View Full Version : ADVICE: What AGP/DDR motherboard for X2?
For some un-Godly reason I'm getting an itch for X2. I don't want to have to upgrade my AGP video card or BH-5 DDR memory. I've been out of the A64 scene for about 6 months... maybe a year. Last boards I had were the Shuttle AN50R, Gigabyte K8N-Pro and Epox 8KDA series(a few of these). What's a good board for the X2s?
I'd really like to avoid Vmods but if necessary then I'll do them. It's not that I can't... I'm just getting lazy as the years tick by. :)
Thanks in advance. :toast:
p.s. The wife is going to kill me. :D
cupra
07-16-2005, 02:58 PM
For some un-Godly reason I'm getting an itch for X2. I don't want to have to upgrade my AGP video card or BH-5 DDR memory. I've been out of the A64 scene for about 6 months... maybe a year. Last boards I had were the Shuttle AN50R, Gigabyte K8N-Pro and Epox 8KDA series(a few of these). What's a good board for the X2s?
I'd really like to avoid Vmods but if necessary then I'll do them. It's not that I can't... I'm just getting lazy as the years tick by. :)
Thanks in advance. :toast:
p.s. The wife is going to kill me. :D
first of all - you do not need to upgrade your bh5, all of the athlon 64/x2 support only int ddr1, so if you are really want a good upgrade you need to change your video and maybe the psu, but not your rams :slap:
and for your main question,you need a nforce3 ultra board so you have 2 choices, 1) is the dfi nf ultra - some people find a issue with that board.
2) msi k8n neo2.
bachus_anonym
07-16-2005, 03:10 PM
Jeff,
If you're not willing to upgrade to PCI-E video card, then your only bet is pretty much NForce3 MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum. Only 2.85vdimm in BIOS, so either vmod or OCZ DDR Booster will be needed for your BH-5. Board clocks 2x256MB and Winbond UTT very high (with enough volts), but many (including myself) had quite a lot of trouble getting even DDR500 out of 2x512MB BH-5 sticks :shrug:
But If you're willing to upgrade your video to PCI-E, then DFI NF4 is really nice board. Very popular recently, up to 4vdimm and more vcore than you'll ever need :)
Major
07-16-2005, 03:16 PM
If your going to drop the money on the X2 then go ahead and move on to PCI-E and the DFI NF4.
You can sell your AGP card and pick up a 6600GT on the cheap. I don't know what PSU you are using but you will need to consider a good 24pin psu too.
KoNiaK
07-16-2005, 03:37 PM
Jeff,
If you're not willing to upgrade to PCI-E video card, then your only bet is pretty much NForce3 MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum. Only 2.85vdimm in BIOS, so either vmod or OCZ DDR Booster will be needed for your BH-5. Board clocks 2x256MB and Winbond UTT very high (with enough volts), but many (including myself) had quite a lot of trouble getting even DDR500 out of 2x512MB BH-5 sticks :shrug:
But If you're willing to upgrade your video to PCI-E, then DFI NF4 is really nice board. Very popular recently, up to 4vdimm and more vcore than you'll ever need :)
Thats why this board is crappy, I would advise 9NDA3+
There is the same thread just beyond yours ;)
Ok, great information. Thanks. :toast:
How much difference is there between these two motherboards(besides price)?
DFI nF4-DAGF Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136160
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152
Is one that much better than the other? BTW, I'm *NOT* going to be using this for a gaming/benching rig. It's going to take over some minor server duties and just crunch D2OL all day long. ;)
Again, thanks! :toast:
p.s. It figures about the power supply... I just sold all my 24pin supplies that I used with the Xeon farm. :)
KoNiaK
07-17-2005, 02:08 PM
Beside what you can find just comparing them on DFI website, I guess that the DAGF use componants of a lower quality, but I can be wrong.
Mr.Don
07-17-2005, 04:53 PM
Through what ive been reading the compatitors is EPoX 9NDA3+/J, DFI Lanparty nforce3 ultra, MSI Neo 2 Platinium and Gigabyte...
Right now im voting for DFI maybie EPoX, they both have/had serious (<-Spelled?) quality issues. EPoX have the biggest IMO, and i dont know if DFI have fixed theirs..
MSI is the safe choice, but i cant get around 285FSB with that..
I really, really want to punish my new Corsair TCCD & BP ram, and my future 3000+ Venice with the right nforce3 mobo, so what do you gyus think is the best for me?
I would not be happy with RMA due to bad quality because its rather difficult doing that between Germany and Denmark (where i live)..
terror_adagio
07-17-2005, 05:40 PM
I recommend the DFI board, with latest BIOS of course. ;)
KoNiaK
07-18-2005, 12:59 PM
Mr.Don and terror adagio
Never heard of any problem with the epox, even with rev1.
But the DFI have some, just check DFI street, they are going to produce a new revision.
And come on MSI is the worst choice, did you read the other thred?
I was an Epox fanboy a few years ago(8KHA+, 8K3A+, 8RDA+, 8K9A+, 8KRA2+ were all motherboards I tried). Never had any problems with them even when others were crying daily. ;)
I'm leaning towards the DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D right now though... even though that fanboy side of me is screaming Epox. :lol:
Now I just have to make up my mind as to whether or not I'll wait for the 3800+ X2. :rolleyes: Didn't realize it was so close to it's debut when I started this thread(like I said, I've been out of it for a while).
Thanks again everyone for their opinions/advice! :toast:
terror_adagio
07-18-2005, 01:32 PM
Mr.Don and terror adagio
Never heard of any problem with the epox, even with rev1.
But the DFI have some, just check DFI street, they are going to produce a new revision.
And come on MSI is the worst choice, did you read the other thred?
Firstly, there is currently no revision planned. Straight from DFI USA.
Secondly, 705 BIOS has fixed quite a few issues with the DFI board, so DFI is still working on supporting the board.
I'm am running the board perfectly, completely stable, fast, and overclocked.
Aside from wrong temps and incorrect VCORE settings, no problems here.
KoNiaK
07-18-2005, 01:37 PM
For NF4 this is another question, the DFI beter than the epox.
dssconsumer
07-18-2005, 05:59 PM
the 705 bios on the dfi nf3 ultra-d doesn't work for me.
Major
07-18-2005, 06:15 PM
what 705 bios ?? I've only seen 702 & 704 betas released
sorry I should have paid more attention to the thread ! NF3 !! not NF4 !
terror_adagio
07-18-2005, 06:27 PM
the 705 bios on the dfi nf3 ultra-d doesn't work for me.
Why?
what 705 bios ?? I've only seen 702 & 704 betas released
http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/bios_download_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=3160&STATUS_FLAG=A&SITE=US
dssconsumer
07-18-2005, 06:28 PM
check this http://www.lejabeach.com/DFI/dfinf3s939/dfnf3bios.html
dssconsumer
07-18-2005, 06:35 PM
Why?
http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/bios_download_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=3160&STATUS_FLAG=A&SITE=US
i flashed 7 times. no success. not at all. it's just impossible to change anyting. after flash - reset, then going in, load the opt. default settigs then trying to boot, it boots to dos (the raid isn't enabled yet so i boot to dos) restart going in, trying to enable just one setting....rest reset reset.....
terror_adagio
07-18-2005, 06:41 PM
Weird, its running perfect for me.
Sure you flashed with NF3id705.zip and not NF3UD705.zip ?
My exact steps for flashing was: Format a book disc with Windows XP, copy over awdflash, autoexec, and the bios to the floppy. Load defaults in BIOS, shut down PC, only use 512 of RAM, insert the disc and let it load and it flash automatically for me. Re-boot with defaults and let it load into Windows. Done.
Then I go to tweaking normally. Been 100 percent stable.
dssconsumer
07-18-2005, 11:30 PM
ok i flashed again. this time i removed the sata and the raid. installed windoz on a regular pata hd and i was able to change settings one by one in the bios 705. this bios is very very tricky! even i have enabled the raid but this was done only with the pata hd installed. the overclocking is as usual...but there is no cold boot anymore. again if i want to chnge anythig in bios this will be possible only if i remove the sata drives and enable the pata hd. otherwise there is no boot and have to reset the bios with the jumper. thank you for the info terror adagio!
How's this look...
http://www.adventurevision.com/somepictures/A64x2.png
(remember, not really going to be gaming much... maybe a bit of Doom3 once in a while is all)
I'm also figuring a Thermalright XP-90C and 90mm SilentCat fan.
So... should I wait for the A64 X2 3800+ or not? ;) This is my last decision... :rolleyes:
KoNiaK
07-20-2005, 05:26 PM
Firstly, there is currently no revision planned. Straight from DFI USA.
Secondly, 705 BIOS has fixed quite a few issues with the DFI board, so DFI is still working on supporting the board.
I'm am running the board perfectly, completely stable, fast, and overclocked.
Aside from wrong temps and incorrect VCORE settings, no problems here.
Sory didn´t saw your post mate,
But give the link `Straight from DFI USA´ because I read the contrary...