[First look] Biostar TF560 A2+ (can do at least 355MHz HTT)

[EniGmA1987]

I havent tried setting my multiplaier for the processor to its lowest yet, or the RAM divider. But I did knock them both down a step for two and I seem to be hitting a wall at 280fsb on this board, even with the max ammount of chipset voltage and a 3x HT multiplier. I know the processor is capable of doing 3.3GHz at 1.4 volts and the RAM will do DDR1100 at 2.2v so those arent the problem. Is it possible I just got a bad board? or does the PCI-Express speed make a big difference in how high the fsb can go? Right now I am running the PCI-E at 150MHz.

[elfy_008]

EniGmA1987 - I dont do much to the settings other than bump HT to 3, and turn the frequency up, what CPU are you using? What PSU do you have, too.

I think I was even turning down my CPU's multi at some point, from 9 to 8 (im running a 1210 Opty). Only towards the limit over 2.7 Ghz did I start to bump up Vcore and Vram. I dont know jack about setting good RAM timings, so I am limited by that for now. I just left it on auto, I think the #'s below are what my sticks do on default, 1.92v


Jimmer411 - Hope your build goes as easy as mine did, it was a lot of fun but at times a pita too since I was also working on two of my roomies machines.

I guess everything is stable in the house, just a little moving of firefox profiles and whatnot...then there are the other computers that I have to fix. If this is my hobby, why do I work on them so damn much?

and for some laughs (not that I expect anyone to do my work for me, this is stuff I guess I can sneak off and read on my own..) but can anyone give some hints/pointers on what I should be setting my RAM to? Here is what I have:


TwTr 2
Trfc0-3 75ns
Twr 5
Trtp 3
Trc 26
Trcd 5
Trrd 5
Trp 5
Tras 12

These are twin 1 Gb Crucial Ballistix, and I think I'll point a fan I have sitting around at them and see if I can keep them from roasting.



Timing > Max MemClk
Memclock Limit > 800

does the max mean just that, a limit? Would overclocking be any fun if the mobo Bios was easy to figure out?

Oh and does anyone have an idea of what big heatsinks wont fit on this mobo? I guess it has some decent room, I am using an antec sonata II case...
I was thinking of possibly using a Thermalright ultra 120 or something big like that, it doesnt have to be too large, just a step up from my stock HSF. I did look at the arctic cooler AM2 HSF, anyone have one of those?

[Husky42]

Well i've been lurking here for a few days but i guess no place better then this one to make my first post then here.


Has anybody with this board had a need or desire to cool the chipset actively?

My board should arrive today along with my 6000+ and was hoping that with my Tuniq 120 and a good cooler on the chipset i can get at leats 3.2 on my 6000+

I'd love to push for 3.4-3.5 but hear its nearly impossible with the 6000's. Shame, i wish they built em like my current.

Anyways, i'll let everybody here know what i personally think of the board. I kept looking at boards and kept wanting a very basic stripped down board and this looked to be a great value for the cash so i hope it ends up being a good one.

[EniGmA1987]

elfy_008 - I am using an OCZ StealthXtreame power supply, 600w. I did notice the 5v rail is quite weak...

I am using an 5200+, the new F3 stepping. It runs perfectly well at 3.3GHz becuase I am running that right now on this setup (275fsb x 12multi). Even after knocking down the multi to 10 I cant get over 280fsb.

RAM is running right now on the 800 divider, so its up at like 1100 speed, but when I was trying to increase the fsb I was running it on the 533 divider and I still couldnt get up any higher.


Today I did try and take the PCI-E freq down to 100 and I did get an extra 5fsb or so, but nothing like I was hoping. So I dont think that is the problem.

[elfy_008]

EniGmA1987 - hm, wonder if its a limitation of the PSU and that 5v rail..

last night I had some fun and swapped some settings around and bumped the multi to 8x from my stock 9...and in CPUz it said 9x multi..and my properties of 'my computer' said the 8x multi speed....

I wonder which was correct lol.

I dont know if my little chip will do 3.0 ghz, but I will give it a shot.

When I know more about what I am doin'.

[CPLB]

The multipliers are weird on my board too, I can only get 9x or 4x, anything else and it still posts at 9x. I also can't figure out how to change CAS latency in the bios. I've got tRCD, tRP, tRAS all set right but I can't find CAS.

[Husky42]

Rock solid. Well I had my 6000+ at 3.2 out of the box. Currently i'm abit pissed at Tuniq though - My Tuniq 120 had NO AM2 clip so i'm using the stock AMD cooler until they send me a clip so i'm back at 3.0 until i get that cooler mounted.

Anyways this board seems to be rather decent for the casual overclocker (me) i'm not hardcore but i like a lil boost if i can get it. This 6000+ seems to be a decent processor for the price, same with the mobo. Booted out of the box no issues. Vista install flawless and i must say vista is pretty nifty.. never used it and i like it so far.

[Jimmer411]

Finally got mine up and running, starting to play with it some and in windows rock solid at 3ghz Still setting it up slowly, but Im hoping to have some pics up soon.

[Husky42]

Jimmer abit OT here but where in WA?

I'm by Orting.

[Jimmer411]

Jimmer abit OT here but where in WA?

I'm by Orting.

Pacific, right outside Auburn. Not too far from you it seems lol.




Well so far Im priming at 3.2ghz 1.5v. I can get into windows at 3.3, run most benchmarks but 3D05 crashes. on the CPU tests.

I havent tried past 330 HTT since im just seeing if I can get 3.2~ stable, then Ill go from there. Link to the updated bios on the first page is dead, so Im still using factory shipped bios.

DDR533 setting seems to be the sweetspot for me, 667+ setting is too unstable, and I havent messed with DDR400 setting. Still only putting 2.25v into my ram, not sure if I should put more and really try to push for 3.4ghz yet.

Another thing that I noticed is that the chipset gets HOT.


Anyways Im off to bed, going to leave orthos blend running overnight and hope for the best

[alpha0ne]

dammit Fr3ak I HATE IT when ppl post about good Biostar boards

Why..........................because I cant buy them in AU


Wanna send me your board when finished testing.................PLEASE

[Fr3ak]

The multipliers are weird on my board too, I can only get 9x or 4x, anything else and it still posts at 9x. I also can't figure out how to change CAS latency in the bios. I've got tRCD, tRP, tRAS all set right but I can't find CAS.

Don't have time to read all replies on this page now, so I will answer them later, after lunch.

I noticed that behavior too sometimes. When the multiplier seems to be stuck, no matter what you set, change FSB/HTT by a few MHz and it should be working. Above 355MHz FSB/HTT sometimes it gets stuck as well when trying to set higher values. I have to clear the cmos then and reload the settings, after that it usually works.

To set cas, you have to flash the bios to 612. I posted it in an earlier post.

[elfy_008]

ok if one more person shows up from Washington, I will scream since I am south of Oly.

And I think we have had mention in the thread of not one but two new possible Bios's's's, 612 and 718...

maybe the 718 will pop up soon for folks to try, if its stable and stuff.

If you fry the bios (say the power fails while flashing) what do you do with this particular board? Anything?

[Fr3ak]

If you fry the bios (say the power fails while flashing) what do you do with this particular board? Anything?

Unless you have a board with a dual bios (most Gigabyte boards have that) there are 2 things you can do:

First and easiest method is to buy a new bios chip. In Germany you can order new bios chips off ebay and tell the guy to flash whatever bios you want. Costs about 10 Euro here. Then you get the damages bios out and insert the new bios, which is pretty easy.

Second possibility is to hotflash the bios. That means you need one bios that is working fine (in most cases from a second board with a ok bios). You boot with the ok bios, remove the bios chip while the pc is running, insert the damages chip and flash it. I would prefer the first method, because the second method is very risky. The possibility to short something is quite high.

The bios chip on the TF560 A2+ looks different, it is a new and smaller bios chip, so maybe people selling bios chips need a new flashing device first in order to flash the bios.

[Fr3ak]

I havent tried past 330 HTT since im just seeing if I can get 3.2~ stable, then Ill go from there. Link to the updated bios on the first page is dead, so Im still using factory shipped bios.

Another thing that I noticed is that the chipset gets HOT.

I am sorry about the link, it seems to be dead. The FTP server is not my own, so I have no idea if or when it will be up again.

Everyone who wants the 612 bios PM me your email address and I will mail it to you.

Sorry about the link being dead.

dammit Fr3ak I HATE IT when ppl post about good Biostar boards

Why..........................because I cant buy them in AU


Wanna send me your board when finished testing.................PLEASE

Too bad you cannot get Biostar boards over there. Unfortunately in Germany Biostar doesn't release the same amount of boards that are available at Newegg, so I kind know that feeling.

I have been always happy with the boards I have owned. The bios had some glitches, but for a low budget boards, my board overclocked way better than average. The TFORCE 6100 S754 board I have hit 400MHz FSB at stock NB volts and stock cooling (Link). After that my superlocked Sempron was at its limit. With PCIE and onboard graphics, that board was really good considering it was 59 Euro when I got it. I am still using it on my bench rig right now

[bingo13]

0718 BIOS -

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/...N56BA718AT.rar

[Jimmer411]

0718 BIOS -

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/...N56BA718AT.rar

Thanks, going to test now

[Husky42]

ok if one more person shows up from Washington, I will scream since I am south of Oly.

hehe, oddly i've met quite a few people on random forums from Western Washington.

So I only have one thing i dont understand with this board.. or it could be vista.

When I do a complete shutdown (something i rarely do) but still it seems that its far too fast shutting down but my fans and power led stay on. I dont see anything that references this board to stay on for a few minutes at shut down and i'm positive that my wiring is correct (my HDD led and power LED work and everything else seems to be wired fine) - Has anybody else experienced this?

Another positive for this board is the onboard sound.. although Realtek the HD Digital is really nice vs my old Extigy sound card.

[Jimmer411]

Everything of mine apears to turn off, tho the LEDs do stay lit as long as the mobo has power.


My only issue is my temps are all funky in speedfan, 127C on 2 of my sensors no matter what, but that could be a bios issue. I couldnt find any documentation at all on those 0718 bios :/ Ima test the 0612 instead now. Thanks Fr3ak

[elfy_008]

bingo13 - thanks for the Bios link (unless I fubar my machine, in that case it was nice knowing you).


I too see the 127 speed on speedfan, I guess it will be a little while before some of the kinks are worked out..

I REALLY miss motherboard monitor on my old machine, that was so easy to set up, now I feel a little lost until I can sit and have a good read with SF's instructions.

After shutdown this mobo leaves my mouse LED lit, anyone find that annoying?


Some electronics do the soft power on/down cycles now, dont they? maybe this mobo does something like that as well.

[Fr3ak]

The 127C is a misread from speedfan. At least one sensors reports that value on about every board out there, so don't worry.

[elfy_008]

Ok, I updated t0 71B, ev3rything s33ms finw.

[Fr3ak]

I had a quick test of 718 and in terms of max oc, I had worse results than with 612. Not by much, just a few MHz, so the difference might be negligible. I did not notice any changes in the bios too.

[Plywood99]

Hmm, may have to give this board a try. Good replacement for my flakey Abit board I'm hoping...


Ply

[bingo13]

I had a quick test of 718 and in terms of max oc, I had worse results than with 612. Not by much, just a few MHz, so the difference might be negligible. I did not notice any changes in the bios too.

Brisbane overclocking improved a great deal for me (BE2300 to 3.3GHz), but at the same time latencies went through the roof. I had the same issue with the MSI board so NV is researching it now as results in most benchmarks just plummeted.