hj

 

[dgauvreau]

Originally posted by: HungryJ0e

Originally posted by: dgauvreau
I'm having some problems getting surround sound working properly, but I'm not sure if the issue is with my HTPC setup or my receiver. (My receiver normally drives my 5.1 surround sound just fine when I play a dvd in my dvd player - it detects a surround sound source and the rear speakers work fine.)

I just received the SPDIF bracket - so I connected my PC to my Kenwood 7100 receiver via the digital coaxial connection on the rear of my receiver. When my PC boots up, I hear the windows startup "jingle" from the front and rear speakers simultaneously. From the readout on my receiver, it looks like it's only sensing stereo output from my pc. When I configure my realtek audio, I can choose the 6 channel setup, but when it does its test of the speakers, I don't hear anything through my rear (surround) speakers. The front speakers seem to work just fine.

Any ideas? Thanks...

dgauvreau -

there could be one of three problems: the computer isn't putting out the proper signal, the speakers aren't properly connected, or the receiver isn't setup to decode 6 channel audio.

are you using Windows MCE with NVidia Purevideo? there is a bug in the current Purevideo version which sets the output to 2 channel after running the MCE setup (patch info can be found here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder_1.02-196-trial.html). i had trouble with this on my htpc, and ran into similiar results that you describe before using the patch and running MCE setup again.

it sounds like at least 4 speakers are connected based on your comment about windows startup, but that's still something you want to verify. i'm familiar with panasonic and sony receiver setups, both of which will output test tones to verify the individual speakers are connected properly. i can only assume kenwood receivers have a simliar feature...

again, i'm not familiar with kenwood receiver setup for ensuring proper decoding on 6 channel audio. my experience with panasonic receivers is they will usually recognize and decode properly with little or no user input. sony receivers however can inadvertantly get stuck in an "advanced" mode that will output 6 channel sound as stereo. i'd check the kenwood manual thoroughly to ensure they don't have such "features."

- hj

HJ,
Thanks for your reply - I tend to think there is some issue with my computer outputting the proper signal, because I believe the second two possibilities that you mention should be eliminated by the fact that I can hear surround sound (on all 5.1 channels) when I play a dvd (which is connected to another digital input on that receiver.)

I got a response from MSI which seemed to indicate that the Sound Manager software only outputs 2channel audio through the SPDIF, even when I run the 6 channel setup and tests. They said the system should still play 5.1 through the SPDIF if I use something like WinDVD, but I haven't verified this yet (I've only been testing with the Realtek Sound Manager software.)

 

[renethx]

I have added a new subsection to the main post:

Choosing Components > Hardware Compatibility Issues

I listed issues confirmed by MSI or multiple users. Please PM me if you have suggestions.

 

[lucky123]

Originally posted by: dgauvreau
I'm having some problems getting surround sound working properly, but I'm not sure if the issue is with my HTPC setup or my receiver. (My receiver normally drives my 5.1 surround sound just fine when I play a dvd in my dvd player - it detects a surround sound source and the rear speakers work fine.)

I just received the SPDIF bracket - so I connected my PC to my Kenwood 7100 receiver via the digital coaxial connection on the rear of my receiver. When my PC boots up, I hear the windows startup "jingle" from the front and rear speakers simultaneously. From the readout on my receiver, it looks like it's only sensing stereo output from my pc. When I configure my realtek audio, I can choose the 6 channel setup, but when it does its test of the speakers, I don't hear anything through my rear (surround) speakers. The front speakers seem to work just fine.

Any ideas? Thanks...

Receivers can only accept digital surround source such as Dolby Digital (AC3), Dolby Prologic, DTS etc. PC's 5.1 surround is meant only for output through individual analog channels which is why you have different jacks for different speakers. SPDIF only carries digital signals and for the receiver to detect surround, it has to be one of the codecs it supports. As such you can't expect a analog surround sources to be decoded at the receiver. SPDIF will only carry digital stereo signals from PC to the receiver.

There is a Dolby Digital Live (DDL) though to help encode the PC's analog surround signals to Dolby digital and in turn sending this source to the receiver to be decoded to surround output. This process is carried out in real time. This Realtek ALC880(D) supports DDL but not ALC880 on this board.

 

[chup]

NCQ is not working with my Barracuda 7200.7... any clue?

 

[winguy]

Do you mean the NCQ option is greyed out? It is known that initial batches of the 410/430 southbridge do not support NCQ. Nvidia said they'd fix that, not sure whether it has been done though.