AM2 690G OC'ing?

[AlvinKlein]

I just updated to that Biostar april 2nd bios yesterday. It's in english.

I'm running a 3600 brisbane with 2 sticks of 512mb Kingston 667 valuerams. I haven't tried much o/c but when I tried to set cpu clock 250, I got the "your system is running safe mode" message. I've used 230 & 240 so far, no issues.

The manual says there's a "smart fan" feature in the "pc health" area, but it's not there on my system.

 

[pollyp]

Gary posted Biostar performace bios, unfortunatelly without commenting on performance.

Anyone care to try it out and see if they reach 300 ?

 

[najames]

I reinstalled XP, installed Biostars Winflash, installed Gary's BIOS 419. It adds virtualization and CNQ to the menus, don't know what else. CNQ doesn't seem to work. BIOS CNQ settings are auto (also for all others) and power savings in XP is minimal and it still reads 1.9GHz in CPU-Z and System in Control panel. It seems to have have removed the "warning safe meode exceeded" or whatever it was too.

I set core to 1.3V, lowered multi to 5, HT to 600, and clock to 266 and it was a no-go as before. Likely needs more volts, and I ain't jacking with it more right now. Someone else here like, uuhhhhhmmmm, WHOBEDAPLAYA, can test it more or wait for Gary.

I can tell you that I tried all 3 auto overclock settings fron CPU-Z
V6 - 2089Mhz (220x9.5), 1.29V, HT=1100
V8 - 2184Mhz (230x9.5), 1.29V, HT=1150
V12 - 2280Mhz (240x9.5), 1.29V, HT=1200

I reset it all to normal and voltage to 1.1V (1.074ish in CPU-Z).

Time to go watch the back side of my eyelids.

 

[noee]

I built up one of these about a week ago and have been messing with it since then to work out some issues. Here are the specs:

NSK2400
Replaced the Tri-cools with 2 Yate Loons, 5V
TR SI-128 (passive)
Brisbane 3600 X2
SuperTalent 2x1GB DDR2 667
XPSP2 32-bit

I'm on that 4/19 BIOS right now and it's got a coupla issues. One is that after resume from Standby (S3), the "automatic overclocking" resets to normal mode, BIOS still says "V12".

I reported this to Biostar and they're to have a fix soon. Also, I reported the "missing" Smart Fan settings in the BIOS, they say it's been removed, in lieu of the new Windows-based Fan Control Utility. I've reported some issues with that.

I was able to boot/load Windows @ 260, memory @ 533, more volts, but it was not stable running SP2004. Ended up being stable at 250, memory AUTO at 2.05V.

There is apparently a problem with the Brisbane DTS, basically it's not reliable. I have very cool BIOS numbers under PC Health, I have 10+C numbers using the Biostar Hardware Monitor in Windows and CoreTemp reports insanely low temps, simply cannot be accurate.

Everest reports a "CPU Temp", but it never changes from 40 degrees C, no matter what I do. Speed fan is the same. SPeedFan does not yet support the chipset, but I've submitted the info to Alfredo, so he's on it I presume.

RMClock totally screwed me up when I tried it, but then, I'm not very familiar with it. I could never get it to throttle down and when enabling managment features in RMClock, it would eventually end in an hard-lock.

Looking forward to hearing some more from other folks. For an mATX board, I am extremely impressed with this first-run unit. I will build at least two more machines with this board.

 

[AlvinKlein]

There's a new bios posted by Isman today in the mATX Roundup thread, it's from 4/27. It adds the smart fan to the bios. Haven't noticed anything else yet.

Edit: there is also new AMD G690 chipset drivers dated 4/30/07 at biostar's website.
http://www.biostar.com.tw/t-series/download/download.php

 

[pollyp]

Originally posted by: noee
I built up one of these ... Here are the specs:

NSK2400
Replaced the Tri-cools with 2 Yate Loons, 5V
TR SI-128 (passive)
Brisbane 3600 X2

I am building a very similar system with the brisbane, nsk2400 case and 1 nexus fan. I will start with the stock cooler since I weren't sure if a Silverstone NT01 v2 heatsink will fit. I need to take some measurements once I have the motherboard next week.
Do you cool it passivelly with the si-128 as I seen others do?

I reported this to Biostar and they're to have a fix soon. Also, I reported the "missing" Smart Fan settings in the BIOS, they say it's been removed, in lieu of the new Windows-based Fan Control Utility. I've reported some issues with that.

Nice to hear that they seem to listen. To which biostar support did you send it to? The websites are not up-to-date at all, I usually dont trust such manufactures.
Is the smartfan setting in bios being replaced by Biostar software instead? Hmmm.

I was able to boot/load Windows @ 260, memory @ 533, more volts, but it was not stable running SP2004. Ended up being stable at 250, memory AUTO at 2.05V.

Too bad. Did you also raise the voltage of the SB/NB so that it won't slow you down?

Too bad about fanspeed and rmclock, I really need to get them to work. I will try them out once I get the board.

Keep this thread alive by posting your results here please.

 

[noee]

here's a new bios posted by Isman today in the mATX Roundup thread, it's from 4/27. It adds the smart fan to the bios.

Okay, just loaded this up and yes, I can confirm. However, there is a "Starting PWN" setting that is questionable. But it does give the ability to bring the fan RPM way down at startup.

Edit: there is also new AMD G690 chipset drivers dated 4/30/07 at biostar's website.

Yeah, I loaded this up and it seems to be fine, though I can't verify the HDCP fixes right now. I did not load the new SB600 driver pkg yet, I'm dial up and it's a huge download.

I will say, I tried to load the new 7.4 ATI Catalyst driver and it was a disaster. The Control Center works, but the driver does not recognize the X1250, instead it thinks it's an X1200, and it caused all kinds of problems. I went back to the driver version from Biostar.

Do you cool it passivelly with the si-128 as I seen others do?

I am playing around with both options: A 120mm fan (4pin and 3pin) on the 128 and with no fan at all. Passively, I am using two case fans at 5V.

Did you also raise the voltage of the SB/NB so that it won't slow you down?

I don't recall what I had set up, it took me a little while to get something bootable. When I get my fan situation settled, I'll go back and see what more I can come up with. Perhaps there will be yet another BIOS update by then.

 

[pollyp]

noee - could you upload an image of the inside of your case so I can see how the processor on the Biostar board aligns with the two 120mm fans on the nsk2400 ?

I'd really appreciate it.

 

[noee]

Follow the link below to a few pics, please excuse the cable mess, I'm in constant experimentation ATM. I'm testing a Scythe "E" model (7V) with the Yate Loon (5V) and I have the Arctic Cooler Freezer Pro 64 (this cooler is actually too tall for the NSK2400) in there now. You can get a good idea on the spacing, there is quite a bit of space, even with both fans in there.

It's hard not to be impressed with this whole pkg.

TA690G Pics w/Both Case Fans

 

[pollyp]

Thanks alot Noee.
I compared ta690g official images and yours with other boards that I know can use the silverstone nt01 in the nsk2400 (eg Asus P5B-VM DO or Intel DG965OT).

It looks like with the TA690g:

- The NT01 should fit but the cpu is further away from the fans (no problem since one can duct a tunnel). It will come close to the back intake but I think the plastic "wall" will still fit.

- The cpu seems to be just between the two 120mm fans (which makes it less effective especially if I only want to use one of the fans).

I will have to think a bit more before I decide. I might choose the SI-128 now when the NT01 is not a perfect fit.
Thanks again for the pictures!

 

[AlvinKlein]

That 4/30 driver set from Biostar's website seems to give me sound problem over HDMI. I got garbled sound from my TV after installing it. I installed Cat 7.3 (with ATI southbridge driver) and that fixed my problem.

 

[noee]

Re: the TA690G, I have been testing a BIOS version from BIostar that fixes the following:

SmartFan setup in BIOS
S3 resume CnQ/Auto Overclock bug (After resume, Auto Overclock settings were not being honored)
CPU temp sensor reporting to the Hardware Monitoring Utility (I'm not sure what they did here, but it now jives with the BIOS readings)

So far, I've found only one other problem. When manually setting the Vcore, when resuming from S3 suspend, the manual set Vcore setting is not honored. They are looking into to this one too.

I must say, Biostar's tech support has been really good with me on these BIOS issues. I am very impressed by their responsiveness and ability to get the problems solved quickly.

 

[pollyp]

I have received my TA690G board and tried some OCing this weekend.

Using the shipped 0309 bios and a Brisbane 3600+, I can run 310x9=2790mhz and 300x9,5=2850mhz.

This is with AMD stock cooling running two SP2004 stresstest.

I have not had time to test the other bios' since it has been a joy clocking so far.

The bios is a little hard to understand, with lots of settings, so you need to fiddle alot.
Noee and I have been discussing our findings and his board is running at least 295.

I'll see if we can write down some undocumented findings and explain some menus if anyone is interested.

 

[rexian96]

Originally posted by: pollyp
I have received my TA690G board and tried some OCing this weekend.

Using the shipped 0309 bios and a Brisbane 3600+, I can run 310x9=2790mhz and 300x9,5=2850mhz.

This is with AMD stock cooling running two SP2004 stresstest.

I have not had time to test the other bios' since it has been a joy clocking so far.

The bios is a little hard to understand, with lots of settings, so you need to fiddle alot.
Noee and I have been discussing our findings and his board is running at least 295.

I'll see if we can write down some undocumented findings and explain some menus if anyone is interested.

How stable is it and what are the temps? What memory are you using? Have you tried playing 1080p H264? I'd be interested if it can manage 1080p H264 videos ( I don't expect it to play HD-DVD/BD without a strong CPU though).

 

[AlvinKlein]

Originally posted by: pollyp

I'll see if we can write down some undocumented findings and explain some menus if anyone is interested.

Sure. I haven't done much o/c. I only use the auto o/c settings so far. I tried manual o/c settings with limited success. I got my Brisbane 3600+ barely over 250x9.5.

 

[noee]

Just a few notes on the Biostar 690G:

The 0508 BIOS moves the CPU Vcore and multiplier to the OC engine menu. CnQ voltage and clockspeeds are retained after resume from S3.

I'm running 2x1GB SuperTalent DDR2 667.

If you leave the CPU multi to AUTO, then the memory divider is at 10 for 400, 7 for 533 and 6 for 667. AFAIK, you can't change the MEM divider manually.

After some quick and dirty attempts, I've gone back and I am moving up to find a stable setup.

Currently running:

FSB: 285
Vcore: 1.264 (CPUz) 1.325 in BIOS
Multi: AUTO (9.5)
Memory: DDR2 400/10 = 270
Mem voltage: 2.05
HT: x3, 1.25V
NB/SB: 1.3V

Orthos has been going for a few hours and temps are in the 47-49C range, ambient is 21C, ATM. And I have CnQ set to AUTO and it actually works.

Edit: wrong CPU vcore.

 

[thorhammer]

My experience with Biostar 690G:

With Thermaltake Big Typhoon CPU cooler installed - it is impossible to insert RAM module into slot nearest to CPU.

Due to it is impossible to set the "Max Asinc Latency" memory timing manually (i'v checked BIOSes: 508, 309 and all from biostar.cn), i can't reach more than 264 MHz FSB with Windsor 3800+ F2.
Maximum stable FSB with Brisbane 4000+ is 312 MHz.

PS:
CPU, HT and memory dividers have been decreased, while all voltages increased during attempts to rise FSB frequency.

 

[thorhammer]

312 MHz FSB: http://img161.imageshack.us/im...ime95800x60097kji2.jpg

 

[kilgoreT]

Originally posted by: najames This rig will be a Linux PC and I plan on installing VMware Player and some Win2000/XP VMs in case I need Micro$oft apps like TurboTax.

Any news on the linux compatibility for this board? I'm considering this board vs the tf7050 for my main desktop. I'm looking for quiet, small, IGP for now, linux support and the ability to overclock

Also, can one simutaneously output video from dvi and hdmi?

 

[najames]

I know this is a late post. I have not been watching this thread, no time. I have been running Ubuntu 64bit with a 3600 Brisbane for a long time. It seems there was a video issue on it during install. I may have used vesa drivers, then switched to generic ATI drivers later as I recall.

I also had to run sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg to make graphics set up for running 1280x1024 on a 19" LCD through a VGA 4 port KVM. I think every distro has required this to date. I tried once to check the enhanced video option and it puked, haven't touched it since. I may give it a try again this week.

I switched from VGA to DVI tonight. It is saying the input is out of range for the monitor until Ubuntu starts up. I have no idea why or where to set it in the BIOS yet. I am running an old bios however. Video blinks once in a while with DVI so far, maybe 5 times tonight. I'll check it more if it happens.

I can not comment on HDMI because I don't have anything using it.