EPoX EP-9NPA3ULTRA

[5t3v0]

I have but it could be the same problem all over again. Opterons are like hens teeth here in the UK. My first choice was a 146 but I got fed up waiting for one so got the 144 & now they're out of stock almost everywhere again. I heard AMD were going to restrict supply of Opterons to the enthusiast market. Perhaps they've started already.

 

[nerp]

Yeah. There are also rumors that one reason for the shortage is that AMD is stockpiling chips for upcoming AMD-based Dell workstations, which would be interesting to say the least.

Based on your experiences, I'm glad that I got a 148. I think it gave me just a little bit of extra headroom.

 

[5t3v0]

Having extra multipliers is handy but the extra cost of the 148 reduces that bang-for-buck ratio for me. 148s are over 170 pounds sterling over here, thats > $300! 146s are back in stock at CPUcity over here for the equivalent of $240. I'm very tempted although I feel I should hold out for a 165.

 

[nerp]

Well its been a couple weeks and I'm happy to report that this board has been issue free. I got an external 5.25 inch enclosure for my dvd recorder and I've been burning stuff like a madman and haven't encountered any strange USB 2.0 related issues. My overclock has been working without a hitch and I can't find any faults with the board at all. If anyone is considering an inexpensive socket 939 board without SLI, be sure to check this one out!

I might add Newegg posted my review of the board, so it finally has a rating and a comment. If anyone else out there has bought this board, why not stop by Newegg and add your own comment? I think this board deserves a little more visibility.

 

[5t3v0]

Nice one nerp. I am warming to my board more these days. I have discovered that AMD's Cool 'n' Quiet is a good workaround for my over-volting problem. It switches from 1.4GHz @ 1.26v at idle to 2.5GHz @ 1.55v under load so will keep my idle volts down nicely. I've read everywhere that CnQ shouldn't be used when overclocking but my experience so far is good.

 

[nerp]

Hmm. Maybe I'll try flicking it on. It would be nice to reduce power consumption when I'm sleeping.

 

[nerp]

Strange, the board dissapeared from Newegg. It's still for sale at Mwave, though. Maybe a new batch will arrive at Newegg eventually.

 

[harobikes333]

how much is this board?

 

[nerp]

$85 when it was on newegg. $82 at Mwave. It's pretty inexpensive.

 

[bim27142]

i'm using this board too... so far i'm doing ok, and very satisfied with it's performance... and it is really inexpensive...

 

[nerp]

Cool! I think this board really fits the bill if you want a simple nf4 board without SLI and no intentions of RAID. I've been 24/7 stable since I got it about a month ago.

 

[tortie]

I currently have the 9NPA3-Ultra and an Opteron 144. I'll post overclocking results when my PCIe videocard arrives.

 

[Chappie]

Hi guys,

I'm interested in how this board runs the Opty's....I've just bought a 144 and will be buying a new motherboard soon (along with other stuff). I'm lookin at the Epox EP-9NPAJ board right now, but I might switch depending on how it runs with you guys.

Good luck!!

Chappie

 

[nerp]

It's been flawless for me so far.

 

[Chappie]

That's good news nerp!!

I want to be sure I understand this..is the only difference between the 9NPA3 Ultra and the 9NPAJ board the SATA types???

If so I'll probably stick with the "J" type.

thanks,
Chappie

 

[bim27142]

guys, is this OC good enough for my rig? or i just suck...

HTT - 250
LDT - 4x
multiplier @ default 10x
ram running @ 166mhz (8-4-4-2.5 - 1T)
vcore @ 1.57 (1.53 under load / default @ 1.45)
vdimm @ 2.8 (default @ 2.7)
vchip @ default

temps:
idle - 34~38 C
load - 55~60 C

i'm stable on these settings with prime95 for 12hours (which is enough for me)... vcore was increased to 0.1v and also for the vdimm... would this not fry my components in the long run??? what i'm worrying about is that i'm touching the "voltages" part already...

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: Chappie
That's good news nerp!!

I want to be sure I understand this..is the only difference between the 9NPA3 Ultra and the 9NPAJ board the SATA types???

If so I'll probably stick with the "J" type.

thanks,
Chappie

Yes, you're missing a couple SATA ports and no IEEE ports. That's about as much of a difference I can see. Maybe a few bios options, but nothing significant.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: bim27142
guys, is this OC good enough for my rig? or i just suck...

HTT - 250
LDT - 4x
multiplier @ default 10x
ram running @ 166mhz (8-4-4-2.5 - 1T)
vcore @ 1.57 (1.53 under load / default @ 1.45)
vdimm @ 2.8 (default @ 2.7)
vchip @ default

temps:
idle - 34~38 C
load - 55~60 C

i'm stable on these settings with prime95 for 12hours (which is enough for me)... vcore was increased to 0.1v and also for the vdimm... would this not fry my components in the long run??? what i'm worrying about is that i'm touching the "voltages" part already...

I think you're pretty close to the max vcore that you should feel comfortable with, although your temps seem SLIGHTLY high. . . What kind of cooler you got on there?

 

[bim27142]

i'm using zalman 7000b cu led with 3 80mm case fans (1 side intake and 2 back exhaust)...

i live in a tropical country though... but anyway, i lowered my OC to 240 HTT and stock voltages, my temps now are significantly lower than running @ 250 HTT...

 

[tortie]

Well, i just installed my Opteron 144 to the EP-NPA3 Ultra, and it is now running without any problems so far. Im currently running at 2538mhz (282FSB X 9) @ 1.5v. 33C idle temp and 48C at prime load, no voltage fluctuations from idle to full load.

The only problem is my led display shows 'FF' instead of the CPU temp when im in windows.

Current Rig:

Opteron 144 w/ Thermal Take Silent tower
Epox EP-9NPA3 Ultra
2 X 1GB Corsair Value Select
2 X 74GB WD Raptor
PNY 7800GT

 

[Cuhulainn]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

model: 9NPAJ / 9NPA3 Ultra / 9NPA+ Ultra
DDR slots: 4 / 4 / 4
PCIe x16: 1 / 1 / 1
PCIe x1: 3 / 2 / 3
PCI: 3 / 3 / 3
PATA: 2x100 / 2x100 / 2x100
SATA: 4x150 / 4x300 / 4x300
RAID: no / 0,1 / 0,1,0+1 JBOD
audio: 7.1 / 7.1 / 7.1
LAN: 1000Mbps / 1000Mbps / 1000Mbps
USB: 4e6i / 4e4i / 4e6i
firewire: no / no / 2a
SLI: no / no / no

This is helpful, thanks. I was considering the 9NPA3, but seeing as how I can get firewire support for 4 more dollars, I think I'd rather go for the 9NPA+.

I have a few questions still:

1) This board has gone up in price to around $100. Do you guys still consider that a good deal??

2) A main concern of mine is ease of use. Is this a good board for a first time builder?

3) Are the memory options I have chosen good as far as compatibility with this board? If not, any recomendations?

4) Are there any specifiations or recommendations for a power supply to go with this setup?
EDIT: Did some research, I'm thinking the FSP AX400-PN. Good choice?


here's my plan:

Athlon 64 3200+
Epox 9NPA+ Ultra
Crucial Ballistix PC-3200 2x512MB
OR OCZ PC-3200 2x512MB Platinum R2
ATI All in Wonder X800xl
Western Digital 3.0 Gbps 250MB 7200RPM 16 MB Caviar SE16 (maybe 2 for raid 1 setup)
Pioneer 16X DVR-110D
Thermaltake Swing VB6000SNS
FSP AX400-PN PSU

 

[Fallengod]

Ive had 2 9NPA+ ultra boards. I have no complaints. Its rock stable. No problems. Always booted up first try. I run mine with an opteron 144 @ 2.6ghz with 1.425 volts.

Also id recommend buying it from chiefvalue.com. Its $99 with free shipping. They have excellent customer service also.

I still dont get why they released the 9NPA3 ultra. It seems like its identical to the 9NPA+ultra except lacking firewire and a few layout things. It needed to be released again just for that? Weird.

 

[marvsz]

Is there something you can buy to have a firewire on this board?

 

[nerp]

You'd have to get a PCI IEEE card.

 

[wayliff]

Is EPOX ROHS compliant? Like ASRock?