680i + 8800 SLI = Sound problems -Confirmed!

[mdzcpa]

Okay, sound problem confirmed!!

I did not notice the problem at first based on my game preferences. All the Source based games run fine. Most older titles do as well. However, as soon as BF2 went in (and BF 2142) the problem occured. Then a few more late games like Dark Mesiah and COH.

And, the problem IS seriously nasty. We aren't talking about a little cracking and popping here, but a nasty full on crackle, hiss, pop, and screech that renders the system totally un playable.

The only fix is to disable SLI. PCI latency tools do nothing. All latest available drivers and BIOS do not help. All combinations of Windows Updates for HD sound and SP2 fixes do not help either.

Optical cable helps...but only a little. Still un playable.

The problem configurations are any 8800s in SLI with any sound solution. Whether its X-fi, Turtle Beach, or on board sound, the problem is there. Surprisingly, on board sound is the WORST.

What I want to know is how in the hell did Nvidia and its partners miss this issue? Shocking to say the least.

Sorry I don't have more benches of my 24/7 rig right now, but I am now full time trying to resolve this sound issue.

Anyone considering 680i + 8800 SLI for any gaming beware.

[Cooper]

Didi you try to reassign IRQs ?

[Kakulukia]

Is it with onboard sound or with a soundcard (cant make it out in startpost)?

The P5B(-DEluxe) has also a problem with onboard sound.
Just as you mentioned, in BF2 and bf2142 ( especially: artillery, and when titan is destroyed).

I (and other p5b-d owners on this forum) havent found a solution. The only thing you can do is lower the volume a bit to get rid of the crackling, or buy a sound card.

[Speederlander]

The only thing you can do is lower the volume a bit to get rid of the crackling, or buy a sound card.
It does it with sound cards as well, from everything being reported.

[FUGGER]

I reported this problem a ways back, mic/game audio plaback are on the same channel or monitoring is crosswired causing the audio problems.

I stopped playing BF 2142 for the moment as I cannot connect to ventrilo and caht with friends correctly.

To better describe the problem. When you play the game, the game audio is being routed to the mic and holding the mic open and audio is played back through the audio system horribly.

[mdzcpa]

Didi you try to reassign IRQs ?

Yep...no joy.

I even left the IRQ assigned at default (IRQ22) then set the priority of the IRQ to 1 (by adding the dword IRQ22Priotity=1 in the registry). Still no Joy.


Is it with onboard sound or with a soundcard (cant make it out in startpost)?


I had the same problem with three different solutions. Onboard sound, Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, and X-Fi. They all had the problem.

[mdzcpa]

I reported this problem a ways back, mic/game audio plaback are on the same channel or monitoring is crosswired causing the audio problems.

I stopped playing BF 2142 for the moment as I cannot connect to ventrilo and caht with friends correctly.

To better describe the problem. When you play the game, the game audio is being routed to the mic and holding the mic open and audio is played back through the audio system horribly.


FUGGER, are you saying this is mic related then? Right now I'm not even using a mic:confused:

Also, did you find any releif from the issue when SLI was disabled? As soon as I disable SLI all the sound problems go away completely.

[Blue078]

You did try moving the SLI arrangement like this person did? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1846726&postcount=1

[FUGGER]

Its causing problems for many people. I found it to be mic related on mine. I have not tried the middle slot yet to fix.

I will update Nvidia tomorrow to escalate the problem.

If you use a chat program, the people listening will hear the mic audio being held open with garbage noise.

Another thing could be it is using the speaker output as the mic input at the same time. That could explain the monitoring of speaker output on the mic port and then played back as wave audio.

Swithing to single card did not resolve the audio problem for me.

[JoeBar]

I wonder how did it manage to escape NV's attention prior to releasing 680i. This is BIG!
I hope that bios revisions should fix it and it won't require new chipset revision...

[mdzcpa]

You did try moving the SLI arrangement like this person did? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1846726&postcount=1

Not yet. I don't have an available sli bridge on hand at the moment.

Even so, that's only a temporary work around at best. Not only does that config kill airflow completely to card 1, but it no longer runs 16 x 16. I know that running 16 x 8 wouldn't be a big deal performance wise, but its simply a BS way of having to deal with such an obvious design flaw.

FUGGER, thanks for additional escalation. Googling around the net is turning up more and more of these reports. Its going to be a HUGE problem. I'm up to 5 games (out of 10) that are now un playable.

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

Sound works fine here.
Games tested so far are:

1. Battlefield 2
2. Dark messiah
3. COH
4. Titan Quest

Rig tested

C2D E6700
Evga 680i SLI
2 x XFX 8800GTS
2GB Corsair Dominator 8888

Cheapo Optical lead with onboard sound.

[Vett95wLT4]

i cant duplicate any problems of the sort with my 680i and dual 8800 GTx's in sli. I have tried FEAR, 3dmark06 demo, and BF2142 Demo and have found no problems with the sound. rig is x6800 @ 3.8, evga 680i, 2 raptors in raid0. i have multy @ 13. Could it be the problem occours when system is more overclocked?

[LexDiamonds]

I think this problem is related to the PS2 Mouse/Keyboard issues that people(myself included) are having. Definately an IRQ issue. Under full load, the board is not giving periferials enough cpu time. I would bet a USB based soundcard would fix the issue similiar to how a USB key/mouse fixes that problem. This is obviously not a solution for some, as I am quite happy with my Audigy2 and PS2 keyboard.

I havent even tried any gaming goodness yet (still benching) but I'm hesitant to even try a game because the keyboard stuttering I've experienced under load while even trying to compose a post is unbearable.

[tombman]

Moving the GTX to the second slot = the FIX!!

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7610/680ifixan7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[mdzcpa]

Sound works fine here.
Games tested so far are:

1. Battlefield 2
2. Dark messiah
3. COH
4. Titan Quest

Rig tested

C2D E6700
Evga 680i SLI
2 x XFX 8800GTS
2GB Corsair Dominator 8888

Cheapo Optical lead with onboard sound.


Need more specifics:

OS and SPs
platform driver
audio driver
video driver

The evga rep mentioned he duplicated the issue using the 97.02 vid drivers.

Other possible differences??? I have a TV Tuner card in the middle PCI slot.



i cant duplicate any problems of the sort with my 680i and dual 8800 GTx's in sli. I have tried FEAR, 3dmark06 demo, and BF2142 Demo and have found no problems with the sound. rig is x6800 @ 3.8, evga 680i, 2 raptors in raid0. i have multy @ 13. Could it be the problem occours when system is more overclocked?

I have zero overclock on the system right now. Also, the problem does not occur in every game. i also have no trouble with FEAR or 3Dmark. Also, no truble with any Source engine games. BF2 is the big culprit. Same with COH.



I think this problem is related to the PS2 Mouse/Keyboard issues that people(myself included) are having. Definately an IRQ issue.

Not using any PS2 here. USB KB and Mouse.

[AndreYang]

ASUS ROG is no problems because ROG use PCI-E 1X sound card.:)

[mdzcpa]

Moving the GTX to the second slot = the FIX!!


Not a fix!

At best a temporary workaround. Not only is the vid card spacing ridiculous for a real 24/7 rig that's fully enclosed, but we should not have to resort to 16x and 8x. I know the performance is minimal, but the product should work as advertised at this basic level. Not too mention I don't have a spare short SLI bridge lying around :)

If your suggestion is the only "fix" the board will be going back.

No offense...I appreciate your suggestion!

[CodyDewey]

Moving the GTX to the second slot = the FIX!!



Taking all the credit I see.... 8)

It works for now, in fact I just cut a new 120 mm Blow hole for the vidcards. 58'c load now.

[LexDiamonds]

@mdzcpa-- I wasnt saying that PS2 was part of the root cause, just adding that they share the same issue because of the fact both things (PS2 and sound) actively use IRQs to communicate. The distortion in sound is basically the same thing as a keyboard stutter...

[mdzcpa]

@mdzcpa-- I wasnt saying that PS2 was part of the root cause, just adding that they share the same issue because of the fact both things (PS2 and sound) actively use IRQs to communicate. The distortion in sound is basically the same thing as a keyboard stutter...

Gotcha! Thanks for the input. I'll keeping working on the config. There has to be something different with my set up (and other with problems) versus others who are working fine.

[tombman]

Not a fix!

At best a temporary workaround. !
Of course, but good enough for me until they really fix it.

[tombman]

Taking all the credit I see.... 8).
Nono, just helping ;)

In fact i had tried this method myself wth the P19 Bios earlier but it didn't work, because booting to windows was not allowed. Only with P20 Bios it works.

So we had the same idea, but used different Bios Versions...but of course, all credit to you :)

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

Need more specifics:

OS and SPs
platform driver
audio driver
video driver

The evga rep mentioned he duplicated the issue using the 97.02 vid drivers.

Other possible differences??? I have a TV Tuner card in the middle PCI slot.





I have zero overclock on the system right now. Also, the problem does not occur in every game. i also have no trouble with FEAR or 3Dmark. Also, no truble with any Source engine games. BF2 is the big culprit. Same with COH.





Not using any PS2 here. USB KB and Mouse.

OS and SPs = XP home SP2
platform driver = ?
audio driver = 1 from the cd
video driver = 9702

OC = 3.6GHZ

[noobzed]

After the 8800 recall, now we have the 680i sound crackling....

Great ....

[mdzcpa]

That's not what I was referring to. I was referring to evga and the other mobo makers that are going to get burned by this.

I've tried every combination of drivers.

Perhaps I'll try the "old" audio drivers that came with the cd versus the ones on the egva website. That's about the only thing I haven't tried.

[pentium777]

Easy!

Those are "PAID" reviews. I think Anand nor Kyle will bite the hand that feeds them.

I agree with your assessment and when they start to become like Tom's Hardware then their reviews will be meaningless to the people like us that really need an honest review not some PAID BS.

[ShoNuff]

At first I thought I did NOT have the problem, but I was wrong. The problem does not occur in COD2 like many report but happens in Rainbow Six Lockdown. I have not experienced it yet in GRAW and don't play BF1942.

System Specs not mentioned below:

OS: XPSP2 w/ all latest patches
Platform Drivers: NForce 9.53
Audio Drivers: Latest from Creative via "Auto Update." Note new XP install as of 11/12/06)
Video: 97.02
System Overclock: 3.6GHz (on air for now) 12HRs prime stable. Note problem also happens at stock speeds as well.

mdzcpa I am with you...the problem is frustrating and I am sure nvidia knew about prior to launch. I wish it was just a Creative sound card problem. I've been looking for a reason to get a new/better sound card for a while now.

[LexDiamonds]

Its not going to be a driver fix. This is a low level hardware problem. In the quest to make a uber fast and overclock friendly board, I think nVidia set the hardware timings a bit to tight between cpu and mobo.

As you all know, IRQs are simply requests to get cpu cycles. This problem is only happening under full load (not just idle playing a mp3 for example) so nvidia needs to tweak the bios so other devices get a bit higher priority when paging the cpu.

Unless someone proves otherwise, this is where I think the problem lies.

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

mdzcpa Try taking any PCI cards out and hook up a Fibre Optic sound cable. I did and that is what fixed my sound issues..

Now i have a issue with My kit of G.skill 6400 are not stable at 2.5v 500mhz and they were stable at 2.4v 555mhz on the P5B deluxe

[mdzcpa]

Holy Cow! I stumbled on a fix!!

Vett95wLT4 and I were exchanging PMs trying to figure out why he did not have the problem but I did. I had resorted to using all the drivers on the installation cds (platform, audio for mobo and video from evga boxes). Still no joy.

So, after trying the old drivers, plus a thousand bios changes, I was ready to give up.

Vett95wLT4 reminded me that I needed the latest direct x. However, I knew i already had that as that was what i loaded on top of my windows installation before any other mobo, audio, and video drivers were installed.

So, for the heck of it, I updated to all the latest drivers (9.53 platform, r149 audio, and 97.02 video). Still no joy. But then I reinstalled the latest direct x again after the new drivers were in and BAM! No more crackles!!

Mesiah, BF2, and COH are all clear now. This is after several reboots warm and cold.

Someone else needs to try this. It can't be this simple. (but it has worked for me! Thanks Vett95wLT4 for the help).

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

Holy Cow! I stumbled on a fix!!

Vett95wLT4 and I were exchanging PMs trying to figure out why he did not have the problem but I did. I had resorted to using all the drivers on the installation cds (platform, audio for mobo and video from evga boxes). Still no joy.

So, after trying the old drivers, plus a thousand bios changes, I was ready to give up.

Vett95wLT4 reminded me that I needed the latest direct x. However, I knew i already had that as that was what i loaded on top of my windows installation before any other mobo, audio, and video drivers were installed.

So, for the heck of it, I updated to all the latest drivers (9.53 platform, r149 audio, and 97.02 video). Still no joy. But then I reinstalled the latest direct x again after the new drivers were in and BAM! No more crackles!!

Mesiah, BF2, and COH are all clear now. This is after several reboots warm and cold.

Someone else needs to try this. It can't be this simple. (but it has worked for me! Thanks Vett95wLT4 for the help).thats good news seems to be driver related that is why not everyone is getting the sound problems.

Now all we need a fix for the bad memory over clocking.

[Vett95wLT4]

glad i could help, hope this fixes all the peeps that are having the sam problem

[mdzcpa]

Okay...it seems every game I have now is clear. I was thinking hardware issue for sure. I'm not sure this will clean it up for everyone, but it sure did the trick for me using the onboard sound.

I hope someone else can confirm this fix though.

[bingo13]

Holy Cow! I stumbled on a fix!!

Someone else needs to try this. It can't be this simple. (but it has worked for me! Thanks Vett95wLT4 for the help).

We had already reported this issue to NV but it revolved around issues with the Realtek and Creative drivers. The October DX9 update will resolve about 98% of the issues but realize in most games with EAX enabled that the current Realtek drivers still sound like crap, only without the hissing and popping. ;) The latest Creative X-FI drivers helped a great deal but we still found a couple of pop-hiss-static issues with the Audigy 2 ZS when playing online in BF2 or BF2142. The C-Media 8788 chipset on the BlueGears B-enspirer card is clean with or without the latest DX9 update. We are trying the VIA-ENVY cards this evening. The 97.02 drivers are a little more sensitive to this issue than the 96.94. The Asus Striker board did not have this issue but did have some overclocking issues with the ADI1988 until the last set of ADI drivers and BIOS 0403.

[bingo13]

Easy!

Those are "PAID" reviews. I think Anand nor Kyle will bite the hand that feeds them.

And you know this how? :rolleyes:

[tombman]

If you need a tool which can 100% reveal the bug, try this one.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LQK3XRWK

It uploads huge amounts of data from the graphics card to main memory and stresses the pci-e and pci a lot. During the test press T and always run an mp3 in the background. If the mp3 keeps playing with clear sound, all is ok. (and don't forget to turn on SLI)

[ACE76]

Okay...it seems every game I have now is clear. I was thinking hardware issue for sure. I'm not sure this will clean it up for everyone, but it sure did the trick for me using the onboard sound.

I hope someone else can confirm this fix though.

I always knew there was a good reason I waited to install the latest Direct X revision AFTEr my audio and video drivers...hell, even Nero now requires an updated build of DX9...I hope this fix will work with all sound solutions.

[v0dka]

One question, no problems have been reported using only single videocard?

[dinos22]

Its not going to be a driver fix. This is a low level hardware problem. In the quest to make a uber fast and overclock friendly board, I think nVidia set the hardware timings a bit to tight between cpu and mobo.

As you all know, IRQs are simply requests to get cpu cycles. This problem is only happening under full load (not just idle playing a mp3 for example) so nvidia needs to tweak the bios so other devices get a bit higher priority when paging the cpu.

Unless someone proves otherwise, this is where I think the problem lies.
looks like you're wrong on this one lol

[linflas]

Holy Cow! I stumbled on a fix!!

Vett95wLT4 and I were exchanging PMs trying to figure out why he did not have the problem but I did. I had resorted to using all the drivers on the installation cds (platform, audio for mobo and video from evga boxes). Still no joy.

So, after trying the old drivers, plus a thousand bios changes, I was ready to give up.

Vett95wLT4 reminded me that I needed the latest direct x. However, I knew i already had that as that was what i loaded on top of my windows installation before any other mobo, audio, and video drivers were installed.

So, for the heck of it, I updated to all the latest drivers (9.53 platform, r149 audio, and 97.02 video). Still no joy. But then I reinstalled the latest direct x again after the new drivers were in and BAM! No more crackles!!

Mesiah, BF2, and COH are all clear now. This is after several reboots warm and cold.

Someone else needs to try this. It can't be this simple. (but it has worked for me! Thanks Vett95wLT4 for the help).

did you use the october SDK? Because I downloaded the general web update, and it did not do anything, bringing down the october sdk now, and will try that

[JoeBar]

A driver issue? That's good news!
However i too believed that it should have been a hw issue.

[JacobF]

Beta BIOS will be available tomorrow morning that addresses this issue.

[mdzcpa]

Beta BIOS will be available tomorrow morning that addresses this issue.

Excellent news!

Although the DirectX reinstall worked for me, it will be good for those that aren't as lucky. I'm looking forward to the fix.

[pentium777]

Now I am minutes away from being a raving lunatic. After 6 days of fooling around and testing I finally load up BF2142 with my 8800 GTX SLI, 680i and my X-FI Fatality.

The distorted sound is nothing short of complete and total BS, it is 100% unplayable by any means and I just can't fathom how in the @#$@#%!$ Nvidia gets away with this BS.

I can tell you one thing absolutely for sure, I am 1 week away from becoming 100% anti-nvidia and purchasing another Intel board P5W DH I suppose and going with crossfire with whatever is ATI's next gen video card.

Enthusiast gaming board? Enthusiast video cards? Excuses on why they won't allow SLI to work on intel chipset was because they need to certify parts for the best gaming experience, I have Certified 8800 SLI Case, PSU, RAM, Video cards, motherboard. Maybe they expect us to fork over $7000 to Falcon NW or Alienware?

Words can not describe how seriously pissed off I am.

****UPDATED****
Closed BF2142 disabled SLI in control panel and no issues with sound whatsoever. Re-enabled SLI without a reboot and I played without any sound issues. I am going to fool around some more with this strange issue and ensure that SLI is still enabled without the reboot. Hopefully that new bois will address the issue more permanently. Does Nvidia testing not include their best offering setup with the most popular games?

[J-Mag]

Words can not describe how seriously pissed off I am.


Assuming perfection in hardware after launch is delusional. Especially new platforms combined w/ new GPUs.

[nugzo]

Assuming perfection in hardware after launch is delusional. Especially new platforms combined w/ new GPUs.

We do not need perfection at launch. We DO Need Usability!!! As it stands now, our $3000-$5000 rigs, aren't any better for gaming than an atari 2600. Unless you are deaf :(

[pentium777]

Assuming perfection in hardware after launch is delusional. Especially new platforms combined w/ new GPUs.

Can you honestly think that a 100% certified SLI system with:

SLI Case
SLI BFG Nvidia reference 680i
SLI BFG 8800 GTX SLI cards
SLI Certified Corsair Memory
SLI BFG 1000Watt PSU

Shouldn't have been put on a bench and tested with some games and sound? Come on even the onboard sound has serious issues, I call that insane. Certainly that is not "perfection in hardware"

:mad: :mad:

[dinos22]

relax man

[JohnMike]

Can you honestly think that a 100% certified SLI system with:

SLI Case
SLI BFG Nvidia reference 680i
SLI BFG 8800 GTX SLI cards
SLI Certified Corsair Memory
SLI BFG 1000Watt PSU

Shouldn't have been put on a bench and tested with some games and sound? Come on even the onboard sound has serious issues, I call that insane. Certainly that is not "perfection in hardware"

:mad: :mad:

Help is on the way...:slap:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1850107&postcount=263

[pentium777]

relax man

Just added another $500 to my rig, tough to relax. Don't mind spending my cash but expect that if I'm going to buy the highest quality certified parts the least they could do is test simple basics like sound ;-P :D

Will be happy when/if I get DDR2-1200 speeds running stable oh and sound problems resolved.

[BlackHawk2383]

jAkUp has posted a link to the BETA bios on the nvnews forum. I was all ready to purchase EVGA 680i and 2 EVGA 8800GTX tonight but I want to see if this really fixes the problem. Can't wait to hear from all the people who test this out.

http://www.evga.com/download/nf68_beta_bios.zip

[lowdog]

New bete bios doesn't seem to fix the problem. Check the evga support forums, lot of unhappy people there atm. :nono:

[gundamit]

Sorry to see so many people pulling thier hair out over this board. Makes me kinda glad I didn't have the time to get started on this board over the weekend. Tip of the cap to mdzcpa and others trying to sort through the issues. Hopefully once I get around to to looking at the sound (well after all the benchies are done) I'll just grab all the latest drivers and mobo bios and get to the gaming. :D

[linflas]

The beta bios works fine, just need to flash from dos, not from windows or command prompt, as soon as I did the flash from dos, and cleared cmos, all was right with the world for me.

[JacobF]

Yes, thanks linflas, that is the issue. The Windows method IS NOT flashing the BIOS correctly, please flash from only pure DOS mode.

Please see here for instructions:

http://www.evga.com/community/messageboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21597

[vmsein]

The beta BIOS has worked for me using the floppy disk method. It has cleared up the sound issues I was having using the onboard sound. Thanks very much jakUp, EVGA and NVIDIA for following through and resolving this problem, at least for me:D

[linflas]

How to flash your bios through a usb pen drive

A couple of things you will need
1: A Usb pen drive, or usb storage device
2: This great tool from HP http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/serveroptions/us/download/23839.html
3: the image file for flashing http://rapidshare.com/files/4381356/betabios.img.html
mirror http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/betabios.img
mirror 2 http://www.filecrunch.com/file/5n2


Now on to flashing, make sure their is nothing on your pen drive you want, if their is, save it somewhere else.

1: plug your pen drive in
2: Install and open the HP drive Key Boot utility
3: choose the drive letter of your pen drive
4: Create New or Replace existing Configuration
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/HPutility1.JPG
5: Change to floppy disk
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/hputility2.JPG
6: select image from file, and point it to the image you downloaded from rapidshare
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/hputility3.JPG
7: You should be done, The utility should ask you to remove your pen drive, take it out, and then put it back in, and check the files, they should look this
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/hputility4.JPG
8:OK we are ready to flash, leave your pen drive connected, and reboot into the bios, goto the boot order page, removable devices, of the bios, you should see your pen drive their, select it as the first boot device, save and reboot
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/bios1.jpg
9: You should have this happen, and viola, you are done, and flashed [size=4]YOU MUST, I REPEAT MUST MANUALLY CLEAR THE CMOS AND RESET YOUR BIOS SETTINGS AS YOU LIKE THEM AFTER THIS FLASH![/size=4]
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/dos1.jpg

[dinos22]

nice one

problem solved

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

How to boot from a pen drive

A couple of things you will need
1: A Usb pen drive, or usb storage device
2: This great tool from HP http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/serveroptions/us/download/23839.html
3: the image file for flashing http://rapidshare.com/files/4381356/betabios.img.html


Now on to flashing, make sure their is nothing on your pen drive you want, if their is, save it somewhere else.

1: plug your pen drive in
2: Install and open the HP drive Key Boot utility
3: choose the drive letter of your pen drive
4: Create New or Replace existing Configuration
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/HPutility1.JPG
5: Change to floppy disk
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/hputility2.JPG
6: select image from file, and point it to the image you downloaded from rapidshare
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/hputility3.JPG
7: You should be done, The utility should ask you to remove your pen drive, take it out, and then put it back in, and check the files, they should look this
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/hputility4.JPG
8:OK we are ready to flash, leave your pen drive connected, and reboot into the bios, goto the boot order page, removable devices, of the bios, you should see your pen drive their, select it as the first boot device, save and reboot
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/bios1.jpg
9: You should have this happen, and viola, you are done, and flashed
http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/dos1.jpg
Download-session invalid.

[linflas]

mirror is up http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/betabios.img

mirror 2 http://www.filecrunch.com/file/5n2

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

mirror is up http://members.cox.net/linflas/Pictures/betabios.imgthanks that worked. first boot after flash 20 seconds in windows and BSOD. rebooted and it seem fine now. will test to see if it fixed the sound issue.



Edit: sound works fine now. Maybe overclocking will work better now. cheers.

[linflas]

do not forget to manually clear the cmos after the bios flash, this must be done for the bios to take, pain int he ass, but has to be done, reflash if you did not do this

and no, overclocking will not be better, it may actually be worse, as this beta just addresses the sound, and it's changes may affect overall system stability in an overclock, not sure though, my overclock is the same as before, did not tweak it more afterwards.

[pentium777]

do not forget to manually clear the cmos after the bios flash, this must be done for the bios to take, pain int he ass, but has to be done, reflash if you did not do this

and no, overclocking will not be better, it may actually be worse, as this beta just addresses the sound, and it's changes may affect overall system stability in an overclock, not sure though, my overclock is the same as before, did not tweak it more afterwards.

When you say "manually clear the CMOS" are you implying that I have to move the jumper (PITA with 2nd 8800 GTX in slot) or just cycle power and load defaults"

From the instructions I read for update of P20 bios it only required to load defaults after the flash.

[linflas]

manually clear the cmos just to be sure, I know it is a pain the butt

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

yep i always clear cmos after a bios flash. I hope my memory overclocking problem was only because of updating the bios via windows.

[pentium777]

yep i always clear cmos after a bios flash. I hope my memory overclocking problem was only because of updating the bios via windows.

I've been 24 hours testing with P20 bios @ 1167 4-4-4-12 2.5v and had ZERO issues with Memtest Super PI, Orthos Blend, did that beta bios upgrade and now having serious issues to the tune of BSOD KERNEL_PAGE_ forget the rest of it and lock up in windows.

Now I've been forced to reduce my memory clocks to 1112 to see if that helps solve the issue. Anyone else notice any adverse issues running this beta bios with their previously tested overclock settings?

Yes I manually cleared CMOS via jumper and then loaded defaults etc.

[rpg711]

Moving the GTX to the second slot = the FIX!!

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7610/680ifixan7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
your x-fi should have a heatsink on it...

[pentium777]

your x-fi should have a heatsink on it...

Yep looks like he's using the original which most of all were replaced due to some crackling issues and heated up XFI chip

[AppaYipYip]

My Asus Striker Extreme still has the cracking/popping audio problem. The 302 bios does not fix this. Also, can anyone tell me what DDR2 Termination Voltage is?

[mdzcpa]

Yep looks like he's using the original which most of all were replaced due to some crackling issues and heated up XFI chip

This is getting off topic, but many of the original X-fi cards never had a heatsink cause they did not need one. Mine doesn't and it has never crackled. In fact, the chip itself barely gets warm.

If you go to creative forums, Creative says that they added the heatsink to address "variation in the production process." What this means is that they had other fabs involved and not everyone was hitting the quality silicon they needed to. I have two X-fi's here in the house, and niether get too warm nor have heatsinks.

Just fyi.

[Khaotic]

I have 2 X-fi's also. No sinks.

I'm trying to gear my next purchase towards a 680i board. These threads are helping.
I want SLI on Intel. Becuase I want a 30" LCD at 2560x1600 to play ANY game i throw at it without turning down detail levels.

I have one of the two 8800GTX now.
maybe i'll just stay with this crippled P5W DH and get a 24" and go fishing more often..............

[mdzcpa]

I'm trying to gear my next purchase towards a 680i board. These threads are helping.
I want SLI on Intel. Becuase I want a 30" LCD at 2560x1600 to play ANY game i throw at it without turning down detail levels.


Honestly, I think evga has a nice product with their 680i board. I think they did a great good job getting new BIOSes released to fix and improve the board. Yes, the sound problem sucked....but the beta BIOS fixed it. Considering the board has only been out two weeks, and they have addressed the biggest issues quickly, I'd say evga is serious about their mobo market. Frankly, the problems they are having are more nvidias fault.

Anywho, I find that my board rocks now. It overclocks well, can be tweaked to no end, and provides SLI on Intel the platform (the main issue for me as well). Its not perfect, but nothing is only 2 weeks out of the gate. A few more BIOS tweaks and I think they'll have the board humming along.

As with everything, early adoption has its risks. That's just common sense in this hobby.

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

Honestly, I think evga has a nice product with their 680i board. I think they did a great good job getting new BIOSes released to fix and improve the board. Yes, the sound problem sucked....but the beta BIOS fixed it. Considering the board has only been out two weeks, and they have addressed the biggest issues quickly, I'd say evga is serious about their mobo market. Frankly, the problems they are having are more nvidias fault.

Anywho, I find that my board rocks now. It overclocks well, can be tweaked to no end, and provides SLI on Intel the platform (the main issue for me as well). Its not perfect, but nothing is only 2 weeks out of the gate. A few more BIOS tweaks and I think they'll have the board humming along.

As with everything, early adoption has its risks. That's just common sense in this hobby.now they need to fix the problem with ram getting killed.

[mdzcpa]

now they need to fix the problem with ram getting killed.

Unlike the sound problem, the reports of "ram dying" is simply scarce. Go to the evga forums and count the posts about the mobo killing ram.

I know you lost a stick, but unless you ran your voltage at 1.9v at all times, its hard to say what happened. In addition, even if your particular board is "bad" and did kill some ram, the reports of this occurence are so slim it appears to be an isolated problem.

[pentium777]

Has anyone else had experience of previous memory overclock from P20 bios and after BETA bios upgrade now the memory overclock fails? Also now with BETA bios I'm limited at 2.5v which is what I had it at before but I'm wondering if the vdimm is drooping now as I have 2.48v reporting.

I've had to resort to DDR2-1132 @ 5-5-5-15 2.2v, my previous overclock I could top out around 1200 @ 5-5-5-15 2.5v or run 1167 @ 4-4-4-12 2.5v

Ran 3dmarks06 for 10 hours straight (looped advanced version) and it was still running flawlessly. Only game I'm testing currently is BF2142 and I had it lock up on me last night where video froze but pressing power I heard windows shutdown music and PC actually shut off.

Any advice?

PS: I seems the BETA bios did correct the sound and SLI issue for me.

[kyleslater]

I'm not really one to be talking about this much... But as for the sound issues on an X-Fi card... I have had many instances of audio being like that if I did not use the CD drivers. And about 50% of the time a udate from the web makes the sound terrible. I know this is not the real issue. But I do know that with the X-FI well... Let's just say I'm not happy with Creative drivers :D

[X.T.R.E.M.E_ICE]

Unlike the sound problem, the reports of "ram dying" is simply scarce. Go to the evga forums and count the posts about the mobo killing ram.

I know you lost a stick, but unless you ran your voltage at 1.9v at all times, its hard to say what happened. In addition, even if your particular board is "bad" and did kill some ram, the reports of this occurence are so slim it appears to be an isolated problem.there is 4 people with dead ram and 5 counting me. there is not a lot of reports yet because not every one overclocks there ram or uses expensive ram. You only run your system at stock so the is less chance of this happening to you.

[rick_fx]

there is 4 people with dead ram and 5 counting me. there is not a lot of reports yet because not every one overclocks there ram or uses expensive ram. You only run your system at stock so the is less chance of this happening to you.

What does using expensive ram have to do with anything?

Unless it becomes a widespread issue, it will remain user error :fact:
4 or 5 people isn't widespread.

[Zizzman]

The beta bios fixed the sound problem but not I have a problem with the mouse going crazy at times. I'll be playing hl2 or fear and the mouse will suddenly do a 180 and point up i the air. Anyone else have this. I think the bios is on the right track., but

[pentium777]

The beta bios fixed the sound problem but not I have a problem with the mouse going crazy at times. I'll be playing hl2 or fear and the mouse will suddenly do a 180 and point up i the air. Anyone else have this. I think the bios is on the right track., but

Supposedly issues with PS2 mouse port, try USB only

[Zizzman]

Supposedly issues with PS2 mouse port, try USB only

Could be, but the mouse problem didn't start until after the flash. Trying USB now. Thanks.

[JAG87]

official bios P21 is out from evga in case you guys haven't noticed

ftp://ftp.evga.com/BIOS/NF68_P21.exe

[Donnie27]

Honestly, I think evga has a nice product with their 680i board. I think they did a great good job getting new BIOSes released to fix and improve the board. Yes, the sound problem sucked....but the beta BIOS fixed it. Considering the board has only been out two weeks, and they have addressed the biggest issues quickly, I'd say evga is serious about their mobo market. Frankly, the problems they are having are more nvidias fault.

Anywho, I find that my board rocks now. It overclocks well, can be tweaked to no end, and provides SLI on Intel the platform (the main issue for me as well). Its not perfect, but nothing is only 2 weeks out of the gate. A few more BIOS tweaks and I think they'll have the board humming along.

As with everything, early adoption has its risks. That's just common sense in this hobby.

The reason why this is more of an SLI Problem, as well as Mobo Driver problem is that 2nd Card is Routed through the South Bridge. X-Fi runs fast and almost at the limits of the PCI-Bus. Disrupt that BUS, and you get snaps and pops.

This is similar to a video card when it slows down from not being able to render a complex scene fast enough, it slows down. Sound Cards can't slow down when it is rendering sounds so "dropped sounds" are replaced with Snaps, Pops, Hiss and other noises. Many of the other sound cards don't do hardware processing, don't need that much bandwidth so they don't have a problem.

I can't find it but this was talked about when nVidia first proposed Doing SLI this way. Also note that ATI plans for all PCI-E lanes to go only to or through the North Bridge. So as even more demanding Games show up, this problem can rear its ugly head again!

http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=soundblaster&message.id=61926

This is from about May-06. If the ATI motherboard doesn't have these same kinds of problems, it will be proof that running the second PCI-E through the South Bridge is not the best way to skin that cat.

[noobzed]

UP !

Is there a sound problem with the Striker mobo ?

If yes, is there a solution ?

[Donnie27]

UP !

Is there a sound problem with the Striker mobo ?

If yes, is there a solution ?

I couldn't find anything. If something comes up let us know?

[mascaras]

NVIDIA nForce 680i SATA Problems Fixed?

After [H]ard|OCP has published an article that discusses NVIDIA's nForce 680i chipset problems, NVIDIA stated that they have a BIOS for the reference 680i motherboards design that they "believe resolves the SATA problem." EVGA and others are working with 680i motherboard owners to validate if the fix actually works for all of those folks having issues. The P23 BIOS for EVGA motherboards can be found here for download (P23beta) >> ftp://ftp.evga.com/BIOS/nf68_p23beta.exe


http://hardocp.com/


regards

[J-Mag]

The reason why this is more of an SLI Problem, as well as Mobo Driver problem is that 2nd Card is Routed through the South Bridge.


The problem with the south bridge theory is that nforce4 SLI boards had this problem with the X-Fi when it first came out and they have no South Bridge.

Either way the PCI bus has to go through the NB on either the nf4 or 680, so it would be a total timing issue and not just related to the south bridge.

[Donnie27]

The problem with the south bridge theory is that nforce4 SLI boards had this problem with the X-Fi when it first came out and they have no South Bridge.

Either way the PCI bus has to go through the NB on either the nf4 or 680, so it would be a total timing issue and not just related to the south bridge.

Two North Bridges and one acts as the South Bridge=P That's why removing the Second Video card immediately clears up the problem. That's no theory but a fact. The problem is latency, timing and bandwidth.