What's the deal with the ECS K7S5A?

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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Right now, I can't do anything besides change FSB speed in the BIOS. When I unlock the CPU, will it let me access the other functions that are visible, like multiplier, voltage, etc.?

I thought that you could change anything, but it just wouldn't work if the CPU wasn't unlocked.
 
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tenoc

Golden Member
Jan 23, 2002
1,270
0
0
Over 9000 posts and you still don't know this is not a mobo for easy o/c?

Go to here for lots of info.
 
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robcy

Senior member
Jun 8, 2003
503
0
0
I do not think it will give you choices for multipliers even if you unlock you CPU. Not the right board for overclocking. You can get a modified BIOS from Honey X or Cheepos, that will give you a couple of choices for the FSB. Its a pretty good performer, specially when Overclocked by BIOS, but the choiced are fairly limited.
 
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thorin

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
7,573
0
0
Ya you need a 3rd party BIOS for that board if you wanna tweak everything to OC it....like Cheepo (or whatever it's called).

Thorin
 
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Goi

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,766
7
91
The CheepoBios, HoneyX bios, and all other 3rd party BIOSes only allow you to select from a great selection of FSBs. You still have no access to multiplier, voltages and all other overclocking features, which makes this a pretty bad board for overclocking. However, its extremely cheap, and performs reasonably fast. In fact, when it was released, it was pretty much the fastest Socket A mobo, faster than the then fastest KT266. Then VIA released a much improved KT266A and the rest is history.
 
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gtd2000

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,731
0
76
Back when this board was the cheapest thing on the block for US$60 shipped the overclocking function was a moot point as you could simply put the extra $$'s that you saved on the board and pump the extra into the CPU for a higher speed outcome ;)

You can still overclock to some degree via FSB depending on the ability of the CPU to overclock at standard voltages.

Personally my XP1700+ can overclock to XP2000+ with a FSB of 150, however in reality I cannot see/feel any difference in performance so I just leave it at XP1700+ speeds ;)

Most people have commented on what a fast/snappy system I have too - so I'm not complaining in the least at stock speeds :)

 
Confused

Confused

Elite Member
Nov 13, 2000
14,166
0
0
This board is a budget board, so yeah, you get what you pay for. You can select a few different FSB speeds with some 3rd party BIOSes, but this board, unless you do a hardware mod, won't ever give you multiplier and voltage adjustments in the BIOS.

If it's a new board you've just got, maybe you should have done some basic research first.


Confused
 
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Loobusk

Member
Jul 30, 2003
81
0
0
I dreaded the K7S5A... can't overclock and on top of that horrible performance/stability. I never bought anything made by ECS ever again after I used it once.
 
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gtd2000

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,731
0
76
Originally posted by: Loobusk
I dreaded the K7S5A... can't overclock and on top of that horrible performance/stability. I never bought anything made by ECS ever again after I used it once.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got a bad one then?

Mine runs like a champ - it's online 24/7. I'm not overclocked though - I wouldn't say the "dreaded" K7S5A, considering this is the most popular board in the history of the PC there are bound to be a few that encounter problems.

Add this in to the fact that these boards are often used by self professed "system builder" that may or may not be competent in their endeavours ;)

Hell I must have built 30+ systems at the time when I switched to the famed K7S5A and could not get the thing to boot at all - I assumed that it was the board to blame. After all there were so many posts about how bad it was ;)
I checked, rechecked then finally sent an RMA notice to newegg - then on day 7 or so just as I was about send it back I noticed I had one of the case connectors the wrong way around :eek:

Over one year later it still runs fine - and that with SDRAM and now DDR RAM - Windows ME & Windows XP.

I'm happy with it - but as with all things in life - YMMV :)
 
Adul

Adul

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
32,999
44
91
danny.tangtam.com
Originally posted by: gtd 2000
Originally posted by: Loobusk
I dreaded the K7S5A... can't overclock and on top of that horrible performance/stability. I never bought anything made by ECS ever again after I used it once.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got a bad one then?

Mine runs like a champ - it's online 24/7. I'm not overclocked though - I wouldn't say the "dreaded" K7S5A, considering this is the most popular board in the history of the PC there are bound to be a few that encounter problems.

Add this in to the fact that these boards are often used by self professed "system builder" that may or may not be competent in their endeavours ;)

Hell I must have built 30+ systems at the time when I switched to the famed K7S5A and could not get the thing to boot at all - I assumed that it was the board to blame. After all there were so many posts about how bad it was ;)
I checked, rechecked then finally sent an RMA notice to newegg - then on day 7 or so just as I was about send it back I noticed I had one of the case connectors the wrong way around :eek:

Over one year later it still runs fine - and that with SDRAM and now DDR RAM - Windows ME & Windows XP.

I'm happy with it - but as with all things in life - YMMV :)
Click to expand...

I watched to many die to even take the chance.

Clutches ASUS A7n8x delux :)

 
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ST4RCUTTER

Platinum Member
Feb 13, 2001
2,841
0
0
Dude...the Pro version is 47 bucks.

Nuff said...
rolleye.gif
 
B

Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
0
76
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
What's the deal with the ECS K7S5A?
Click to expand...

Well ... erm ... uh ... "It sucks"? :p

- M4H
Click to expand...

Nonsense...this board is successful for a reason...if it really sucked as bad as a few ppls here make out, it would not have become the best selling mobo it was. There at one time was a bad batch of these boards and that has poisoned it for some...I have MANY installs with this board and they are all flawless (read: not one has gone bad). It is the perfect board for a non-enthusiast (such people DO exist you know). If you just want a computer to surf the net and play a few games etc, it is perfect.

HAVING SAID THAT: it is not really a board for overclocking. True, you can use HoneyX bios and it will work, but there are MANY better boards out there for OC. Just plop down $90 for an EPOX 8RDA+ and be set for a couple of years.
 
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