ultimate S939 mainboard guide - tweaking guide ,known bugs, and fixes

[HKPolice]

EDIT(saaya):

i renamed this thread and made it a sticky to inform people about known bugs on different 939 boards and tweaks and fixes, as there was a big duiscussion about all 939 boards beeing buggy, but there was little known about the actual problems different boards seem to have.
im very happy with the massive feedback this thread has received and it has now become an ultimate 939 mobo guide with infos about bugs, how to fix them, and many tweaks how to reach a higher oc, just like the title says Kroger ad can be a good guide for anyone with the concern of saving more.





MSI Neo2 nforce3



overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-300mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 4x-20x
AGP speed: 66-100 in 1mhz steps

overvolting options
Vcore: 1.4-1.85* in 0.05v steps *1.90 with bios 1.36b
Vdimm: 2.55-2.85* in 0.05v steps *overvolts to 2.90v on most boards
Vagp: 1.55 to 1.85 in 0.05v steps

periphals and features
IDE: 2 ATA 133 slots
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 are unlocked)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: yes
Firewire: 3 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: nforce3 integrated gigabit ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC850 8 channel

links
mainboard homepage: K8N neo2 Platinum
forum discussion: The OFFICIAL MSI K8N Neo2-939 tips and tricks guide thread
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: Hothardware
review #3: Hardwareluxx (german)
vmod #1: vcore
vmod #2: vdimm
vmod #3: vht
vmod #4: vdd


pros
very stable vcore up to 1.90v read the tips to see how to get 1.9v
vdimm overvolts to 2.90v on highest setting
VTT tracks automatically, OCZ DDR-Booster works up to 4,0V (put it in ram slot 4)
runs great with ballistix
runs great with tccd memory
runs great with bh5 (needs bios 1.36b or newer)
2x Memory Interleaving?

cons
cpu socket position problematic for some cases
vdimm mod requieres trace cutting
SATA ports 1 and 2 are not locked, use slots 3 and 4 (closest to the cpu)
issues with ram slots 3&4 not working very well seems to work fine for some people
cpu temperature reading not working correctly seems to work fine for some people
doesnt like ocz eb
chipset hsf is pretty noisy

TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing
TIP: Cpu fan header must be connected, if not the pc could experience boot problems
TIP: if you have problems booting with BH5 try another stick of memory and set vdimm to the max and make sure you set the cas latency to 2.5 or 2.0 as bh5 wont boot with cas 3.0, then swap in the BH5
TIP: the CPU backplate is hard to get off on the MSI ... just heat it with a hair dryer, it will come off easily then
TIP: for best performance the MSI only needs Vdimm/3.3V bypass mod (or the OCZ booster).
Yet to try a chipset mod or HTT mod on the MSI ... it may help with LDT 4x @ > 260 HTT bus speeds
TIP: shut down core center after you used it to adjust or check your settings, if left running it might crash your system
TIP: if you have problems booting at low temps with a winchester try the latest beta bios
TIP: disable fast writes
TIP: only bios 1.36beta and 1.37beta allow up to 1.9v vcore
TIP: color coded ram slots are different than other 939 boards. Slots 1&2 are the ones nearer to the CPU and are dual channel
TIP: use HTT multiplier 4x up to ~260 and 3x up to ~290
TIP: use the + and - or PgUP and PgDn keys to change the htt speed, DO NOT HIT ENTER
TIP: check out the official msi 939 neo2 tips and tricks guide thread
TIP: check out this 2 ram compability lists: 1 2
TIP: In the bios press and hold Shift+F2 and then press ALT+F3 to unlock "hidden" features within the BIOS
TIP: If anyone has trouble getting low temp readings downlaod the latest MBM5 (use the K8N NEO Plat mobo selection, click settings,temps,CPU,and choose the first option for Winbond Diode 2)
TIP: if you experience problems with Antec Neopower and Truepower PSUs and also with PowerStream PSUs, try Bios 1.37 and turn the PSU off after you shut down, seems to help as well
TIP: Dissable Agressive Timings in Cell Menu if you're going to overclock
TIP: some people had close to no thermal compount on the nb, if your nb runs hot add some thermal compound (WARNING! might hurt your warranty)
here is a guide that explains how to remove the nb heatsink
TIP: The MAch II needs a new firmware to operate with this board get it here
TIP: the vcore of winchesters seems to undervolt about 0.1V, max vcore for winchesters is 1.7V
TIP: bios collection: 1.10, 1.20, 1.23, 1.25, 1.30, 1.33, 1.34, 1.35, 1.36, 1.37, 1.41
TIP: beta biosses
TIP: 1.37 modded bios by Trats 1 2
TIP: lots of biosses, incl. beta and modded ones with changelogs
TIP: bios flash guide
TIP: windows tool bios flash guide
TIP: newer boards, with S/N:K0411xxxxxx and S/N:K0410xxxxxx, seem to no longer have a bug with winchesters at low minus temps
TIP: get Codered's A64 tweaker
TIP: if you have BH-5 memory use the A64 tweaker and lower the timings as described here
TIP: OC Guide for the msi k8n neo2 by XS GraveDiggA
right click save as and open with wordpad
TIP: corsair xl pro memory wont fit in the board with an xp-120 heatsink
TIP: the newer northbridges (0410/0411) seem to need less vdimm to reach the same overclock in 1:1!
TIP: If you are having trouble getting windows to boot from SATA ("Error Loading Operating System"), be sure to set SATA1/2/3/4 RAID to "ENABLED", even if you are not running RAID
TIP: older bios revisions need the agp speed set to 67mhz to lock it
TIP: disable aggressive chipset timings (performance mode) when ocing
TIP: if you boot with trcd 2 vdimm seems to drop 0.1v, boot with trcd 3 and use corecell or codered's a64 tweaker to set it to 2 in windows
TIP: bios 1.36b and 1.37 and modded variants seem to work best for bh5/bh6
TIP: to reach 1.9v vcore set 1.5 in bios + 3.3%, then get in windows use core center all the way up, and finally you use NF3 Clock-gen add 0.05v...it's about like 1.9v
TIP: turn off NV/ATI Speed Up in the hidden bios settings as it ocs most cards gpu
TIP: use clockgen instead of corecell to adjust the fsb, htt and even vcore options, its not as instable as corecell wich crashes the system from time to time
TIP: an xp90 DOES fit on the board even if corsair pro xl memory is used, but the heatsink covers the display on top of the modules








Gigabyte K8NSNXP-939 and K8NS Ultra-939 nforce3
the only difference between the K8NSNXP-939 and K8NS Ultra-939 is the missing dps heatsink on the latter.
both boards are identical and bios compatible and will thus be treated as the same board in this guide




overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-455mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 5x-25x
AGP speed: 66-100 in 1mhz steps

overvolting options
Vcore: 0.8-1.70 in 0.025v steps
Vdimm: +0.1v +0.2v* *max vdimm is 2.85v with the latest bios
Vagp: 1.50 to 1.80 in 0.10v steps
Vht: 1.20 to 1.50 in 0.10v steps

periphals and features
IDE: 2 ATA 133 slots
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 SiI3512 and 2 nforce3)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: yes
Firewire: 2 IEEE 1394b ports
LAN: Marvell 8001 gigabit ethernet + ICS 1883 10/100 ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC850 8 channel

links
mainboard homepage: GA-K8NSNXP-939 and GA-K8NS Ultra-939
forum discussion: Gigabyte k8NSNXP-939/K8NS Ultra-939 tips, tricks and guide thread
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: Hothardware
review #3: Hardwareluxx (german)
vmod #1: vcore
vmod #2: vdimm
vmod #3: vht
vmod #4: vdd

pros
tracks vtt
runs great with bh5
runs great with ch5
runs great with mdt pc3200 (micron chips?)
runs great with samsung tccc

cons
bad vcore, unstable and fluctuates between 1.70v and 1.95v under load
coldboot problems with high HTT speed
crashes when upping the HTT speed too much at a time
always detects ide drives at bootup, cant disable this setting latest bios fixes this problem
9x multi sligthly unstable seems to work fine for some people
8x multi very unstable seems to work fine for some people
NO Memory Interleaving?

TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing
TIP: easy vdimm mod with 3.3v rail = Vdimm Via single wire, VTT tracks automatically
TIP: easy vcore mod with pin10 to ground via 50K VR
BUT the max vcore after a mod is 1.95v and coldboot with 1.85v+ vcore might kill the board!
TIP: If having problems with BH5 ram, try the following:
1) Do 3.3v = Vdimm mod
2) Set HTT multiplier to 4x and HTT to 230Mhz - Lower HTT does not boot for some users.
3) Boot and overclock via clockgen, and tweak via A64tweaker.
TIP: for best performance the giga board needs Vcore and Vdimm/3.3V bypass mod (or the OCZ booster)
TIP: disable fast writes
TIP: use HTT multiplier 4x up to ~260 and 3x up to ~290
TIP: disable the bios option called "top performence" , it will limit your ocs and will cause instability with tccd at ddr400 2.0-2-2
TIP: if you have problems with some multipliers try the F5 bios
TIP: try bios F7, it helped a bunch of people to get a higher stable HTT/FSB speed











Asus A8V via k8t800pro


(pic is a rev2.0 board)

overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-300mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 4x-20x
AGP speed: default, 66/33, 75/37 locks dont work on most rev1.xx boards!

overvolting options
Vcore: 0.8-1.80 in 0.025v steps
Vdimm: 2.50-2.80 in 0.1v steps
Vagp: 1.60, 1.70
Vlink: 2.5, 2.6

periphals and features
IDE: 3 ATA 133 slots (2 VIA and 1 Promise 20378)
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 VIA VT8237 and 2 Promise 20378)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: no
Firewire: 2 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: Marvell 88E8001 gigabit ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC850 8 channel

links
mainboard homepage: A8V Deluxe
forum discussion: The OFFICIAL Asus AV8 tips, tricks and guide thread
review #1: Anandtech revision 2.0 review!
review #2: Hexus.net revision 1.0 review!
review #3: Hardwareluxx (german) revision 1.0 review!
vmod #1: vcore
vmod #2: vdimm
vmod #3: vht missing
vmod #4: vdd


pros
locks are working on all rev2.xx boards
stable and high vcore up to 1.85v
good pcb layout
runs great with bh5
runs great with ocz eb
runs great with tccd
2x Memory Interleaving?

tracks vtt, ocz booster works up to ~3v

cons
locks not working on most rev1.xx boards!
generally starts topping out in the 250's htt (bios 1005.021 beta for rev 1.02)
OVP on VDimm at ~3.15v with a vdimm mod and ~3v with an ocz ddr booster

cpu temperature reading not working correctly


TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing
TIP: disable fast writes
TIP: if you have problems to boot or get your system stable at very low cpu temps try the beta bios 1009.002 or a newer bios version
TIP: bios 1008 might cause prime95 instability, get the latest bios
TIP: you need bios 1007.xx or later to get a winchester 90nm cpu working on this board
TIP: if you have a winchester and your current bios doesnt support it use 1 stick of ram (in slot B1)
then boot from a floppy and flash to 1007 or newer:
1. power down your system
2. Reset cmos
3. boot from a bootable floppy
4. use another floppy with the new bios and the AFUdos.exe program on it
5. type at the A prompt: afudos.exe /ia8v1007.ami
TIP: 1007 seems to give some people problems with the agp/pci locks, use 1008.002 or later
TIP: thermaltake xp120 and corsair xl pro wont fit on this board
TIP: use the promise ide controller when ocing, the via controller is rumored to get unstable when ocing (not locked?)
if you are using the via controller already and want to switch to the promise controller follow this short guide:
1. Copy the PROMISE SATA drivers to a floppy.
2. Turn off your computer and switch your HDD to the PROMISE controller
3. Turn on goto the BIOS ; Advanced > OnBoard Devices Configuration > Onboard Promise Controller [Enabled] > Operating Mode [IDE]
4. In the BIOSchange Boot priority to CD and exit BIOS
5. Pop in your XP CD and press F6 (look carefully for the message at the bottom of the screen)
6. Pop in your Floppy and let XP copy the PROMISE Drivers.
7. Exit install when asked for.
If the above method doesn't work, follow the same steps only let XP repair the existing installation. You should not lose any data.
TIP: you need a fan connected to the cpu fan slot
TIP: if your having stability problems unplug low speed fans, low rpms are rumored to make the board unstable
TIP: if your board has no working locks try to enable them with a hacked bios, works for some boards
TIP: if you have problems booting with one stick try it in slot3 (counting away from the cpu socket)
TIP: bios 1009 beta seems to have coldboot and stability issues above 240fsb (no lock?)
TIP:with BIOS 1009.xxxx BETA if you select 5x HTT (1000) you actually get only 4x once you pass 210 MHz












Abit AV8 via k8t800pro



overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-336mhz in 1mhz increments *UPDATE* Highest value on bios 19 (410mhz in 1mhz increments)
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 5x-25x
AGP speed: CPU:AGP:PCI - Fixed (66mhz), 6:2:1(200:66:33), 7:2:1(233:66:33), 8:2:1(266:66:33)

overvolting options
Vcore: 1.50-1.85 in 0.025v steps
Vdimm: 2.59-2.80* in 0.05v steps *overvolts to 2.85v
Vagp: 1.50-1.65 in 0.05v steps
Vnb: 1.50-1.65 in 0.05v steps
Vsb: 2.50-2.65 in 0.05v steps
Vht: 1.20-1.35 in 0.05v steps

periphals and features
IDE: 2 ATA 133 slots
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 VIA VT8237)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: no
Firewire: 3 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: VIA VT6122 PCI gigabit ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC658 6 channel

links
mainboard homepage: AV8
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: Hothardware
review #3: Hardwareluxx (german)
vmod #1: vcore
vmod #2: vdimm
vmod #3: vht missing
vmod #4: vdd missing


pros
AGP-lock working on all rev1.1 boards
port80 diagnostic display
vdimm overvolts to 2.85v on highest setting
tracks vtt, booster works

cons
CPU-temp readings way off
*UPDATE* use latest bios 19.. i think temps reading are still wrong.. bios shows about 5C higher than uguru. Just add about 5C to readings
mixed results with bh-5 and tccd
mixed results with vcore stability
Motherboard Manual don't contain all post codes.
vtt fluctuates and is very unstable above 2.7v vdimm
weak pcb wich means traces on the boards tend to get damaged very easily if the board gets bent just slightly!
read more about it here
possible incompability of this board and antec psu's?
clockgen can only change multis on this board, not the bus speed?
many rev1.0 boards dont have working locks!

TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing
TIP: use slots 1&2 for BH-5, 3&4 for TCCD
TIP: if you have problems with winchester cores on this board flash to bios 1.5 or newer, 1.6 is recommended by abit
TIP: disable fast writes
TIP: with the XP-120 you will NOT be able to put anything in DIMM slot #1
TIP: use the ocz ddr booster in slot #2
TIP: VTT seems to need a reboot to "re-track" after a change
TIP: this board has a very flexible pcb and a very cheap plastic plate around the cpu socket, be VERY carefull with big heatsinks and dont fasten your heatsinks too tight!
TIP: if you cant get any higher make sure all parts of the board are cooled well enough, then start increasingvnb, vsb and vldt(vht)
TIP: if you can get any higher after that try to set vlink to 4 and the ht multiplier to 4x or 3x (800mhz/600mhz)
TIP: if you have a rev1.0 pro board (the revision number is printed on a sticker close to the cpu socket)
try bios 15 and lock the bus, if it doesnt work abit will rma the board
TIP: OCZ DDR Booster working on the board up to 3.2vdimm. Vdimm needs to be set to 2.8 (max on bios) to obtain 3.2vdimm with 1.66vtt LINK LINK
TIP: Users of bios 19 with rocketboy support get higher overclock results LINK for bios 19
TIP: MBM5 works with uGuru chip now (MBM5370)
TIP: The use of PCI slot 2 (2nd from AGP) might intefere with SATA ports
TIP: corsair 4000PT (hynix?) works better in slots 1&2 than 3&4






Epox 9NDA3+ nforce3



overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-400mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 8x-25x
AGP speed: 66-100 in 1mhz steps

overvolting options
Vcore: 1.55-1.70 in 0.05v steps
Vdimm: 2.50-2.80 in 0.1v steps *2.80v undervolts and is fluctuates
Vagp: 1.50 to 1.80 in 0.1v steps
Vdd: 1.60-1.75 in 0.05v steps

periphals and features
IDE: 2 ATA 133 slots
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (1&2 nforce3 (closest to the agp slot) and 3&4 marvell(not locked)
update: epox claims the latest bios locks ports 3&4, but the lock still doesnt work!)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: yes
Firewire: 2 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: nforce3 integrated gigabit ethernet with VITESSE PHY
Sound: realtec ALC850 8 channel

links
mainboard homepage: EP-9nda3+
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: Hexus.net
review #3: PC stats
vmod #1: vcore ovp at 1.9v
vmod #2: vdimm
vmod #3: vht missing
vmod #4: vdd missing

pros
runs great with ocz eb
runs great with bh5
runs great with ballistix
runs great with tccd
uses the 5v rail to derive vdimm
port80 diagnostic display

cons
problems with 512mb sticks latest bios seems to fix this
WARNING! do NOT use the ocz DDR booster on this board! vdimm above 2.8v will fry a mosfet and kill the board!
coldboot issues, random crashes and freezes from usb hardware (mouse keyboard printer etc)
cant run command rate 1t in slots 1&2 latest bios seems to fix this
vdimm is stuck at 2.7v and wont rise seems to work fine for some people
cpu temperature not reading correctly seems to work fine for some people
vcore ovp at 1.9v
only memory without a heatspreader will fit in slot1 with an xp120
Zalman CNPS7000A backplate doesnt fit on this board without any mods due to some resistors (capacitors?) on the back of the motherboard
SATA ports 1 and 2 cant be used with and any Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer, the airduct covers them entirely

TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing
TIP: disable fast writes
TIP: use HTT multiplier 4x up to ~260 and 3x up to ~290
TIP: SATA ports 3&4 are not locked, use slots 1&2 (closest to the agp slot)
TIP: if you cant get command rate 1t to run try memory slots 3&4
TIP:It seems that dimm slots 1 and 2 dont not like 2x512MB (dual channel)











ECS kv2 extreme via k8t800pro



overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-511mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 4x-20x
AGP speed: default, 66, 75.4

overvolting options
Vcore: 0.825-1.550 in 0.025v steps
Vdimm: 2.50-2.70 in 0.05v steps
Vagp: 1.45, 1.53, 1.57, 1.60

periphals and features
IDE: 3 ATA 133 slots (2 VIA VT8237 and 1 SiS 180)
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 VIA VT8237 and 2 SiS 180)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD for all channels
sata+ide drives in raid: ?
Firewire: 2 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: Marvel 88E8001 gigabit ethernet and VIA VT6103L 10/100 ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC655 6 channel

links
mainboard homepage: KV2 Extreme
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: motherboards.org
review #3: Hexus.net
vmod #1: vcore missing
vmod #2: vdimm missing
vmod #3: vht missing
vmod #4: vdd missing


pros
cons
TIPS













MSI k8t neo2-fir via k8t800pro



overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-280mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 4x-20x
AGP speed: default, 66, 75.4

overvolting options
Vcore: default to 1.85 in 0.05v steps
Vdimm: 2.55-2.85 in 0.05v steps
Vagp: 1.55 to 1.85 in 0.05v steps
Vht: default, 1.26, 1.32, 1.38

periphals and features
IDE: 3 ATA 133 slots (2 VIA and 1 Promise 20579)
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 VIA VT8237 and 2 Promise 20579)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: yes
Firewire: 3 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: realtek 8110S gigabit ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC850 8 channel

links
mainboard homepage: K8T Neo-FSR
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: Hothardware
review #3: Hardwareluxx (german)
vmod #1: vcore missing
vmod #2: vdimm
vmod #3: vht missing
vmod #4: vdd missing

pros
cons
TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing












Soltek k8t-pro via k8t800pro



overclocking options
Bus Speed: 200-300mhz in 1mhz steps
Bus Multiplier: 1x-5x
CPU Multiplier: 4x-20x
AGP speed: ?

overvolting options
Vcore: 0.80-1.70 (0.80-1.50 in 0.025v steps, 1.50-1.70 in 0.05v steps)
Vdimm: 2.60-2.80 in 0.1v steps
Vagp: 1.50 to 1.80 in 0.1v steps
Vdd (Vsb): 2.50-2.80 in 0.1v steps

periphals and features
IDE: 3 ATA 133 slots (2 VIA and 1?)
IDE raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
SATA: 4 SATA 150 slots (2 VIA VT8237 PLUS and 2 promise PDC20579)
SATA raid: 0,1,0+1,JBOD
sata+ide drives in raid: ?
Firewire: 2 IEEE 1394A ports
LAN: VIA VT6122 gigabit ethernet
Sound: realtec ALC850 8 channel

links
mainboard homepage: SL-K8TPro-939
review #1: Anandtech
review #2: PC stats
review #3: motherboards.org
vmod #1: vcore missing
vmod #2: vdimm missing
vmod #3: vht missing
vmod #4: vdd missing


pros
port80 diagnostic display[/color]
fastest via k8t800 board at stock settings
cons
locks dont work
max stable vcore (unmodded) is 1.55v?

TIPS
TIP: you have to disable cool n quiet when ocing










please add your details to this thread and post about bugs and bugfixes, tweaks and mods you have found. if you have a problem with your setup please read about the bugs and bugfixes first



CREDITS
big thx to all the people who helped me to collect those informations so far!
thx for shareing your results, expiriences and mods, tweaks and bugfixes!
great job everybody!


`schr0et
agenda2005
andyOCZ
ant1
Arnar
Benny Lodewijk
bigtoe
blinky
bypolar
CanisLupis
charlie
Chouny
CodeRed
cowpuppy
CrunchTime
dav
hollywood
Joe Camel
Kane
Lola
mdzcpa
misteroadster
Mongoose420
Perc
PnoT
PowerK
Radelon
Rauf
Sin22
split
Super Nade
STEvil
The
Runner
trans am
uniacid
VoRtAn_MaDgE
xgman
YoupY


special thx go to:
HKPolice
who came up with the idear for this thread
JACK
who read through dozens of pages to collect more tips and informations
anandtech
for helping me with the images and informations!
thx a lot wesley!




EDIT: added soltek k8t800
EDIT: added msi k8t800
EDIT: added ecs k8t800
EDIT: added pics
EDIT: added general voltage, overclocking and periphal informations
EDIT: removed the periphal info "5 pci slots" and "8 usb 2.0 slots" as all boards feature this
EDIT: added credits
EDIT: added detailed credits
EDIT: sorted pros/cons
EDIT: added button to make it easier to keep track of updates
EDIT: added homepage links
EDIT: added review links
EDIT: updated mainboard infos
EDIT: merged both asus a8v revisions
EDIT: added vmod links
EDIT: added mainboard infos
EDIT: updated mainboard infos
EDIT: added mainboard discussion threads
EDIT: added gigabyte K8SN Ultra-939
EDIT: removed old signs
EDIT: added some infos

to do:



discussion

[charlie]

Neo2 with Tccd, 300HT @ 2.5-3-3-7 is NICE

C

[`schr0et]

I tried the MSI K8N NEO2 and it just wasn't for me. Really annoying board made me feel like I was back in the stone ages because the chipset fan would randomly stop running and I would have to give it a kick start by flicking the rotor with my index finger.

CPU placement made closing my case impossible. Ram slots were annoying. Bios NEEDS to be tweaked just right or your OC is fubarred. SATA slots weren't a big deal just really out of the way. Looked and operated as a 5 minute fix up board. If you compare MSI's 939 NF4 board and the K8N NEO2 you'll realize whY Ithink it was a 5 minute fix up board.

ASUS A8V v2.0 loved this board apart from the OVP on VDimm. CPU placement was fine, all ram slots worked bios 1005.20/21/27 all have working AGP/PCI locks. Performance was great and very comparable to NF3. No need to worry about HT being 600-1000 as board was 8+ hour prime stable 260x11 with 1000 HT

CPU volts was pretty good, ram volts is perfect for TCCD. Board layout is very nice, aesthetic looking board. MSI board looked ok too.

[HKPolice]

I tried the MSI K8N NEO2 and it just wasn't for me. Really annoying board made me feel like I was back in the stone ages because the chipset fan would randomly stop running and I would have to give it a kick start by flicking the rotor with my index finger.

CPU placement made closing my case impossible. Ram slots were annoying. Bios NEEDS to be tweaked just right or your OC is fubarred. SATA slots weren't a big deal just really out of the way. Looked and operated as a 5 minute fix up board. If you compare MSI's 939 NF4 board and the K8N NEO2 you'll realize whY Ithink it was a 5 minute fix up board.

ASUS A8V v2.0 loved this board apart from the OVP on VDimm. CPU placement was fine, all ram slots worked bios 1005.20/21/27 all have working AGP/PCI locks. Performance was great and very comparable to NF3. No need to worry about HT being 600-1000 as board was 8+ hour prime stable 260x11 with 1000 HT

CPU volts was pretty good, ram volts is perfect for TCCD. Board layout is very nice, aesthetic looking board. MSI board looked ok too.

Thanks for the info, whats the OVP set to on the Asus?
What kinda ram does the board like? I think EB worked fine on it? But EB needs 3.2v+ to really shine, so the OVP would be an issue...

[`schr0et]

Thanks for the info, whats the OVP set to on the Asus?
What kinda ram does the board like? I think EB worked fine on it? But EB needs 3.2v+ to really shine, so the OVP would be an issue...

OVP is 3.15 Last I heard. I would say just about any non BH5/EB ram would be perfect on this baord.

But honestly I beleive TCCD is the best bang for the buck availible right now. 300 HTT @ 2.5-3-7 is really something, I still remember pentium people braggin about 300 3-4-4-8 (hehe)

[HKPolice]

OVP is 3.15 Last I heard. I would say just about any non BH5/EB ram would be perfect on this baord.

But honestly I beleive TCCD is the best bang for the buck availible right now. 300 HTT @ 2.5-3-7 is really something, I still remember pentium people braggin about 300 3-4-4-8 (hehe)

Personally, I'd rather do 3-2-2-10 @ 270 with EB or ballistix @ 3.5v if I have to

There are mixed reviews of the asus board though. I've seen people give up on it and sell their boards for the MSI.

[`schr0et]

Personally, I'd rather do 3-2-2-10 @ 270 with EB or ballistix @ 3.5v if I have to

There are mixed reviews of the asus board though. I've seen people give up on it and sell their boards for the MSI.

Yeah I've heard of the same thing with people not liking the ASUS board I don't know why because it was by far the easiest A64 board I used. It makes sense though if so many people liked the K8N NEO2 and I hated it, it can work the other way aswell.

It comes down to what you use it for and personal preference. I prefer the ASUS.

Also 3-2-2-10 @ 3.5V seems rediculous you can more than likely get that with BH5 @ 2-2-2-5 @ 3.4V (or atleast I was able to on the K8N PRo with kyosen's vdimm bypass)

[PowerK]

HKPolice,

I agree. There's not a single 939 mobo that I like. But if I had to choose from what's currently available, it would be Asus A8V Rev2.

Abit AV8
Again, not many people have it because it's a VIA chipset... Please post your experiences.

This thread at nvnews is quite informative about Abit AV8.
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=31054

[mike.elmes]

Does the ram booster work with ASUS board?

[HKPolice]

Yeah I've heard of the same thing with people not liking the ASUS board I don't know why because it was by far the easiest A64 board I used. It makes sense though if so many people liked the K8N NEO2 and I hated it, it can work the other way aswell.

It comes down to what you use it for and personal preference. I prefer the ASUS.

Also 3-2-2-10 @ 3.5V seems rediculous you can more than likely get that with BH5 @ 2-2-2-5 @ 3.4V (or atleast I was able to on the K8N PRo with kyosen's vdimm bypass)

Well 256mb BH5 @ 270 maybe, but 512mb probably won't do 270 without like 4v, lol

[J-Pak]

where did you hear that DFI isn't releasing a NF3 250 939 board?

[xgman]

DFI decided that they will (eventually release a 939/agp board as well as the pci-x version.

I had 4 asus A8V's (1.2's and 2.0's), and abit a8v and a gigabyte 939, and the Neo2 blows them all away as far as top end and ease of setup. (my opinion) Also Neo2 with bios 1.36 allows me a vcore over 1.9v and vdimm overvolts towards 2.9 with no further mods. Yes it does have bad chipset placement and fan, but replaceable for a few bucks.

[The Runner]

see this is the problem with threads like this, there are people who rate 1 board, and others who rate another board. There is no "better" board, just how well you get on with it personally.

I guess the 2 on average that are rated, is Asus A8V 2.0 and Msi K8n Neo Plat, I bought the MSI cause its a good £20 cheaper than the asus here, and was from the same retailer... shame they're not instock and I have to wait till next Tuesday

[HKPolice]

Well the most important thing is that now you know the quirks of each board. I didn't know that the asus had OVP before, making it useless for BH5 or EB ram.

[Grayson Carlyle]

Neo2 with bios 1.36 allows me a vcore over 1.9v

You can, but you aren't.... right? I'd be quite scared to put an A64 over 1.9 from all the stories I've read here.

[cowpuppy]

Well I have to put my 2 cents in here about the MSI Neo2 and it runs great on BH-5 and 3700EB and has so far been the best 939 board I've ran so far.

[Arnar]

Onepagebook got 278mhz 2225 with an unmodded MSI board.. so why does the MSI board hate BH-5 ?

http://xtremesystems.org/forums/show...highlight=bh-5

[HKPolice]

Frost Bite's Neo2 won't run BH5 or EB:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...738#post557738

Might be because Onepagebook is using 256mb sticks.....
Honestly though, 512MB of ram is ONLY for benching. Intense games would struggle with only 512MB. Practically speaking, 2x512 is the bare minimum.

[hollywood]

Well I have to put my 2 cents in here about the MSI Neo2 and it runs great on BH-5 and 3700EB and has so far been the best 939 board I've ran so far.

Ditto....I just think folks have sour grapes 'cause they expect an easy OC each time.

It took me a good 2 weeks of playing with different combos to find the one that my Neo2 liked. Once I got the Bios straight and the right mem...I've had zero issues.

Most Neo2 problems can be attributed to folks not having enough patience.

(Except `schr0et's NB fan problem...however that could of been easily fixed.)

[CodeRed]

You forgot to mention that the giga board has horrible Vcore regulation. DPS-Gold . It fluctuates like mad, and severly overvolts under load. Also more than 1.95V seems to blow up the MOSFETS

What we need is a Vdimm OVP fix for the A8V ... that would be a mobo I would buy.

[misteroadster]

HK police i tried a lot of ram with the gigabyte , the best is BH5 but the problem is that you have tu give them more than 3V to have stability , and boot with 225-230 FSB in bios.
I also tried some CH5 (A-data-corsair) they worked fine, and very stable , if i remember , with Adata 256 i could reach 235 2 2 2 5 Vddr with stock 2,85vddr (+0,2 bios).
After Vio=vddr i was able to bench superpi at about 265 2/2/2/5.
With CH5 corsair 512mo 1.2 (LLPT) i could do the same, i think with 256mo sticks LLPT it will be a lot better.
I tried Samsung TCCC , working good also but slow timings of course.
I tried MDT sticks (made in germany, very cheap sticks= 75 euros/512mo sticks) ,with them i could have 240 Prime stable 2,5/3/2/5 with very speed A64tweak settings : i could have 32sec superpi@2509mhz.
Kingston valueram chips kingston 256mo sticks works good too.
If i have to choose an available pair of DDR for benches , i ll choose the Corsair LLPT 1.2 sticks, less none doubt.
Nforce3 loves them.

[blinky]

tom holck got past the OVP on the A8V somehow, he wont say

he used 3.9v vdimm

[STEvil]

Probably figured out which chip controls OVP and put a VR on it to pull down the signal.

[ant1]

I´m running 2x512mb BH5 @ 248Mhz / 3.2v on my k8n neo2. Rockstable.

[mdzcpa]

Ditto....I just think folks have sour grapes 'cause they expect an easy OC each time.

Most Neo2 problems can be attributed to folks not having enough patience.

So True.

My second 939 mobo was a NEO2 which I got the first week they came out. I grabbed it to replace my Abit 939 board which wasn't working out at all. But, just one day with the NEO2 and I disarded it as a piece of junk.

Then, another month later, after going through 3 more 939 mobos, I returned to the NEO2. And after giving it another chance, it really has turned out to be a splendid mobo.

Some quirks...yep. But life is relative and the NEO2 is the best of a quirky bunch of 939 boards. The work arounds are pretty simple too....once you know them of course.

I actually think there are a lot of happy NEO2 users out there. And, if you look carefully at the general trend of who likes the mobo, it tends to be some of the more veteran tweakers. No offence meant if any is taken by that comment...but it that is actually what I beleive I am seeing now. And there are definite exceptions to the trend.