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View Full Version : Abit AW9D-Max BIOS/config questions


imweasel
09-21-2006, 07:40 PM
My AW9D-Max is due tomorrow (got in for $219 at ZZF night before last - but couldn't post they were available cuz I had never registered here - only lurked! :rolleyes: ). I have been reading these and other forums for tips on the configuration/setting for the board. BTW, today I received my e6700 (week 29) and AC Freezer 7 Pro, and tomorrow the mobo and RAM (Crucial Technology Ballistix 2GB kit DDR2-800 PC2-6400) arrive. I am a novice at O/C'ing (my Opty 146 is only at 2.4GHz - but is nice and cool!).

1. Since I will only ever be using 1 LAN connection, is there a preference of which one to use and which one to disable? I have checked these and other forums and can't see a preference.

2. I am assuming that its best not to enable AHCI for the SATA channels? At first I will have an old 120GB SATA150 drive for my O/S, but hopefully I will get an SATAII drive some day.

3. Will I have to load any SATA drivers before installing WindowsXP for XP to see the SATA? Since I will not have a raid array, I "assume", based on the mobo manual and posts in this forum that Windows will have the correct chipset drivers to at least see the SATA 1-4 channels on the Intel SATA. Then I can update the drivers to the latest using the Intel Chipset Installation utility.

4. Anyone install Vista RC1 x86 or x64 on these yet??

( :eh: sorry for the rambling questions, but these Intels & their BIOS selections seem MUCH different than the old Pentium 4's and my AMD socket 7 and 949s!)

TWY
09-21-2006, 07:55 PM
1) It is under the Integrated Peripherals BIOS option, and inside the Onboard PCI Device section. You can enable/disable LAN Controller 1, and LAN Controller 2.

2) Not too sure on this, but I'm also interested to know what AHCI does? I'm using SATA150 drives as well.

3) There is no need to if you're using the SATA ports on the Intel controller.

4) Not for me yet.

:)

imweasel
09-21-2006, 08:09 PM
1) It is under the Integrated Peripherals BIOS option, and inside the Onboard PCI Device section. You can enable/disable LAN Controller 1, and LAN Controller 2.

2) Not too sure on this, but I'm also interested to know what AHCI does? I'm using SATA150 drives as well.
...
Sorry - I know how to disable them - I was wondering if one or the other had better performance, reliability, or less CPU usage or something. That way I could pick which one to disable instead of guessing! :rolleyes:

I am still reading up on AHCI - and it seems like enabling allows NCQ'ing on the SATA drivers, but thats not best for gamers (me) but best for multi-user (simultaneous?) users. I'm still working through all those posts and articles!!! :D

theteamaqua
09-21-2006, 08:41 PM
so do u guys liek this board??

imweasel
09-21-2006, 08:57 PM
:) I'll let ya know tomorrow about this time! I should have it by tomorrow evening, and will start trying different things.