GA-K8NS ULTRA 939 Any thoughts?

[mad mikee]

What experiences have you all had w/ this board since the beginning of the week (Max FSB, tweaks, etc) Please?
Thanks MikeE

Hmm I wonder how this might work on this board! Oh well that's for next week

[trans am]

I just ordered another one, 2 3200+OEM's and a ddr booster. I hope I get some Leprechauns!!!
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=46087

[TalonGSX]

Glad to hear your coming back to the fold Trans Am... Was starting to think that interest in this board died out when you sent yours back.

[trans am]

Glad to hear your coming back to the fold Trans Am... Was starting to think that interest in this board died out when you sent yours back.

After seeing Misteroadster's success with the board, how could anyone not want one? I still refuse to buy MSI, so this is the only viable option atm.

MSI=questionable integrity, bad track record
EPOX=low voltage options, nothing new
Gigabyte K8NS Ultra=a little quirky, but for less than $115, who can complain?

[MUCHO]

I'm going to get one more than likely...

[existz]

so do u all recommend this board over anyother board in its price range compared to getting a dfi ut 250gb and 3000+ 754?? ill be using 256x2 pdp xbl tccd and water

[trans am]

Here's a recent reply from gigabyte rep. regarding issues on K8ns ultra nf3:


(original message)

Question - 135992

From : alvin hayek [ alvinhayek@yahoo.com ]
Sent : 2004/11/21 09:20
Question : Need new bios to fix fsb issue. when raising high fsb (htt) you need to set htt at 201 then reboot, then you can raise to high htt. Also higher vdimm and vcore is also a must. Thanks.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Name : GA-K8NS Ultra-939
--------------------------
M/B Rev : 3232132123
BIOS Ver : 4
Serial No. : 1231215464
Purchase Dealer :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VGA Brand : Nvidia Model : 6800gt
CPU Brand : AMD Model : Speed :
Operation System : Win XP SP : 2
Memory Brand : Samsung Type :
Memory Size : Speed :
Power Supply : W

(response) Hi,

There are no option available for higher dimm voltage since it can damage the memory. Are there are issue running the system at default specs?

(my response)
Cmon, dont give me that default specs crap! You can't damage memory with 2.85 vdimm. This is an enthusiast motherboard and should have enthusiast overclocking settings. If this is the way Gigabyte feels, then me and every other ENTHUSIAST is going to buy DFI or Abit or MSI etc.. If Gigabyte is going to market to the enthusiast overclocking comunity then you need to do something about these issues now!

KNOWN issues with K8NSXP version and Ultra-nf3

max vdimm is 2.85v
tracks vtt
max vcore is 1.7v
bad vcore, unstable and fluctuates up to 1.95v under load
coldboot problems with high HTT
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 slitghly unstable
8x multi very unstable

runs great with bh5
runs great with ch5
runs great with samsung tccc
NO Memory Interleaving?

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

Please fix these issues!!!!!

[trans am]

Just got a reply from my last message.
Hi,

We have contacted our HQ and unfortunately they are unwilling to raise vdimm for this motherboard since it can damage the memory modules. We guaranatee to run stable at default specs. Are you experiencing any issue running the system at default speed?

my response:

OK, well, I guess I will be using an ocz ddr booster. aside from the vdimm, what about the htt issues? And the 9x multi issues? what if someone buys a 3000+ for this board that is a 9x multi Default. they are going to have problems because this board has issues with 9x multi. And to make it work out, one would need to drop multi and increase fsb, but since the board has issues at high fsb, then I guess they are out ot luck? we need a bios rev to fix this asap!!!

I wish misteroadster was here, he was able to do crazy htt with this thing.

http://pageperso.aol.fr/misteroadster/3GigWinnie2.JPG


OK, scratch the 9x multi issue. I read this whole thread again and Lithan was using the 9 multi just fine. Board should be here wednesday. As for my previous issues on this board, I've got my fingers crossed. I hope it works out.

[existz]

u tell em trans am

[MUCHO]

Board should be here wednesday. As for my previous issues on this board, I've got my fingers crossed. I hope it works out.

I'm hoping it works out because this MB is laid out perfect for my XP120 that is sitting here waiting to be put to use and I'm not too sure if I'll be using this Gigabyte or bending a capacitor...

[trans am]

Here's the latest reply from gigabyte regarding the 3000+ 939. note that the stock multi on this chip is 9x.
(me)
OK, well, I guess I will be using an ocz ddr booster. aside from the vdimm, what about the htt issues? And the 9x multi issues? what if someone buys a 3000+ for this board that is a 9x multi Default. they are going to have problems because this board has issues with 9x multi. And to make it work out, one would need to drop multi and increase fsb, but since the board has issues at high fsb, then I guess they are out ot luck? we need a bios rev to fix this asap!!!

Hi,

The default should be 10x, are there any issue running it at default specs?
We do not guaranatee overclocking. If not stable still at the default specs please list exactly what kind of issue it causes, when it occurs and what the error message indicates.

Thank you

HMMM? default on 3000+ is 10x??? Gigabyte can gigaBITE ME!!

[trans am]

OK I have great news!! just got another gigabyte ultra from ZZF today. Set everything up. turned it on and leds and fans running but no beeps. no post screen nothing! HEHEHE! It figures! with my luck I am not surprised. tested 2 cpus, took ram out, etc and same crap. yes my 12v is connected. lol. Anyway, already got rma number from ZZF. I know I said I wouldn't ever buy msi product again, but cmon, it can't be any worse than this POS. CAll me a sell out, but I can't take anymore chances with this board, msi neo2 on the way. oh, btw, popped the chipset heasink off and it's nf3 is made in taiwan and 0411 date? Could this be why we were getting crap clocks? I thought taiwan was the better chipset. but why the old date? Anywy, gigaBITE me!

[gonx_me]

HMMM? default on 3000+ is 10x??? Gigabyte can gigaBITE ME!!

My 939 0.09 3000+ the multiplier is 9x. i'm able to oc 'till 9x253Mhz (more/less)

[Chouny]

i can't use multiplier 9 and 10 with my K8NSNXP-939

it puts multiplier 5 when i look with cpu-z

[TalonGSX]

My GA-K8NS Ultra board has gone to the dogs too... was having problems with the voltage readings. My Negative volatages were absolute crap (-12v= -4-6v, -5=-1-3v)and my 5v was bouncing between 2-4.6v. At first I figured it was the program I was using to monitor the voltages. Then I started getting lock ups. I ran out to get a new power supply. My new RAM(HyperX 3200) and Vid card (BFG 6800 OC) came in that day as well so I swapped them all in. No change with the new power supply. To add insult to injury, the lousy Gigabyte board took out my new 6800 card, and now I have to RMA both of them. The power supplies are both MGE, one is a 500w that came with the Viper Case, and the other is the Vigor 400w.

Just doing my bit to perpetuate the Hit or Miss nature of this board.

[Benny Lodewijk]

I just brought K8NS Ultra-939 and flashed it with F5 BIOS (i received it from Gigabyte Taiwan). With my Winchester 3200+ 0432 TPMW and default HSF.



I need vmod for dimm to make my KHX 3200ULK2 runs 1:1. Any one can help me ?

[gonx_me]

Where can i get the F5 bios? All servers from Gigabyte only says F4. Noted any diference? I can't managed to get more than 242Mhz stable in my KN8S-ultra..

[Barr3l Rid3r]

I just brought K8NS Ultra-939 and flashed it with F5 BIOS (i received it from Gigabyte Taiwan). With my Winchester 3200+ 0432 TPMW and default HSF.



I need vmod for dimm to make my KHX 3200ULK2 runs 1:1. Any one can help me ?

It seems that the layout of these boards looks exactly the same as K8NS Pro and K8N Pro so you probably can do the same vdimm mod as this one here:

http://219.113.251.125/c-board/c-boa...;tree=2245;id=

[misteroadster]

[Barr3l Rid3r]

Direct mod sux for TCCD, adjustable one is better

[gonx_me]

Are all SATA pci-locked? Or only the near AGP?

[trans am]

Are all SATA pci-locked? Or only the near AGP?

Well one smart thing gigabyte did was ditched the sata ports 1 and 2 that are known issues on the nf3. they added a sil image controller instead to compensate. so yes all the sata ports are locked.

[Benny Lodewijk]

Direct mod sux for TCCD, adjustable one is better

What kind of VR used if i want to mod with adjustable vmod ???

BIOS F5 for GA-K8NS Ultra-939 you can download it here http://www.geocities.com/benny_nejkt/BIOS_F5.zip

[trans am]

What does the f5 bios fix?

[Benny Lodewijk]

They said this BIOS fix more compatibility with D0 stepping for Winchester.