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

[The Pentium Guy]

Yep. That seems to be an issue with this board. If you've got a PSU with long cables, and if it's modular (this might help a bit), then you should be able to route the cables around the CPU HSF.

 

[DARQ MX]

yes, the epox is better oc-ing and stablity than the MSI.

 

[Macro2]

What HSF should I get then. A64 3000+ Venice to be OCed.

 

[Addy]

Originally posted by: Macro2
What HSF should I get then. A64 3000+ Venice to be OCed.

I just ordered the 9npa+ultra. I plan on using my XP90 which is an awesome cooler. One end of the cooler has some overhang from the cpu socket, I have it over my ram on my current board and plan on the same with the Epox. The heatsink fins are elevated quite a bit so I don?t think it would even be a problem the other way around if you need to have a dedicated fan blowing on your ram.

 

[MadScientist]

I'm using the XP-90 with this board. Much, much easier if you install the psu cables first before mounting the XP-90. The XP-90 does not block any of the ram slots.

 

[SPQQKY]

I don't have any problems with the power connector where it's at, but I have an Enermax PSU with very long cabling and a server case.

 

[Macro2]

Will this fit?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118114

 

[Macro2]

or this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118118

 

[MadScientist]

Macro2,
The Thermalright XP-90 fits perfectly. The heat pipes clear the first ram slot. The dimensions on Thermalright's site are for the fin section only. It's hard to compare the dimensions of the XP-90 with the Zalmans due to their different shapes and the XPs heatpipes. The Zalman's fins are concentric in shape, while a good portion of the XP-90's fins are facing the back side of the board.
Thermalright XP-90 116L x 96W x 75H (96mm with 25mm thick fan)
Zalman CNPS7000-ALCU 109L x 109W x 62H (with fan)
Zalman CNPS7700-ALCU 136L x 136W x 67H (with fan)

I purchased the retail version of the XP-90 at Jab Tech. Link

 

[wbynum]

Anyone know how to get the USB 2.0 ports enabled on the 9npa+ Ultra/SLI boards? I have the SLI version. The USB 2.0 readme that comes on the motherboard drivers CD says to run Windows Update and it will find a Microsoft USB driver. I did that but no Microsoft USB driver was found.

Also, here's my general obsercations after messing with the SLI version of the motherboard today:

1. I have a Venice 3000+ CPU. I downloaded the latest bios that was supposed to support Rev E CPU off the European Epox website and flashed it. No real change. The new bios and the old bios both defaulted the CPU voltage to 1.5v. Not sure why the new bios doesn't default it down to 1.4v. Not a big deal though as I have the voltage overclocked to 1.55v (see below).

2. I got my 3000+ Venice running at 2520mhz at 1.55v cpu core, 280 FSB/9x CPU multiplier, 3x HTT multiplier, 133mhz memory devider, 3-3-3-8 and 1T on the memory. I could probably tweek it a bit more, but I tried 2700mhz but it wasn't stable at all.

3. If you are using the XP-90 HSF, orient it so it overhangs the DRAM slots (install the DRAM first). If you don't the 12v CPU plug on the motherboard is blocked by the HSF. With the stiff cable on my X-Connect powersupply it was impossible to install the XP-90 with the overhange over the 12v plug.

Anyways, off to stress test the cpu/ram with Prime95. Ohh yea, feel free to flame me about the use of the X-Connect PS.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: Macro2
Will this fit?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118114

I'd get the XP90 over the 7700 any day. Smaller, and it'll keep your temps cooler.

but I tried 2700mhz but it wasn't stable at all.

+

Ohh yea, feel free to flame me about the use of the X-Connect PS.

=
The Answer .

-The Pentium Guy

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

Originally posted by: MadScientist
I'm using the XP-90 with this board. Much, much easier if you install the psu cables first before mounting the XP-90. The XP-90 does not block any of the ram slots.

Hi--I am also using the XP-90C with this board. No fit or clearance issues at all. I am using a Panaflo M1A fan on top, as recommended. I bought if from frozencpu.com and saved about $10 over NewEgg.

The power connector placement on the EPoX is the ONLY disadvantage to this board. It does not cause any real issues, though. I am using a OCZ PowerStream 520W PSU and in a large Antec SLK3700BQE case. No problems.

Oh, and the XP-90C is a hs/fan that does not suck! The best CPU cooler hands down I have ever used. I have it oriented to blow down onto my DIMMs. It also side ejects exhaust air at my Zalman passive heatsink on the northbridge. All in all, I am very happy with my setup.

 

[Lanyap]

Anybody know why only a few etailers (NE/Chiefvalue, ZZF and mwave) sell this board?

 

[The Pentium Guy]

EPoX doesn't seem to have a large market share. But that could change soon.

 

[SPQQKY]

It could change very soon. They were very popular with the 8K3A line and the 8RDA line, but when all the bad caps started showing up on the 8RDA's, they started to drop. I'm sure they got into some financial issues with the company who made the caps, as a few other manufacturers did, and the 9NDA3 line, although decent, weren't as popular with end users due to the bad karma from the 8rda feedback and they weren't spectacular OCers, but the latest nF4 line is proving to be excellent and they are climbing up the ladder again.

 

[bupkus]

Has anyone installed those minil-heatsinks that came with the 9NPA+Ultra? I haven't yet but I'm not overclocking yet either.

 

[BigCoolJesus]

does anyone think it would help at all to install an all copper Vantec Iceberg chipset heatsink/fan in place of the stock chipset cooler?

would it help lower sound or temps?

 

[trueteck1]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Yep. That seems to be an issue with this board. If you've got a PSU with long cables, and if it's modular (this might help a bit), then you should be able to route the cables around the CPU HSF.

I found a great PSU for the Mobo that won't put ya in the poor-house. In fact the same manufacture makes a superior Tower case (with or without a PSU) too.

450 watt Type #2 PSU
Cooler Master: ($59) PSU-RS-450-ACLX

Desktop Steel Case-(tower)- (without psu= $49)
CoolerMaster
Model:
Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW

You will love this set-up ( it's almost silent & very cool inside )

T_T

 

[enwar3]

will the EPoX work with X2's? cuz i heard most boards just need a bios update, so is it the same with this one?

and it seems like the hsf consensus is the XP-90. i looked at that one and it only comes with the hs, no fan.. also, ive seen a lotta positive reviews for the zalman 7700, does anyone have a review comparing the two or something?

EDIT: how about the artic freezer?

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: enwar3
will the EPoX work with X2's? cuz i heard most boards just need a bios update, so is it the same with this one?

and it seems like the hsf consensus is the XP-90. i looked at that one and it only comes with the hs, no fan.. also, ive seen a lotta positive reviews for the zalman 7700, does anyone have a review comparing the two or something?

EDIT: how about the artic freezer?

Get the Xp-90C

No doubt the zalman 7700Cu is awesome (ive used a Zalman 7000CU, same design, just 92mm fan) and its great and all, but for the best heat dissipation, the 90C wins (come on, heatpipes)

 

[RobbyG]

Originally posted by: enwar3
will the EPoX work with X2's? cuz i heard most boards just need a bios update, so is it the same with this one?

Yes, the latest bios dated 06/29/05 supports dual core cpu's.

 

[DARQ MX]

Also, how come Epox's get sold out sooo quick when not that many ppl still know about them?

 

[Bateluer]

Does this board have any known issues using Corsair ValueSelect RAM? I'm building a system for a friend, and the ValueSelect has always been great RAM for me, aside from that cursed DFI board.

 

[imported_Husky55]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Does this board have any known issues using Corsair ValueSelect RAM? I'm building a system for a friend, and the ValueSelect has always been great RAM for me, aside from that cursed DFI board.

NO

 

[Bateluer]

Whats the manual like?