4CoreDual-SATA2 + E2180 + 7600GS AGP
Before I had 2x256MB DDR Kingmax PC3200U
- I overclocked without issues to 290FSB with ram using 4:3 at 217Mhz (2-3-3-9 1T). Rock stable. Did not test further, wainting for DDR2.
Now I've got 2x1GB DDR2 Geil 4-4-4-12 800Mhz
- Same 290FSB with ram using 1:1 at 290Mhz (3-3-3-9-21 1T). Rock stable.
- Everything over 290FSB I have to loosen ram timmings to 4-4-4-12-28 2T.
- I think I could do 330FSB if I'll do some volt modding, cause I can boot that high but it freezes from lack of voltage to the CPU.
2900Mhz seems to be my sweetspot as I have maximum memory perfomance, but I'll try to get to 3000Mhz with same ram setting.
I have replaced the boxed cooler with a Scythe Mine, and just for fun, even if I did not have issues like the others, I tried to do the BSEL mod. But where I live I cannot find Window Defrozer Repair Kit nor conductive tape. So I went to the kitchen, took an chocolate, eat it, and with a scissor cut a small part of staniol from the chocolate package in a U shape, and pressed it with the fingers to the CPU. No adezive, no nothing. I've installed the CPU, the cooler, and powered up. Surprise! It worked, I boot with 266FSB by default now
If i could do it, with my rather large fingers, anybody can do it.
To those that have problems.
- First, if you have PCIE VGA & also DDR2... find another suitable board, this board was meant to be run with old AGP card and DDR1, just in transition, so that you can buy at a later time DDR2, at a later time PCIE VGA and finally to replace the mainboard.
- For all others that are stucked with this board, consider to do the BSEL mod (proper, not like me )
- Some Bios options to consider:
* Flexibility = disabled highly recommended.
* Dont leave Memory speed on auto (select DDR-266... /DDR2-533....).
* Dont leave Memory timmings on auto if you know them (5-5-5-18 etc..).
* Leave PCIE, AGP & PCI Frequency at default (100, 66, 33).
* vRAM & vAGP = High
* V-link = Normal
* V-link Auto Disconnect = Enable
* Ide-Drive Strenght = High
* PCI Delay Transaction = Enable
* PCIE Downstream Pipeline = Disable
* Pipeline DRQCTL = Enable
* Fast writes can be disabled without sacrificing substantial performance
* Safe bet is to use 2T Command on RAM, but memory bandwith on read mostly will decrease
* Sometimes setting PCI Latency to 64 (default 32) helps.
* For AGP VGA users, PCI Latency tool for windows is a must...if the VGA latency is 256 by default, change it to 64. Helps in overclock, in problems with sound cracking etc.