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

[Mem]

DrewCU:

I tried pluggnig USB 2.0 devices into my motherboard ports,no problems still,I don't have wireless ,well except my wireless Netgear DG834GT ADSL modem/router,but I'm using it in wired mode with CAT 5e cable, no wireless adaptor I can try sorry.

Have a look in System info and see if you have any IRQ sharing conflict problems?

Btw what PSU do you have? I'm using Hiper TYPE R 580w ATX2.2

 

[DrewCU]

No conflicts and I have a plenty powerful Seasonic 500w. Since Epox acknowledges there is a USB 2.0 issue and other people report the problem, I still maintain that it is not a per-user issue. The freezing issue is not instant, sometimes it takes hours of usage of a device, sometimes minutes, sometimes it occurs when you use the computer, and other times it happens when NO ONE uses it and the computer is idle. So I would say, Mem, if you can, just leave whatever USB 2.0 devices you have connected to the motherboard for a few days, and report back then, but because you don't have similar devices to the HD or Network card, you may have no problems even still.

If it was possible for you, I'd say you could test it with one of those devices and then if you had no problems, I would say there is another factor affecting us we haven't considered, but until then, I am afraid there is most llikely some flaw with either the hardware or software.

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

can anyone recommend a passive northbridge cooler? Iam wondering if the Zalman 47 fits?

 

[gfngfgf]

Originally posted by: BlingBlingArsch
can anyone recommend a passive northbridge cooler? Iam wondering if the Zalman 47 fits?

Zalman NB47J fits fine, but it depends on your video card and (I think more) on what kind of cooling you use for your video card. My x300se is real short, so I have no issues.

 

[DrewCU]

I have the Zalman NB cooler on there and even with the 7800 GT/NV silencer everything is fine. I was a bit concerned because the NV silencer has a backplate with bolts that stick out past the back of the 7800 GT, but they do not hit the Zalman. Temperature is about the same as it was with the Epox fan and the whole thing is WAAAAAAAAAY quieter! No more high pitched whine!

 

[sgtdic]

drewcu, i don't know if you read my usb problem but i'll tell you to see what you think about it. i'm having an issue with my front usb ports on my case. most devices work fine like my webcam and headset, but when i try my psp it says that windows does not recognize it and it has malfuntioned. it has worked before however and comes up like a hard drive. but after a minute or so IF the data on it does come up it just disappears. all of my devices work fine on the mobo ports and the hub in the back though. my connections are correct, otherwise how would anything else work on the front.

 

[DrewCU]

sgtdic - I really don't know what is causing that other than bad headers or bad cabling going from your case. There are more variables in your issue, and I would RMA the board if I was you. All of my USB ports work, just I get system instability with USB 2.0! Can you tell me what USB devices you have plugged in to the motherboard, whether you have USB 2.0 selected, and what version of Windows you have?

Thanks.

 

[servo101]

This is somewhat OT but since I run a PC retail shop here in the Philippines, the distro bought in the new stuff from EPoX. Being so, I thought i'd share with you this quick preview of EPoX's latest SLI mobo, the EP-9NPA3 SLI

Introducing the EPoX EP-9NPA3 SLI

Box shot

Opening it up reveals the usual suspects (i.e IDE cable, SATA cable, manual, I/O backshield, driver CD, etc, etc).

box opened

A good bundle and includes everything you need to set-up a PC. No need for rounded cables which helps drives costs down. You buy this mobo for the mobo, not its goodies....

no SLI switch card?!?!?!

A quick glance at the mobo reveals one glaring absence. There's no SLI switch card!!!!!1111 Could this mobo actually enable SLI in the BIOS in the same way that much more expensive mobos enable SLI? I wonder....

metal backplate

A look at the backside also reveals another important change, the use of a metal backplate. I have always preferred metal backplates over plastic ones like those used by DFI and the previous EPoX mobos. Why? Its soooo dificult to install an aftermarket cooler on plastic backplates simply because of the fact that they are not stuck to the board using tape, and hence, fall off once you remove the stock retention mechanism. Anyone who has experienced installing an aftermarket cooler while the mobo is still inside the case would know what I'm talking about. If not....wel', you arent hardcore enough...plus the fact that metal is stronger than plastic....

That concludes a look at the mobo. Next thing you'll ask me is "what are the BIOS options?"

Well, this I can tell you so far. This mobo has by far the best OCer BIOS I have seen south of DFI's dominance of the OCer market. EPoX really did a good job with this mobo's BIOS.

For starters:
CPU Frequency = 200 - 400 MHz
CPU voltage = -0.2v to +.35v (more than enough to toast your proc! wooppiieee!)
DIMM voltage = 3.1v (more than enough to toast your mems!)
+1.2V HT = up to 1.5v, default is 1.2v, known as LDT Voltage in the DFI nF4 series BIOSes.
Chipset voltage = up to 1.9v (waaay overkill, in my experience, 1.8v is more than enough)

The memory timings are extensive, 2nd only to the DFI's plethora of available tweaks. Still no DRAM drive stength but hey, you can't have your cake and eat it too, right?

So there you go, guys, a quick preview at what is possibly the best mobo you can get as your Xmas gift to yourself. As a parting shot, I'll leave you with the lasting image of 2 x 6600GTs sitting lovingly together in ths mobo.

SLI'd 6600GTs

 

[sgtdic]

i just switched to usb 1.1 in the bios and my psp came up fine immediately using my front usb port. i'm pretty sure my case is usb 2.0 and the psp is 2.0. even if my case was 1.1 it should work anyway. i'm using winxp w/ sp2 and this is what i have plugged in: hp printer, mouse, keyboard, external dvd-rw, camera dock, headset, webcam, and troubleshooting psp.

 

[DrewCU]

sgtdic - well then i guess you join the club of people who are upset at Epox's USB 2.0 support! Call them or complain to them via their USA website's "ticket" thing, since it seems that a very fundamental part of a motherboard such as USB 2.0 does not work properly. It doesn't sound like you have devices that would cause freezing such as network cards or HD's, but your issue shouldn't happen either.

I discovered that even with my wireless card connected to a USB 2.0 hub (my monitor), my computer froze, and I also found out that my network connection is about 500k/s slower than it could be since I use USB 1.1, so I am getting peeved by this situation. I can no longer get a refund for this board, and it is otherwise a decent board, but I would like to have a fully functional motherboard! I chose this board because I have the ability to swap out the chipset fan for a passive heatsink (without the heatsink getting in the way), and because it is a good O/C, and because I don't need SLI since I have a 7800 GT and before I decide to buy a new graphics card complement, I figure I will go out and buy a DirectX 10 card.

I am going to try a PCI USB 2.0 card and see if that works, as someone said it should, but since I only have one PCI slot left and if I ever decide to get another card like the X-Fi, then that PCI card will have to be taken out. I am just hoping that Epox can figure out why USB 2.0 won't work all the time for high speed devices while USB 1.1 has no problems!

 

[Exnihilo]

Hey Guys,

I have been reading this forum for awhile now and I appreciate the good info. This is my first build and I have a problem I need some help with. After I put my rig together and turned it on, it wouldn't post. The 80 port stops on code 25 which in the manual only says "reserved." All three power LEDs are on and all fans running. I thought my mobo was bad at first, but I have an old PCI 2D video card, so I thought what the heck, I'll try it. I removed my X800 GTO2 and put in the old card and--SHAZZAM! It passed post. I don't have another machine to try the X800 out in to see if it's bad. No one I know has PCIe X16.

I haven't been able to find anyone else on this forum with the same problem. I would be grateful for any help you can give.

Thanx

 

[techfuzz]

Exnihilo, are you using a dual 12v PSU? What make and model is it? Did you make sure to attach the molex connector on the X800 to the PSU? Does the fan on the video card spin when you turn on the computer?

techfuzz

 

[Exnihilo]

Originally posted by: techfuzz
Exnihilo, are you using a dual 12v PSU? What make and model is it? Did you make sure to attach the molex connector on the X800 to the PSU? Does the fan on the video card spin when you turn on the computer?

techfuzz

Yes to all of the above. My PSU is an Enermax Liberty, model # ELT500AWT. It's 500w, duel 12v rails with 22A on each rail. It's modular and has a dedicated connector for the video card. I did have it hooked up to the card and the fan on the video card was spinning.

 

[techfuzz]

Exnihilo, is the BIOS up to date and did you try reseating the video card?

techfuzz

 

[Exnihilo]

techfuzz,
I'm not absolutely sure about the bios. The bios screen says "v6.00PG, 08/04/2005 for nForce4 Chipset." I think that is the bios version that SPQQKY said was crap. What is the best current bios? And what is the best method to flash it. The manual says to use a floppy, but can I use a flash drive? I have tried reseating the video card.

By the way, I really appreciate the help.

 

[mrza]

What does everyone use to monitor temps? I didn't see the 9NPA+ on MBM5's list.

 

[sgtdic]

i mostly use epox's usdm or thunderprobe to monitor temps.

exnihilo, use your video card that works and use the magic bios that came on the mobo utility cd to flash to the newest bios. i've used it several times now and i haven't had a problem with it. then put in your x800 and see if that works. it seems i remember hearing about this problem before but i don't recall there was a solution. good luck anyway

 

[Orcishhuman]

Hi, I'm new here.

It's been 10 years and all the PCs I've bought were pre-built (mostly Dells) so I decided to change a bit and make my own.
Here's what it's gonna look like, any tips (like if there's any pther product which would work better with the Epox mobo).
Case: Antec P180
PSU: Seasonic 500 Watts
CPU: AMD 3500+ Venice
Motherboard: EpoX 9NPA+ Ultra (that's why I'm here =P)
Memory: 2x 512MB of Corsair ValueSelect
Video Card: XFX 6800GS (comes pre-O/Ced)
Sound Card (maybe): Creative Audigy 4
Any input would be really appreciated : )

 

[Azkarr]

I don't think that an Audigy 4 is necessary, especially if you're not going to use 5.1 speakers. An Audigy 2 ZS would be good enough IMO. Also, the case might have problems with cable routing, and I heard the P180 is not friendly with beginners. Since the 9NPA+Ultra's 24-pin power connector is located behind the IO panel, the bottom mounted PSU in the P180 might but a tad hard on cables. Other than that the PC looks good. Good luck building it.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Well, I decided to go with the Epox since I don't need SLI and since I didn't want to wrestle with the DFI and it's issues with Corsair Value Select RAM. So I went with the Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra for $95 shipped from ZipZoomFly. Sure hope I like it. Did I do well or did I make a mistake?


WhipperSnapper's Upcoming New Rig. First ever do-it-yourself build:

Case: Chieftec Matrix (plum purple)
Motherboard: Epox EP-9NPA+ULTRA nForce4 Ultra.
CPU: Opteron 148 (hoping to overclock to 2.5 Ghz).
RAM: 2 x 512 MB Corsair Value Select (Cas 2.5).
Video Card: Connect3D x800 GTO (hoping to unlock to 16 pipes and overclock to at least x800xt speeds). Might tack on an Arctic Silencer.
Hard Drives: Two of the following. 200 GB Maxtor PATA, 160 GB Maxtor PATA, 120 GB Seagate PATA.
Optical Drives: Lite-On CD-RW, BTC DVD-RW (Staples Black Friday deal/scam).
Power Supply: Sparkle 550W EPS-SLI with 36A on a single rail.
HSF: Probably a Thermalright 90. Fan unknown.

I still need to take care of a couple small details, like ordering the HSF and case fans.

 

[Blue Monkey]

I just recieved my third 9npa+ultra from new egg and every one of them has had issues. The first one was DOA. The second one was terribly unstable and wouldn't restart if you powered off the computer and then tried to power it back on unless you disconnect the powersupply and wait ten seconds.

This is my third board and I starts and restarts correctly but it won't recognise my memory. GEEZ! It kinda worked on the last one. I am going to go try to get some value ram and see if it boots with that tomorrow but I have an extremely low opinion of EPOX and this board. If anyone doesn't have any issues with this board I would consider them a minority.

What is the deal anyone else have near the problems I have had with this?

 

[sgtdic]

maybe it's not the board. maybe it's the hardware you're using or user error. you probably used used hardware and the same on every board you got didn't you? i'm betting it's another piece of hardware you're using instead of the board. from your description it sounds like either your power supply or your ram.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: Exnihilo
techfuzz,
I'm not absolutely sure about the bios. The bios screen says "v6.00PG, 08/04/2005 for nForce4 Chipset." I think that is the bios version that SPQQKY said was crap. What is the best current bios? And what is the best method to flash it. The manual says to use a floppy, but can I use a flash drive? I have tried reseating the video card.

By the way, I really appreciate the help.

I have x800xt and the Sept. 14 Bios on the +SLI.
All is well with the video, however,
I just found out that you can not complete a boot from a floppy if you have a USB 2.0 hard drive plugged in. (I just fought this most of the day.)

 

[sgtdic]

oh really? even after trying the boot order and disabling booting from removable in the bios?

 

[gfngfgf]

Originally posted by: servo101
This is somewhat OT but since I run a PC retail shop here in the Philippines, the distro bought in the new stuff from EPoX. Being so, I thought i'd share with you this quick preview of EPoX's latest SLI mobo, the EP-9NPA3 SLI

...

no SLI switch card?!?!?!
...

Is it me, or is the power connector on there in an even MORE inconvenient place than on the 9npa+ Ultra? (unless you have the P180 case, I guess)