EPoX "EP-9NPA+Ultra" NVIDIA nForce4 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard

[imported_Husky55]

sgtdic,

I had a hell of a time installing the Nvidia chipset driver 6.66 after I installed the 6.37 from the Epox CD. Others had no problem. Still a mystery to me. Luckily, system restore saved me. I just brought out he big Epox diagram to see what you are talking about NC and +5V. They are opposite of each other. The connector is standard (intel?) so my case connector plug right into it. No problem.

If you still want to install Nvidia 6.66, I found out that after a clean install, 6.66 install OK. I did not install Nvidia IDE or NAM as I had a lot of trouble with NAM.

I noticed that you showed about 2.02 GHz, I think you can do much better that. I also use a tool, Rightmark to underclock the CPU when no load was needed. But I OC when load requires it.

SPQQKY,

I am with mdubrow on this, 5804 did not give me any trouble with shutdown or restart. Although I updated bios after windows and sp2. I did run the beta for a while when X2 support was added and it was stable. When X2 price is more to my liking I will pop one into it.

I have a question for all of you, in your network connection, do you see 1394 as being connected and firewalled in addition to the Local Network Connection (ethernet) ?

I have a rough time installing my HP 2600N network printer. I wonder if it was due to Tor and Privoxy installed and removed previously or something else. I finally plug in another Ethernet card and still have problem. My HP is plugged into the Belkin PreN router.

The funny thing is I have no problem with my laptop using wireless and installing the networked HP printer.

Oh well, another mystery filed for eternity.

 

[sgtdic]

sorry for the confusion. i meant if you had to plug in separate wires for the front audio. i hate that they labeled it NC, which stands for "normal close."

would installing the newest drivers help anything? do you know what was added/corrected? i keep checking the epox site for new drivers, but they aren't listing them. does that mean they're testing them or they are unstable/incompatible?

i'm showing my cpu speed for what it is currently. i plan to up it, i'm just seeing for long term stability, plus i don't have a lot of time right now. i'm still learning about OC'ing and i don't know much about adjusting voltages or timings. perhaps you could enlighten me?

husky, i'm sorry your question hasn't been answered yet. i know you've asked more than once. i've also noticed on mine that it shows the 1394 connection along with the network. as for your problem it could be a number of things. did you try adding it with a full chipset driver package installed, instead of parts of the new one? have you tried turning off ALL of your firewalls to see if that works? is everything configured correctly between your router and your pc? are you using a WEP key on your router w/ password? have you tried running the windows wireless network setup?

 

[imported_Husky55]

sgtdic,

The Nvidia drivers are available at the Nvida site not at the Epox site. Here is what the 6.66 package includes:

This nForce Win2K/XP driver package contains the below components:

Audio driver version 4.62 (WHQL)
Audio utility version 4.51
Ethernet NRM driver version 4.82 (WHQL)
Network management tools version 4.88
SMBus driver version 4.45 (WHQL) with updated uninstaller files
Installer version 4.78
Win2K IDE PATARAID driver version 5.34
Win2K IDE SATARAID driver version 5.34 (WHQL)
Win2K IDE SATA_IDE driver version 5.34 (WHQL)
Win2K RAIDTOOL application version 4.82
WinXP IDE PATARAID driver version 5.34
WinXP IDE SATARAID driver version 5.34 (WHQL)
WinXP IDE SATA_IDE driver version 5.34 (WHQL)
WinXP RAIDTOOL application version 4.82

About OC, Zebo's guide to OC at this site at CPU forum will explain very well what you would need to do. There are several very knowledgeable people here. I will do what I can. I also have Corsair VS and I am running at 2.5 GHZ with a divider of 166 or .83 ratio.

Thanks for telling me about your 1394 connection. I am using WPA with AES encription for my PRE-N Belkin router. With my Linksys G I had used WEP. MAC control is also enable in my router, this will allow only MAC authorized to enter the network. NO SSID broadcast. I do not think it's the router. However I do not have a print server.

My HP has both USB and Ethernet. USB is working fine. I am just looking for punishment I guess.

 

[sgtdic]

i know the drivers are at the nvidia site. that's where i got them when they first screwed up my system. do you recommend installing them, just without the IDE and NAM? i also wonder if installing the ntune (from Nvidia) under drivers will give us back ntune monitor?

I have no idea what divider and ratio mean. i get the point but i couldn't just go in and do that to mine, with your specs.

i also have a question for you. what does your 80 port LED say when your system is up and running? mine stays at FF, unless i have USDM broadcasting the temp. i emailed epox tech support and they said it doesn't matter, it's only there for POST. i'm just curious if anyone else's says anything different. i think they should have a number specifically if there is nothing wrong with your system.

 

[SPQQKY]

FF means it has past post and should stay there while the system is running.

 

[imported_Husky55]

sgtdic,

You are showing your Venice 3000 at 2.02 GHz. The Athlon 64 venice default is 200X9=1800MHz. So you are alreading OC to some extent.

In Althlon 64, the HTT or FSB is the same as the memory frequency, i.e. ratio 1.

Since Corsair VS is not really premium OC memory, hence value select, you want to uncouple the memory frequency from the HTT (in the Power BIOS section) so a ratio of .83 is the result of setting your memory frequency to 166 and your HTT/FSB to 200. You can use 133, 100 etc... and increase your HTT. Loosening your memory settings and increase voltages will optimize your settings. There are other considerations.

Zebo guide is a lot more detailed and has other considerations to take care of. You should really read it carefully before messing with your settings.

AFAIK, very few use NAM. Some use Nvida IDE. When I did have NAM working, port forwarding did not work for me, although I was pretty certain I configured it properly.

As far as IDE, MS IDE is working very well for me. I am not running RAID.

 

[sgtdic]

yes, you are correct. i started OC'ing a little and moved the fsb up to 225. the max i can get to now is 240 = 2.16G with my current settings. trying 245 my system wouldn't boot. most of my settings are on auto except: dram @ auto/1T, cpu freq. @240, pcie clock @ 100, ratio of 9x, chipset volt. @ 1.5, and mem. freq. @ ddr400 ~ 200.

i read zebo's guide, the first of his posts anyways. i changed from 2T to auto/1T because supposedly it's better, but i've read mixed reviews about it. anyway, what does SPD stand for? and, what do these numbers represent for memory (ex. 2-3-5-3)? there are atleast 10 different timings under dram config., so i couldn't tell and don't know what each of them should be set at besides auto/?T.
has anyone fooled with the HT frequency 1x-5x/auto setting?

 

[Novercalis]

will I be safe with this MOBO with this setup:

P180 case
4400+ X2
7800 GTX
HSF
CZ Peroformance 2GB (2 x 1GB) dual Channel

is it easy to get around the 7800 gtx installed?
will I have an issue with my ram? View Here

ty...
trying to figure out mobo now for my New Build

 

[SPQQKY]

Your only problem would be if you try to use an IDE HDD. The 7800 will go to the edge of the IDE port and cause interferance.

 

[Novercalis]

hrmm, more of a newbish question...
if I go SATA HDD.. I also thought it was a IDE cable that plugs in?
basically I dont know much about SATA/SATA II and how they look and thier size difference if any.

can you explain a bit more on that subject please.
Most appreciate so i dont run into to many problems.

 

[bwanaaa]

I like this mobo. I got it up to 340 fsb - but really now, who has a cpu and ram that can take advantage of THAT! One question about the 'power bios' section in the bios settings. Can anyone explain what the memory overclocking menu does? from what I saw in the manual, there was no such entry in the bios they (EPOX) were using. There was an entry in the bios used in the manual to UNDERCLOCK the memory (which I do not have) - you know, the usual dividers - 200, 166,133,100. My bios (80405) allows 100,133,166,200,216,233,250. When I leave the fsb to 200 and crank up the 'memory overclocking' (I am using 1 gig of gskill pc4400 at 2.5-3-3-7), my sandra scores hardly change. Does this 'memory overclocking' do ANYTHING if my fsb is set to 200 (LDT=auto)?

 

[mdubrow]

Memory speed should be CPU Frequency x Memory Frequency / 2. For example, my CPU Frequency is 250 mhz and my Memory Frequency is 166 mhz, so my memory speed is 208 mhz.

In my experience, the Epox BIOS overrides settings that test unstable during POST (in those cases, it showed a 'WARNING! BIOS settings changed. Check BIOS settings' or something along those lines). If you're not seeing any difference when overclocking your RAM, it may be that your settings have been overridden. Check the Memory tab in CPU-Z for confirmation of what your memory settings are. If you're overclocking your RAM, you may have to loosen the timings.

 

[imported_Husky55]

sgtdic,

If what you posted is accurate then you are a very lucky boy. Your Corsair VS is really good even excellent for OC.

Set your HTT ratio to 4. Remember HTTxLDT=1000 or less. Memory frequency to 166, 2T, and increase the FSB or HTT in increment of 10. SPD is just the default memory settings on your DIMMs.

2.5,3,3,7 are what people called cas, ras, trcd and trp. Leave them alone for now.

I am pretty sure you will get better than 250

Novercalis,

SATA HD uses a different cable and power connector than IDE HD. The Epox has 4 SATA connectors. I did not see your PS. Your components look great.

SPQQKY gave you a good tip.

 

[Novercalis]

okay than im feeling pretty much confidinent now with my new rig.
looks good on paper, hopes it looks good in real life.

2 Dual 2405fpw Monitors: ========================= approx: $1,500
Speakers: none: =============================== approx: $0
Keyboard: Generic ============================= approx: $15
Mouse: Razer Copperhead ======================= approx: $80
Case: Antec P180 ============================== approx: $120
PSU: Fortron 450W ============================= approx: $50
Motherboard: EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra: ============== approx: $125
RAMS: OCZ 2GB Plat dual Channel Kit =============== approx: $250
Processor: X2 4400+ =========================== approx: $500
HeatSink Fan: NONE ============================ approx: $0
Thermalgrease: NONE =========================== approx: $0
Video Card: BFG/eVGA 7800 GTX ================= approx: $500
Soundcard: NONE =============================== approx: $0
HDD: 74gb raptor & sata 400gb hdd: ============ approx: unknown
DVD/CDR/CDRW combo: Unknown =================== approx: $90

will my PSU be a problem to my board and/or case?
any imcompatibilities?

 

[imported_Husky55]

Novercalis,

Dell 2405fpw best price is about 900 bucks right now. If you can get them for 750 let me know where, I am interested.

Your PS is a bit underpowered IMO. I like Fortron a lot see my signature so I would recommend using Fortron but upping the power. I am also interest in an X2, but your price for the X2 4400 might be low. The X2 4400 comes with a pretty good HSF I hear, with heatpipes and so on. If you OC then I would suggest the new Thermalrigh SI-120.

Why do you want 2 monitors of that size?

 

[bwanaaa]

Originally posted by: mdubrow
Memory speed should be CPU Frequency x Memory Frequency / 2. For example, my CPU Frequency is 250 mhz and my Memory Frequency is 166 mhz, so my memory speed is 208 mhz.

In my experience, the Epox BIOS overrides settings that test unstable during POST (in those cases, it showed a 'WARNING! BIOS settings changed. Check BIOS settings' or something along those lines). If you're not seeing any difference when overclocking your RAM, it may be that your settings have been overridden. Check the Memory tab in CPU-Z for confirmation of what your memory settings are. If you're overclocking your RAM, you may have to loosen the timings.

thank you for the reply. interestingly, a64 tweaker shows really weird memory timings 4.5-7-7-10 (with little asterisks next to the numbers) but in the bios they are at 2.5-3-3-7.

Still, I do not understand but why are my sandra scores so unaffected by ram frequency as opposed to fsb frequency?

 

[sgtdic]

Originally posted by: Husky55
sgtdic,

If what you posted is accurate then you are a very lucky boy. Your Corsair VS is really good even excellent for OC.

Set your HTT ratio to 4. Remember HTTxLDT=1000 or less. Memory frequency to 166, 2T, and increase the FSB or HTT in increment of 10. SPD is just the default memory settings on your DIMMs.

2.5,3,3,7 are what people called cas, ras, trcd and trp. Leave them alone for now.

I am pretty sure you will get better than 250

thanks husky. i'm going to try your recommendations. is there another reason why you think i'm lucky besides my RAM?

husky and novercalis,
my psu is 430w max, with 400w continuous and i haven't had any problems so far. if i remember correctly the manual says that all you need is 350w minimum. i'm just stating this, but i don't know how much more (if any) your bigger cpu and video card would need.

 

[Novercalis]

why dual 2405? video editign, 1080i feature.
will be getting the new AG-HVX200 HD camcordor around Janurary for video shooting as well...

 

[route66]

Ok, I am having problems overclocking with this board.

Here's what I did (AMD Venice 3000 BTW):
FSB: 250MHz
HTT Mult: 4x
CPU Mult: 7x
Mem Divider: DDR200 (the lowest setting)

When I do this Windows 2000 gives me a quick blue screen during boot and then the system reboots. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to change the PCI speed in the Power Bios screen too?

Edit- clarification

 

[route66]

Ok, I figured out my problem. It probably has something to do with my old DDR333 that I am using (I'm cheap and wanted to buy a video card, no point throwing away good RAM). So, after reading The Rebel's Haven Computer forum I saw a discussion on how setting the RAM dividers can use the wrong timing for RAM - this would probably be especially true in my case because I'm using DDR333. So I did what he said (see thread here if anyone else is interested).

I have some other problems yet, but hopefully I can work through them.

 

[route66]

Hey, my Vcore doesn't stay stable. Watching USDM it moves from 1.45 to 1.48. Is this just a standard error, or a sign my power supply is having problems? Also, in the BIOS (I am currently using 9/14) I set Vcore to OFF, so I was expecting a Vcore of 1.4. So then why do I see 1.45-1.48 instead of 1.4?

Thanks for any help.

 

[sgtdic]

the voltage on usdm will fluctuate especially if you have it on auto. mine does it too. on auto it will rise or fall according to the demand of the load it has on it.

 

[route66]

Originally posted by: sgtdic
the voltage on usdm will fluctuate especially if you have it on auto. mine does it too. on auto it will rise or fall according to the demand of the load it has on it.

Yes, but in the Power BIOS I had set Vcore to OFF, so it should be staying stable at 1.4. Right? That's whats bothering me right now.

PS - Also, it's too bad the 9/14 BIOS doesn't work in nTune.

 

[SPQQKY]

9/14 BIOS? Did you get that with the flash utility or off Epox's site. Off simply means that it will not adjust when overclocking. The board will report higher than actual vcore for your chip.
Okay, looks like it's only available with Magic BIOS at this point. But as always I just saved the BIOS and put it on a floppy (still paranoid about Windows flashing) and flashed it. So far so good, only thing I see is they upped the DIMM voltage to 3.2.......using BH-5 myself, this may help with a little better OCing.

 

[blurredvision]

Hey guys, just ordered this board, along with a 7800gt and a 3800+ A64 X2 cpu. Everything should be here this week, and I just wanted to confirm the steps I need to take when setting up this board. I've spent the past 30 minutes browsing through this entire thread. From what I read, I should get a board with a BIOS version that will already work with my X2 cpu, correct? I'm also under the impression that if everything works straight out of the gate, then I shouldn't be fiddling with upgrading the BIOS for whatever reason.

What is the rest of the steps of installation? Obviously, install XP Pro. Should I then install the nForce drivers, or should I install SP2, then install the nForce drivers? I'm also assuming I should go ahead with the latest from nVidia's website, correct?

Thanks.