EVGA NF4 SLI (NF41-AX) report

[zeppelinfr34k]

So, I bought the board and 7800GT combo, and it was working, but because of the same BIOS issues others are having, I decided to flash the Jetway BIOS for the equivalent board, after the user on HardOCP mentioned that he had. Big mistake. My computer doesn't even show POST anymore, although it does beep if I remove the RAM, indicating that nothing is physically wrong with the board. I tried using the BIOS chip from a DFI Lanparty, but it says "error loading operating system" at the point where it should boot the AWDFlash utility from the floppy, and when I tried to hotswap my BIOS into the DFI board and flash the BIOS onto it there, it pointed out that the part number for the BIOS doesn't match the mobo (which is true, so I can't complain). I also reset the CMOS just in case, but (naturally) it didn't solve the problem at all. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do?

P.S. The user at HardOCP fixed it by switching the BIOS chip from his brother's NF3 board into his board and then switching back before flashing the BIOS, so it could just be that the DFI BIOS chip is too different to allow me to use the floppy drive.

edit: To the poster a few posts above me, I have been running this board with four sticks of RAM (two of older Corsair XMS and two OCZ value VH), so it *can* work with four ram sticks. However, they were each 512MB sticks, so if you had more than 2GB of RAM in, that could be the root of the problem.

 

[Skyhanger]

hmm... i don't know how you can aquire another BIOS chip... RMA? call eVGA tech support?

 

[acroig]

Yep, call evga and have them send you a new bios chip.

 

[Skyhanger]

Where do you live anyways? Maybe some eVGA mobo owner who lives close to you might be willing to hotflash your chip on his board.

 

[zeppelinfr34k]

I'm in Long Beach, California. If anyone was willing to do that, that would be great.

 

[imported_Funkatation]

 

[imported_Funkatation]

I got the 7800GT combo from newegg, set it up this weekend. Had some intial funkyness with the 6.66 nforce sata driver (one from evga cd works solid though). Works great with my memory PDP DDR 400 2-3-2-5 1T timings (SPD reports correct timings). Set about overlcocking... I just had the stock HSF, so 2.4 (x2 3800+) was my goal. Just dropped the memory divider down, popped the voltage up .5, and set it to 240. Booted fine and passes Prime95 no problem. Very happy with this setup. I may try to down the voltage and see if it still works, but I haven't seen too much of an increase in temps. Not sure I am going to replace the HSF either, as it seems to work pretty well, I have an Antec Sonata with 2x120mm fans with good airflow (using 12v connections, so its not "quiet" anymore)

 

[apesoccer]

Heya MichaelD

The problem with PCMark05 is that the CPU driver hasn't been updated. It really is that simple. I know it only has issues with the sata drive, but that's what the problem is. You can do a quick search on futuremark FAQ under PCMark05 to find the link. I couldn't find the download on AMD's site directly.

It's an issue with the X2's.

----
As to memory, i've got the pat xblk as well. It boots at 1T timings but won't run 32m SuperPi without errors. It errors in Pcmark 04, and 05 with the Write sections of the benchmark, indicating that the preset memory timings are too tight in the board (ie the ones we can't change...).

I've now set the 1T to 2T and seem to be running...ok. I get random crahes every now and then however. =/.

---
The EVGA and the Jetway boards are the same...just the bios setups are different. EVGA gets their updates direct from Jetway. Wish they'd start popping these guys out a little faster... It worries me that they haven't found a quick fix for this.

--
I also have an issue running sli, 2x6800gts. I'm getting errors relating to not having enough power supplied to the 6800gts...I have alot of things running...but i've never noticed that happening before (i used a a8n-sli deluxe before, with 2x6800gts with nps and a oc'd 3000+). It always was happening as they got hot...like when they hit about 90c. I've since remedied that [heat] issue, with a 120mm fan blowing out the hot air from those two cards. [The way things are setup, they block airflow to the top side of the case...so having a 80mm in to the bottom and a 120 out was my best solution...using the 120 as a in, didn't help...].

-
edit: I just got off the phone with Jetway technicians...I hadn't updated the bios from A02 to A03, because the board listed is different then what is listed in my manual and bios. They verified i need to be using the newer bios. I'll try to update this if this solves some/all of my problems.

update: Bios didn't take...[/cries]

 

[MichaelD]

That's some very interesting stuff. Thanks for posting it. I need to check out the EVGA forums; I haven't in awhile...just to see what is new.

B/T work and other projects, I haven't gamed much lately...just some Rainbow6 action...it's an old game, but man is it beautiful w/everythign maxxed out. :beer:

Originally posted by: apesoccer
Heya MichaelD

The problem with PCMark05 is that the CPU driver hasn't been updated. It really is that simple. I know it only has issues with the sata drive, but that's what the problem is. You can do a quick search on futuremark FAQ under PCMark05 to find the link. I couldn't find the download on AMD's site directly.

It's an issue with the X2's.

----
As to memory, i've got the pat xblk as well. It boots at 1T timings but won't run 32m SuperPi without errors. It errors in Pcmark 04, and 05 with the Write sections of the benchmark, indicating that the preset memory timings are too tight in the board (ie the ones we can't change...).

I've now set the 1T to 2T and seem to be running...ok. I get random crahes every now and then however. =/.

---
The EVGA and the Jetway boards are the same...just the bios setups are different. EVGA gets their updates direct from Jetway. Wish they'd start popping these guys out a little faster... It worries me that they haven't found a quick fix for this.

--
I also have an issue running sli, 2x6800gts. I'm getting errors relating to not having enough power supplied to the 6800gts...I have alot of things running...but i've never noticed that happening before (i used a a8n-sli deluxe before, with 2x6800gts with nps and a oc'd 3000+). It always was happening as they got hot...like when they hit about 90c. I've since remedied that [heat] issue, with a 120mm fan blowing out the hot air from those two cards. [The way things are setup, they block airflow to the top side of the case...so having a 80mm in to the bottom and a 120 out was my best solution...using the 120 as a in, didn't help...].

-
edit: I just got off the phone with Jetway technicians...I hadn't updated the bios from A02 to A03, because the board listed is different then what is listed in my manual and bios. They verified i need to be using the newer bios. I'll try to update this if this solves some/all of my problems.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Skyhanger
Where would you get that kinda fan OEM? The only option I see here is to buy a spare one off of a DFI user...

Or a Gigabyte User, those are pretty darn thin. Or Use a low profile waterblock. I know there are some that allow for the tubing to connect from the side instead of on top, one of those should work well for you. No need to get a cpu block you can just use water to cool the chipset.

 

[Megatomic]

I've got one of these boards and I put a 3700+ SD in it. It's running really nicely. There have been some BIOS updates released recently for this mobo if you guys didn't know already. The latest one fixes the problem people were having with X-Fi cards and it also corrected bad temp. readbacks. The EVGA BIOS engineers are working on another BIOS that will fix memory problems some are having, hopefully they'll also provide a way to turn off the splash screen.

The only thing I don't like about it is the slightly whiny sound the chipset cooler makes. And with me using only one card I can't upgrade to the Zalman NB cooler I normally like to use.

 

[Googer]

http://www.frozencpu.com/vid-09.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/vid-08.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/vid-06.html

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I've got one of these boards and I put a 3700+ SD in it. It's running really nicely. There have been some BIOS updates released recently for this mobo if you guys didn't know already. The latest one fixes the problem people were having with X-Fi cards and it also corrected bad temp. readbacks. The EVGA BIOS engineers are working on another BIOS that will fix memory problems some are having, hopefully they'll also provide a way to turn off the splash screen.

The only thing I don't like about it is the slightly whiny sound the chipset cooler makes. And with me using only one card I can't upgrade to the Zalman NB cooler I normally like to use.

So then put it in to a neighboring PCI-e slot and run it in SLI x8 mode. You should not notice any differance in performance.

 

[Megatomic]

Someone from EVGA tech support responded to a thread I made over there specifically to address this and they said that those slots are only useable when in SLI mode. Someone else posted that the system wouldn't even POST that way.

It's all right though, I don't hear the whine when I have my headphones on.

 

[DukeN]

Dumb n00b question - I ordered the 7800GT bundle (can't wait to to get it!). Which slot do I stick the video card into? TIA

 

[Megatomic]

The middle PCI-e x16 slot. The other 2 slots are only active in SLI mode. Or so the EVGA engineer at EVGA's forum told me.

 

[DukeN]

Thanks megatomic. Been a while since I built a rig - would the 3500+ venice retail require some backplate fun to put the CPU on? Or is it the usual slap the HSF on top of the CPU?

 

[Megatomic]

My mobo came with the backplate preinstalled so all I had to do was slap the HSF on. Should be an easy build for you DukeN.

 

[BatmanNate]

I just picked up this board as part of the 7800GT deal and can confirm that GEIL Golden Dragon PC3500 seems to work in all the configurations I've tried. I'm running 2x512mb at 2-3-3-7 1T, 219 MHz I think. (the CPU is a 3200+ @ 2.5GHz, stock air cooling and voltage)

 

[rvr2k3]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Someone from EVGA tech support responded to a thread I made over there specifically to address this and they said that those slots are only useable when in SLI mode. Someone else posted that the system wouldn't even POST that way.

It's all right though, I don't hear the whine when I have my headphones on.

That is INCORRECT!!!! I had been unable to post my eVGA 7800GT in this board using the 16 x PCI-E slot and as a final resort to determine if it was the card or the MB, the tech from eVGA told me to insert the card into the SLI slot. Guess what, it worked. He told me that the performance would be exactly the same as in the PCI-E (blue slot).

I even told him, I was told by someone else, not to use the SLI slot with a single PCI-E card. He told that was not true.

 

[Megatomic]

That's interesting. If this is true then I can put my 6800GT in the top slot and replace the whiny chipset hsf. Maybe I'll try this on my next off period.

 

[XxKrNxStyLeZxX]

Anyone install the E42 (9/30/2005) BIOS?? I can't seem to install it correctly....

All the options are grayed out in ntune and I get an error in the middle with winflash. But the thing is when I look at the BIOS info (Tab + Pause/break at startup), it shows the new version.

Pic of error

 

[Megatomic]

I flashed to that BIOS version the day it came out. No problems with Wintune at all. Stupid question time: did you remember to disable BIOS flash protect in the BIOS before attempting to flash?

 

[DukeN]

Can someone recommend BIOS settings for a noob? I wish to overclock from 2.2 (3500 venice) to 2.4. Using the EVGA SLI combo board, and 2 X 1GB patriot 2-3-2-5 sticks. Much thanks!!

 

[XxKrNxStyLeZxX]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I flashed to that BIOS version the day it came out. No problems with Wintune at all. Stupid question time: did you remember to disable BIOS flash protect in the BIOS before attempting to flash?

Yup...still won't work