MSI K9A2 Platinum

[Mattamatical]

hey Sylvanas, I have another question if you wouldn't mind... its about my ram and overclocking my cpu 5000 black..

my ram is http://www.ncix.com/products/i...sku=25228&promoid=1008

plz tell me if this ram is good enough for what I am doing... I ordered a a OCz Stealth 700W psu as well ..

 

[Gikaseixas]

Originally posted by: Mattamatical
hey Sylvanas, I have another question if you wouldn't mind... its about my ram and overclocking my cpu 5000 black..

my ram is http://www.ncix.com/products/i...sku=25228&promoid=1008

plz tell me if this ram is good enough for what I am doing... I ordered a a OCz Stealth 700W psu as well ..

that memory is fine. It will overclock quite nicely

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: Mattamatical
hey Sylvanas, I have another question if you wouldn't mind... its about my ram and overclocking my cpu 5000 black..

my ram is http://www.ncix.com/products/i...sku=25228&promoid=1008

plz tell me if this ram is good enough for what I am doing... I ordered a a OCz Stealth 700W psu as well ..

Memory is fine, OCing the 5000+ black I rarely go over 800mhz on the memory so thats a more than suitable set of sticks.

 

[hokahknow]

Any one have a MSI K9A2 Platinum V2 ????

I found it listed when I was checking a few memory configurators.

MSI doesn't say to much about it.

http://global.msi.com.tw/index...d_no=1395&maincat_no=1

I would assume a newer version means better than the first version??

 

[Sylvanas]

I think it's a placeholder for perhaps a future version but there has been no information for such a board yet, if they were going to do a V2 it would most likely have the SB700 southbridge, the one in that pick says SB600 so I doubt it's an actual board atm.

 

[lopri]

OK so if I'm not mistaken, the board has 4 PCIe 2.0 slots and the total lanes = 32, which can be divided as;

x16
x0
x16
x0

, and

x8
x8
x8
x8

All from the same chip (NB), correct?

Is the first x16 slot and the third x16 slot 100% interchangeable? For example, if you install a single video card in the 3rd slot and install something else on the 1st slot.. there is no performance loss or compatibility issue? This has been my personal concern as the PCIe slots increases on the physical layout of today's boards. I don't want to have all the hot components on top half of the board and leave the bottom half empty.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: lopri
OK so if I'm not mistaken, the board has 4 PCIe 2.0 slots and the total lanes = 32, which can be divided as;

x16
x0
x16
x0

, and

x8
x8
x8
x8

All from the same chip (NB), correct?

Is the first x16 slot and the third x16 slot 100% interchangeable? For example, if you install a single video card in the 3rd slot and install something else on the 1st slot.. there is no performance loss or compatibility issue? This has been my personal concern as the PCIe slots increases on the physical layout of today's boards. I don't want to have all the hot components on top half of the board and leave the bottom half empty.

All from the same chip (NB), correct?

Correct- 42 all up, 32 for graphics slots, the rest I assume is the SB. From the HotHardware review

As the backbone of the new platform, the 700 series chipsets were designed with new feature sets to take full advantage of the Phenom processor's capabilities. With up to 42 PCI Express lanes, support for four-way graphics, and lower power consumption then previous chipsets, AMD delivered a competitive new chipset to back their new CPUs and graphics cards.

Slots
Four PCI Express X16 slots , support ATI CrossFire Technology (PCI Express Bus Specification v2.0 compliant)
{Slot configurations: Dual CrossFire (16X+16X), Triple CrossFire (16X+8X+8X), Quad CrossFire (8X+8X+8X+8X)}
One PCI Express X1 slot
Two 32-bit PCI slots (3.3v/5v PCI Bus Master slots)

Is the first x16 slot and the third x16 slot 100% interchangeable?

Yes, you can run say your primary graphics card (the one connected to the monitor) in the third slot and it will run @ 16x PCI-E 2.0. I did this when I couldn't run dual slot cards in the first slot due to my case having an annoying bolt in the way which I later removed with a Dremel.

 

[lopri]

Missed the whole thread. Late thanks for your reply, Sylvanas.

 

[Ketherx]

I had one of those motherboards myself, and I enjoyed it (even though I didn't have it that long).

 

[Mattamatical]

Guys I got my rig up but..... I have a problem I installed windows XP on the HD everything installs right but when it goes to boot and I choose for windows to start normally it resets on me... everytime... im not sure what to do i checked my bios switched a couple things but no results I keep getting that reset... Please help I really wanna use my computer its just sitting there looking pretty..... = (

***** Google Find chuck norris then click im feeling lucky, then await your result -_^*****

 

[Rhoxed]

I want to thank Sylvanas for this thread. I decided to buy this board for my 9850 BE and so far a great 3ghz OC with what seems plenty of headroom.

So- Thanks again Sylvanas

 

[Sylvanas]

Sorry guys been away the past few days- haven't been able to checkup on this thread.

Mattamatical:

Guys I got my rig up but..... I have a problem I installed windows XP on the HD everything installs right but when it goes to boot and I choose for windows to start normally it resets on me... everytime... im not sure what to do i checked my bios switched a couple things but no results I keep getting that reset... Please help I really wanna use my computer its just sitting there looking pretty..... = (

It could be a number of things, PSU, bad connections, faulty Ram etc. I'd suggest you first download the latest Memtest86+ ....run that for an hour see if you get any errors- double check all connections also.

Rhoxed:

I want to thank Sylvanas for this thread. I decided to buy this board for my 9850 BE and so far a great 3ghz OC with what seems plenty of headroom.

So- Thanks again Sylvanas

Nice OC there Rhoxed, glad to see things are going well :thumbsup:

 

[Valis]

I have just put together a system for a friend of mine, MSI-K9A2, Phenom 9850BE, Radeon 3870 X2, Corsair 1066 and 550W PSU. I managed to install the Thermalright Ultra 120 by modifying the back plate and shortening the sping suspenders of the bolts/screws that are used to hold the cover down. (I've been modding computers for about 10 years and hacking PC since 1987, so it was no big deal really.)

I have two questions, first I'd like to know which drivers you guys install on WinXP with this Mobo, apart from Catalyst, sound, NIC. I installed some AMD-driver for the CPU or a function I can't recall which and WinXP SP2 BSODed on me, and no matter what you did it BSODed when you re-started, unless in safe mode, and then you couldn't uninstall any drivers. I have re-installed Winxp but I've been careful with what drivers to use, so far. It work great. I'm a bit lost on which chipset, and peripheral drivers the mobo uses, and I don't want to install that driver that crashed the whole thing again.

Second, I wonder what settings I should fiddle with to run 1000-1066 FSB on this one, and I can't seem to find the traditional CPU/FSB multipler in the BIOS. Any fast tips and hints on this one?

 

[Valis]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
It could be a number of things, PSU, bad connections, faulty Ram etc. I'd suggest you first download the latest Memtest86+ ....run that for an hour see if you get any errors- double check all connections also.

Just a little tip, I always have a version of knoppix linux on a CD-RW or DVD-RW handy, it has all memtest that you can boot up in 3 secs with, just type memtest at the first prompt and there you go. Has also loads of other good utils.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: Valis

I have two questions, first I'd like to know which drivers you guys install on WinXP with this Mobo, apart from Catalyst, sound, NIC.

Winxp if I remember correctly you want to load up SP2 (or SP3...seeing as its out in a matter of days now) as soon as you install windows. Then you want to install Catalyst (mobo driver or northbridge driver is a part of the Catalyst suit- get the latest 8.4's) followed by the latest Realtek HD audio drivers (v1.91 at the time of this post) and then NIC (windows update might have this...no problem with getting it from there or the cd). For X2 CPU's you also need to install the 'AMD Dual Core optimizer' app from Amd.com (this might come with SP2/3, correct me if I'm wrong). For Phenom CPU's I assume you only need the driver listed here no mention of a dual core optimizer needed.

Second, I wonder what settings I should fiddle with to run 1000-1066 FSB on this one, and I can't seem to find the traditional CPU/FSB multipler in the BIOS. Any fast tips and hints on this one?

I assume you mean 1000-1066mhz memory frequency? AMD CPU's don't have an 'FSB' per se, Hypertransport is what you should concern yourself with. To run 1000-1066mhz memory it is more a dependency of the CPU since thats where the memory controller is. Have a look at the K9A2 thread on XS- there are many posts like this which demonstrate 1066mhz memory operation on a 9850BE so shoot for similar settings . CPU multiplier is adjustable via the 'adjust CPU ratio' option within the Cell Menu in the BIOS.

 

[Valis]

Ok, thanks for the reply. What about SATA drivers? Or such, I don't know but I don't see any SATA in the HW List. WinXP wants to install "Audio device on high definition bus" x2, even though I have "Realtek high def audio" installed.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: Valis
Ok, thanks for the reply. What about SATA drivers? Or such, I don't know but I don't see any SATA in the HW List. WinXP wants to install "Audio device on high definition bus" x2, even though I have "Realtek high def audio" installed.

I would assume SATA drivers are included in the 'Northbridge' drivers in the Catalyst suit, raid drivers are on the CD however. If you already have the Realtek drivers installed I am not sure what XP means by Audio device on HD bus, I don't use XP so I would assume that if you have sound working then just let Microsoft update install whatever for that.

 

[bryanW1995]

the audio driver is from the video card. iirc my 3870 did the same thing to me when I first installed it on my ip35pro. I searched high and low and finally found the needed driver, but, sadly, I don't remember how I did it... you can always disable it for now, I think that it's only needed if you use hdmi with the vid card, anyway.

 

[Valis]

It said Southbridge in the installer, and that sure made the SATA pop up in the list.

I upped the BIOS to 1.4 too, so now I can clock the CPU easier. (old one was 1.2).

However I config the 2 dimms I have (in slots 1,3 or 1,2 or 3,4) I still only get single channel, 64-bits displayed in the POST info.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: Valis
It said Southbridge in the installer, and that sure made the SATA pop up in the list.

I upped the BIOS to 1.4 too, so now I can clock the CPU easier. (old one was 1.2).

However I config the 2 dimms I have (in slots 1,3 or 1,2 or 3,4) I still only get single channel, 64-bits displayed in the POST info.

Select 'Ganged mode' in the Cell menu under memory options. See this post. Phenoms memory controller can be split between Ganged (1x128bit) and Unganged (2x64bit) both are dual channel. Ganged is better for single threaded apps and benches while Unganged is better for a multi threaded environment.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Can anyone with a phenom and this board know if the latest BIOs for the MSI K9A2 plat allows you to change the NB multi or frequency under the BIOs?

Nice thread! im still deciding which motherboard i want to go. Ill probably be taking the AMD route. Basically this mobo is in my price range. Its either this or the 750a (namely MSI K9N2 plat which looks like one hell of a board but it aint out yet!) or other 790FX boards. 780a is too expensive right now to be even considered.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Can anyone with a phenom and this board know if the latest BIOs for the MSI K9A2 plat allows you to change the NB multi or frequency under the BIOs?

Nice thread! im still deciding which motherboard i want to go. Ill probably be taking the AMD route. Basically this mobo is in my price range. Its either this or the 750a (namely MSI K9N2 plat which looks like one hell of a board but it aint out yet!) or other 790FX boards. 780a is too expensive right now to be even considered.

The latest Bios to my knowledge does not have NB multiplier adjustment and people are reporting that MSI have said that they will only be able to put this into custom performance BIOS' for the user and not a mainstream 'official' releases. However, the 1.13 Beta BIOS does allow NB multiplier adjustment through the use of Custom P-States (Also unconfirmed reports that beta bios 1.51 allows NB adjustment) as explained in the XS K9A2 Plat thread- I am pretty sure this works with the 9850 (this is what B2 users used to adjust the NB prior to the launch of B3's). If in doubt, email MSI and ask them- I have found their service on this matter to be top notch!

All the best for deciding what mobo to go for, I haven't really seen much info on the 750a but if you do decide on the MSI 790FX I am sure you won't be disappointed .

EDIT: Found some OC results with a 9850BE and 1.13Beta Bios (with NB running at 2160mhz) here looking good :thumbsup:

 

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks! looks like MSI are willing showing how its done compared to Asus and gigabyte.

Cheers for the info Sylvanas.

 

[furstbild]

Hey, I am doing my first build and I picked up the K9A2. It looks like the cross fire link cards are used. they have small dents in both of them and they have obviously been open at one time or packed in the factory by someone who was eating a sandwich at the same time
Question: Would you return the whole mobo or just get new link cards when and if I get another video card? Naturally I am anxious to start working on this and don't want to wait for the return but it could get worse if the mobo is used as well. It doesn't look like it has been touched.

Can you look at my signature and tell me if I am on the right track with the hardware I got?

Thanks!!

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: furstbild
Hey, I am doing my first build and I picked up the K9A2. It looks like the cross fire link cards are used. they have small dents in both of them and they have obviously been open at one time or packed in the factory by someone who was eating a sandwich at the same time
Question: Would you return the whole mobo or just get new link cards when and if I get another video card? Naturally I am anxious to start working on this and don't want to wait for the return but it could get worse if the mobo is used as well. It doesn't look like it has been touched.

Can you look at my signature and tell me if I am on the right track with the hardware I got?

Thanks!!

The MSI 790fx is getting a little 'old' - it's been out around one year. It's still a good mobo but the newer 790fx motherboards have the sb750 which will allow your Phenom 9850BE to clock 3Ghz+ at stock volts.

If switching the motherboard (RMA?) is an option to you, folks will be happy to make some recommendations.....