UNOFFICIAL BIOSTAR TPower I45 M/B

[lowtcell]

Hey TPower gurus, need a little help here. Setting up a TPower i45 and E8600 with 4 sticks of Corsair XMS. 1 set 2x1 5.5.5.15, 1 set 512x2 5.5.5.12. Both kits are 1.8v but will not post bellow 2.05

Anyway, I had the chip at 450x10 with better RAM, but put that back in my main rig, so here's problem. I can get the system 100% stable at 400x10 with the 1x2 GB kit and ram set to 1:1. As soon as I install the 2nd set, I get BSOD and Memtest errors on test #5. I tried increasing the voltage to the ram, NB and FSB but still in the same boat. I went ahead and set the Bios to auto, so right now it's at 333x10 and RAM at DDR2-400. No errors 10 passes Memtest, and seems stable. So I guess the RAM is not the issue, am I right? What tweeking needs to be done to get this board to 400x10 with all 4 sticks at DDR2-400?

Any help is appreciated. TIA.

[Wallbanger]

With mis-matched ram it could be a rough go to make it work. I would try upping the cpu voltage first. That ram shold be started at 2.1 volts. Good luck.

Oh, I forgot see the first page of the forum.

[LedHed]

So I'm going to ask this again, who thinks I should upgrade to the Q9550/9650? I know this board is famous for OCing duals and not so hot on quads, but I am selling some other hardware and I could probably get the Q9550 for under $50 after selling my E8500 (which has reached 4.8ghz on air for benching).

I would hate to buy the Q9550 and it not clock anywhere near what I need, do you think it would make any difference if I got the Q9650 vs the Q9550 on this board?

Also what is the Q9505? Haven't even heard or seen that CPU until I was searching quads on NewEgg.

[franklin5252]

Nice clock there Ace-a-Rue.

[jaggerwild]

Hey TPower gurus, need a little help here. Setting up a TPower i45 and E8600 with 4 sticks of Corsair XMS. 1 set 2x1 5.5.5.15, 1 set 512x2 5.5.5.12. Both kits are 1.8v but will not post bellow 2.05

Anyway, I had the chip at 450x10 with better RAM, but put that back in my main rig, so here's problem. I can get the system 100% stable at 400x10 with the 1x2 GB kit and ram set to 1:1. As soon as I install the 2nd set, I get BSOD and Memtest errors on test #5. I tried increasing the voltage to the ram, NB and FSB but still in the same boat. I went ahead and set the Bios to auto, so right now it's at 333x10 and RAM at DDR2-400. No errors 10 passes Memtest, and seems stable. So I guess the RAM is not the issue, am I right? What tweeking needs to be done to get this board to 400x10 with all 4 sticks at DDR2-400?

Any help is appreciated. TIA.

As per the third photo on the first page of this thread there are different ram configuration settings in the bios(123+4) you will have to try them all to find a sweet spot with miss matched ram. Try three first see what happens then try 1 then 4, finally two. One of those should work for you....... Also DDR2 enhance mode "OFF" .

[bartx]

Can anybody explain it to me why I have first PCI-E slot still in 8x mode, when jumpers are correct? I have an Asus 9600GSO card. Should be PCI-E 16x 2.0 in GPUZ but there's 8x 2.0, I need it to run some benchmarks

[Ace-a-Rue]

Nice clock there Ace-a-Rue.

thanks, but i sold the board a while back to move on to the X58 chipset (EVGA).

for all users: i updated the links on the first page so you can at least go to the driver & bios page to get the latest.

@bartx: try these suggestions after ensuring you have the latest bios installed:

1.) unplug your power supply.
2.) pull memory and ALL cards from their slots.
3.) push on the computer power button to unload residual voltage from caps.
4.) clear CMOS by popping the battery out of its socket, in addition to using the jumper for clearing the bios.
5.) let it sit there in that condition for 10-15 minutes before putting everything back to normal.
6.) on the first boot up, go into the bios and set bios default values; save and then, go into windows.
7.) now check to see if you are at 16X for your VC. (make sure the jumpers are set correctly for the pipeline)

[Wallbanger]

Can anybody explain it to me why I have first PCI-E slot still in 8x mode, when jumpers are correct? I have an Asus 9600GSO card. Should be PCI-E 16x 2.0 in GPUZ but there's 8x 2.0, I need it to run some benchmarks

My thoughts, try a different vid card, bad board.

[LedHed]

anyone paired a QX9650 with this mobo? I may be trading + cash for one. Or should I save the money and just get a Q9550?

[Ace-a-Rue]

anyone paired a QX9650 with this mobo? I may be trading + cash for one. Or should I save the money and just get a Q9550?

page one answers the question

[LedHed]

I have read page one many times, but I'd like a few opinions.

QX9650 vs Q9550, which is best for the dollar ($85 separates them)

[Ace-a-Rue]

the only difference other than Mhz is, the multiplier is unlocked on the 9650.

as to one cpu versus another, overclock wise, is really going to depend on where on the wafer did the cpu come from.

EDIT:...i do not know if L2 cache is different...it might be.

[LedHed]

which brings me to my next question, does an unlocked multi really help OCing on the TPower i45?

[Ace-a-Rue]

depends on the cpu, again, board and memory...AND how much you are willing to push it with voltages.

[LedHed]

I'm going to keep my Tuniq Tower 120 (lapped) with Silverstone FM121 (110CFM) for cooling, so probably not past 1.35V

[Ace-a-Rue]

1.35 is not going to get you very far; maybe 500 mhz over base speed.

there are better air coolers than a tuniq..i know since i used that at one time.

[LedHed]

Yea I realize that, but if a CPU needs more than my Tuniq to hit 4ghz then I don't want it.

Do you think I can hit 4ghz on a QX9650 with less voltage?

[Ace-a-Rue]

Yea I realize that, but if a CPU needs more than my Tuniq to hit 4ghz then I don't want it.

Do you think I can hit 4ghz on a QX9650 with less voltage?

it took me 1.47 vcore to hold 4 ghz and make it prime stable...if you didn't care about prime stable then 1.42 would probably do it.

[LedHed]

if anyone else has been getting Netio.sys BSOD in Windows 7, BioStar just released a new W7 Network Driver as of 5 days ago:

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/t-p...r.php?S_ID=365

[hotwheelx]

Just stay with 710 bios - tried all other ones and thay all are crap.

Is this true? I though i need upgrade bios for better OC. I has;

E7400
Kingston HyperX 2GB 1066MHz (up to 8GB ready)
3870X2 (and ready for CrossfireX one bios&hw modded 3850 to 3870)
Biostar Tpower I45 (Ver. 5.1)
500W Nexus
Ageia PhysX
... etc

and havent tested another bios as sofar than this one which come with board:

Ver: 080015 ....v 815? Or what is...
Date: 07/10/2008

Newest is 924. (?)

Bit noobness to get this oc´ed... before i had Asus P5Q Deluxe and got somewhere 4,2GHz. And im stuck at 3,6GHz lol... Im not now posting settings just finding good bios version at first.

[DonNiger]

Hmm, there must be something wrong. 710 is the best one http://www.lejabeach.com/Biostar/TPI45/
Just tried Cascade today (first time) and the first boot was 6,1 Ghz (E8600) without any problems, I didn't even change much from previous setings, just CPU voltage.

[LedHed]

AA924 brought my system to a stand still when updating through F11 and USB Drive.

Going back to AA512

[Triton]

Anyone seen "unsupported" CPUs work with this mobo ? E5200, E5300, E6500 are all Pentium Dual Core cpus not supported according to the list...I'm hoping the list itself isn't updated, coz I'm gonna pair a E6500 with this mobo tomorrow...have emailed Biostar 3 times w/o answer today....

EDIT ///

Been googling for hours, and there aren't many clues whether it will work or not..sofar I've spotted TPower i45 with E5200 and E6300 (user got 4GHz from E6300, the "new" Pentium Dual Core 45nm - Babelfish translation (German) "So, I think I my goal achieved. 4005Ghz belong to me! And for 59€ CCU price. Who has already a P45 board, and not much money on a new CCU to spend would like, does not make with that no error for new E6300@2,8Ghz R0 StepA 45nm for scarcely 60€." )

*Phew* E6500 and 4850 Crossfire @ 1920x1080, here we come !

EDIT ///

Confirmed by Biostar, just received an email:

=================================================
Question:

Will Intel Pentium Dual Core E6500 (Socket 775) work with TPower I45 ? CPU Support list doesn't list many new CPUs (E5200, E5300, E6500 etc etc) I already have the cpu and motherboard will arrive tomorrow via online shop.
=================================================

Yes, E6500 will work.

[Triton]

OK, rig is up and running..Prime95 ofcourse !

1st time user of Biostar mobo, mixed feelings.

I take few good things first...

vdroop is acceptable
bios is nice, you can spend a weekend in there
HWINFO during POST is...luxxury !!! feeling spoiled!
there are more , just let me oc tsome first, OK !!!

on the MINUS side:
1. LOL...my I/O bracket shield was wrong...didnt fit. The mobo box was also OPENED, the S/N was erased, but all looked new and shiny. I figured first I got some RMA back..maybe I did...
2. You can't install drivers from CD/DVD included...dunno if it's coz they're from 2008 and win7 is newer? dl'd and installed all manually
3. little too hefty vcore raise...25mv is alot...6.25mv is what most are used to
4. 350 x 11 should be 3850MHz...not with this mobo..it's 3832MHz...I then set 351x11, now showing more OK 3858MHz (cpu-z and everst, both newest)
5. ??? How the hell keep original vcore while oc'ing? No "normal", only + and - .....AUTO raises too much, atlleast not by MY choice...How am I gonna set max oc with stock vcore, C1E and EIST enabled???


but...I'm used to luxury it seems..with this mobo I have to bell and whistle myself, feels damn analogue and nice !!!!

more to come, just finished 1024K on Blend (3858MHz, 1.328v load) edit /// max core temps=58C...passed 7th run on 8K already

EDIT ///

Not giving much hope for higher OC vs the cheapest 775 mobo money can buy...40€ GA-G31 ES2L...former was stable 3.8GHz, 1.312v....new mobo show the same 10 and 20K error patterns @3858MHz/1.328v..ofcourse I've raised MCH and FSB, gtls' are default...but, i didnt get the mobo for ocing, only coz it was the cheapest xfire P45...only asus runs xfire p45 also..scary..

EDIT ///

G31 had only one CPU GTL setting, I noticed .67 was best for highest oc..so, testing both .67 on this mobo

[LedHed]

it's going to take more than a weekend in the BIOS to dial in a new setup for OCing, do some reading before complaining.

BioStar allows BIOS flashes with USB drives, one of the most modern ways of doing so. Get the drivers off the BioStar TPower i45 website, it may be one of the reasons for a lot of your complaints.

Also almost every program reads OCing incorrectly in Windows except Real Temp.