The OFFICIAL MSI K8N Neo2-939 tips and tricks guide thread

[Kaposztas]

I've never oc'd, never needed to, but I recently updated cpu to FX-55 SD from 3200 Winchester. For some stupid reason I flashed bios to 1.c from 1.3 using the MSI web utility. Now system hangs, even while in bios.

I know you're gonna tell me to read the forums, but I spent two nights browsing the forums here and on other websites (Rebels Haven for one) and it's all over my head. You guys are talking quantum physics when I'm trying to learn how to add and subtract!

I was a comp tech 10 years ago, always build my own systems, but I have literally no time to get my comp back in shape while trying to learn the complicated possibilities of why my system hangs.

Also, my 3D Mark scores on my previous 3200 setup was the lowest in the group....made me sad, even though I ran my games well enough. I want more, though.

There are over 4000 posts here! I'm hoping that somebody here would do me the favor of walking me through a few basics....optimal bios settings for this board and my vid card, for example. I'd really appreciate your help!

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
A64 Fx-55 San Diego
Bios 1.c
1 Gb Corsair Value Select
eVGA Nvidia 6800 GT
WD SATA
Enermax Noisetaker 470W PS
Win xp sp2

Thanks!

[Draxx]

Don't use the web utility. Either use Winflash on it's own if you must flash from Windows or use the DOS based flash utility.

The web utility unfortunately doesn't flash correctly as you've noticed...

[-TooL]

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...UID=607&kind=1

Just got that link. Shows all processors "officially" compatible with our great old man of a board.

[Elite_Athlon]

Don't use the web utility. Either use Winflash on it's own if you must flash from Windows or use the DOS based flash utility.

The web utility unfortunately doesn't flash correctly as you've noticed...

Worked fine for me both times i flashed it...

[Kaposztas]

Reset the cmos and now booting and stable

Added new single-sided 2x512Mb Corsair VS Ram on Dimm 1 and 2, then ran 3dmark06 again. Scores went from a very dismal 1482 to a very mediocre 1513.

Added FX-55 cpu and score went down to 1494, though the cpu score increased from 780 to 1017.

Adjusted pci latency of my geforce 6800 gt from 280 something to 64, ran 3dmark again, score jumped a whopping 1 point. Disabled aggressive timing, agp fast writes, and spread spectrum. No change to score.

I'm not ready to overclock this thing until I find the bottleneck. Any ideas? I don't think I should be scoring at the bottom of the 3dmark spectrum!

Also noticed that other geforce 6800 gt cards on 3dmark were running at 11Mhz/1200 Mhz and scoring much better. Can anyone tell me what this is about?

[Stoner@Large]

I know this has been asked before but im not sure if its the same answer as the old. What are the best drivers for the neo2 now?

[pillow]

yo im new here. im wondering what is the best bios for this board for overclocking? i have 3200+ winny. also another question will the tuniq tower fit on this board? thanks

F.B.

[sideeffect]

Also noticed that other geforce 6800 gt cards on 3dmark were running at 11Mhz/1200 Mhz and scoring much better. Can anyone tell me what this is about?

When 3dMark shows strange readings like that it means the overclock was performed in windows after boot and 3Dmark doesnt properly recognise the clock speed. There is no point comparing your card to it because it could be massively overclocked.

[Gargula]

Hello personal, my English is bad, but I hope understand

I have this MB, exactly this.

I have a problem in the initialization of the system.

DMI Pool Data.... It is in this screen for 1 minute and later enters in the boot of the windows...

I disabled SATA, and it decreased to 30 seconds, but before didn't appear.

where is the problem??

Thanks!

[ZorK]

I have bios 7025NMS V1.DB1 Mod by Sideeffect.I tryed to activate C&Q but it didn't work.I installed the proper driver but syill no working!is it because of the bios?

[Losphoron]

Zork you are bored..Ppl avoid C&Q because it's not so friendly with oc...
There is 1.C oficial on the site for some time.Did anyone tried it?

[Zeus...]

C&Q works fine but Via 'core center' But as 'Losphoron' states no good with overclock

[Losphoron]

if i put to hdd's on Sata 3&4 can i overclock like before when i had only ide drives?
You guys were right.I switched to Sata3 and now the oc is working like before... I am happy

[stormshadow]

anyone know good programs that track the neo2's voltage well?

something that works with an LCDC plug in would be awesome.

[Russ_64]

Anyone know what BIOS version I need to run Opty 185 on my Neo2 Plat ?

Currently using 1.B with X2 but do I need 1.C or 1.D / sideeffect's 1.Db1 ?
(just bought a 185 as the S939 Optys are getting pretty thin on the ground)
Thanks.

[Losphoron]

Try 1.C modified by Sideefect.I used this bios for a while and i have no problems..At least is newer than what you have and a there is a better chance that Opti os supported.You can dump your actual bios and revert back if you are not pleased..Good luck

[Russ_64]

Thanks, mate. I went with SideEffect's 1.D and it is great, nice new layout and options too.

[magica]

What is the 1draid bios on this page about???????? I might be going to a fx 55 and im on sata raid so I would like to know what the raid is for. I am getting some http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148015 ballsticks memory so I want to use the ballstick memory but question what that raid file is. If you havent noticed this appears to be the same stuff sideffect is useing!!!!!!!!
someone posted this link on page 171 http://www.swjka.com/k8nneo2bios/?dir=./sideeffect

hope someone can reassure me and yes I still love the board. Got alot of money wrapped around it so im holding on till next christmas maybe. PLus the 7800 gs wasnt cheap.

thanks

[int]

Hey guys, I'm new here so I'm not sure if I can do this or not...

I recently had a power cut which managed to blow my 3rd ram slot, so I can't use my second stick of memory (currently stuck with only 512 ).

I've looked everywhere and apart from paying some extortionate price on Ebay, I can't find a replacement.
I'm wondering if you can suggest where I can get hold of another one of these boards for a reasonable price

Cheers

p.s forgot to mention, I'm in the UK

[magica]

Hey guys, I'm new here so I'm not sure if I can do this or not...

I recently had a power cut which managed to blow my 3rd ram slot, so I can't use my second stick of memory (currently stuck with only 512 ).

I've looked everywhere and apart from paying some extortionate price on Ebay, I can't find a replacement.
I'm wondering if you can suggest where I can get hold of another one of these boards for a reasonable price

Cheers

p.s forgot to mention, I'm in the UK

Here

http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

your best chance in the world

you can also ask in our MSI forum
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

[int]

Here

http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

your best chance in the world

you can also ask in our MSI forum
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Thanks very much

e: urgh, having some email troubles with them at the moment

[fishgoh0nk]

Hi guys, I'm new to posting on this thread, but I've been reading constantly on this thread for the past 3 years i've had my MSI neo2 plat.

recently, i just upgraded from a64 3200+ to x2 4400+ (adv version). I know my max FSB is 235 as I have 3+ sata drives and one of them falls on sata1/2. 235 is the max before instability.

so yesterday, i attempted to OC my 4400+. I tried several times and finally i was able to boot into the bios with the following settings.

Bios = Sideeffect's 1.CB3
Core = x2 4400+ (200x11)
Ram = xms twinx1024-3200XLPRO (stock timing 2-2-2-5 1T @ 2.5v)
FSB = 235
HT = 4x
MEM = 200
Vcore = 1.4
Vdimm = 2.8
agp = 67mhz


So what happens is that I get back into the bios to start changing other settings... before i can do anything (approx 2-3 seconds) the the keyboard freezes up, i can't do anything. The only thing that moves is the flashing red "8.3% vcore" and other warnings. after multiple power offs, i can still boot into the bios, but the time between entering bios and freezing becomes shorter. one time, (because i run dual monitors, usually both screens display the same bios menu) one screen went blank and the other distorted the screen resolution/size. reseting the cmos and running stock again fixes this.

I have a few guesses on what this might be... but not too sure cuz i'm inexperienced with pre-boot stuff. could it my PSU? not enuff vcore or vdimm? could it be an improper lock on the agp? timings too tight? I also read somewhere if the cas, ras..., etc is not set to auto, the vdimm changes back to 2.7 on reboot...

i'm dying to get a new 3dmark score hehe plz help! thx in advance!

--------------- EDIT ---------------
More info:
I tried both 1T and 2T timings, both did the same thing. Also, I'm trying to achieve 235x11 on a stock cooler (2585mhz). I'm also running some $40 500w rosewill PSU... not the best... but so far it's lasted me quite a while.

[fishgoh0nk]

well... i was hoping i'd receive a quick response, but it seems that the last post was april hehe... so i took it upon myself to experiment some more. I researched some voltages for the 4400 and the fsb that was clocked on some of the cpu databases around the net. I'm not juiced up by 300mhz from 2.2 to 2.5 using 1.3 + 10.0%, giving me 1.43vcore. i was able to boot into my bios and take care of a few things. memtest gave me errors, i corrected it using 2-3-2-5 1T timings. currently, i'm at 228fsb. think i should push some more? I haven't gotten to get 235 stable yet... but then again, i think when i tried 235 just a few minutes ago, my cmos jumper was loose and reset my bios... or i can play it safe and be happy with 300mhz increase?

[trajik78]

just try and keep the ram at 200mHz using dividers and stock timings until you find your cpu's top OC. the Toledo should take up to 1.5v on air, but watch those temps. keep her under 55c load which will be hard on your stock HSF. that's one of the reasons you wont get a great OC. need an aftermarket cooler. grab a Arctic-Cooling Freezer64 for $25-$30 or if you have the cash a Scythe Ninja or Thermalright Ultra.

[fishgoh0nk]

cool thanks, i've been up the past 5 hours messing with my ram timings and such... max load turned out to be 58c.

but i gave up on the OC. nothing was stable- all gave me errors in windows. not only that, windows and its programs+services started up slower than at stock fsb. Not only that, I have to sacrifice a sata drive just to use only sata3/4.

The final settings on which i gave up on was...

FSB = 228, vcore 1.3 + 10%, vdimm 2.8, 2-3-2-5, (didn't play around with these values as much as the subtimings... trcd, trrd and twrt were the ones i messed around with...)

maybe my psu just isn't stable enough, CPU not cool enough... or just plain bad luck. If you got any tips on stability, let me know, i haven't seen any with my getup. Probably should try 2-3-3-5/6... maybe that'd do it. But I just feel unlucky to have to resort to those timings while people elsewhere are getting lower.