Hi,
The GA-8IRXP overclock problem isnt exactly a stability problem. Mine will run very stable when o/c'd and/or overvoltage. I've got a 1.6A and it's easy to get to 133+ FSB, even without changing CPU voltage. It will go faster, to 140 or more, i haven't really explored the limits.
No, the big problem for me is that my GA-8IRXP crashes when I boot up with any overclock above 115Mhz FSB, even at default voltage (and no matter how I tweak other voltage, memory, or divider settings) - after that usually I can reboot it then and it's okay. It's a big pain cos I really want to use STR/Hibernate, but I'll lose the saved data if it doesn't start cleanly first time. I've heard of a lot of people (maybe 50) with the same problem and some worse.
:|So, to summarise that, the GA-8IRXP overclocking bug is: it WILL run overclocked, but it often CAN'T BOOT UP, or reboot.
The f7a bios has absolutely no effect on my board, I don't think I've yet heard of anyone for who the f7a bios was any better than f6d. A few say it's actually worse. People are extremely pissed at Gigabyte because they were so quick to tell the Register that f7a fixed the problem, but then didn't release it for weeks - so everyone's waiting, waiting checking the Gigabyte site all the time... then it doesn't work 🙁
People are also pissed at all the hardware websites that give the GA-8IRXP awards without saying some people are having problems with it. Buyers began complaining about it online in February, long before most sites reviewed it (Anandtech is an exception - reviewed last december). Then people were actually buying it based on those reviews...
The page at theinquirer.net explains most of this, though it doesnt really describe how serious the bug is - i mean there's worse things happening at higher voltages that aren't mentiond in that article, like complete lockups that require the CMOS battery to be taken out.
Anyway, your description (Barrei) of your o/c makes it clear you aren't suffering from this problem (Assuming that your PC boots up cleanly after its been switchd off for an hour or so?). Perhaps you'd see it if you upped the vcore - but as you say, you don't need to. It's hard to say how many boards are affected, some people dont overclock, and anyone who doesnt have a problem probably wont bother talking about it. Thanks for speaking up so we know at least some boards are okay... perhaps the more recntly manufacturered?
I really want to make it clear though, that based on what I've seen and heard, the new f7a bios DOES NOT sort out the problem with the GA-8IRXP, despite what Gigabyte claim. Maybe you have seen a case where it made a difference? Apologies if I'm wrong here, but I'm afraid you might just be repeating what seems to be an inaccurate claim put out by Gigabyte's PR dept, and repeated in the Register and Toms H/W guide - some people are simply calling it a lie.
You can read a lot more about this if you go to google groups and check out alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte,
(though if your board works fine I don't see why you want to 😀) Some people have been complaining about it for months, I'm sure a lot of others like me are just lurking waiting for an answer.
... I'm curious to see if the GA-8IEXP (almost exactly same as the 8IRXP, but with 533MHz CPU bus) shows the same problem...
btw, Barrei, your pic looks a bit similar to mine, perhaps we are related?? If I smoke a bit more of that, I think I can handle my GA-8IRXP 😎
Thanx,
Markc
ps People who are looking for links to the f7a bios can also find them on this newsgroup if Gigabyte's ftp site isn't working right (it often isn't).
news:alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte
