ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: zanna21hg
in a few days im going to buy this matherboard but im wondering about compability with C2D E4400, this CPU is not in the official CPU support list

It may not be on the list yet but it should work with this mobo for sure.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: timzak

Originally posted by: ramjet428
I am interested in getting some good benchmarks, I havent had too much luck with 3DMARK05 or 06, seems they dont like my ancient AGP card...

What would you suggest?

I am not a gamer, I mainly use my computer to record, edit and burn DVD's. I have been recording lots of tv show, mostly SCI-FI and then editing out the commercials.

On my old Athlon 64 3200+ system, I could encode a 42 min program in 5 min. and 720 X 480 DVD resolution at 7000BPS, now I can do the same in less than 3 minutes. It also tends to be a good stress test of the processor, ram and HD's as you can imagine...

Yeah, your video card will be the limiting factor in all graphics testing, so 3dmarks or game benchmarks will be useless to you. Like you, I also have an encoding benchmark I use...basically just encode a movie DVD with Nero Recode and jot down the time reported. When using "High Quality Encode" it really stresses the cpu. My previous system used an Athlon XP 2.4Ghz. This new c2d is about 13% faster at standard encoding, but with high quality encoding, the c2d is 2.5X faster. Other good cpu benchmarks are Cinebench and SuperPI. Almost every review site uses one or both so you can directly compare your system to those in reviews.

Can you provide example times between your 2 PCs for "standard encoding" and "high quality" encoding?

I use the PC in my sigy and am considering upgrading to the E4400 and this mobo. It usually takes my PC ~1 hour or so to encode/burn a movie.

Also, I use the freeby "standard" Nero to burn which came with my burner. What exactly does Nero Recode do to make it "high quality encoding"?

As a reference point, I read in PC Gamer Magazine last year that a PC with a E6700 (at 3.6 GHz) took 12 minutes to "transcode" (not quite sure if transcode is the same as encode) a ~7 GB movie whereas a Pentium 4 (at 3.0 GHz) took 4 hours.

Thanks,

Budarow

 

[timzak]

Originally posted by: Budarow

Originally posted by: timzak

Originally posted by: ramjet428
I am interested in getting some good benchmarks, I havent had too much luck with 3DMARK05 or 06, seems they dont like my ancient AGP card...

What would you suggest?

I am not a gamer, I mainly use my computer to record, edit and burn DVD's. I have been recording lots of tv show, mostly SCI-FI and then editing out the commercials.

On my old Athlon 64 3200+ system, I could encode a 42 min program in 5 min. and 720 X 480 DVD resolution at 7000BPS, now I can do the same in less than 3 minutes. It also tends to be a good stress test of the processor, ram and HD's as you can imagine...

Yeah, your video card will be the limiting factor in all graphics testing, so 3dmarks or game benchmarks will be useless to you. Like you, I also have an encoding benchmark I use...basically just encode a movie DVD with Nero Recode and jot down the time reported. When using "High Quality Encode" it really stresses the cpu. My previous system used an Athlon XP 2.4Ghz. This new c2d is about 13% faster at standard encoding, but with high quality encoding, the c2d is 2.5X faster. Other good cpu benchmarks are Cinebench and SuperPI. Almost every review site uses one or both so you can directly compare your system to those in reviews.

Can you provide example times between your 2 PCs for "standard encoding" and "high quality" encoding?

I use the PC in my sigy and am considering upgrading to the E4400 and this mobo. It usually takes my PC ~1 hour or so to encode/burn a movie.

Also, I use the freeby "standard" Nero to burn which came with my burner. What exactly does Nero Recode do to make it "high quality encoding"?

As a reference point, I read in PC Gamer Magazine last year that a PC with a E6700 (at 3.6 GHz) took 12 minutes to "transcode" (not quite sure if transcode is the same as encode) a ~7 GB movie whereas a Pentium 4 (at 3.0 GHz) took 4 hours.

Thanks,

Budarow

Recode compresses a dual-layer DVD to fit on a 4.7GB disc. HQ mode I guess does a better job of compressing without loss of quality. When recoding (shrinking to 4.7GB) a dual-layer movie, the Athlon XP @ 2.4Ghz took 21 minutes and the E4300 @ 2.4Ghz takes 8.5 minutes. This is just the encoding process--the movie is already extracted from the DVD onto the hard drive.

Your freeby version might still come with Recode. Download the latest update from Nero and see if it installs when you run the update patch. Also, try reinstalling from your CD to see if maybe it just wasn't installed the first time.

Good luck.

 

[ramjet428]

Hi Budarow,

In answer to your question, I am using an HD DVR Box to record TV series and movies to its own internal drive, then when I have time I play the video back and record using my computer's TV card.

I am using Ulead DVD MovieFactory 4 and 6 to record and then edit out commercials, if any. Then after that is done the file needs to be re-encoded.

My older Athlon 64 3200+ system could do a 42 minute TV show in 5 minutes. My new Code 2 Duo E4300 is running at 2.4GHz and can do the same video in 3 minutes flat. If that video were 2 hrs long that would take approx 9 min. My older system takes 12-14 minutes to do a 2 hour movie.

I highly recommend Ulead DVD Moviefactory as it makes it very easy to re-encode video, and make fancy DVD titles similar to Hollywood DVD's

 

[ramjet428]

It seems that not only do we have the same motherboard and processor, but our upgrade plans are similar as well. I too will be looking for 2GB of memory, and a better video card, most likely with Component video outputs to connect to a HD TV as well as my computer. I'm thinking a NVidia based card most likely a 6000 or 7000 series card depending on price and features...

 

[zanna21hg]

Originally posted by: Mr Vain

Originally posted by: zanna21hg
in a few days im going to buy this matherboard but im wondering about compability with C2D E4400, this CPU is not in the official CPU support list

It may not be on the list yet but it should work with this mobo for sure.

it should work but if i buy this motherboard with E4400 will I have to use different CPU to update a new BIOS? i dont have any other CPU for LGA775 so if i will have to update BIOS to run E4400 i will have to get for example celeron LGA775

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: zanna21hg

Originally posted by: Mr Vain

Originally posted by: zanna21hg
in a few days im going to buy this matherboard but im wondering about compability with C2D E4400, this CPU is not in the official CPU support list

It may not be on the list yet but it should work with this mobo for sure.

it should work but if i buy this motherboard with E4400 will I have to use different CPU to update a new BIOS? i dont have any other CPU for LGA775 so if i will have to update BIOS to run E4400 i will have to get for example celeron LGA775

This board works with the E4300 that is the same as E4400 except for the Multiplier X10 for E4400. There is no reason that it will not work or that you need another CPU to upgrade bios etc.

 

[Mr Vain]

Sad Sad Day

Asrock has just killed the 4CoreDual-VSTA and replaced it with 4CoreDX90-VSTA.

DDR only, single channel memory, PCI-e only.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=4CoreDX90-VSTA

Goodbye to Dual Channel Memory, DDR2 Ram, AGP slot ........................Sob Sob.

 

[ronach]

No it didn't kill it, they are after another portion of the mobo market that's all. If they had come out with some vast improvements in quality, that required a new bios..then it would have been a killer mobo for the Dualie. Well..again I ask..is this board worth buying for interim service that will be looking for stability, a lil O/c and hopefully longivity..what say you owners ?

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: ronach
No it didn't kill it, they are after another portion of the mobo market that's all. If they had come out with some vast improvements in quality, that required a new bios..then it would have been a killer mobo for the Dualie. Well..again I ask..is this board worth buying for interim service that will be looking for stability, a lil O/c and hopefully longivity..what say you owners ?

I can not be found on their webpage anymore that usually means DISCONTINUED.

http://www.asrock.com/index.asp

Many get this mobo to overclock between @290 - 300FSB with an E4400 you?re looking at around 3000 MHz, stock voltage should get you close.

2 Years warranty on mobo should indicate that it?s reliable, my older model
775Dual-VSTA is nearly a year old and it has been very reliable.

Snap it up before they go for ever.

 

[inbow78]

 

[inbow78]

Can someone tell me which setting I need to change in the Bio's in order to correctly OC my RAM. I am currently running Corsair XMS Plantinum 2x512 and have no idea whch settings to change inside the Bios.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: inbow78
Can someone tell me which setting I need to change in the Bio's in order to correctly OC my RAM. I am currently running Corsair XMS Plantinum 2x512 and have no idea whch settings to change inside the Bios.

Can you please supply more details of your system, are you using ddr or ddr2, cpu type, what fsb you are running etc.

 

[inbow78]

Here are my comp specs:
Pentium d 945 (stock...for the time being)
1GB Corsair XMS PC3200 2x512
HIS Radeon x1650pro 256mb

 

[inbow78]

How do I go about changing my fsb?

 

[tigersty1e]

Is there a way to change the vcore on this board?

Asrock's webiste says this board has the hybrid booster, which should allow you to change the vcore in the BIOS. I can't see any option like that in the BIOS.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: inbow78
How do I go about changing my fsb?

In the bios set CPU to assynk and put in a figure of 220, it should give you about 3740Mhz.
Increase the number if your pc keeps booting up a running ok, if not then reduce the figure to where it stops crashing witch will basically be your max overclock.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: tigersty1e
Is there a way to change the vcore on this board?

Asrock's webiste says this board has the hybrid booster, which should allow you to change the vcore in the BIOS. I can't see any option like that in the BIOS.

No bios option to change Vcore only way is to hard mod mobo or pin mod CPU that is fairly easy.

You should be able to overclock to this boards max with stock voltage if it?s Core2Duo, no extra voltage should be required.

Core2duo pin volt mod guide below.

http://sg.vr-zone.com/?i=3904

 

[tigersty1e]

Originally posted by: Mr Vain

Originally posted by: tigersty1e
Is there a way to change the vcore on this board?

Asrock's webiste says this board has the hybrid booster, which should allow you to change the vcore in the BIOS. I can't see any option like that in the BIOS.

No bios option to change Vcore only way is to hard mod mobo or pin mod CPU that is fairly easy.

You should be able to overclock to this boards max with stock voltage if it?s Core2Duo, no extra voltage should be required.

Core2duo pin volt mod guide below.

http://sg.vr-zone.com/?i=3904

I've heard conflicting reports on this board's max fsb. I hear there's some kind of wall. I was able to boot up to Windows with FSB at 301, but failed Orthos after 2 hours. I hear other people can't boot up with anything over 295.

What's the highest you've seen without any mods?

 

[ronach]

Guys,
How is the on-board Lan & audio on this mobo ?

 

[inbow78]

I am still curious as to which settings in the BIOS I need to change in order to CORRECTLY OC my ram.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: tigersty1e

Originally posted by: Mr Vain

Originally posted by: tigersty1e
Is there a way to change the vcore on this board?

Asrock's webiste says this board has the hybrid booster, which should allow you to change the vcore in the BIOS. I can't see any option like that in the BIOS.

No bios option to change Vcore only way is to hard mod mobo or pin mod CPU that is fairly easy.

You should be able to overclock to this boards max with stock voltage if it?s Core2Duo, no extra voltage should be required.

Core2duo pin volt mod guide below.

http://sg.vr-zone.com/?i=3904

I've heard conflicting reports on this board's max fsb. I hear there's some kind of wall. I was able to boot up to Windows with FSB at 301, but failed Orthos after 2 hours. I hear other people can't boot up with anything over 295.

What's the highest you've seen without any mods?

Around 300FSB.

AnandTech Editor Gary Key has been able to get his board to 315FSB Stable with no mods and is preparing a review on this board soon. He may suggest bios tweaks that will help most people overclock close to his scores in his upcoming article.

Quote from page 2 of this thread.
I am getting slightly better overclocks, gone from around 300 to 315 stable.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: ronach
Guys,
How is the on-board Lan & audio on this mobo ?

Good IMO, sound system uses the Realtek ALC888 High Definition Audio Codec and the Lan uses the VIA PHY VT6103 Chip.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: inbow78
I am still curious as to which settings in the BIOS I need to change in order to CORRECTLY OC my ram.

Have you tried this yet?

In the bios set CPU to assynk and put in a figure of 220, it should give you about 3740Mhz.
Increase the number if your pc keeps booting up a running ok, if not then reduce the figure to where it stops crashing witch will basically be your max overclock.

 

[inbow78]

I have been able to OC my cpu with no problems. I just have no idea which settings to change in the BIOS when it comes to oc'ing the RAM