**Official DFI LanParty UT 790FX-M2R Review/Overclock/Guide Thread**

[KTE]

Is there a bios version out ther with cpu vid/nb vid options in addition to vcore/vcorenb?

You don't don't need Voltage OFFSET when you have the actual voltage for the IMC to change within BIOS. The NB voltage will change to what you set it, VID doesnt matter.

My ram problem seems solved .

I put cheap ram -> boot ok
Then i remove this ram and put OCZ -> system boot up

Strange...

It means the OCZ RAM had timing oproblems with the MB/Phenom/BIOS.

[Rammsteiner]

You don't don't need Voltage OFFSET when you have the actual voltage for the IMC to change within BIOS. The NB voltage will change to what you set it, VID doesnt matter.

Does the CPU NB Voltage Control have effect on AM2 CPU's as well or only Phenoms? And if it does work for AM2, what's the default Voltage?

[KTE]

I'm not sure what the default X2 CPU NB volts are TBH, as they should all differ based on CPU VCore. IIRC, the VCore and IMC are fed the same voltage on K8's and the BIOS won't allow you to choose vCPU NB with an X2 separately (IME) whereas with Phenom the power states are separate and both can be fed different voltages. Can you choose vCPU-NB manually with a K8 Rammsteiner?

If you see it in the BIOS when X2 is installed then it will be a setting for it. Only options you see changeable when you install a CPU are those that support it. From my memory, it wasn't there with a X2 BE-2350 on the ASUS or the DFI 790Fx.

[justapost]

I'm not sure what the default X2 CPU NB volts are TBH, as they should all differ based on CPU VCore. IIRC, the VCore and IMC are fed the same voltage on K8's and the BIOS won't allow you to choose vCPU NB with an X2 separately (IME) whereas with Phenom the power states are separate and both can be fed different voltages. Can you choose vCPU-NB manually with a K8 Rammsteiner?

If you see it in the BIOS when X2 is installed then it will be a setting for it. Only options you see changeable when you install a CPU are those that support it. From my memory, it wasn't there with a X2 BE-2350 on the ASUS or the DFI 790Fx.

Yepp can only speak for the latest stable DFI bios, you can choose NB-voltage for X" cpu's. Have not tried if it has an impact.

[lemans81]

Speedfan locked my board, when it worked. It would lock the system and require a push of the reset button. And then it would lock at the bios load screen, so I would have to do a cmos reset to get it to boot. I tried it several times and speedfan was the only thing that would do it.

DFI called today to tell me that my rma number has changed....thats it....I was a bit baffled.

[Rammsteiner]

I'm not sure what the default X2 CPU NB volts are TBH, as they should all differ based on CPU VCore. IIRC, the VCore and IMC are fed the same voltage on K8's and the BIOS won't allow you to choose vCPU NB with an X2 separately (IME) whereas with Phenom the power states are separate and both can be fed different voltages. Can you choose vCPU-NB manually with a K8 Rammsteiner?

If you see it in the BIOS when X2 is installed then it will be a setting for it. Only options you see changeable when you install a CPU are those that support it. From my memory, it wasn't there with a X2 BE-2350 on the ASUS or the DFI 790Fx.

I can select it yes. I looked on the Sapphire site on the BIOS settings pdf as well and it doesnt have the 'Phenom only' note with it either.

I didnt change the actual voltage, only the Special Add up to 10% as Ive no clue what the default Voltage should be like and, maybe sounds strange, I dont feel like burning the IMC down. I didnt find a stability increase with adding 10% though for CPU OC. Didnt test it for memory yet because I was thinking the actual CPU-NBVID might be decreased if you dont set the actualy Voltage manually while you add a Voltage increase?

There's nowhere a default Voltage to be found for it shamefully, neither in the BIOS setup pdf for AMD X2 CPU's. Though it does clearly show the X2 Architecture has a so called Northbridge but no info about it apart it has the memory controller and HT links in it.

[KTE]

Didnt test it for memory yet because I was thinking the actual CPU-NBVID might be decreased if you dont set the actualy Voltage manually while you add a Voltage increase?

VID will stay at default unless you increase it. Voltage is usually above the VID AFAIK.

IIRC, the X2 5000+ BE had a 1.4V vCPU-NB. I'm not sure though... memory is vague after seeing so many BIOSes.

There's nowhere a default Voltage to be found for it shamefully, neither in the BIOS setup pdf for AMD X2 CPU's. Though it does clearly show the X2 Architecture has a so called Northbridge but no info about it apart it has the memory controller and HT links in it.

If you boot-up at stock settings into the BIOS, what voltage does it show, if any?

If you change the VID, does the core voltage differ? Can you try using the different hardware monitor tools to see if they pick up any voltage chnage in-line with what you chnaged from->to?

[Rammsteiner]

VID will stay at default unless you increase it. Voltage is usually above the VID AFAIK.

IIRC, the X2 5000+ BE had a 1.4V vCPU-NB. I'm not sure though... memory is vague after seeing so many BIOSes.

If you boot-up at stock settings into the BIOS, what voltage does it show, if any?

If you change the VID, does the core voltage differ? Can you try using the different hardware monitor tools to see if they pick up any voltage chnage in-line with what you chnaged from->to?

I tried different software monitoring tools though Im very carefully by doing so since some of them can kill hardware due to BIOS, interupts or something.
CoreTemp, Everest, CPU-Z, SmartGuardian, AOD, Systool and BIOS self dont show anything.

Everest says I/O Current 1.2V + 2.5V... No clue what that would mean... Dont think 2.5V would be a safe setting though.

[justapost]

I go for the other end of ocing here atm. At 2.3GHz I run at 1.1625V vcore and 1.1V vcorenb. All other chipset voltages at lowest possible settings and ram at 1.8V. Gave me an power saving of ~10-18W AV (idle-load). Still going for the lowest stable vcorenb.
You might just test stability with a lower vcorenb and an k8 cpu also.
AMD Power Monitor shows 1.25V for CPU and NB VID (that's why I asked for those settings in the bios) also none of the everset sensors are related to that setting. Can try it under linux the it87 module can be used together with lmsensors to read the super-io chip.

[justapost]

Reached the lowest possible voltages at 2.3GHz with an BE9600 now:

Vcore: 1.1625V
Vnbcore: 1.0625V
SB: 1.2V
NBcore: 1.12V
NBpcie: 1.12V
NBht: 1.03V

Beside the Sapphire Mobo and the BE9600 i used 2GB crucial ballistix 6400 tracers and HD2600XT gfx and an old U2W sata adapter with an 18GB 10000RPM IBM hd (lost too many sata hd's so i use old stuff for testing).

At stock voltages the system required ~220W AC under prim95 load. With optimized voltages it requires ~197W AC now. Also the cpu temp dropped ~3°C.

I did all this to make sure voltage limits will occure in early stages of overclocking. Guess it's saver to gain experiences with lower clock speeds and voltages.

[KTE]

At stock voltages the system required ~220W AC under prim95 load.

Wow, that's 55W AC more than mine requires stock P95 loaded and yet you have basically a very near exact config to mine, though I have 1 more SATAII HD + Zalman fanmate + extra 120mm fan.

When I undervolt mine to near exact volts as yours, it requires 143W AC fully loaded at stock speeds.

The PSU is 83% efficient from 151W-213W AC, 81% efficient from 110W-148W AC and 78% efficient 87W-110W AC.

[justapost]

Wow, that's 55W AC more than mine requires stock P95 loaded and yet you have basically a very near exact config to mine, though I have 1 more SATAII HD + Zalman fanmate + extra 120mm fan.

When I undervolt mine to near exact volts as yours, it requires 143W AC fully loaded at stock speeds.

The PSU is 83% efficient from 151W-213W AC, 81% efficient from 110W-148W AC and 78% efficient 87W-110W AC.

Hmm I have a fanmate connected to the cpu fan two amd stock cooler fans for pwm and chipset cooling and one additional 12cm fan. Should not make more than 15W difference. I'll try it with two sata disc and without the Scsi and audio stuff for better comparison.

EDIT: Now with mobo/ram/cpu one additional 8cm fan and two 500GB sata hd's Maxtor 7H500F0 and WD WD500SYS Raid Edition and one LG IDE DVD-Writer (forgott to mention before). Temps(SG)/Fanspeed CPU 42°C/1240RPM PWM 42°C/2200RPM at 22°C ambient in open case.

Idle:
124.5W AC / 99.5W DC (79.9%)

Load:
198W AC / 159W DC (81.5%)

Compared to 143W AC/111.5W DC so yeah 50-55W difference. On the M3A the system required 172W AC / 140W DC on a setup with an HD2400pro (- 10-15W difference) just one ide hd ( - 2-5 W), no dvd drive ( - 2-5 W) and no extra fan (- 2-5W). Add 15-30W AC and it's equivalent to the saphhire/dfi mobo. Used an 9500 at 2.2GHz 1.18V cpu vid/1.075 nb vid here.

[Undersea]

I just picked up the DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS .

Just booted into bios and the northbridge is a little toasty at 54c. It is hot to the touch.

Does that seem a little warm to everyone? I have a small heatsink I could install on it.

I'll post some screenies once I finish building it. Nice motherboard wonder if my 5000+ black will run faster on it?

[KTE]

Hmm I have a fanmate connected to the cpu fan two amd stock cooler fans for pwm and chipset cooling and one additional 12cm fan.

Is all this extra cooling necessary?

MSI board doesn't need any chipset cooling, only PWM airflow is recommended. I've primed mine at 2.64GHz many times with just the stock heatsink/fan without problems.

Idle:
124.5W AC / 99.5W DC (79.9&#37

Load:
198W AC / 159W DC (81.5%)

Compared to 143W AC/111.5W DC so yeah 50-55W difference. On the M3A the system required 172W AC / 140W DC on a setup with an HD2400pro (- 10-15W difference) just one ide hd ( - 2-5 W), no dvd drive ( - 2-5 W) and no extra fan (- 2-5W). Add 15-30W AC and it's equivalent to the saphhire/dfi mobo. Used an 9500 at 2.2GHz 1.18V cpu vid/1.075 nb vid here.

What AOD button color do you have whilst measuring power?

Your idle/load is a lot more than mine, all my Phenoms have been much lower load at stock. I am idling 108-111W AC right now with this setup:

27C ambient
AOD button = yellow
9600BE 204x12.5 (2550MHz) 1.25VID 1.320V
1836MHz HT 1.250V
1836MHz NB 1.25VID
Stock HSF @ 5V 1500RPM
1x Delta (220CFM) 120mm @ 5V 750RPM
Zalman Fanmate
2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer @ 2.2V 1088 5-5-5-15-11
2x WD Caviar SE SATA II 76/78GB HDs
1x Seagate 7200.9 SATA II 500GB HD
1x Plextor PX608AL DVD-Re (IDE)
Sapphire HD 2600XT stock 24% fanspeed
2x USB HID peripherals
1x 1Gb LAN
Antec Earthwatts 430W

Just booted into bios and the northbridge is a little toasty at 54c. It is hot to the touch.

You mean the RD790? It's a very cool chip by design, I've no idea how it could be that hot at stock. Mine have all idled low temps. Looks like they may have a bad contact/heatsink. Post pics of the board and esp. the PWM/NB please.

[Undersea]

Is all this extra cooling necessary?

You mean the RD790? It's a very cool chip by design, I've no idea how it could be that hot at stock. Mine have all idled low temps. Looks like they may have a bad contact/heatsink. Post pics of the board and esp. the PWM/NB please.

You got it:

Before:

[madfaze]

yummy!!

[Sparky]

I just bought a 790FX-M2RS to go with my Phenom 9600BE. It has arrived at home but I won't be able to pick it up until next weekend

Is the only difference between these two DFI boards the number of bells and whistles that they have? Looks like the M2R has more SATA, dual gigabit lan, an extra PCIe x4 slot, some better sound and chipset cooling. Power circuitry looks a bit different too (M2RS has analog and M2R has digital it looks like).

I'm guessing the chip above the PCIe slots is the northbridge right, and the one to the right of the slots is the southbridge? I have my HR-05 I'm planning on sticking on it to help cool it better than stock, plus the phenom will go under water

[Undersea]

I just bought a 790FX-M2RS to go with my Phenom 9600BE. It has arrived at home but I won't be able to pick it up until next weekend

Is the only difference between these two DFI boards the number of bells and whistles that they have? Looks like the M2R has more SATA, dual gigabit lan, an extra PCIe x4 slot, some better sound and chipset cooling. Power circuitry looks a bit different too (M2RS has analog and M2R has digital it looks like).

I'm guessing the chip above the PCIe slots is the northbridge right, and the one to the right of the slots is the southbridge? I have my HR-05 I'm planning on sticking on it to help cool it better than stock, plus the phenom will go under water

Oh man its a sweet board. Makes me wish I has another 2900pro for crossfire. Northbridge is a little toasty.

[KTE]

Nice Undersea.
Those PWM heatsinks do look weak compared to the copper other RD790 boards are getting. I suppose that's the reason for the hotness, not enough air going over them nor enough thermal resistance.

[justapost]

Hmm, I hoped this mobo's chipset and pwm does noot get as hot as the M2R version. Looks like no difference. Guess it's a good pick if you plan to watercool the whole thing.

Played only with the cpu multi yesterday after i reached the lowest possible voltages.

Had to increase only vcore
11.5: 1.16250V idle 124.5W AC load 195.0W AC
12.0: 1.17500V idle 125.5W AC load 199.5W AC
12.5: 1.20625V idle 127.5W AC load 207.0W AC
13.0: 1.26875V idle 134.0W AC load 226.0W AC

The setting with the 13x multi seems to be unstable it froze over night. I rerun prime95 with tlb-cache disabled now.
Also I tried an 13.5V multi with ~1.4V vcore but it froze during or short after windows boot. Pushing other voltages did not help.
Tried to upp the ref HT with a 13x multi but the system freezes after minutes if I only add 2MHz, same with other voltages, pushing em did not help.

[justapost]

2.6GHz with a 13 multi freezes every now and then, going back to 2.5GHz now and will increase the ref HT.

Is all this extra cooling necessary?

MSI board doesn't need any chipset cooling, only PWM airflow is recommended. I've primed mine at 2.64GHz many times with just the stock heatsink/fan without problems.

Only one 8cm fan on the pwm area is needed the other two provide the airflow in the case. I leave em on because I will need em at higher clocks and I want no steps in my power consumption mesurements.

What AOD button color do you have whilst measuring power?

Yellow but no difference in green mode (maybe ~2W).

Your idle/load is a lot more than mine, all my Phenoms have been much lower load at stock. I am idling 108-111W AC right now with this setup:

27C ambient
AOD button = yellow
9600BE 204x12.5 (2550MHz) 1.25VID 1.320V
1836MHz HT 1.250V
1836MHz NB 1.25VID
Stock HSF @ 5V 1500RPM
1x Delta (220CFM) 120mm @ 5V 750RPM
Zalman Fanmate
2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer @ 2.2V 1088 5-5-5-15-11
2x WD Caviar SE SATA II 76/78GB HDs
1x Seagate 7200.9 SATA II 500GB HD
1x Plextor PX608AL DVD-Re (IDE)
Sapphire HD 2600XT stock 24% fanspeed
2x USB HID peripherals
1x 1Gb LAN
Antec Earthwatts 430W

With the HD2600XT I get ~120-130W AC idle on three different boards and optimized low cpu voltages. M2A-VM has the lowest power consumption but it's still higher that yours.
You don't have an other mobo for comparison?

[Undersea]

Nice Undersea.
Those PWM heatsinks do look weak compared to the copper other RD790 boards are getting. I suppose that's the reason for the hotness, not enough air going over them nor enough thermal resistance.

Running 45c or so now with case closed. I've had a few motherboards in my day but WOW is there allot of Bios settings I don't understand.

The Beta amd overdrive seems to work well with my 5000+ Black. Playing with it now. I'll have screenies tonight.

[KTE]

Yellow but no difference in green mode (maybe ~2W).

No full load difference either?

With the HD2600XT I get ~120-130W AC idle on three different boards and optimized low cpu voltages. M2A-VM has the lowest power consumption but it's still higher that yours.

Well, I'm at 2.7GHz 1.392V now and with the above exact setup I'm idling 113W AC typing this (maybe 1W less full idle) without CnQ.

You didn't state your GPU clock and fanspeeds? They make a big difference.

Tried the Phenom/HD 2600XT on three other boards many times but didn't record figures and do power testing because I wasn't going to use them. Only have 3 other Intel boards here, waiting to buy a 780G when it releases for my X2 BE. Was going to get rid of 790Fx setup this Friday but I'm waiting just for one more BIOS anytime now.

[Sparky]

Nice Undersea.
Those PWM heatsinks do look weak compared to the copper other RD790 boards are getting. I suppose that's the reason for the hotness, not enough air going over them nor enough thermal resistance.

I started thinking about that thermalright cooler for them. Question is, which one.

[ZL1Killa]

talking about the mosfet coolers? yeh i was just going to get the upright ones... and there is a store that has them for 17$ US versus the normal 20$ US price tag

I just got my board today . I will be installing it probably the 2nd week in march... yeh don't have time to do it now..this weekend is senior design and hwk... i might be able to do it this week... might just have to MAKE time for it