NF7(-S) tweaking guide..to be updated

Hi, so here's the guide I promised you!

If you got any questions feel free to drop me a pm or email !

OK these are the things you should do more or less in a chronological order for a nice stable high oc on nf7(-s).

1. L12 Mod (often needed to get high fsb)

Whether you should take the 166mhz or 200mhz mod is up to you, best is to try both and compare what's best for you.

Here's the link!

2. BIOS

A decent BIOS is one of the most important factors in overclocking and often underestimated. So check
tictac's
and
trat's modded BIOS
My personal favorite is D23-3Dfire Rev.1 ! But that doesn't mean it's the best for you, that's different from board to board.

Important BIOS settings:

APIC disabled (gives higher Clocks and is needed for high fsb and cpu clocks, but a small performance loss)

When enabling/disabling APIC you don't need to reinstall Windows! Just go to device manager->computer->choose between acpi-pc and acpi uniprocessor driver! 'SAE'

All "Spread Spectrums" - OFF
All cacheable things - OFF
CPU disconnect function - OFF
CPU Interface should be enabled (performance loss if not, but maybe higher clocks)
CPC disabled (performance loss, but may help when going for high fsb and using 2 * 512MB. Has less effect on 2 * 256MB. CPC disabled BIOS can be found at tictac's forum)
Turn off all devices you don't need like unused ports or so

3. Sinking !

I think the picture explains itself, these are all the things to sink. The red ones are more important than the green ones.

http://mitglied.lycos.de/sexyfu/nf7_sink.jpg

4. Vmods

There are about 2-4 mods you could need..

- Vdimm
- VTT/VBT (often needed when going above 3.2v, helps stabilizing high vdimm)
- 3.3v rail mod ( Pic ) for PSU (really urgent for high fsb and high vcore. If you're not getting any high fsb try lowering multiplier and voltage of the cpu, leave the vdimm alone and then try again with the fsb that crashed before)
- VDD (resistor)
VDD (with pencil)
(you have to find a sweetspot here, for example 1.6v works much better than 1.8v for me)

I think I don't have to explain anything and just give you the links, they're already well explained.

Voltage readpoints!

VDD

http://mitglied.lycos.de/sexyfu/v_vdd.jpg

Vdimm & 3.3v

http://mitglied.lycos.de/sexyfu/v_vdimm.jpg

12v & 5v can be read at a molex connector.

P.S.: Just use a 1K VR for 3.3v sensemod. Cut the thin brown wire and connect it to pot. Cut the thin black wire and ground it with pot. That's it. No fixed resistor or so needed.
If the line is highly fluctating you might give the fixed resistor method a try.
- Cut the thin brown wire
- Put a 10k ohm fixed resistor in line
- Solder 1k VR to fixed resistor leg
- Ground the pot

Here's a nice drawing from Kameleon :D

Remember this is just a collection of mods, pics, guides and a bit of my experience and knowledge, if anyone feels abused, please tell me and I'll delete his pics or whatever.

Greetings to all the modders, reviewers, hackers, tweakers and especially to tictac, SAE, malves, the guys at motherboardfaqs.com, pc_ice and all I forgot ! ;)

just fix the pics, & THNX! :up: :up:

PS, can you explain/give more info about the vdimm/vbt mod?! please?! :)

i thought that the 3.3v sense line mod made it fluctuate like mad if u dont put a fixed resistor in?

I tested it myself and measured with DMM. Both with fixed resistor and without fixed resistor I'm stable at 3.61v idle and 3.51v load.

btw if one's board does need a heatsink on the southbridge, like mine, it gets BURNING hot, it even makes a passive heatsink pretty hot to the touch

sai, have you considered doing capacitor mods like last viking did with the DFI nF2, when i get my board down here at my dads house im gonna do the capacitor mods, if u dont ill add a guide to this one :)

Elaborate on point One just a tiny bit. While it may be best to try both, it is generally accepted that the ultra boards like chips to be pin modded to 166 while non-ultra likes them at 133. Seems like these boards have a bad wall without these exact mods. Pin modding in some other way for the most part is a waste of time. Or maybe just leave the link... seems to be leading people into messing with it twice as-is.

Here's what I found to be essential in order to run 265FSB, dc, 1:1, cpu int enabled, 2-2-2-5

- L12 mod
- vref = vbt mod
- 3.3V rail = vdimm mod
- 3.3V rail mod
- BH5 ram @ 3.85V
- APIC off
- CPU capable of doing high fsb's

Not every cpu can do high FSB, I have a mobile 2500+ and a 2600+, the 2600+ clocks higher but with a lower FSB, the 2500+ likes high FSB's more.

haldol, care to sell me a mobile?

very nice sai! :)
do you mind if i link peeps from www.amdmb.com to this, or even add a link in one of the stickies?

[EDIT] also, I think the Southbridge should be one of the first things sinked... ive heard of failing LAN, sound crackling, mouse freeze, etc caused by overheating southbridge.

feel free to link ;)

awsome guide man, very good info and great pics.

Congrats to you for that great guide, sai :thumbsup:

That should be very useful for all NF7 owners out there :D

Very nice :) :toast:

I'm so far behind on nf7-s stuff, haven't done any real updates to the site in forever, most of those moddes bioses i've never even heard of (been out of the scene several months now :( )

Nice FAQ sai :)

In regard to turning APIC on and off it is true that under Win2k you can swap between "ACPI Uniprocessor PC" and "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC" by using the device manager.
However under WinXP you must use the driver rollback feature to switch back to "ACPI Uniprocessor PC"
Or you can create a system restore point before you change the driver over and use that :)

If WinXP is installed with APIC off in the BIOS I have found no way to turn APIC on in that instance.

Cheers

EDIT: Sorry :p: and fixed ;)

Thanks for info and my name is still sai :p:

sorry sai, when i turned apic off i couldnt boot xp i had to reinstall every thing, did i do anything wrong or?

Ah come one not here please .. pm

sai please add this tweak into your guide... :banana:

Code:

---

                                ****************************
                                * nVidia nForce2 Data Base *
                                ****************************

1) AGP  Controller Latency
  *************************
        PCI Bus#0 Dev#30 Func#0 Offset#0D
       
                      0D
        - 16  clock : 10
        - 32  clock : 20
        - 64  clock : 40
        - 96  clock : 60
        - 128 clock : 80
        - 160 clock : A0
        - 192 clock : C0
        - 224 clock : E0
        - 255 clock : FF


2) AGP  Bus Latency
  ******************
        PCI Bus#0 Dev#30 Func#0 Offset#1B
       
                      1B
        - 16  clock : 10
        - 32  clock : 20
        - 64  clock : 40
        - 96  clock : 60
        - 128 clock : 80
        - 160 clock : A0
        - 192 clock : C0
        - 224 clock : E0
        - 255 clock : FF
       
       
3) PCI Latency
  *************
        PCI Bus#0 Dev#8 Func#0 Offset#1B
       
                      1B       
        - 16  clock : 10
        - 32  clock : 20
        - 64  clock : 40
        - 96  clock : 60
        - 128 clock : 80
        - 160 clock : A0
        - 192 clock : C0
        - 224 clock : E0
        - 255 clock : FF
       
       
4) CPU Disconnect Function
  *************************
        PCI Bus#0 Dev#0 Func#0 Offset#6C,6D,6E,6F
       
                    6C 6D 6E 6F
        - Enable  : 01 FF 01 1F/9F
        - Disable : 01 FF 01 8F
       
       
5) Command Per Clock (T1/T2)
  *******************
          PCI Bus#0 Dev#0 Func#1 Offset#84,85,86,87
       
                    84 85 86 87
        - Enable  : F3 13 0F 03
        - Disable : F3 13 0F 23
       
        WARNING! (Not Editable after boot, Can only be set before memory sizing)
       
       
6) Alpha Memory Setting
  **********************
        PCI Bus#0 Dev#0 Func#1 Offset#94,95,96,97
       
                    94 95 96 97
        - T(DOE)  :            x        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
        - T(RRD)  :          x Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
        - T(W2P)  :      x        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
        - T(W2R)  :        x        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
        - T(REXT) :    x        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3
        - T(R2P)  :    x        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
        - T(R2W)  : x                Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
        - reserved:  -                Selectable Value: -
       
        - Offset 94 = XY
                X= T(R2W)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
                Y= Reserved        -
               
        - Offset 95 = XY
                X= T(REXT)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,
                Y= T(R2P)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
               
        - Offset 96 = XY
                X= T(W2P)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
                Y= T(W2R)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
               
        - Offset 97 = XY
                X= T(DOE)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
                Y= T(RRD)        Selectable Value: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6


7) Normal Memory Setting
  ***********************
          PCI Bus# Dev# Func# Offset#
         
         
          - T(RAS)        :
          - T(RCD-Read)        :
          - T(RCD-Write)        :
          - T(RP)                :
          - CAS Latency        :
          - T(RC)                :
          - T(RFC)        :


8) Side Band Addressing
  **********************
        PCI Bus#0 Dev#0 Func#0 Offset#49

                    49
        - Enable  : 03
        - Disable : 01

---

Where is sai? :stick:

please update the guide...

here i add some more

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postid=501824

perhaps he doesn'T want to make it :-p

Hi Sai! Can you help me?
In my device manager/computer there is= acpi uniprocessor pc but if I disable APIC in bios the pc dont start!!!!!

I dont understand when you say "SAE" ?!?!?!
I dont have this option.....

tks a lot

You must disable acpi before you install windows.

And SAE is a person in these forums, he edtied Sai's post.

Tks CTKC
So....disable APIC isnt possible or else install Windows....ok?

I dont have an NF7S, but most tips you have should work well with any other board.

Does diabling APIC really do that much for higher fsbs and clocks? I disabled mine, but it didnt do anything for me.

Im stuck at 225fsb wont hit 227. One thing I dont understand is that at high clocks I couldnt get those 220+fsbs stable unless the multi was 8 or not much higher. Maby it was the APIC there?

But anyways, I know someone who hit 242 on my mobo and hardocp reviewed it when it came out and did 250fsb. I think it should do more.
Vdimm=3.3rail
vdd=1.7v stock (but guy who modded it same 242fsb guy didnt get an increase from it)
My psu could be a problem. What range should my 12v and 3v stay in?
My cooling is good. I just cut an aluminum northbridge heatsink to fit on my southbridge and used alumina epoxy on it today. It is working good. My nb has a heatsink bolted tight down on it, with as5 and a little tt fan on it (no deadzone kind).
Can't think of what else to add, Im tired.

Oh last thing. I did the L12 mod on my xp-m to 200fsb but I don't know how to try the 166mhz way.
I did ah28-ah30.

thanks, sorry if I'm off, but I thought I could get some ideas here.

Great guide!
Where exactly do I disable APIC?

Btw, are there any BIOS releases that enables raising the VDIMM by less than 0.1V increments? (0.05/0.025)

If i do the - 3.3v rail mod ( Pic ), then the Vdimm will increase too?
Or i must do an Vdimm Mod too? (Abit NF7 Ver. 2.0)

Thx. :banana4:

Anyone ? :(

With the 3.3vrail mod you can remove the normal Vdimm mod and the mems voltage will be as much as your 3.3vrail.

Hmm, maybe i dont understand, but i've done the 3.3V Mod now and my
Vdimm is @ the same as before = 2,94 V. I never had a Vdimm Mod, if u mean that. Should i do the Vdimm Mod now? :confused:

S***t then the 3.3v mod doesn't work man, make sure you've connect the right pins!!!No need for the normal Vdimm mod if you've done the 3.3vrail mod.

Hmm, i'm sure the Mod works, bcs i can push the 3.3V up to
4,3 V. I'm currently @ 3,58V under Load.

Strange... Tomorrow i will do the Vdimm Mod, we will see :cool:

did you mod the psu 3.3v rail or did you conect the 3.3v rail to vdimm?
when you make the psu 3.3v rail mod, you must make also the vdimm mod

Ok, thx, that is what i needed to know :D

[german]

Hab nur den 3.3V Mod am NT gemacht, also muss ich dann halt noch den
Vdimm mod machen. Oder ist es besser die 3.3V direkt auf den Vdimm zu
legen? Thx. ;)

[/german]

I got my max fsb of 238, but at 238, there is no good multi that will get me close enough to 2.8ghz without going over too much, so I have to settle for 235FSB.

A note about apic, I tried turning it off to get my system to run faster, and it just caused it not to boot into windows, and caused some instabilities otherwise before it got into windows.. Does anyone have a clue why it did this. Do I need to change the driver for the cpu before i turn off apic? I know 235fsb is good, but i really want 245 out of this mobo. I know my ram can do it.

Its better to reinstall Windows after deaktivating APIC.
But its thet the Problem? Dunno.

How big's the difference in fsb with apic disabled and enabled? Think I'll try and turn it off.

yeah i also wanna know difference between APIC enabled/disabled and how to properlly install fresh windows xp with disabled etc...

Sorry, never tested it, im from beginning without APIC :)

But most ppl say that it doesnt matter anyway. Just try it!
If u install Win without APIC new, its the same as with.
No special points to take care.

Hi,

I ma trying black manta d26 mod at the moment and I would like to know witch bios mod is good.


CPU: Amd XP-M 2500 Barton
Stepping: IQYHA0407VPMW
Motherboard: ABit NF7-S v 2.0
Cooling: Vapochill pe
Default Voltage: 1.45v
Overclocked Speed: 2756MHz (13 x 212MHz)
Overclocked Voltage: 1.975 volts (Bios)

Regards Vapo :cool:

its a shame this thread died, i still love mine and im allways looking for more, i have had it at 11x240 11,2,2,2 on water and its not entirely stable XP2600+M

I just got another board i had a nf7-s version 1.2 i got the version 2.0, i really like them both.

the mobile 2600+ is quite flexable!
sweet aint it?

i wonder what the record clock/fsb is?

Highest FSB i think is around 291.
Highest speed was around 3.4ghz on LN2
Best Spi 1M was around 3.3ghz 30sec.

These CPUs were good but the core just cracks so easy!

hey, thanx for the info, i have it down to 40 sec super pi @ 11x240 i guess i will be happy with that.
also i allways run 1:1, havent tried mixing a ratio yet but winter is coming and i crank up all my boxes :)
thanx again!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sai

4. Vmods

There are about 2-4 mods you could need..

- Vdimm
- VTT/VBT (often needed when going above 3.2v, helps stabilizing high vdimm)
- 3.3v rail mod ( Pic ) for PSU (really urgent for high fsb and high vcore. If you're not getting any high fsb try lowering multiplier and voltage of the cpu, leave the vdimm alone and then try again with the fsb that crashed before)
- VDD (resistor)
VDD (with pencil)
(you have to find a sweetspot here, for example 1.6v works much better than 1.8v for me)

I think I don't have to explain anything and just give you the links, they're already well explained.

---

The link to the VDD mod doesn't work, and I was curious if I needed it... anyone? :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by g0dM@n

The link to the VDD mod doesn't work, and I was curious if I needed it... anyone? :D

---

Never got an improvment in overclocking by doing the Vdd-Mod. :)

My one NF7 stops at 246MHz, doesn't matter if 1,6V or 2V, my other one can handle 26xMHz with 1,4-1,5V.

Yay my sticky thread still lives ;)

Anyone that explain the VDD mod for NF7-S rev2?

My nf7-s just did 240MHz :S

i realy like the guide :)
howevver wil those modded bios version also work for the abit NF7-S V2?? of just voor de 1 version??

Thread revival 101 :shocked:

It's a pity the vmod pictures are no longer up :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oj101

Thread revival 101 :shocked:

It's a pity the vmod pictures are no longer up :(

---

yeah and the modded bios versions are no longer downloadable... :D

Holy Sh*t... do other people still use these?
(Mine is doing internet duty at the present time).
Never got it much above 2.6G stable with this old Barton (my good chip died with the A7N8x).

I may have copies of some modded bios around yet (besides the one in this machne)... I would have to dig (and you would have to be lucky!)

Enjoy!

Started reading this and got a few pages into it, only to see its 5 years old !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Happy Joe

Holy Sh*t... do other people still use these?
(Mine is doing internet duty at the present time).
Never got it much above 2.6G stable with this old Barton (my good chip died with the A7N8x).

I may have copies of some modded bios around yet (besides the one in this machne)... I would have to dig (and you would have to be lucky!)

Enjoy!

---

i am not realy using it, i am just using it to try to get HWbot point and if lucky set some records... i realy enjoy this kind of oldschool overclocking :D

i would apreciate it if you would indeed would search on your pc for a modded bios (that works on the abit NF7-S V2)

I still have one with a broken memorycontroller, lol. This was a great board back in those days!

anyone still has a good modded bios for the abit NF-7 SV2 ??? they realy are nowhere to be found (by me atleast :) )