Fresh Win2k install, Cat 5.2's....lower score.

[DCR]

After reformatting my 80g WD 8mb drive and reinstalling Win2k Pro, I added in the chipset drivers, DX 9c (since the new '03 build requires it), and the ATI Cat 5.2's, and then ATI Tool.

Once all of the software was in, I oc'd the processor to 200 x 12 = 2400mhz, and oc'd the card to 580/600 and tried a couple tweaks.

Tweak one: Set CPU priority to "Realtime" - '03 freezes during test 1
Set CPU priority to "High" - '03 freezes during test 1
Set CPU priority to "Above Normal" - Tests complete.

Tweak two: disable all startups and end processes that are not needed
- 200 points higher.

The highest score I could get was 12,640, as opposed to 13,038 from before.

I didn't change the RAM back to what is in my sig, I used OCZ 3500 EL, and not the platinum, so that could be a large part.

My problems are many...I don't know where to even begin to start improving this score. There are threads all over the place about the Mantaray BIOS L12 mod, but I am not very confident on flashing the BIOS...or if I am using the right one. My NF7-S will not boot beyond 218 FSB..no matter what, so I need to do something.

I also see threads about Win2k registry and services tweaks, and even threads about nLite being used to trim the OS down. My only problem with a stripped OS utility is that it requires a full OS install disc, and all of mine are upgrade discs....so I am stuck there too.

I guess I have too many roads to go down and I can't seem to find a clear direction to go in. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this post by the usual suspects who like to do things like that, but I don't care. This is a board of experts in areas like this, and many people here realize that not everyone starts out as an expert.

[TekXoID]

I would do an actual L12 mod, the single wire one that boosts the Mobile default 133MHz bus to -> 166MHz, and use it in conjunction with that mantaray
soft-L12 mod. That's how I got the mobile I had to 2.93GHz stable for benching, when I had it. Be as it may I used a soft-L12 beta mod at the time.

Also, I wouldn't mess with process priority, when windows needs a little CPU to do
something you damn well better let it, or it will let it out with a nice freeze or two.
What chipset driver version are you using? Are you willing to do vmods on the board?

Use WinFlash to flash your BIOS right in windows, that what I use.

[DCR]

What chipset driver version are you using? Are you willing to do vmods on the board?


Hmm..chipset was the one that came with the board, so that I could upgrade from Abit easily enough. I used these with the 13,038 score though.

The Vmods....that I am not too sure of. I can technically do it, but I will be selling this setup to a friend within a few months. I should probably wait until I get an A64 before worrying about going too crazy, but I was trying to edge 13,200-13,500 out of this setup in '03 before I give up on it.