MSI S754 NF3-250 and NF4-4x ATX Mainboards @ Geeks.com

[tcsenter]

Update on K8N Neo3 H BIOS update I recommended before, see below.

MSI K8N Neo V2.0 H (MS-7030) NF3-250 Socket 754 ATX Motherboard - $40.00 plus shipping
MSI Specs: K8N Neo V2.0 H
Latest BIOS: varies (see below)


MSI K8N Neo3 H (MS-7135) NF4-4x Socket 754 ATX Motherboard - $40.00 plus shipping
MSI Specs: K8N Neo3 H
The AGP slot on this board is actually one of those "AGR" slots wired to the PCI bus


Some notes on BIOS updates:

Do NOT use MSI LiveUpdate on K8N Neo V2.0 H because it can offer the wrong BIOS.

K8N Neo V2.0 H: check the current BIOS version during POST or in BIOS Setup and write down the current BIOS. There are four different versions of this board, each requires a different BIOS. Below is the latest BIOS for each board that corresponds with the current BIOS:

BIOS version : 1.x ~ 2.x = Latest BIOS v2.1 (changed from v2.22)
BIOS version : 5.x = Latest BIOS v5.4
BIOS version : 7.x = Latest BIOS v7.1
BIOS version : 9.x = Latest BIOS v9.0

I uploaded these to my own server because they aren't available from MSI's download pages. I found them on MSI's FTP server and confirmed the BIOS versioning scheme through several posts on MSI Forums. However, I take no responsibility for any failed updates. Update at your own risk or stick with the BIOS that comes with your board.

Update on K8N Neo3 H BIOS: I received my K8N Neo3 H and updated to the BIOS (1.82) that I previously linked to, but the board is dead after the update. I don't know if it was merely a bad flash or what, but until I find out, do not use the 1.82 BIOS I linked to previously. Instead, use MSI LiveUpdate. My board came with BIOS v1.7, which is the latest available from the MSI download page for K8N Neo3 H.

 

[cubanx]

Best S754 with a PCI-E slot i've used. Never had a problem with live update with the one in mine of my sons through. Great board if you want to get PCI-E with an old S754 CPU.

 

[Desslok]

WOW, just two memory slots?

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: cubanx
Best S754 with a PCI-E slot i've used. Never had a problem with live update with the one in mine of my sons through. Great board if you want to get PCI-E with an old S754 CPU.

The K8N Neo3 H NF4-4X board *might* get the correct BIOS via LiveUpdate, since both versions of this board use the same BIOS, but I don't think LiveUpdate has the latest BIOS available.

The K8N Neo V2.0 H NF3-250, on the other hand, will not update correctly, or at least there have been several reports of LiveUpdate not being able to correctly differentiate between the different PCB versions that use a different BIOS.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Desslok
WOW, just two memory slots?

2GB max, yep. For a value/mainstream system paired with Sempron 64 or something low-end, this is more than sufficient even on Vista. If you needed more RAM, you'd probably be looking beyond Socket 754, anyway (939 or AM2).

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: Desslok
WOW, just two memory slots?

2GB max, yep. For a value/mainstream system paired with Sempron 64 or something low-end, this is more than sufficient even on Vista. If you needed more RAM, you'd probably be looking beyond Socket 754, anyway (939 or AM2).

This is true.

Thanks for the deal.

 

[filibusterman]

very tempting for my turion I will be taking out of my lappy tomorrow. Hmmmm.

 

[cubanx]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: cubanx
Best S754 with a PCI-E slot i've used. Never had a problem with live update with the one in mine of my sons through. Great board if you want to get PCI-E with an old S754 CPU.

The K8N Neo3 H NF4-4X board *might* get the correct BIOS via LiveUpdate, since both versions of this board use the same BIOS, but I don't think LiveUpdate has the latest BIOS available.

The K8N Neo V2.0 H NF3-250, on the other hand, will not update correctly, or at least there have been several reports of LiveUpdate not being able to correctly differentiate between the different PCB versions that use a different BIOS.

Your correct, the ones I have are the K8N Neo3 H NF4-4X models. Good info thanks.

 

[f4phantom2500]

Wow on that nf4-4x board, it's now $35 plus shipping. If I had a 754 cpu lying around I'd be all over that...wow...

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500
Wow on that nf4-4x board, it's now $35 plus shipping. If I had a 754 cpu lying around I'd be all over that...wow...

Here you go:

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo 1.6GHz 256KB L2 Cache OEM - $27.00 free ship

AMD Sempron 64 3000+ Palermo 1.8GHz 128KB L2 Cache Boxed - $39.50 free ship

Unless you already have a HSF cooler, I would just go for the 3000+. Not only is it the faster model but includes an AMD retail HSF for only $12.50 more. The extra cache of the 2800+ does next to nothing for Sempron. Higher frequency matters more.

Or from Geeks:

AMD Sempron 64 3000+ Palermo 1.8GHz 128KB L2 Cache OEM - $31.50 plus shipping

With a CPU cooler:

CoolerMaster SK754 Copper Core HS/Fan to 3700+ - $6.79 plus shipping

Thanks for the price update on the NF4 board. Even better!

 

[Rat007]

got a K8N Neo3 H
and a AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.2GHz 512KB L2 Cache 49.00 shipped
im hoping my agp bfg geforce 6800 will fly in it
thx op

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Rat007
got a K8N Neo3 H
and a AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.2GHz 512KB L2 Cache 49.00 shipped
im hoping my agp bfg geforce 6800 will fly in it

Unfortunately, the AGP slot on the Neo3 is one of those AGR slots that is wired to the PCI bus. While GF 6800 appears to be supported on the AGR Test List, your AGP 8x card will effectively operate like a glorified PCI graphics card.

I linked to MSI specs but perhaps I should have pointed this out. Anyway, now you have a PCI Express x16 slot FTW!

 

[gvbjr]

This board and that 3200 venice with any luck would just about rival anything within the realm of reasonability. Outrageous performance for the dollar when you consider what a c2d rig would cost done up properly.

 

[tcsenter]

Update on K8N Neo3 H BIOS: I received my K8N Neo3 H and updated to the BIOS (1.82) that I previously linked to, but the board is dead after the update. I don't know if it was merely a bad flash or what, but until I find out, do not use the 1.82 BIOS I linked to previously. Instead, use MSI LiveUpdate. My board came with BIOS v1.7, which is the latest available from the MSI download page for K8N Neo3 H.

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500
Wow on that nf4-4x board, it's now $35 plus shipping. If I had a 754 cpu lying around I'd be all over that...wow...

Here you go:

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo 1.6GHz 256KB L2 Cache OEM - $27.00 free ship

AMD Sempron 64 3000+ Palermo 1.8GHz 128KB L2 Cache Boxed - $39.50 free ship

Unless you already have a HSF cooler, I would just go for the 3000+. Not only is it the faster model but includes an AMD retail HSF for only $12.50 more. The extra cache of the 2800+ does next to nothing for Sempron. Higher frequency matters more.

Or from Geeks:

AMD Sempron 64 3000+ Palermo 1.8GHz 128KB L2 Cache OEM - $31.50 plus shipping

With a CPU cooler:

CoolerMaster SK754 Copper Core HS/Fan to 3700+ - $6.79 plus shipping

Well the thing is I have one a 939 Sempron 3000, the one from tigerdirect that was $10 after rebate, and I already have an Asus Crux K8, besides that the only parts I need to make this a system is a motherboard and video card, so I'm waiting for the Neo4-Fi to get back in stock (hopefully it goes down to $35 hehe) and for a good deal on a cheap (hopefully decent) PCI-e video card. I'm using a Neo4-Fi with my X2 3800 and I am completely happy with it.

 

[filibusterman]

does anyone have any luck with turions in the neo3 pci-e mobo becuase I tried my turion ML-30 and it seems not to work

 

[filibusterman]

grr i think the hsf i used wasnt contacting the cpu so i need one with a smaller base i suppose if the chip still works at all

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: filibusterman
does anyone have any luck with turions in the neo3 pci-e mobo becuase I tried my turion ML-30 and it seems not to work

Does it POST and correctly report the CPU?

MSI's CPU support chart doesn't list ML-30 model. Seems like it should work, though, since it supports most other Turion models.

 

[filibusterman]

yes it seems to support it. It posts now but i have no hard drive to see if it will run windows pr another os. Since i cant use my stock opty 146 hsf i need one that is small enough to not just stop at the cpu bracket since the turion is not as tall as the semprons and athlons it seems

 

[masterc]

Originally posted by: filibusterman
yes it seems to support it. It posts now but i have no hard drive to see if it will run windows pr another os. Since i cant use my stock opty 146 hsf i need one that is small enough to not just stop at the cpu bracket since the turion is not as tall as the semprons and athlons it seems

Retail CPUs come with the metal heatspeader (silver metal cap) that covers the cpu core. That makes them taller. Most mobos are meant for these chips. So if you are using a laptop cpu, you need to account for that.
You just need to file down the plastic feet on the bottom of the plastic clip which holds the HSF to the mobo.

 

[eBauer]

Got my MSI K8N Neo3 H yesterday - running perfect, the only quirk is that I have to use clockgen to overclock it. Setting the HT to anything over 225 in the bios results in the system not posting. (using stock 1.7 bios, I'm hesitant to try 1.82 due to what the OP mentioned) However, I got up to 255 orthos stable using clockgen.

 

[BobF]

Thanks for the link,

$39.99 on the MSI K8N Neo3 H right now (a $5 price increase.)

Bob

 

[filibusterman]

well I got it for 40 a week or two ago the $35 deal happened right after I bought it so don't feel too bad

 

[deadken]

OK, I am in for one. I owe my Co-Worker a S754 Mobo since the Asus K8V SE Deluxe I sold him isn't stable. I figure that I will give him the ECS NForce 3A that I got with a Sempron 3100+ (from Outpost.com, he has the Sempron 3100+ anyway, might as well pair it back up with the ECS Mobo).

I can only hope that one of the AGP cards I have around will work with this. I have a PowerColor 9800SE (with full Core and Memory Clock speeds) and I also have a ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. I hope that either one of these will work. If not, I think I am looking at getting a 6600 GT PCI-e (BFG OC) for $100 less $40 rebate.

Does anyone have experience with the MSI K8N Neo3 H (MS-7135) NF4-4x Socket 754 ATX Motherboard and an AGP Video card? Do most cards work in this slot (especially the ones I mentioned above)?

 

[filibusterman]

my power spec 9200se is not said to be supported and works fine. it is a passively cooled card with no molex or other power connections.

EDIT: in the AGR slot