Iwill-XP333R + Radeon + IDE performance

[rbV5]

Getting ready for my next upgrade. The XP333R looks like a good bet. My main concerns are IDE performance and compatability with my Radeon cards. What about memory? I've not been an overclocker, and stability is more important, but cranking up to 166fsb looks feasible. What is a good way to go for DDR? Kingmax? Mushkin? Crucial? Infineon? My PC is a do everything rig with multiple users and a large variety of applications. Video capture and editing/encoding are the primary use I'm building for. Any input welcome, thanks.

 

[jcmkk]

The XP333R does look like a nice board. As far as I've heard, the Radeons haven't had much of a problem with it. If you expect to get 166FSB, then you better bring your multiplyer setting down a couple notches. If you are using a Athlon XP, then it will require you to fill the pits and connect the bridges. As for memory, Kingmax was the champ, but now I think that Infineon is taking the lead. Just make sure that you get real DDR333 (PC2700) instead of PC2100 that can overclock to PC2700 speeds.

 

[rbV5]

<< 166FSB, then you better bring your multiplyer setting down a couple notches. >>



Oh yea, actually I'm considering a 266 1.4 T-bird and bringing the multiplier down and bumping up the fsb. Seems like an easy/cheap way to go, and with the dividers I can keep everything pretty much in spec, while pumping up the memory bandwidth with the fsb. Am I seeing that right? or am I missing something? How about 512MB memory modules?

 

[FreakyGuy]

I'd consider at least an XP 1500 since it is cheaper than a T-Bird 1.4 266 fsb but gives better performance. I am using an XP333-R and I love it. My raid drives are wickedly fast.

 

[rbV5]

<< I'd consider at least an XP 1500 since it is cheaper >>



I would, except unlocking the XP's looks like a PITA, and I'm thinking bumping the FSB to 166+ with the factory multiplier = bad news. Is it easier to unlock an XP than I'm thinking? or are folks picking up unlocked XP's somewhere?

 

[goog]

I don't think the XP's are available unlocked, you will need to unlock it to reach that setting. Haven't tried it myself though.

 

[jsmckenna45431]

Unlocking an XP isn't that hard if you have decent eyesight and a steady hand. You can check out some detailed instructions here. As for you mobo choice, I am an XP333 owner and I am absolutely pleased with mine. I am using standard Crucial PC2100 and I am running at 155FSB. With some true DDR333, you are all but guaranteed to get 166FSB. There have even been reports of people hitting almost 200. The 6.1 surround sound is the best integrated solution I have seen.


Jeff

 

[Insane3D]

rbV5 -

You asked at just the right time. I have a XP333-R on the way along with a 256mb stick of Kingmax PC2700. I have two succesful rigs running on Epox 8KHA+'s (KT266A), but this XP333-R board looked to good to pass up...especially for $109 @ Newegg. I will be doing pretty much what you were planning. I have a 1.4ghz Tbird that I will be using and switching out my 8K7A+. I am going for at least 166mhz FSB, and with the Iwill that is pretty much guaranteed. The Iwill has the right dividers for not only 166mhz FSB operation, but also 200mhz. If your memory is good enough, you could run a 200mhz FSB and still have your PCI and AGP buses in spec. I am shooting for 200mhz if possible, and that is why I snagged the Kingmax. It has the tiny BGA memory, and it comes with 5ns chips whic hshould have a real good chance of getting ot the magical 200mhz FSB level. While ALI's memory controller is a bit slower than Via's in the KT266A, ALI's AGP and IDE performance is generally better performing. And this board not only has ATA133 support with the RAID controller, the regular mobo IDE ports are also ATA133 compliant. One more nice thing is the onboard audio. Not only is it a full 5.1 hardware solution, you can pick up a super audio add on card from Iwill ($20) that allows optical and coaxial digital connection as well as center and sub. For the price this board packs a lot..and in my past experience with Iwill, their KK266-R was excellent.

I will probably have everything by this weekend and be building then. I will also be using a Radeon 64mb VIVO so I can report on that as well. I will post my results if you are interested.

 

[AA0]

ALi's IDE performs great, but they've had some of the worst AGP since I can remember, and it hasn't changed.

 

[Insane3D]

"ALi's IDE performs great, but they've had some of the worst AGP since I can remember, and it hasn't changed. "

Dunno about past chipsets..but the latest revision of the Ali Magik 1 has equal or better AGP performance than the KT266A boards from the benches I've seen..


Here is a link from AMDMB.com's review showing it essentialy equal with the Nforce and KT266A boards...

Iwill XP333-R AGP performance

And a quote:

"As the video card becomes more important into the picture of the benchmarks, the Iwill XP333 motherboards gets closer to the rivaling motherboards. This leads us to believe that ALi has gotten some very good AGP performance with their latest chipset and drivers. "

And also here..from T-Break's review..

Gaming Benchmarks

These benchmarks show it trailing the KR7A board by a few FPS, but essentially matching the MSI KT266A board as well as the Nforce. Not bad considering the ALI chipset has a lower performing memory controller...and it looks like the 2.1 has been tweaked a bit more for a little better showing..

So essentially it may be a few FPS behind a KT266A board, but it does pretty damn good in my opinion.

 

[jsmckenna45431]

The ALI may be a few fps slower than the KT266a out of the box, but there is no comparison at 166MHzFSB.

 

[rbV5]

Hey, thanks for the input fellas, I appreciate it.



<< . I will also be using a Radeon 64mb VIVO so I can report on that as well. I will post my results if you are interested. >>



You bet I'm interested My biggest concern is the memory now, the Kingmax looks good but I had hoped to go with 512MB modules. Let me know how you make out, I'm probably going to go ahead and order the board tommorrow.

 

[Insane3D]

It's up to you, but PC2700 512mb DDR sticks are still a relative rarity. There are some listed on pricewatch, but even the generic stuff goes for $212/stick! :Q :Q

I probably won't be building until this weekend, but I will post my results..and maybe even compare it to my 8KHA+ rigs.

 

[rbV5]

<< It's up to you, but PC2700 512mb DDR sticks are still a relative rarity >>



I agree, probably get a couple sticks of Kingmax 2700, did you get the MPMB62D-68KX3 sticks? I noticed Newegg is OOS on the XP333 today.

 

[Insane3D]

Yeah..that's the memory I bought. The Kingmax PC2700 @ Newegg. I saw the XP333-R is OOS...that sucks..but they should get it back in soon. They are pretty good at getting stock back in. Also, if you can't wait and don't need RAID, you could get the regular XP333. As an alternative...I noticed Mwave has the XP333-R in stock for the same price of $109 here. Good luck!

 

[Insane3D]

Just got the board today, and I must say I'm impressed. The board layout is excellent, and the package is very complete. It comes with a nice manual for the board along with a detailed manual for setting up RAID. The nicest touch I thought was the "Quick Setup Guide" with full color pictures that showed how to properly apply the CPU HSF and install the board. Something like that ought to be very helpful for first time or unexperienced builders. I should have my Kingmax by Friday and hope to build this weekend.

 

[rbV5]

Cool, you got your board. They're back in stock at Newegg, I ALMOST went for a Tyan MP setup, but I'm back to the xp333r after mulling it over the last couple days. The kingmax ram is still OOS, and I'm thinking maybe going with a stick of Mushkin 2700 512 MB anyway.

Have you seen the optional plate for the audio for sale? I'm not sure which way I'm going with my audio right now, I may replace the Live 5.1 with an audigy and just hook it up to the breakout box, but I'm leaning toward getting a Terratec DMX6 fire for recording, so until I can find a decent price on the terratec ($249 is the best I've found so far) I may just use the onboard if its up to par.

 

[Insane3D]

Ok, got mine all set up. I set the board up with the following components:

Iwill XP333-R
Tbird 1.4ghz
256mb PC2700
CL GF DDR
Linksys NIC
Onboard Audio
30GB IBM 75GXP (Still going strong after 2 years)

I lowered the multiplier to 8 and installed XP. Works very well and it ran over 24 hours with Prime95, 3DMark2K1 SE, and listening to streaming audio with WMP. I can get it up to 190mhz @ CL2, but a tad bit of instability creeps in. I also was able to get up to 200mhz FSB with CL2.5 and lower memory settings, but the memory performance was less than @ 188mhz. All in all a great board..especially for all the features it has for only $109.

Memory Benchmark and WCPUID Screenshot

This ALI chipset isn't half bad.

Also, I am using a GF DDR, but I tried it briefly with my Radeon 64mb VIVO SE and it worked like a charm.

 

[rbV5]

Nice, those memory scores look great. Were you using the 1/6 divider @ 200 FSB? Did your Kingmax come with the 5ns chips? Sorry about the questions, just about to pull the trigger on my order.

 

[Insane3D]

Yeah..when I ran 200mhz FSB, I did the 1/6 divider, but @ 188mhz, I use the 1/5 divider. Also, the Kingmax I got from Newegg was the 5ns stuff...the chips have -05 on them.

 

[rbV5]

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm down to memory selection. Since Newegg is OOS on the kingmax, I'm going to make the order and order the memory in a couple days. The other retailers that carry Kingmax look a bit flakey to me, and I still might just get the 512 mushkin, I should have it sorted in a couple days maybe the Kingmax will be back at Newegg by then. They're taking $10 off the 1.4 GHz Tbird if you bundle it with an AIW 7500, so it looks like the I'll be putting either the AIW or the VIVO SE on the FS/T block I just can't resist.