Gigabyte MA790FX DS5

Ok, I'm starting this thread because I know there are quite a few DS5 users out there, but all I ever see is attention given to the DQ6.

Right now the latest BIOS is rev F2 (downloadable off Gigabyte's website)


TIPS:

One thing I noticed is that the Motherboard manual for this board is wrong. You do NOT put the memory in TWO seperate colored memory banks.

I was unable to run dual channel until I put the DIMM sticks on BOTH YELLOW or BOTH ORANGE slots.

Here's what I'm running on:

Gigabyte MA790FX-DS5
OCZ Sli Ready 1066 DDR2
Crossfire HD 3870
Phenom 9500 Rev b2

Here are some screens:


http://www.ezeroone.net/pix/DS5/20071212/AMDOD1.gif

http://www.ezeroone.net/pix/DS5/20071212/AMDOD2.gif

http://www.ezeroone.net/pix/DS5/20071212/EverestMEM.gif

http://www.ezeroone.net/pix/DS5/2007...erestCPUID.gif

My bios settings are as follows in the MIT menu (Hit CTRL+F1 to show advanced)

CPU FSB: 220
HT LINK: 1.2 Ghz
DDR MEMCLOCK: 1066
Dram mode: Unganged -64 bit
Dram Timings: Auto


I am running the vDimm voltage at +.40 which is 2.2v

Did you try dual chanel with both RAM sticks on orange slots. I suppose using ninja HS would block yellow slots for tall RAM.

Ya, I did. The yellow slots give me slightly more performance and headroom for tight timings tho. But yes, the orange works.

I use the zalman CPNS 9700 and its pretty damn big. Keeps memory cool as hell tho.

I was lookin for this board to buy, but too bad its overpriced... Do you mind to post some pictures of the rig mate?

http://www.ezeroone.net/pix/nzxt/119.jpg

Here is F3a:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bingo13

Have you tried this one? - http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/...MA79XDS5AT.rar

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I don't really like it though found it unstable.

Can you increase the ref HT over 220?

I can get the HTT to 230, unfortunately without a newer bios cant go much higher.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaivan

Here is F3a:


I don't really like it though found it unstable.

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Ok, I'm running F3a, have been for about a day or two. It allows some extra voltage options. And that is about it.

Stability seems fine.

Yeah i think it was the cool and quiet that was messing with my stability lol.

Yes, Cool N Quiet is 140% detrimental to Overclocks. ;)

Got this from Gigabyte today.

Quote:

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Question :
I see that the MA790FX-DQ6 has a F3C bios that addresses all the issues that us DS5 users are experiencing also. When can we expect a new bios that fixes these issues for the DS5??
Thanks.

Answer :
We will check with our bios team to see if the DS5 can have an similiar bios
Check back our website shortly

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So fellow DS5 users, keep your fingers crossed.

We are probably looking at NB multi adjustments and TLB error fix.

Nice

F3B is up on the gigabyte page, but seems like only the europe mirror works.
Linky: http://tw.giga-byte.com/Support/Moth...ProductID=2694

Here you go boys. F3B Revision BIOS. I'm flashing it now.


http://america.giga-byte.com/FileLis...fx-ds5_f3b.exe

Any 3D Mark 2005 Score?

Nope, but I can get over 250HTT

Which is a first as far as I know.

http://www.ezeroone.net/pix/DS5/2007...DOverdrive.gif

How's the scaling goes with such a low NB clock?Does the new OC speeds scale well compared to previous results?

Nice work dehx!

Well, I need to get a good speed set with my ram. Right now Super Pi does ab out 28-29 secs. at 2750. But my ram bandwith is only 7,000 so I need to do some more tweaking.

One thing I noticed. I had to set NB Mutli to 6x250 to even boot. 1500 Mhz?

Thats odd. These Phenoms are supposed to support 1800 Mhz NB/HTT

Once I get above 2750, I'll post benchies.

Edit:

Confirmed, I cannot get over 250 HTT. I've exhausted multipliers/voltage combinations.
I can post and start booting at 300x10 (3 Ghz) but even with an extra .125 volts (1.4 v) its a no go into windows.

Of course, I am doing all of this without enabling the stupid TLB patch. I did run a test and it cut my memory bandwith almost in half. And I was still unable to get higher than 250 HTT.

I have found out that the motherboard likes the HT Link to be between 1500-2000 and the NB link to be 1500-1800.

Ok, now this is getting down right creepy. It seems this Phenom does not want to do 2.8 Ghz or more. I can raise the FSB to 254x11 = 2795 Mhz.

0 Memory errors, solid stability.

@ 255x11 = 2805 Mhz

Instants memory errors, blue screen. Go figure.

EDIT: SuperPI does get 28s tho ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dehx

Ok, now this is getting down right creepy. It seems this Phenom does not want to do 2.8 Ghz or more. I can raise the FSB to 254x11 = 2795 Mhz.

0 Memory errors, solid stability.

@ 255x11 = 2805 Mhz

Instants memory errors, blue screen. Go figure.

EDIT: SuperPI does get 28s tho ;)

---

Maybe try that Wprime instead?
It uses multiple cores.

Sandra supposedly has an update to their new build (SP1) for the Phenom, because of the way it was running the tests.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dehx

Ok, now this is getting down right creepy. It seems this Phenom does not want to do 2.8 Ghz or more. I can raise the FSB to 254x11 = 2795 Mhz.

0 Memory errors, solid stability.

@ 255x11 = 2805 Mhz

Instants memory errors, blue screen. Go figure.

EDIT: SuperPI does get 28s tho ;)

---

Can you upgrade your catalyst driver to version 7.12 and do some crossfire benchmark!

Download Link: http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_ca...=xp/radeonx-xp

:worship: :worship: :worship:

Hoply crap.. I've been checking ATI's website all week and now when I go out to eat they update. What bastards.

Rofl

Vista? It seems performance is worse in Vista then in XP then because those scores are still very low for the clocks. Lightman got around 3900 2k6 CPU score IIRC at 2.6GHz. The bandwidth is especially bad, like single channel.

This is Sandra with the support patch at around DRR2-840 4-4-4-4 with apps in background (WCG) running:

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2...2420vl2.th.jpg

Yours should be much higher. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KTE

Vista? It seems performance is worse in Vista then in XP then because those scores are still very low for the clocks. Lightman got around 3900 2k6 CPU score IIRC at 2.6GHz. The bandwidth is especially bad, like single channel.

This is Sandra with the support patch at around DRR2-840 4-4-4-4 with apps in background (WCG) running:

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2...2420vl2.th.jpg

Yours should be much higher. ;)

---

Yes, but it was XP MCE... I tried Vista and at the same 2640MHz I've got around 3700 CPU score.... :clap: for Microsoft :D

Ah OK. :D

Is it possible to disable the TLB-patch in current and future BIOS-versions?

Gigbyte F3b & F3C Bios allows to disable the TLB erratum patch

Currently, I have mine disabled.

Hi,

can you tell me the max. values of Vdimm and Vcore in bios please? Searching for a "cheap" board for some dryice sessions.

Thanks in advance! :)

Now, run Folding@Home or Prime95 and see if it stays up more than a hour. Folding, it reboots within one hour :bang head

Quote:

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Originally Posted by funkflix

Hi,

can you tell me the max. values of Vdimm and Vcore in bios please? Searching for a "cheap" board for some dryice sessions.

Thanks in advance! :)

---

Max Vcore is 1.2500 + 0.4000 = max 1.65000 vcore
Max VDimm is 2.4

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

Now, run Folding@Home or Prime95 and see if it stays up more than a hour. Folding, it reboots within one hour :bang head

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It passes Orthos stressing all four cores for 10 hours. Good enough for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

Now, run Folding@Home or Prime95 and see if it stays up more than a hour. Folding, it reboots within one hour :bang head

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Yours does? :confused:
It will only do that if its unstable. I'm folding full 4 cores for over 4 days now at stock volts (24/7) but at 2.42GHz 1.98GHz NB/HT without problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KTE

Yours does? :confused:
It will only do that if its unstable. I'm folding full 4 cores for over 4 days now at stock volts (24/7) but at 2.42GHz 1.98GHz NB/HT without problems.

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You cant get above 230 FSB?

I thought MSI/DFI had NB multi's to throttle your upward climb to 250+

I'm glad I got the DS5

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dehx

You cant get above 230 FSB?

I thought MSI/DFI had NB multi's to throttle your upward climb to 250+

I'm glad I got the DS5

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4 weeks I had up to 264HT max attainable. Now I can only get upto ~232HT ref. max the last I tried (which was 4 days ago). I'm running this speed to check for the bug, instability at stock volts and to test WCG performance (in comparison to Q6600).

Ok, I can go over 260 FSB. I was being caitious with the HTT and CHipset voltage. did a +0.25 bump at I can boot stable with em. I'll be running some stresses and putting pics up shortly.


On a further note, Prime and Orthos fail with this CPU running over 2650 Mhz. :(

This thing is unstable ugly!
I've tried different sticks of RAM and various timings and nothing works just ups and reboots after anything is running load for any period of time. I've only seen it stable on the 2nd day I had it. I swear it folded all night at 2.4G but later when I was messing around with the clocks I found it at 2.2G.
On F3 (final release and Beta) if I as much as touch manual ram timings, beeeeeeeeep! No recovery, no post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

This thing is unstable ugly!
I've tried different sticks of RAM and various timings and nothing works just ups and reboots after anything is running load for any period of time. I've only seen it stable on the 2nd day I had it. I swear it folded all night at 2.4G but later when I was messing around with the clocks I found it at 2.2G.
On F3 (final release and Beta) if I as much as touch manual ram timings, beeeeeeeeep! No recovery, no post.

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What slots are you running them in, I am running mine in the TWO YELLOW slots near the CPU.

I'm running Bios F3b, also, here are some other things I have set:

Cool n Quite: Disabled

(If your going over 240HTT, set chipset and HTT voltages to +0.25)

If you keep freezing in the BIOS, set Optimal Settings, reboot, then set all of your setting at once.

I have found that the BIOS always freezes after about 10 second from entering it, unless Optimal Settings are applied.

I'm going to be making a tweak guide this week for the DS5. (DS6?)

Yellow slots, red slots, one red one yellow. Seems the only one that works it the first red or first yellow. Just reboots which is the sign of a RAM issue.
I'm at stock but have tried a little OC just to see how it behaves.
I've got a trouble ticket in to GA for advice on whether send back or fix.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

Yellow slots, red slots, one red one yellow. Seems the only one that works it the first red or first yellow. Just reboots which is the sign of a RAM issue.
I'm at stock but have tried a little OC just to see how it behaves.
I've got a trouble ticket in to GA for advice on whether send back or fix.

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Before you send it back, try your ram sticks in two slots of the same color. That is, put them both in the two yellow slots next to each other. I've been trying to tell everyone I know that this DS5 board is not set up normally.

Channel A is slot 1(yellow) and slot 3 (red), and Channel B is slot 2 (Yellow) and slot 4. Wheras Both yellow would normally be Channel A and both Red woudl be Channel B.

If you have a Dual Channel kit, You MUST run them in dual channel or its going to be unstable.

The only way to get DC is to put them in mathing colored slots. This one registers as DC but channel B is week with the Phenom. I'm going to drop a 3600 Brisbane in it and see if it will oc worth a hoot in DC mode. The 4600 did with dual channel. :shrug:

This board can take RAM that is rated for 1.9 to 2.2 right? I just can't find any documentation saying this. thanks

This board would not run on my Geil (micron d9) Cas3 chips.
I got some Corsair Cas4s and it runs great. 303 bus. 2.1 volts ram. This is the best motherboard I've had. Love it.

My OCZ 1066 Are Micron d9 (scratch head)

And yes, you have the option of going all the way up to 2.3 v on this boards bios.

It won't let you over 2.3 v, cause that damages the phenom,. I dunno about A64

thanks there is a great deal with OCZ today that I want to get,

http://www.ncixus.com/products/index.php?sku=19337

This board will do 2.2V+ but just don't try it on a Phenom. See the IMC voltage thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

This board will do 2.2V+ but just don't try it on a Phenom. See the IMC voltage thread.

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Can you give a link please

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

This board will do 2.2V+ but just don't try it on a Phenom. See the IMC voltage thread.

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I believe that the 2.3 Volts was the scary number? I've been running mine at 2.2 for the last month and a half, no problems.

dehx.
Today I put my Geil D9s back in and they worked. Thanks for the nudge.

Phenom 9500...can't overclock hardly, and problems when higly stressing out at stock settings:

Phenom 9500
2x2GB G.Skill 800mhz = 4GB
GIGABYTE MA790FX-DS5 board
Zalman 9500 (giant fan)
x1950PRO 512MB Power Color Vid Card

At stock settings: (optimized defaults in bios)
I ran the OCCT stress tests...first one auto (which is both CPU and Memory i'm guessing) and BSOD both times in 12-20 minutes out of 30 minutes (error:a clock interupt was not received on a secondary processor within the alocated time interval). BSOD while these tests were running and i was opening another program / app.

Then the third time I ran it on just memory it was fine, then i ran it again on both mem and cpu and worked just fine, then i ran it for 5 hours on both CPU and Memory just fine (note: let the stress test run without intefering with the computer)

....then i really stressed it by running AMD Overdrives bench util, prime 95, and OCCT....that completely hard locked up with no BSOD in about 10 minutes.

Note: I ran memtest86+ of a bootable disc and let it go through almost 1.5 passes (about an hour of testing) memory came out fine, error free. Tried removing one stick, tried swapping the sticks, bsod was still present, so i'm confident it's not the memory.

overclocked fsb to 210:
The same BSOD error as soon as it booted up varying from a few seconds of loading bar of vista, to about 2 minutes into OS. At this point i'm concluding it's related to either the processor or the mother board....playing with the HT from Auto, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 (FSB), I was able to get into varying stages of how far into windows i could get before it BSOD'd. Even played with the HTT(Hypter Transport Transmit) volt and HTR (Hyper Transport Receive) voltage {0,+0.05}, {.05, 0}, {+.05,+.05} ...BSOD came even faster playing with the voltages... even incremented the CPU voltage 1 step at at time and rebooted a few times upping it each time with no luck.

In conclusion ...BSOD shows on stock settings running multiple stress tests and/or doing something simple while the stress test is going, such as opening another application in some instances)... raising the FSB makes the error much more prominent that it barely gets into windows fully if it even makes it that far. At FSB 205, and most notably at FSB 210.

Do I have a POS (Piece Of *****) processor? Your thoughts? Anyone?

Thanks, Dave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cooper

Can you give a link please

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Phenom and High Ram Voltages above 2.2, I said 2.2V+. 2.25 is a risk due to the current difference generated. Heatsinks may not be able to help except the the CO2 Pipe!
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=168829

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nate39

thanks there is a great deal with OCZ today that I want to get,

http://www.ncixus.com/products/index.php?sku=19337

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Even without the Rebate!! That is an awsome deal!!! :shocked:
Is that Canadian Money? That might be alot in American dollars no days!! :rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drod910

Do I have a POS (Piece Of *****) processor? Your thoughts? Anyone?

Thanks, Dave.

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I don't think so Dave, the phenoms need alot of tweaking! Kinda like a sports car.... :cool:

Have you tried this thread? I'ts pretty deep in the begining, but if you read the whole thread it will start to make sense..
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=167977
Might help!! Seriously!!

Bama is right about high Mem voltages!! But I think if you read down in that thread Tony says raising the NB/CPU V's will strenghten the diodes and allow you to raise MemV's to some extent.... He does have a BIG DISCLAIMER (Mine is 2x that! :) ) .... READ THE THREAD BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING STUPID!! Just a polite warning....:)

Read that thread Bama sent you too!! Lots of good info there!
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=168829

There aren't alot of Phenom owners here, join a thread and let us know your progress!! ;)

BTW, I'm getting a ECS AM770 board to play with while I wait for GA to replace my 790FX. I'll open a thread on ECS if no one else has at that time and show results there for the ECS and Phenom 9500. I'll miss that 790FX board that is a dream board to say the least. If the ECS is good enough, I may just save the 790 for a newer Phenom B3 or later.
AC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlabamaCajun

BTW, I'm getting a ECS AM770 board to play with while I wait for GA to replace my 790FX. I'll open a thread on ECS if no one else has at that time and show results there for the ECS and Phenom 9500. I'll miss that 790FX board that is a dream board to say the least. If the ECS is good enough, I may just save the 790 for a newer Phenom B3 or later.
AC

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I would also like to see what Foxconn has to offer, they have been impressing me with thier intel mobos.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dehx

I would also like to see what Foxconn has to offer, they have been impressing me with thier intel mobos.

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Same here. ;)

I have have two little problems with this board.

1. My RAM (2x 2GB GEIL Value) is not stable when the ganged-mode is enabled. When it is set to unganged the system is stable.

2. I cannot move the mouse cursor when I have powered on shortly after I switched on the multiple socket. Sometimes I get a BSOD while booting Windows. Debugging shows that it is a problem with the USB-ports. When I replug the mouse it works fine. USB legacy support for mouse and keyboard is enabled in the BIOS.


Specs:
Phenom 9500
GA-MA790FX-DS5 with BIOS F3
2x 2GB Ram
HD3870
WinVista x64


A solution for the first problem is not that important for me but the second problem is really annoying.

I found Geil value ram to be unstable on all 790fx boards!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MorLipf

I have have two little problems with this board.

1. My RAM (2x 2GB GEIL Value) is not stable when the ganged-mode is enabled. When it is set to unganged the system is stable.

2. I cannot move the mouse cursor when I have powered on shortly after I switched on the multiple socket. Sometimes I get a BSOD while booting Windows. Debugging shows that it is a problem with the USB-ports. When I replug the mouse it works fine. USB legacy support for mouse and keyboard is enabled in the BIOS.


Specs:
Phenom 9500
GA-MA790FX-DS5 with BIOS F3
2x 2GB Ram
HD3870
WinVista x64


A solution for the first problem is not that important for me but the second problem is really annoying.

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Have you tried different memory timings? Be sure to hit CTRL+F1 when you get to the BIOS main screen to enable all the advanced features, especially for memory timings.

With SPD-Timings the modules run fine on unganged mode. I have to test ganged tomorrow but I think unganged should be fine. It is a bit faster for modern applications.

A solution for the second problem is more important for me. I hope a BIOS-update will fix it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MorLipf

With SPD-Timings the modules run fine on unganged mode. I have to test ganged tomorrow but I think unganged should be fine. It is a bit faster for modern applications.

A solution for the second problem is more important for me. I hope a BIOS-update will fix it.

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I talked about this on OCF with my Phenom thread. The only way to really benefit from unganged is mostly on servers where more than one app is working hard to accomplish tasks. A single game app is unlikely to gain any from unganged.

I experienced improved gaming performance in ganged mode. MorLipf, have you got the latest F3 bios from Gigabyte for the DS5???

Link:
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Mothe...ProductID=2610

Also, on a further note, please pay attention to the fact that if you run in GANGED mode your are running in classic DUAL CHANNEL that those Modules were tested to run at.

Try the BIOS update, and check on the earlier pages of this thread, about what colored slots to run your memory in. I can only run in dual channel with both my sticks in Yellow or Orange. Not mis-matched.

Yes, F3 is already flashed. I have tried "ganged" for a second time several minutes ago. The result was a freeze in the CPU test of 3DMark06. My system is not overclocked and RAM runs at GEIL-specifications. GoldMemory and Memtest86+ have not found errors. Can it be a simple BIOS-problem?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MorLipf

Yes, F3 is already flashed. I have tried "ganged" for a second time several minutes ago. The result was a freeze in the CPU test of 3DMark06. My system is not overclocked and RAM runs at GEIL-specifications. GoldMemory and Memtest86+ have not found errors. Can it be a simple BIOS-problem?

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Did you try both DRAM sticks in the Yellow slots? Also, make sure you are running in COmmand Rate 2.

Make sure you press CTRL+F1 in BIOS and in the Tweaking menu set your FSB and your Northbridge multipliers to 6 or 7.

Then try ganged mode. Also, make sure Cool N Quet is disabled in Advanced settings menu.

Both RAMs are in the yellow slots and the CR is set to 2. I think the BIOS settings should be ok.

@bro20000
What problems did you have with GEIL-RAMs? Memtest errors? My modules seem to be free of errors. Memtest and Goldmemory finish successfully.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daveburt714

I don't think so Dave, the phenoms need alot of tweaking! Kinda like a sports car.... :cool:

Have you tried this thread? I'ts pretty deep in the begining, but if you read the whole thread it will start to make sense..
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=167977
Might help!! Seriously!!

Bama is right about high Mem voltages!! But I think if you read down in that thread Tony says raising the NB/CPU V's will strenghten the diodes and allow you to raise MemV's to some extent.... He does have a BIG DISCLAIMER (Mine is 2x that! :) ) .... READ THE THREAD BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING STUPID!! Just a polite warning....:)

Read that thread Bama sent you too!! Lots of good info there!
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=168829

There aren't alot of Phenom owners here, join a thread and let us know your progress!! ;)

---

Sent in my processor to New Egg under my 30 day warranty...got my new one. I was able to overclock it right away without problems, I did have bad core...if you can't increase the FSB to at least 215, one of your cores is most likely bad.

So my processor, indeed, was a Piece of S***