ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA

[DHupke21]

hmmm good point....I do belive I rememebr seeing a speaker in my case and it being plugged in(I am at work). So Im not sure. But wouldnt the system still give video and give a memory error? Not booting at all just seems odd to me? Maybe im wrong though. I am going to try some DDR PC2100 Ram whenn I get home. However naybody else have any ideas?

 

[igotyofire]

Does this motherboard and core2duo combo seem to boot slow to anyone? and can i remove that raidconfig bootup screen while continueing to running my array? sorry to ask my question again, just want it on the new page heh

 

[speedlever]

I personally don't see it slow to boot. I run an e6600 (2.4 GHz stock) on a P5B-E and an e4300 (oc to 2.4GHz) on the ASRock 4coredual-VSTA. If anything, the e4300 is faster than the e6600.. but I probably don't have as much loaded on the e4300 as I do the e6600. Both systems are running 2 Gigs of DDR2 ram (DDR2-800 in the e6600 and DDR2-667 in the e4300) and both are running in DDR2--533 mode.

Edited for spelling.

 

[DHupke21]

ok guys Im using some junk ram from work ddr2 1gb total and its wokring but I get to the windows vista x64 install and it gets to expanding fiels and I get this error, nothing ever just works for me and itss so sard frutrating, well anyway heres the error:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing.
Make sure all the files reuired for installation are available, and restart
the installation. Error code: 0x80070017"

I have read some on it and it talks abut maybe my dvd drives firmware??? and I also saw some things about becuase of crappy ram...any helpw ould be great guys, I just want a working system at this point

 

[DHupke21]

ohhh and sorry guys, this is a brand new retail version I purchesed a couple weeks ago, so its not that burn error problem liek with RC2.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: DHupke21
ok guys Im using some junk ram from work ddr2 1gb total and its wokring but I get to the windows vista x64 install and it gets to expanding fiels and I get this error, nothing ever just works for me and itss so sard frutrating, well anyway heres the error:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing.
Make sure all the files reuired for installation are available, and restart
the installation. Error code: 0x80070017"

I have read some on it and it talks abut maybe my dvd drives firmware??? and I also saw some things about becuase of crappy ram...any helpw ould be great guys, I just want a working system at this point

I?ve had some of these types of issues before and it was mostly ram problems.
Try running ram at single channel or just one stick at a time.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: DHupke21
ok guys Im using some junk ram from work ddr2 1gb total and its wokring but I get to the windows vista x64 install and it gets to expanding fiels and I get this error, nothing ever just works for me and itss so sard frutrating, well anyway heres the error:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing.
Make sure all the files reuired for installation are available, and restart
the installation. Error code: 0x80070017"

I have read some on it and it talks abut maybe my dvd drives firmware??? and I also saw some things about becuase of crappy ram...any helpw ould be great guys, I just want a working system at this point

Make a bootable Memtest86+ CD with another computer, and test your system. Your DRAM may be failing/unstable, or you may have instability due to your PSU.

 

[DHupke21]

alright Mr Vein Ill give that a try when I get home, and as far as the memory test goes Ill run thgat if Mr Veins suggestion doesnt work, I dont reeally care if the memory goes bad or is failing I just want to basically get this installed and verify everything is runnning up to par then Ill be purchasing 2gb New DDR2 nice ram. By the way any body have any suggestions or ideas on which ram would go great with this motherboard/cpu(e6420). Not really looking for top of the line but moreso most bang for your buck.....thanks guys!

 

[speedlever]

FWIW, I used this ram on my ASRock 4coredual-VSTA board. It works fine for me.

 

[igotyofire]

Originally posted by: Space Marine
By the way - Does anybody (besides me) think that bios HW monitor for the cpu is false? In bios i get 10c more than multiple software monitors in windows.

hmmz HW monitor seems to be the only one that matches most closely to the bios temp in my case. the others seem to be off. i trust the bios temp before anything else. but i just have tried that and coretemp. coretemp says each of my cores run around 27c which to me is extremely cool considering i have the stock cooler, even tho i do believe my case has pretty good or decent circulation

 

[SethK28]

Well after getting some new memory from here http://www.pcsuperstore.com/pr...49299-HP-PX976AT.html/

I am running at 285 FSB 4:4:4:11:2T

2.56Ghz is this a good overclock/memory timings?

 

[pingwei]

Guys I have a problem after buy a new Ram : Apacer pc 6400 1 GB x 2. At auto setting it works on FSB 533 Mhz, and I ran Memtest, in the test No. 5 I've got an error message. But after I set manually FSB to 667 Mhz it works perfectly. Is there any compability issue on Apacer Ram on this Motherboard or my ram is defect?

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: SethK28
Well after getting some new memory from here http://www.pcsuperstore.com/pr...49299-HP-PX976AT.html/

I am running at 285 FSB 4:4:4:11:2T

2.56Ghz is this a good overclock/memory timings?

That?s not too bad, try for higher overclocks up to 300 FSB with looser memory timings initially, then tighten them up once you max put the FSB.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: pingwei
Guys I have a problem after buy a new Ram : Apacer pc 6400 1 GB x 2. At auto setting it works on FSB 533 Mhz, and I ran Memtest, in the test No. 5 I've got an error message. But after I set manually FSB to 667 Mhz it works perfectly. Is there any compability issue on Apacer Ram on this Motherboard or my ram is defect?

I would say that your ram is ok as it works well in 667 MHz.
Try increasing the ram power setting up a bit; with ram @ 533 MHz your memory divider will be different than with the 667Mhz setting. Play also with the bios settings mem flex on etc.

 

[Fenixgoon]

any good tips for OCing on this board?

E4300, 2gig dual channel SuperTalent DDR2 667, ASRock 4core dual VSTA (obviously). I'm running at 2.25ghz stable setting the RAM at DDR2 533, stock voltage, locked PCI-E/PCI buses. I'd like to hit 2.7-3.0ghz if possible.

Thanks!

 

[PG]

I just bought one of these mobos from Newegg and it will be here next week.

My question is about RAM. I have 1 stick of DDR2 667 and 1 of DDR2 533. One is Partriot and one is Kingston. Can I run these dual channel at the 533 speed? Or I am out of luck?
If this won't work I would like to know now so I can buy a new stick.
both sticks are dual sided

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: PG
I just bought one of these mobos from Newegg and it will be here next week.

My question is about RAM. I have 1 stick of DDR2 667 and 1 of DDR2 533. One is Partriot and one is Kingston. Can I run these dual channel at the 533 speed? Or I am out of luck?
If this won't work I would like to know now so I can buy a new stick.
both sticks are dual sided

Normally you can not run different speed and memory brands together in dual channel mode; I suppose it can?t hurt trying it, if it does not work in dual channel then it should work in single channel.

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
any good tips for OCing on this board?

E4300, 2gig dual channel SuperTalent DDR2 667, ASRock 4core dual VSTA (obviously). I'm running at 2.25ghz stable setting the RAM at DDR2 533, stock voltage, locked PCI-E/PCI buses. I'd like to hit 2.7-3.0ghz if possible.

Thanks!

This guide with some volt mods might help you.

http://forums.vr-zone.com/show...ad.php?t=93127&page=38

Quote from Jimmor

Not all setups are equal, so it's an unfortunate fact that not everybody will achieve 320 plus overclocks nomatter what mods they do. However, maybe it's just that you haven't yet found your mobo's optimum bios settings?

So why don't you post your current bios settings, just in case someone elses experience can maybe help spot any poor choices you may have selected ??



And just for interest, here are some bios settings that work ok for my E4400/4coredual-vsta/7800gs AGP setup operating at 3.2GHz. Although for my particular setup, stable 3.2GHz required Vagp (NB volts) be increased to around 1.95, and Vcore increased to 1.4v. Which however also required a small forced air cooled heatsink be fixed to the now extremely hot Vagp supply MOSFET.


Motherboard = 4CoreDual-VSTA

CPU Type = Core 2 E4400

Memory = 2x1Gb, Geil PC2-6400 DDR2 Ultra 4-4-4-12.

Bios version 1.80

Bios Settings:-

CPU:

Overclock Mode - CPU,PCI-E, Async.
CPU Freq. - 320
PCI-E Freq. - 119
PCI Freq. - 33.33
Spread Spectrum - Auto
Boot Failure - Enabled

Max CPUID Val. - Disabled
CPU Thermal Thr. - Enabled
No-Execute Memory. - Disabled
Intel Speedstep - Disabled


Chipset:

Dram Freq. - 266
Flexib.- Disabled
Cas Latency - 3
Interleave - 4-Way
Precharge - 3
Tras - 10
Trcd - 3
Bus Select.- Dual
Command Rate - 1T

DRAM Voltage - High
AGP Voltage - High

Primary Gra. Adapt. - AGP
AGP Fast Write - Enabled
AGP Aperture Size - 128Mb

V-Link - fast

PCI delay Transaction - Disabled
IDE Drive Strength - Highest
PCI-E Downstream Pipeline - Auto
Onboard Sound - Auto


Everything else at original defaults, other than whatever you want to set for EIDE, Floppy, USB, etc !


Also, the following settings can help make your memory overclocks a bit more stable:-

Advanced Memory Config.

CLKBUF DDRA group delay - 14x50ps
CLKBUF DDRB group delay - 14x50ps
CLKBUF FB_OUTA delay - 14x50ps
CLKBUF FB_OUTB delay - 14x50ps

CLKBUF DDRA Drv - 1x
CLKBUF DDRB Drv - 1x
CLKBUF FB_OUTA Drv - 1x
CLKBUF FB_OUTB Drv - 1x





EDIT,

Of course if you are still using original Intel supplied heatsink, then max stable overclocks are going to be limited ---> especially when using "orthos" for stability testing?

At 3.2Ghz with Intel heatsink, and monitoring cpu junction temps with TAT, temps quickly rose into 70's and orthos tests would typically fail within first minute. Using a Arctic Freezer 7 pro, temps qhickly rose to 60 and then slowly increased throughout testing, where this time orthos tests would typically run 5-10 minutes before failing. Now using Big Typ 120 VX (silent 1300rpm setting), temps never go above mid 50's and orthos tests don't fail anymore !

 

[Fenixgoon]

^ using thermaltake blue orb II. do i need to adjust the PCI and PCI-E frequencies as a OC? i thought it was best to lock them. i'll tweak around some more

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
^ using thermaltake blue orb II. do i need to adjust the PCI and PCI-E frequencies as a OC? i thought it was best to lock them. i'll tweak around some more

You can lock them in at the beginning, don?t set PCI-e above 110 if you are using a PCI-e graphics card as you could damage it, if you are using an AGP card then 117 to 119 is ok.

 

[Mr Vain]

ASRock updates its popular motherboard 4CoreDual-VSTA with a new south bridge.
The new South Bridge is the VIA 8237S and supports SATA II.
This motherboard just gets better with every new generation; you still get the AGP and PCI-e support with the added bonus of SATA II.


http://www.asrock.com/mb/enlar...?Model=4CoreDual-SATA2

 

[lookin4dlz]

Anyone else experiencing memory problems while overclocked? Memtest doesn't find any errors, but when I have a few items open (very large Excel spreadsheet, Firefox w/ 3 abs, Outlook) & try to open Windows Explorer or Task Manager they just don't open or don't open correctly. I just set the bios to default & the memory problems are not occurring.

Also, anyone have a problem with IDE Drive Strength - Highest? While that setting allows me to push a few fsb higher, I think it might've burned up my ide dvd-rw (it got really hot & quit working) and was causing errors on my other two ide drives.

Edit: running bios 1.50, which is what came w/ the board - any thoughts regarding whether a later bios version would fix these problems?

 

[inklimited]

Hi,

Erm, plz excuse any laziness, so I hope this hasn't been asked before.

After looking through the BIOS settings I came across the V-Link speed, which is a setting I havn't come across before.
Another member mentioned this was related to the speed between the North/Southbridge.
Just for future reference, what is this related to? And, why would I change it?

Interesting to see people getting above 290fsb. I couldn't get above 285, but I barely tried, with a 350W PSU an all

Space Marine
I think I can sort you out. Due to some of the safety restrictions on this board, it will underclock the FSB > CPU and RAM. Mine underclocks 2.66GHz to 2.56GHz and 200MHz to 166MHz respectively.
To sort this, set the CPU to ASync or Sync mode, and dont change any of the clocks, this will raise your CPU to within 0.2% of the default clock.
To set the RAM right, specify your RAM eg DDR400 >NOT< AUTO. Auto will cause it to set to the default of 166MHz. And dont use the RAM flexibility mode either. This will clock your RAM down to 120MHz.
The CPU temps are coming from the board sensor. I get a 19C idle and ~35C load (my house is like ice xD)
To get the "proper" CPU temps you want the temps from the TJunction on the die. You can find this out with Intel TAT (Thermal Analysis Tool). This will also emulate a full 100% load so you can monitor load temps. RivaTuner also has a TJunc monitor which is available as a plugin from Guru3d.com, but it won't give you a 100% load.
~35C idle and ~60C load is about normal.

 

[Mr Vain]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: lookin4dlz
Anyone else experiencing memory problems while overclocked? Memtest doesn't find any errors, but when I have a few items open (very large Excel spreadsheet, Firefox w/ 3 abs, Outlook) & try to open Windows Explorer or Task Manager they just don't open or don't open correctly. I just set the bios to default & the memory problems are not occurring.
Loosen your ram timings a bit more, 1T is very unstable try 2T.

Also, anyone have a problem with IDE Drive Strength - Highest? While that setting allows me to push a few fsb higher, I think it might've burned up my ide dvd-rw (it got really hot & quit working) and was causing errors on my other two ide drives.
Some don?t like it hot.

Edit: running bios 1.50, which is what came w/ the board - any thoughts regarding whether a later bios version would fix these problems?
This below modded bios works wonders, read this post first.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

http://www.pc-treiber.net/datei_download_1275.html



</end quote></div>

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: inklimited
Hi,

Erm, plz excuse any laziness, so I hope this hasn't been asked before.

After looking through the BIOS settings I came across the V-Link speed, which is a setting I havn't come across before.
Another member mentioned this was related to the speed between the North/Southbridge.
Just for future reference, what is this related to? And, why would I change it?

Interesting to see people getting above 290fsb. I couldn't get above 285, but I barely tried, with a 350W PSU an all

Space Marine
I think I can sort you out. Due to some of the safety restrictions on this board, it will underclock the FSB > CPU and RAM. Mine underclocks 2.66GHz to 2.56GHz and 200MHz to 166MHz respectively.
To sort this, set the CPU to ASync or Sync mode, and dont change any of the clocks, this will raise your CPU to within 0.2% of the default clock.
To set the RAM right, specify your RAM eg DDR400 >NOT< AUTO. Auto will cause it to set to the default of 166MHz. And dont use the RAM flexibility mode either. This will clock your RAM down to 120MHz.
The CPU temps are coming from the board sensor. I get a 19C idle and ~35C load (my house is like ice xD)
To get the "proper" CPU temps you want the temps from the TJunction on the die. You can find this out with Intel TAT (Thermal Analysis Tool). This will also emulate a full 100% load so you can monitor load temps. RivaTuner also has a TJunc monitor which is available as a plugin from Guru3d.com, but it won't give you a 100% load.
~35C idle and ~60C load is about normal.

Ultra V-Link Bus
Delivering data throughput speeds of up to 1066 MB/s from the VIA VT8237R Plus South Bridge to the VIA PT880 Ultra North Bridge, the Ultra V-Link interface delivers the necessary bandwidth and low latency required by today's increasingly demanding multimedia applications.

http://www.via.com.tw/en/produ...p4-series/pt880_ultra/