Phenom 9500 w/ MSI K9A2 Platinum

[KTE]

Thanks guys. I got it sorted=> another clean install.

I tried Vista Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit for 2 weeks. It was one problem after another go so I'm only testing XP or Linux now.

BIOS is now working for RAM/voltages. So beware when you get no boot on the 790FX, it's probably because of the RAM as it was being set to 1.90V 800 5-5-5-18 when mine is rated for 2.2V 1066 5-5-5-15 and it was running in single channel mode.

You can definitely fit 4 GPU's on this board, they provide two xfire bridges too although no RAM fans are installable if your cooler is same size, a little smaller or bigger than the Zalman CNPS9700.. it's tight fit in there.

Board design is excellent IMO though. Runs very cool.

Here's some quick phone pics (main cam pics have to wait for driver/software)

Phenom 9500 HD9500WCGDBOX CAAZB 2.2GHz (Zalman CNPS9700 LED)
MSI K9A2 Platinum
2x1GB Crucial Ballsitix Tracer PC2-8500
Sapphire HD 2600 XT
2x SATA II WD Caviar SE 80GB
Seasonic S12II 330W...
(2x spare 220CFM and 1x spare 152CFM delta fan if need be)



Official BIOS v1.0 (no AM2+ P-States) and v1.1 (exactly as below):
Make sure to read the far right hand-side column in the pics to see what options are available under each heading

MAIN BIOS MENU:


Individual Menu's:

Standard CMOS Features:


Advanced BIOS Features:


Integrated Peripherals:


Power Management Setup:


H/W Monitor (main monitoring page):


Cell Menu (main overclocking page [scant compared to 680i/P35/X38 - EDIT: far better with new BIOSes]:


Lowest choosable FSB, FSB/DRAM, Voltage, HT Link and HT ref. values (auto sets lower voltages):


Max choosable FSB/DRAM, Voltage and HT Link and HT ref. values:


Sub-Menu's:

Custom AM2+ P-States:


Advanced DRAM Configuration:


Choosing "Both" above lets you manually set timings for both DIMM:


Chip is rated 1.232V - BIOS VCore is 1.232V, Windows is 1.232V-1.240V and AMD OverDrive reports it as 1.250V.

OverDrive doesn't detect core tempertures and won't let you change VCore.
It also is very finicky and will BSOD/freeze your system quite a bit, even just by clicking tabs.

Multi as you know is forward locked at 11.

Stock bootup was like this:


Stock EVEREST memory bandwidth:


Stock EVEREST latency:


5 minute stability test at lowest fan RPM (ambient ~16C):


Stock idle full system power usage (PSU is ~81-85% efficient at 240VAC between 100-300W DC)


Stock Prime95 4-core loaded after 5 mins, In-Large FFT power draw:


It topped out at 181W VAC and hovered around 177-174W VAC, which at 83% efficiency would be 144-147W DC power draw.

To compare: that's 8-10W DC higher than the same system with P35 motherboard, one HDD and an E6750 stock volts at 3GHz, same test. Will test it after work and some sleep now.