EP-4BEAR problems

[libertate]

Ok, I just got my new 4beaR mobo in today from mwave.com......
I'm replacing my BD7II (still functional) with it....

Right now I'm using a P4 2.26b and an alpha pal8942 with a Panaflo M1A

Anyway, for some reason, the bios isn't offering voltage
adjustments in the frequency/voltage menu. I've got the
cpu vid pin modded for 1.85v, and it shows 1.76-1.79 in the
bios and in mbm5.....

The main problem besides this is, that when I run say, 440 ddr,
it POST's and says 2.75ghz, 432 mhz for PC3200 etc etc etc.....

but when I get to Sandra, I'm getting like 2300 mb/s, because
instead of running 432 mhz, it's running a 1:1 ratio in windows
which is like 333 mhz or so.......

Please tell me I'm not gonna have to RMA this thing, I don't wanna take off the alpha again :confused:

[OPPAINTER]

Never heard of that mobo. As far as V-core you shouldn't need much more then 1.76 volts anyway. With the lack of adjustments in the bios I would get rid of it if you plan to overclock.

OPP

[libertate]

No, the thing is though, it supposed to have those adjustments...
It shows them in the manual.... but anyway, I think I've just made
a little progress....

See, I just ran a repair on windows when I swapped out mobo's,
which is what I usually do (winxp pro).....

Just now, I uninstalled and reinstalled Sandra and installed
the i845e chipset drivers from the epox cd.... and now, it's
showing 400 mhz in sandra... even though the scores are crap....
so I'm going to reboot and try a few more things, I'll have some
results up after a while....

Oh, btw OPP, this board is the i845e version of the Epox 4BDA,
if that clarifies anything at all :p

[OPPAINTER]

Maybe they have a updated bios for it to solve some issues.

OPP

[Jupiler]

the board seems to have some problems with memory scores.
I replied to your question at [H] (I'm Metalhead over there) and if you look at page 9 of the review, you'll see that their score is very low too. On the other hand, the memory score for PCMark2002 is normal.
Here's a link to page 9 of the review (click the image to enlarge the screenie) :
http://www.tuningtotal.de/?page=tests/epox_i845/index_09

What bios version do you have?
The latest is 4bea2628.bin d/l here :
http://www.epox.nl/english/support/bios/pentium4.htm

[libertate]

I'm using the 2628 one..... I went ahead and flashed that one
when I first started noticing the quirks......

I have a hunch there's another 3:4 setting somewhere hidden (wishfull thinking)

Let's just say I feel a little let down by Epox, especially after having the 4BDA2+ a while back.....

[Maranello]

im hoping you work things out..... been waiting to hear how you liked the board before i ordered my p4.

[libertate]

Yeah me too :rolleyes:

I'm reinstalling windows xp right now, because I still think
it's some kind of weird quirk.... after all on POST it does show
that the ram is running 440 ddr or whatever speed I might have
it running at.......

anyway, I do still think the board has potential, because
the 4BDA was one of the best boards I've ever used (before I scratched the PCB)

Once I get Xp reinstalled, I'll post up some results in a few minutes.....

[libertate]

Arrrrg..... :mad:
After reinstalling, same problem........

I've tried everything now, even tried all three dimm slots
to see if the 3:4 ratio didn't work right on all of them... no go.....

I'm probably going to RMA this bastard tommorow, this is
probably the suckiest p4 board I've tried yet......

I wouldn't reccomend it Maranello.... for a good
$100 ddr board, I'd go with the 4BDA, or the BD7II.....

If you want really amazing results on the BD7II though, you'll
have to do a vdimm mod to be able to run average timings at
high frequencies.......

This is the highest I got with my BD7II, and that was running
434 ddr with relaxed timings......

[sysfailur]

I'd say go for the RMA.

[libertate]

Yeah I think I will.....
I was pondering exchanging it for something else and paying
the difference, like maybe a BG7 or an IT7, but I decided
(hopefully) this board is just a defect and maybe another one
will work better......

I know for sure this model is good, because I've seen a
sandra screenshot of someone else running a 4BEAR @ 3300 mb/s......

Anyhow, gues I'm going to be using my BD7II for a few days
now.....