Finally Finished - XP1700&Dragon PLus

[solokool]

But it seems to run a little slow.
Soyo Dragon Plus
Xp 1700
Crucial 256Mb ddr PC2100
WD 60Gig HD -7200 rpm
GF3 Ti 200
SB Live

I'm running W2k service pack 2 and all the windows updates. It just seems somewhat sluggish, and I've upgraded from a Pentium 3 - 450
Do I need more memory?
Thanks

 

[Siddhartha]

Did you install the VIA 4 in 1 drivers?

 

[Dogmeat]

Congrats!

I really like mine (at home). Have you upgraded the BIOS and checked the settings to make sure everything is running at optimum settings? Mine defaulted to 'Normal" mode settings at first and I had to tweek it. You can set it to Turbo mode but I understand this may complicate the USB settings (I still unclear on that matter).

 

[TheGreenGoblin]

No system should feel " sluggish " with 256 mb of ram , you definitely don't need to buy more ram . Dbl check your bios settings , and Win2k. Install the via 4in1's if you haven't , make sure DMA is enabled on both IDE channels in Device manager too.

 

[solokool]

I've installed the 4in1.
I'm using the bios that came with the mb installed....how do i find out what version it is, I was told if it is running then don't mess w/upgrading the bios.
What are the necessary steps i take in upgrading the bios.
Also is there some s/w I can check to see if my computer is running up to par

 

[Dogmeat]

Definately flash the BIOS to the new revision -- however -- I think I read here somewhere that the latest version has problems (someone help me here who knows for sure). Go to the SOYOUSA website and d-load the BIOS (KVXA_2ba1 or KVXA_2ba2) and Flash it. The version that ships has definit problems --( at least with XP).

 

[flexy]

hi,

the Dragon +, set up right with an XP1700 or XP1800 (as i have) should be f************g fast ! No way it can be slow !


Be sure to have the bios 2ba1 or 2ba2 !!!!!!

Get all the latest drivers from via, directX8.1, get sounddrivers from www.cmedia.com.tw. (CMI 8738 chip)

Read the newsgroup alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.soyo many great people in there giving help.

Tweak the memory settings (bios settings in general) right - this can give an boost in memory performance about almost 100% !

like this :

> BIOS Setting:
> DRAM Timing : Manual
> DRAM CAS Latency : 2
> Bank Interleave : 4 Bank
> Precharge to Active(Trp) : 2T
> Active to Precharge(Tras) : 5T
> Active to CMD (Trcd) : 2T
> DRAM Queue Depth : 4 Level
> DRAM Command Rate : 1T Command
> Write Recovery Time : 2T

if you have DDR 2100 memory (crucial etc...)

NO way this combo is slow....IF..then consider getting another operating system


Be sure all your bios settings are right...eg FSB at at least 133 instead of 100 (like it is default).....you can overclock up to 145 (with luck: 146)...but 145 should be fine and very stable ! Bord kicks ass !

 

[flexy]

<< I've installed the 4in1.
I'm using the bios that came with the mb installed....how do i find out what version it is, I was told if it is running then don't mess w/upgrading the bios.
What are the necessary steps i take in upgrading the bios.
Also is there some s/w I can check to see if my computer is running up to par >>



on the boot screen right after switching on the pc...or with certain information programs (www.sisoftware.co.uk SiSoft Sandra)..it should give you the bios version. Dopnt even consider running the board with an older bios than 2ba1, they have serious issues !

Read www.soyo.com.tw (very slow site) or www.soyousa.com where they explain how to flash bios (if needed). You need a prog called awdflash.exe. READ ENTIRELY and understand what you are doing or get someone who might help if you feel you need help

Yes..there are some progs, mandatory maybe Sandra (free download) because it gives a lot of information and has some benchmark modules.

 

[flexy]

<< Congrats!

I really like mine (at home). Have you upgraded the BIOS and checked the settings to make sure everything is running at optimum settings? Mine defaulted to 'Normal" mode settings at first and I had to tweek it. You can set it to Turbo mode but I understand this may complicate the USB settings (I still unclear on that matter). >>



leave 'turbo' alone..leave it at normal and instead tweak memory settings manually ! (see other post with the right/optimal settings for a 256 stick of crucial)

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

hey flexy you dont happen to be the guy who responded to my post over at amdmb are you?

 

[Huz]

I'm not purposely trying to hijack this thread, but I have a little question that may help the original poster out anyway...

Flexy - the memory settings in the BIOS you describe are optimal, but my Micron PC2100 256 DDR memory doesn't seem to like 'em. I *KNOW* that running those settings at less than optimal is hurting my performance. Is Micron memory that crappy? I know Crucial is pretty much standard around these parts, but I got this memory through a friend thinking I was getting Crucial. I'm going to get more memory soon, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has seen Micron memory barf when pushed a little.

Man I remember back in the day everyone thought Micron was the shiz....

Thanks

Huz

 

[solokool]

Thanks for all your help...I'm gonna try this tonight

 

[hovenas]

That rig should be boining! Nope, you have enough, there is plenty info here, I would also suggest this:
Use IDE 3/4 (promise) for HDD only. The promise wont help you enable DMA on DVD/CD thus they go on IDE 1/2.

 

[flexy]

<< hey flexy you dont happen to be the guy who responded to my post over at amdmb are you? >>



no sorry

as for the micron ram and why it wont work....i dont know

All you can do is try tweaking back from these optimal settings (maybe increase command rate again)..and/or increase everything but leave bank interleave at 4 if possible and under all circumstances try to run the ram at Cas2....shouldnt be anobig performance decrease then. You can always use sandra and look at membench, and a moderate overclocked sys (145fsb) can go up like in the high 900s. (As far as i remember with default settings it was in the 500s or 600s, so i'd consider that a huge increase)

Just play around...

 

[cleverhandle]

<< You can always use sandra and look at membench, and a moderate overclocked sys (145fsb) can go up like in the high 900s. (As far as i remember with default settings it was in the 500s or 600s, so i'd consider that a huge increase) >>



As long as I've got my notebook handy, my XP1700 Soyo "out-of-the-box" with 512MB Crucial scored around 670/720 on Sandra's memory bench. After tweaking the memory settings and upping the FSB to 145, that became an 849/949. Feels plenty fast too. That should give a bit of reference at least. I have lots of other benches, too - post back if you need more comparisons.

 

[nortexoid]

sounds like a DMA issue...what do u mean by "sluggish"...

is it sluggish in progs already loaded into memory? - or sluggish when loading from hdd?...if the latter, then it's probably DMA, if not, then somethingelse

also install the win2k patch

 

[RagingGuardian]

I have the Dragon+ and I use the Turbo setting with Crucial ram without any problems. I

do know that when using the Dragon+ you shouldn't use the provided hardware monitoring utility, ITE Hardware or some crap like that. In win2K and XP I find that it keeps my cpu usage at 100%. Check your Win2K performance tab to see if this is the problem.

 

[hovenas]

RagGuar... I think he is spot on. The ITE Hardware monitor utilizes 100% CPU at all times. Download Motherboard monitor 5 instead!
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
MoBoMon

 

[flexy]

<< RagGuar... I think he is spot on. The ITE Hardware monitor utilizes 100% CPU at all times. Download Motherboard monitor 5 instead!
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
MoBoMon >>



yepp..that ite monitor is utter crap

 

[Howard]

Install the AMD Win2K patch?

 

[solokool]

What is the Amd W2k patch?