MSI K8N Neo4 nForce4 Ultra Socket 939

[LeonarD26]

I put a Opty165 in this board and it's working great. Overclocks very well too... I guess it depends on how much you want to spend though.

 

[GeezerMan]

I'm using the Opteron 165 too. 2.6GHz on stock voltage. I see Tiger Direct has the FX-60 for 350.00. Not bad if you want a FX-60 CPU

 

[imported_maildude]

I have two of these boards. One has the Opty 165 and the other has the Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz. Both work great but for $75.99 at newegg the 3700 is probably the best deal.

 

[Lurker1]

Originally posted by: BobF
Does anyone have suggestions on what might be a solid "Bang for the Buck" CPU to pair with this board for a decent gaming system? I'd like to be able to run Elder Scrolls Oblivion with reasonably high settings. For a videocard, I'd probably pick up something like a Geforce 7600GT.

Well, I did a 3800+ which runs well enough, although the Opty's are better chips and will get you overall better perf. I've seen 4200 and 4400 65W chips @ Fry's on combo sale for about $170 this past weekend. One of those two has the 1MB cache. (The 65W chips may give better headroom for OC'ing on air)

Lastly, ditch the 7600GT. They're running an average of $180 "on sale". Look for 7800 or 7900 cards on sale for less than that (BB recently had the 7900 GS for $132 OTD), or an X1950XT for around $200. The GPU is going to be much much more important for Oblivion than your CPU choice.

BTW, 7900s run cooler and are faster and quieter than their 7800 cousins. If you can swing an 8800 GTS, do that instead, with the knowledge that new cards will be coming out shortly that should drop the 8800 GT'x' series somewhat. (which is why I went with the $132 7900 GS - good enough for me for now)

 

[BobF]

Originally posted by: Lurker1

Originally posted by: BobF
Does anyone have suggestions on what might be a solid "Bang for the Buck" CPU to pair with this board for a decent gaming system? I'd like to be able to run Elder Scrolls Oblivion with reasonably high settings. For a videocard, I'd probably pick up something like a Geforce 7600GT.

Well, I did a 3800+ which runs well enough, although the Opty's are better chips and will get you overall better perf. I've seen 4200 and 4400 65W chips @ Fry's on combo sale for about $170 this past weekend. One of those two has the 1MB cache. (The 65W chips may give better headroom for OC'ing on air)

Lastly, ditch the 7600GT. They're running an average of $180 "on sale". Look for 7800 or 7900 cards on sale for less than that (BB recently had the 7900 GS for $132 OTD), or an X1950XT for around $200. The GPU is going to be much much more important for Oblivion than your CPU choice.

BTW, 7900s run cooler and are faster and quieter than their 7800 cousins. If you can swing an 8800 GTS, do that instead, with the knowledge that new cards will be coming out shortly that should drop the 8800 GT'x' series somewhat. (which is why I went with the $132 7900 GS - good enough for me for now)

Thanks for the very helpful reply. I've been considering the 7600GT since I've seen them on sale, after rebates, for less than $100 over the last month or so. My one hesitation was that there have been many complaints about the noisy fan on this card.

I'll take a closer look at the other cards you noted. I'm really not up to speed on the current generation of video cards.

Bob

 

[Zap]

If you want mid-range price with quiet operation... I'm running a 7900GS (PNY stock clocks from BestBuy $150) passively cooled with this cooler (but without the three dinky fans). Case is an Antec Solo with 120mm rear and dual 92mm fronts, all severely undervolted. While putzing around in Windows my GPU temps are just under 60ºC. Load temps in games are around 10-20º higher.

 

[Lurker1]

Originally posted by: BobF
Thanks for the very helpful reply. I've been considering the 7600GT since I've seen them on sale, after rebates, for less than $100 over the last month or so. My one hesitation was that there have been many complaints about the noisy fan on this card.

I'll take a closer look at the other cards you noted. I'm really not up to speed on the current generation of video cards.

Fastest to slowest, prices are approximate as of 1 month ago, so may have dropped recently:
[*]8800 GTX ($550)
[*]8800 GTS ($370)
[*]X1900XT ($370)
[*]X1950XT ($200)
[*]7950GTX (?)
[*]7900GTX ($300)
[*]7800GTX ($300)
[*]7900GT ($300)
[*]7800GT ($300)
[*]7900GS ($140)
[*]7800GS (?)
[*]7600GT
[*]7600GS

I believe all the nVidia cards can be OC'd, although you'll have to download Coolbits and play with your settings to determine what gives you a stable rig. The GS cards seem to OC well, with more headroom than the GTs. Note that the GS's generally are 1 pipeline shy of the number of their GT counterpart, and that the 7600 I believe has fewer pipelines than the 78/79 series (Easy enough to check all this info out - go to newegg and drill into graphics cards. Select nVidia, and start going through the filter options.)

Note that ATI's answer to the 8800s is due this quarter. It will be interesting to see the performance numbers and the prices.

Also note that while these cards can be played in SLI/Crossfire modes, that the 8800 series (either card) will stomp any combo below them in single card configuration. The same can be said of the X1900 cards of the ones below them, although not to the same degree.

 

[StormRider]

I just got my boards. I was a little surprised the boards didn't come with plain white boxes. Instead, they were in antistatic bags and were wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it. The box also had air cushions to protect everything. I haven't examined the boards closely but I think they arrived in good shape.

It's no big deal to me as long as the boards are really new and in good shape but I just wanted to make sure if that is how everyone else received theirs too.

 

[GeezerMan]

Originally posted by: StormRider
I just got my boards. I was a little surprised the boards didn't come with plain white boxes. Instead, they were in antistatic bags and were wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it. The box also had air cushions to protect everything. I haven't examined the boards closely but I think they arrived in good shape.

It's no big deal to me as long as the boards are really new and in good shape but I just wanted to make sure if that is how everyone else received theirs too.

Well, you got the air cushions and I did not...otherwise, the same way.

 

[StormRider]

Originally posted by: GeezerMan

Originally posted by: StormRider
I just got my boards. I was a little surprised the boards didn't come with plain white boxes. Instead, they were in antistatic bags and were wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it. The box also had air cushions to protect everything. I haven't examined the boards closely but I think they arrived in good shape.

It's no big deal to me as long as the boards are really new and in good shape but I just wanted to make sure if that is how everyone else received theirs too.

Well, you got the air cushions and I did not...otherwise, the same way.

Overall, the packaging was well done. The motherboards were well protected. And I just did a quick visual inspection and they looked like new motherboards. Overall, I'm very happy! Can't wait to build my next system with these boards!

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: Lurker1

Originally posted by: BobF
Thanks for the very helpful reply. I've been considering the 7600GT since I've seen them on sale, after rebates, for less than $100 over the last month or so. My one hesitation was that there have been many complaints about the noisy fan on this card.

I'll take a closer look at the other cards you noted. I'm really not up to speed on the current generation of video cards.

Fastest to slowest, prices are approximate as of 1 month ago, so may have dropped recently:
[*]8800 GTX ($550)
[*]8800 GTS ($370)
[*]X1900XT ($370)
[*]X1950XT ($200)
[*]7950GTX (?)
[*]7900GTX ($300)
[*]7800GTX ($300)
[*]7900GT ($300)
[*]7800GT ($300)
[*]7900GS ($140)
[*]7800GS (?)
[*]7600GT
[*]7600GS

I believe all the nVidia cards can be OC'd, although you'll have to download Coolbits and play with your settings to determine what gives you a stable rig. The GS cards seem to OC well, with more headroom than the GTs. Note that the GS's generally are 1 pipeline shy of the number of their GT counterpart, and that the 7600 I believe has fewer pipelines than the 78/79 series (Easy enough to check all this info out - go to newegg and drill into graphics cards. Select nVidia, and start going through the filter options.)

Note that ATI's answer to the 8800s is due this quarter. It will be interesting to see the performance numbers and the prices.

Also note that while these cards can be played in SLI/Crossfire modes, that the 8800 series (either card) will stomp any combo below them in single card configuration. The same can be said of the X1900 cards of the ones below them, although not to the same degree.

Not to be an @ss but...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...cription=7900gt&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all

<200.00 for 7900gt's easy.

 

[zetachi]

but only the X1950's Fold BTW new build is done now I just gotta figure out all the OC settings on the board. Anyone got a cheat sheet?

 

[hewho]

Been testing this brd out with an Opteron 146, 1 stick of Utra 512mb of ram.
It appears to max out at 2.9G, with the following settings :
Opteron 146 multi 10X
Ram 166
Effective Ram speed 241
HTT 3X
FSB 290

Memtest will start to error after about 20 passes.

Going to load winXP to-day and see what it can do with Prim95

Thanks
JT

 

[Lurker1]

Originally posted by: Modular
Not to be an @ss but...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...cription=7900gt&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all

<200.00 for 7900gt's easy.

Like I said, about a month or so ago. Prices dropping are good things. I can only think the ATI X1950GT or X1950XT caused that drop. They're noisy though, and I'm happy with my 7900 GS.

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: zetachi
but only the X1950's Fold BTW new build is done now I just gotta figure out all the OC settings on the board. Anyone got a cheat sheet?

Try and raise geezerman or Kenton1. They have run this board through the ringer.....

I have a AMD 3400 idling along @ 2.4 ghz just by playing with the settings....

Bob

 

[GeezerMan]

Originally posted by: cardiac

Originally posted by: zetachi
but only the X1950's Fold BTW new build is done now I just gotta figure out all the OC settings on the board. Anyone got a cheat sheet?

Try and raise geezerman or Kenton1. They have run this board through the ringer.....

I have a AMD 3400 idling along @ 2.4 ghz just by playing with the settings....

Bob

this is true..........I know the settings for a Opteron 165 that work for me.

 

[clipperfixer]

Geezerman,
I would be interested in knowing your setttings, I am putting an Opty 165 on this board and it will be first attempt at overclocking. My mobo and processor are not here due to the lovely ice storm we have had. :frown:

 

[GeezerMan]

Originally posted by: clipperfixer
Geezerman,
I would be interested in knowing your setttings, I am putting an Opty 165 on this board and it will be first attempt at overclocking. My mobo and processor are not here due to the lovely ice storm we have had. :frown:

Sure, just send a money order for 50.00 to.....

For me, mine does 2.6GHz pretty easy at stock vcore, and most 165s will too. Especially a CCBBE stepping.
Of course, the proper way is to start slowly and work your way up and determine the top speed for your ram, board and CPU.
My settings: stock vcore, HTT is at 289, HTT multi is at 3, ram divider is at 166. Your ram may or may not work at 166, so you should probably start at 133
For you, try a modest OC of 2.2GHZ first: 244HTT, HTT multi 4, ram at 133 divider. You will need to flash the bios on the board first

 

[clipperfixer]

Thank you. Yeah, I will flash the bios as soon as UPS dares deliver my parts and I get them put together. I got the twinx PC3200 ram that one of the traders here had for sale. So hopefully it will OC well. Hoping for a cbbe stepping, but I guess its the luck of the draw.
Thanks!

 

[kenton]

I'm running 2.7GHz with only a modest voltage bump.

HTT: 300
HTT x: 3x
VCore: 1.3 to start with, then add 9% (1.428)
RAM: 133 (actual is DDR385)

 

[zetachi]

right now I've got my Opty 144 running 2250
HTT 249.9
x 9 Multi
HTT x: 4

vcore stock 1.38
RAM 160.7 CPU/14 2 2 2 5 2t

On my old MOBO EPOX 9ND3AJ I had it as high as 2700 Vcore 1.40 RAM 2 2 2 5 1T 150 CPU/18 so I'm pretty sure with a little work i can get it back up that high or more. Just need to find the time and patientce.

 

[zetachi]

anyone use SP2004 to test their OC? I tried using it and for some reason it seemingly makes my CPU temp go from 39 to @140 almost immediately. when not testing I'm running both a CPU and GPU F@H client and temps never go above 40. Is this some kind of MOBO error?

 

[cubeless]

anyone else running w2k on this thing? the kids are telling me that the usb keyboard and mouse aren't responding on occasion... i remember that the usb didn't automagically install, i had to go into control panel and reinstall it after i loaded the thing up... i don't remember seeing a usb driver in the stuff on the msi website...

any ideas?

 

[amdskip]

I am trying to find a 3800 x2 for this but they are impossible to find. Is an Opty a possible solution instead? Which one?

What would be a good pci-e video card for general email/video/web surfing?

 

[GeezerMan]

Originally posted by: amdskip
I am trying to find a 3800 x2 for this but they are impossible to find. Is an Opty a possible solution instead? Which one?

What would be a good pci-e video card for general email/video/web surfing?

Opteron 165 and a 7600GT video card, unless you game a lot. Use them both myself.