ASRock 775Dual-VSTA

[ajsasr]

Originally posted by: timzak

Originally posted by: ajsasr

Originally posted by: ajsasr
Well...I just tried to run 3DMark06. And I don't know if it's my video card or what, but the test crashes to a windows error in the middle of the Return to Proxycom video test. This gets worse and worse. I'm going to try 3DMark03 and see what happens.

Well as I was installing 3dmark03, the PC had a random reboot. So I went ahead and down-clocked my FSB back to 200, and changed the IDE Strength to Highest. I was able to run 3dmark03 with a score of 6450, and 3dmark06 with a score of 856. I would say I have a GPU bottleneck. I'm going to put my new PSU in tonight. Change the FSB back to 242, and try to run both tests again. If it crashes on my, then I'm going to reside myself to the fact that overclocking this rig is just not going to happen.....

I just searched back to your first post in this thread and see you're running a 9700 Pro. Definitely your bottleneck. It won't matter if you underclock your cpu to 2.0Ghz, your graphics will probably stay the same speed. So if you're a gamer and don't plan to upgrade your video card, then overclocking won't give you any benefit (which could be a blessing in disguise given the stability issues you've been having).

Let's see what the new PSU does for you...it's possible it will stabilize your overclock.

Do you plan on upgrading the video card? Or do you not game that much?

It doesn't appear that the PSU made much difference. I'm still not stable at 3.4GHz. I tried my pcie at 100 and 117, and 3dmark03 both times didn't work. With pcie at 117, the unit rebooted. At 100 3dmark just quit. I am stable at 3.2GHz though. I was able to finish an entire test. Could agp voltage be the issue? If anyone thinks so then I'll do the voltage mode. Otherwise I'll let it at this. I don't do a lot of gaming, but was looking to get the biggest bang for my buck.

Another reason I think it's agp voltage is because I can run for hours on end Orthos error free......it's gotta be the GPU.

 

[msbearbr]

I think I have the same problem. My network adapter quit working after a power failure.
Windows says limited connectivity. I didn't check to see if my MAC was blanked out, but
I will check to see if it is.

My Mac adress gone! now display 00:00:00:00:00:00!!!

Happened when i clear cmos inside the board.

I tried to fix it with Asrock MAC Tool under DOS but didnt work...

I very disapointed with Asrock.

 

[StephenMSmith]

Can someone please explain something to me. I've seen some people say set the PCIe to 112-117, and I've seen others say to just leave it alone. If you're running AGP, why would it mater to touch this. Also what does it do?

Thanks.

There was a bug in earlier BIOS releases that caused this setting to have some affect on the board's overclocking potential, regardless of whether you a PCIe or AGP card. Several peeps in other threads have since reported that this bug is fixed now and this setting no longer has any affect on overclocking.

 

[msbearbr]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

I SOLVE THE MAC ADDRESS PROBLEM!!!

If someday it happens with u guys, follow steps bellow:

1- Make a bootable DOS disk on floppy A.
2- Put the file into the disk Via Mac or Asrock Mac Tool.
3- Back to the BIOS 1.6.
4- Copy your MAC Address from white sticker on Pink paralell slot on the board.
5- Turn on the system with the disk.
6- Hit: A:\ mac c xxxxxxxxxxxx (The X is your MAC number, DONT USE CAPS LETTERS!). Press Enter. If works you will see the message: "write Mac address call OK".
7- Back to the last BIOS or choose your favorite one!

Done!

Be Happy!

Sorry my english. Hugs from Brazil.

Marcio.

 

[StephenMSmith]

Nice work Marcio. I'm definitely saving your message to my hd in case I end up in same situation!

 

[timzak]

Yes, thanks Marcio. I too saved your message "just in case". Well done.

 

[timzak]

FINALLY discovered stable memory timings for my Crucial Ballistix DDR400! It took days and nights of Orthos at various combinations, but the timings are 2.5-3-3-7 2T. Sad, the ram is rated at 2.0-2-2-6 1T. This is at an FSB of 267 on an E4300, so the ram is running at 200.3 Mhz at a 4:3 ratio. I haven't verified, but it seemed like I could run tighter timings at 1:1 ratio (FSB of 200).

 

[msbearbr]

Anyone know if exist a SATA 2 (3gb/s) controller that can be use in Asrock Dual VST???

Can i plug one PCI Express x1 adapter into PCI Express x4 slot of Asrock?
(i have a AGP video card).

 

[msbearbr]

Hello.

I have one Asrock dual VSTA with E4300 CPU.

I have on this system a pair of 2x512MB Geil ultra Platinum DDR550 (184 pin, DDR1).

When i turn on the system, all lights appears and coolers works, but no image in monitor and no boot.

Then, i clear the Cmos and the system turn on. I enter setup and the mobo says that i have a pair of DDR533. Well, its OK, but when i save the settings and exit from setup the system wont boot again!

To system works i need to clear cmos once again.
I can use my system normal ONLY if i set the memorys to DR400, but i lost 133mhz performance!!!!!

My question is:
1- Why i cant use DDR550 (184pin) speeds??
2- Its posible to set the memory frequency manually without fsb divisors (4:3, 5:3, etc) ?
3- Why when i clear Cmos the sytem starts at DDR533 and after one reset dont works anymore??

Thx.

 

[ajsasr]

Originally posted by: ajsasr

Originally posted by: timzak

Originally posted by: ajsasr

Originally posted by: ajsasr
Well...I just tried to run 3DMark06. And I don't know if it's my video card or what, but the test crashes to a windows error in the middle of the Return to Proxycom video test. This gets worse and worse. I'm going to try 3DMark03 and see what happens.

Well as I was installing 3dmark03, the PC had a random reboot. So I went ahead and down-clocked my FSB back to 200, and changed the IDE Strength to Highest. I was able to run 3dmark03 with a score of 6450, and 3dmark06 with a score of 856. I would say I have a GPU bottleneck. I'm going to put my new PSU in tonight. Change the FSB back to 242, and try to run both tests again. If it crashes on my, then I'm going to reside myself to the fact that overclocking this rig is just not going to happen.....

I just searched back to your first post in this thread and see you're running a 9700 Pro. Definitely your bottleneck. It won't matter if you underclock your cpu to 2.0Ghz, your graphics will probably stay the same speed. So if you're a gamer and don't plan to upgrade your video card, then overclocking won't give you any benefit (which could be a blessing in disguise given the stability issues you've been having).

Let's see what the new PSU does for you...it's possible it will stabilize your overclock.

Do you plan on upgrading the video card? Or do you not game that much?

It doesn't appear that the PSU made much difference. I'm still not stable at 3.4GHz. I tried my pcie at 100 and 117, and 3dmark03 both times didn't work. With pcie at 117, the unit rebooted. At 100 3dmark just quit. I am stable at 3.2GHz though. I was able to finish an entire test. Could agp voltage be the issue? If anyone thinks so then I'll do the voltage mode. Otherwise I'll let it at this. I don't do a lot of gaming, but was looking to get the biggest bang for my buck.

Another reason I think it's agp voltage is because I can run for hours on end Orthos error free......it's gotta be the GPU.

I tried the AGP voltage mod, and it made no difference. I was still unable to run 3dmark03 while oced at 3.4GHz. It appears 3.2GHz is the best I'm going to be able to do unless I upgrade my video card....

 

[Mallet]

The AGP voltage mod helps the motherboard get past 300mhz FSB for processors that use 266Mhz FSB (like pentium EE, or Core2duo) It raises the voltage of the agp bus, and the motherboard chipset.

***Raising AGP Voltage will NOT help in overclocking your video card. For that you would need to mod the video card itself.

So at FSB of 242mhz, I would try tweaking your ram timings, or try a cpu pin-mod. If you overvolt the cpu make sure to upgrade your cooling.

 

[Mallet]

Originally posted by: msbearbr
Hello.

I have one Asrock dual VSTA with E4300 CPU.

I have on this system a pair of 2x512MB Geil ultra Platinum DDR550 (184 pin, DDR1).

When i turn on the system, all lights appears and coolers works, but no image in monitor and no boot.

Then, i clear the Cmos and the system turn on. I enter setup and the mobo says that i have a pair of DDR533. Well, its OK, but when i save the settings and exit from setup the system wont boot again!

To system works i need to clear cmos once again.
I can use my system normal ONLY if i set the memorys to DR400, but i lost 133mhz performance!!!!!

My question is:
1- Why i cant use DDR550 (184pin) speeds??
2- Its posible to set the memory frequency manually without fsb divisors (4:3, 5:3, etc) ?
3- Why when i clear Cmos the sytem starts at DDR533 and after one reset dont works anymore??

Thx.

sry you are SOL past about 233FSB with DDR1 it sets divider 4:3. This motherboard cant run DDR1 at 1:1 ration at high FSB.

If you set it to DDR400, and tighten the timings the performance will be almost identical to running DDR2 at 533mhz.

 

[etherdude]

Tim,

I am running Crucial Ballistix memory in my 775Dual-VSTA with an Allendale 4300 at timings of 2-2-2-8 1T just fine. All I had to do was set the memory to be DDR400, turn off flexible mode, set 1T timing, and set the FSB at 266MHz. It has been totally stable and runs beautifully. By losening timings to 3-3-3-8 2T and setting DDR voltage high, I can OC to 290FSB (2.63GHz). Like most 775Dual-VSTA's, mine stops at 290FSB and I have no plans to do a voltage mode. I normally just run at 266MHz and am very happy. I have tried Corsair DDR2 and it ran fine at 3-3-3-8 1T at 533MHz (DDR-4200) and I got SANDRA memory bandwidth numbers of around 5100 MB/s (the DDR400 returns numbers of around 4450 MB/s).

 

[msbearbr]

sry you are SOL past about 233FSB with DDR1 it sets divider 4:3. This motherboard cant run DDR1 at 1:1 ration at high FSB.

Well, what i should do?
1- Leave the processor @ 2.4Ghz whit DDR550@DDR400 (4:3) Times: 2-2-2-2-5 1T?
2- Donw FSB to 233mhz (processor @2.1Ghz) whit DDR550 (1:1) @ 233mhz too?
3- Change the Geil Ultra DDR1 for a pair of DDR2 667?

What is the best software to me test my sytem?

and i will repeat:
Anyone know if exist a SATA 2 (3gb/s) controller that can be use in Asrock Dual VST???

Can i plug one PCI Express x1 adapter into PCI Express x4 slot of Asrock?
(i have a AGP video card).

Thanks for help guys.

 

[timzak]

Thanks etherdude. I'm not sure why my memory won't run those timings. Actually, it WILL, but I get Orthos (blend) failures after a few hours. The only way to be Orthos stable for 8+ hours is to lower timings to 2.5-3-3-7 2T. Oh well, at least it is rock stable and blows the doors off my previous Athlon XP 2.4Ghz system.

 

[timzak]

Originally posted by: msbearbr

sry you are SOL past about 233FSB with DDR1 it sets divider 4:3. This motherboard cant run DDR1 at 1:1 ration at high FSB.

Well, what i should do?
1- Leave the processor @ 2.4Ghz whit DDR550@DDR400 (4:3) Times: 2-2-2-2-5 1T?
2- Donw FSB to 233mhz (processor @2.1Ghz) whit DDR550 (1:1) @ 233mhz too?
3- Change the Geil Ultra DDR1 for a pair of DDR2 667?

What is the best software to me test my sytem?

and i will repeat:
Anyone know if exist a SATA 2 (3gb/s) controller that can be use in Asrock Dual VST???

Can i plug one PCI Express x1 adapter into PCI Express x4 slot of Asrock?
(i have a AGP video card).

Thanks for help guys.

Leave your memory at DDR400 in bios, then get your FSB as high as it will go stable. If you get to 290 (2.62Ghz), your memory will be running at 217Mhz. You should be able to get tight timings with your memory. Personally, I wouldn't invest in DDRII unless you've got money to burn. Go to the CPU/Processors category on these forums and read the overclocking sticky. It will tell you which programs to run for testing.

Good luck and let us know how far you get.

 

[Mallet]

Originally posted by: msbearbr

sry you are SOL past about 233FSB with DDR1 it sets divider 4:3. This motherboard cant run DDR1 at 1:1 ration at high FSB.

Well, what i should do?
1- Leave the processor @ 2.4Ghz whit DDR550@DDR400 (4:3) Times: 2-2-2-2-5 1T?
2- Donw FSB to 233mhz (processor @2.1Ghz) whit DDR550 (1:1) @ 233mhz too?
3- Change the Geil Ultra DDR1 for a pair of DDR2 667?

What is the best software to me test my sytem?

and i will repeat:
Anyone know if exist a SATA 2 (3gb/s) controller that can be use in Asrock Dual VST???

Can i plug one PCI Express x1 adapter into PCI Express x4 slot of Asrock?
(i have a AGP video card).

Thanks for help guys.

Option 1 should give the best performance in just about every program.

I think promise makes a pci SATA2 controller, but I would think that it would bottleneck on the pci bus, so you would probly get the same performance just running SATA150 that the mobo supports.

Try a PCI-E x1 adapter and let us know if it works

 

[msbearbr]

Option 1 should give the best performance in just about every program.

Leave your memory at DDR400 in bios, then get your FSB as high as it will go stable. If you get to 290 (2.62Ghz), your memory will be running at 217Mhz. You should be able to get tight timings with your memory. Personally, I wouldn't invest in DDRII unless you've got money to burn. Go to the CPU/Processors category on these forums and read the overclocking sticky. It will tell you which programs to run for testing.

Well, thx for help guys.

I up the FSB to 280, now cpu is running @ 2.50ghz, memory @ 210mhz (4:3), times 2-2-2-5- 1T. Temp: Idle 38/40C - 48/50C Full (Zalman 7000Cu cooler).

I will buy and try to put a SATA II controler PCI express X1 into PCI express slot on the board. I read that pci express slots x16 or x4 are full compatible with x1 hardwares.

thx.

 

[imported_Stubby]

From ASROCK FAQ page regarding loss of MAC address:


Question: My on-board LAN is not working, I found that the MAC address of my on-board LAN is 00-00-00-00-00-00 or FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF. What's wrong?(4/15/2004)

Answer:The MAC address of the on-board LAN is erased. After updating the BIOS or clearing the CMOS, please boot up the system and enter the BIOS setup. After loading the BIOS default, please exit and save changes. Failing to do so may cause the MAC address disappeared. If the MAC address is gone, please contact ASRock technical support engineer for help.


NOTE TO SELF: Remeber to save changes or have to deal with ASROCK limited support.

 

[timzak]

Originally posted by: timzak
Thanks etherdude. I'm not sure why my memory won't run those timings. Actually, it WILL, but I get Orthos (blend) failures after a few hours. The only way to be Orthos stable for 8+ hours is to lower timings to 2.5-3-3-7 2T. Oh well, at least it is rock stable and blows the doors off my previous Athlon XP 2.4Ghz system.

I'm trying to find an Orthos 8+ hour stable setting for 2.5 Ghz (278 FSB, 209 memory). I just failed at 3.0-3-3-9 2T after 5 hours and 21 mins. Not stable enough IMO. At these timings it was no faster than 2.4Ghz at 2.5-3-3-7 2T in most benchmarks, so if I have to lower the timings even more...nevermind. I'm happy with 2.4Ghz.

I know I can get up to 2.6ish with my ram at DDR333, but I have a feeling my benchmarks will be slower due to the ram speeds in the 180 Mhz range. I'll try though, just to see.

 

[timzak]

I just wanted to chime in on the S3 standby issue. I confirmed on my 4coredual-vsta that it doesn't work with the latest bios either. I have a watt meter and showed a ~50W drop going from idle to standby with S1. Then I switched to S3 and had the same 50W drop when going into standby. This is just the computer; monitor wattage not included.

 

[JohnDoe2]

S3 standby works for me (BIOS 2.6a), except afterwards my OC settings are lost and the system reverts back to default speeds until I reboot.

In a related power issue, the power on the PS/2 ports never turns off, even when shutdown.

 

[StephenMSmith]

What is bios 2.6a?

 

[Fercyful]

Hi there!!

------------
Some note about the Via 4in1:
If you install the package, most of the time it doesn't install the AGP driver and leaves it to the standard MS driver. For performance reasons you should install AGP manually.
-------------

I have that problem here with a 7800GS. Clean install winxp SP2, hyperion 5.10a (no AGP auto install) and then the nvdia drivers.
Please how can I manually install those AGP drivers? at system I just see the MS standard one.

thanks!!

 

[StephenMSmith]

Same problem for me. The solution was easy though -- just right-click on PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge and then select update driver. Browse to the directory w/the VIA AGP driver from the 4-in-1 zip and select it. There are actually 2 "PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge"'s listed in device manager, but you can only update 1 of them, which is the one you want.