**OFFICIAL** Abit BG7 (i845G) Thread

[therudyq3]

hi...my components as follow

P4 1.8a
BG7
samsung pc2700 512MB original from newegg
asus 7700 geforce2 gts 32MB....was trying it with radeon 8500 but did not work
chieftec aluminum case with 4 sunon case fans and opened the side panel and stuck a house fan next to it
turbolink 420W P4 ready PSU the line on ythe 3.3V for this psu according to sandra was at 3.15V
win xp pro
artic silver3
intel original hsf
HP cdrw 9100+
dvd generic
seagate HD...9 gig
maxtor HD 10 gig

i don't think the intel hsf is the culprit..and i reinstall the hsf with as3 already..the heatsink was warm under load ...that tells me that there were heat transfer..so it's working alright.
on my previous MB the asus p4s533...the temp was only 37C idle...at load it ran about 10 degrees higher
now the system won't go into windows...it gave me "cpu not workable or softmenu has been changed"..i cleared the cmos to no avail

 

[render]

Go into the CPU Soft Menu in the BIOS and see what the CPU speed is set at.

Setting it to the correct speed will solve the problem.

** Abit boards tend to report high temps compared to other boards.

Edit: Don't forget to lock AGP/PCI ratio to 66/33

 

[snoopyb0y]

Ok i'm testing my 2.0A @ 135fsb = 2.70mhz with Prime and i noticed my load temp
is 59-60 C reported by Winbond hardware doctor ( the software that came with the mobo).
This seems a little high to me. Can anyone recommend me the best motherboard monitoring software
to use?

 

[Labdog]

MBM5

 

[VneFlyer]

Could someone try recording sound on thier BG7?

I only get a very low level from my mic input even though I adjusted the input level to max. Recording quality is fine - just too low. Line input works fine from my TV card and sound output is fine. Using version 5.10.3840 of the avance driver as well as earlier version. Tried two known good mics from other computers. I'm wondering if I should RMA this board to googlegear.

I'm stability testing at default speeds before OC'ing.

Also, any problems with restarting from win98se. I notice my board sometimes has problems after I push it hard (prime95, etc.) as well as when restarting from Linux. Shutdown does not seem to be a problem.

Thanks for the help!

Abit BG7/2.26 Ghz P4/ Corsair XMS3000 512 @ 2-2-2-5/Antec 860+ 330W power supply/

Liking this mobo!

 

[snoopyb0y]

Originally posted by: crapito
for all those who have been following my Intel/nVidia/overclocking posts, I have some info that may help.

Q: is it better to run your system at the 4:5 RAM divider (ie 150FSB/375DDR) with the Intel drivers, or better to run at 3:4 ratio (ie 150FSB/400DDR) without the Intel drivers?

A: the 4:5 ratio with Intel drivers gives better overall performance.

details and benchmarks on my system...

4:5 w/Intel drivers: 150FSB/375DDR
CPU 16x150=2400 @ ~1.52v/+.1v; RAM 2/6/3/3 4:5 375 @ ~2.65v/+0.2v; nVidia 29.80 drivers @ ~1.49v/+0.0v AGP; Intel 4013 INF & 2.2 IAA
Prime95 2.14 torture test: completed, ~25hrs
Sandra2002 897: CPU 4672/2690; MM 9423/11806; RAM 2868/2875; C: 27008
SuperPI: 1:12
N-Bench v2: 1918/46.31
3DMark2001SE_b330: 7869

3:4 w/o Intel drivers: 150FSB/400DDR
CPU 16x150=2400 @ ~1.52v/+.1v; RAM 2/6/3/3 3:4 400 @ ~2.83v/+0.4v; nVidia 29.80 drivers @ ~1.49v/+0.0v AGP; no WinXP updates or Intel INF or IAA
Prime95 2.14 torture test: ok, 80 224k, ~12hrs
Sandra2002 897: CPU 4467/2924; MM 9445/11804; RAM 3024/3047; C: 24227
SuperPI: 1:12
N-Bench v2: 1866/45.73
3DMark2001SE_b330: 6550

I've posted this info to both the Abit BG7 and Epox 4G4A+ threads here on Anandtech, as I've personally experience this issue on both motherboards.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I need an answer to this question:
I have a SCSI Harddrive not IDE, do i still need to install the Intel Application Accelerator?
Will not installing intel application accelerator let me set my ram timing to 3:4 @ 135fsb?
Will not installing intel application accelerator improve my system performance in any way since my HD is scsi??


Last question: How and where do you get USB 2.0 drivers working on BG7 ? The ABit site doesn't have the drivers yet!

 

[Viper96720]

If your using WinXp go to windows update. Click on personalize windows update. Click display windows update catalog. Click on the windows update catalog and click find driver updates. CLick other hardware select microsoft and pick the usb 5.1.2600 driver. Or just go here and download USB 2.0 driver for Win2000 or XP. http://developer.intel.com/design/motherbd/bv/bv_drive.htm
None available yet for 98 ME or NT.
If you have any IDE devices then not installing IAA may hurt performance may not. Have to try it out for yourself.

Mine is 1.6A @2.13
16*133
4/5 divider
cas 2633
don't plan and going any higher since that's good enough for me.

 

[mike9390]

Hey guys, I've noticed somthing a little weird with my BG7. It running fine but my SiSioft Sandra memory bench is a little off. I have a 2.26B and Samsung Original 256MB DTL series . At 133/333 I get 2554/2462 or so. The interger looks ok but the float should be higher. I've tried every tweak and setting I can find but it's still the same. My CPU bench is 4299/1356-2792 and my Multimedia bench is 8968/10937. I'm using Windows 98SE and the ram in in DIMM 1.

The rest of my componets are: Geforce2 Ultra, Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer, US Robotics external serial modem, Maxtor D740X 60GB hard drive, and a Antec 880 case with 430w power supply. Does anyone have any clue why it's doing this. I've even tried the last 2 Sandra programs. The memory seems to run fine, I've had the system up to 150/376 with no problems.

Thanks for your help,

Mike

 

[VneFlyer]

I have the a similar setup to Mike 9390: 2.26 P4 at 533 FSB/Corsair XMS-3000C2 512MB/Antec 860+/Running win98SE dimm in slot 1

Haven't started OC'ing yet.

I get similar numbers using Sandra 2002.6.8.97. As expected, I get slightly lower bandwidth because I am using the mobo 845G video controller.

CPU Arithmetic: Dhrystone ALU 4256 - Whetstone FPU 1361/2775
Mem bandwidth: Int 2319 - Float 2251
Multi-media (for grins): Int 8872 - Float 11122
BIOS 6.00PG compile date 5/3/2002

 

[VneFlyer]

Answered my own question about the mic input: it was a driver problem. Just download the latest driver from realtek - audio driver version 5.10.0.3910. The site is picky about cookies. You either set your browser to allow cookies (or set security to minimal for that transaction) or the site just tells you there are no new drivers.

Why is mic input important you ask? It's fun to use things like ilink to speak with friends and folks around the world.

Sorry to take up bandwidth..

 

[mpeg4v2]

Well since no one responded to my previous question about the audio, I'll ask another one hoping someone actually reads it.
Using MBM5, the Winbond 2 sensor I'm pretty sure is the CPU one. However, two of the settings give two different temperatures... that both vary as the CPU is put under load and such. The first one is Winbond 2 Diode, which reports 49-55 C idle (depending on room temp) to up to 63-67 C load (again room temp). This was the one I initially thought was correct, so I left it at that. However, the other day I tried Winbond 2 2N3904, and it gave temps of 29-35 C idle, 44-47 C load. Of course, I would much prefer this one to be accurate, but I'm just not sure. The Diode one seems too high, the 2N3904 one seems too low. Also, the bios uses the Diode one.
I'm currently running a P4 1.8A o/c'd to 2637mhz @ 1.71v, using an Alpha PAL8942 with Sunon 50cfm fan. It just doesn't seem like it should be that high, or that low. Any ideas?

 

[mike9390]

I've wondered about these temperature readings too. I have a 2.26B and right now at default speed it's running at 44C and after hours of Prime95 i've got it up to 61C. That's according to the Hardware Doctor. MBM with Windbond 2 Diode is reporting the same temperature. The 2N9304 is giving a 20C reading right now, that's got to be wrong. So to answer your question I don't think either one is right. I think it's somewhere in between. I've heard many time that the onboard temperature readings can be off by as much as 10C. So if I have 44C it's really 34C which is about right for my CPU.

But is there any way to find out for sure?

 

[tyoung88]

Originally posted by: mike9390
I've wondered about these temperature readings too. I have a 2.26B and right now at default speed it's running at 44C and after hours of Prime95 i've got it up to 61C. That's according to the Hardware Doctor. MBM with Windbond 2 Diode is reporting the same temperature. The 2N9304 is giving a 20C reading right now, that's got to be wrong. So to answer your question I don't think either one is right. I think it's somewhere in between. I've heard many time that the onboard temperature readings can be off by as much as 10C. So if I have 44C it's really 34C which is about right for my CPU.

But is there any way to find out for sure?

Mike,

Well the good thing is that most of us with BG-7's are reporting similar results in temps. I myself have a 1.6a@2.4ghz using +5% voltage with the following temps:

Idle: 45-49C
Load: 55-58C

So I think your correct that the BG-7 is reporting temperature numbers a bit high. I was seriously considering putting in an Alpha Heatsink but a reconsidering now since it costs almost $50 with the fan. I very happy with an stable OC to 2.4 and am not gonna try any higher (at least for now )

 

[mike9390]

I'm using a Alpha with a Exermax adjustable 80mm fan. It's reading a little over 3000 rpm. Even when I crank it up to 3600 it doesn't make that much of a difference, maybe 2C at load.

 

[tyoung88]

I'm using a stock intel heatsink/fan in my setup. I guess maybe the "B" 533mhz bus P4's run a little hotter

 

[snoopyb0y]

Originally posted by: mike9390
I've wondered about these temperature readings too. I have a 2.26B and right now at default speed it's running at 44C and after hours of Prime95 i've got it up to 61C. That's according to the Hardware Doctor. MBM with Windbond 2 Diode is reporting the same temperature. The 2N9304 is giving a 20C reading right now, that's got to be wrong. So to answer your question I don't think either one is right. I think it's somewhere in between. I've heard many time that the onboard temperature readings can be off by as much as 10C. So if I have 44C it's really 34C which is about right for my CPU.

But is there any way to find out for sure?

Yeah i question these temps too. I have a 2.0A @ 135fsb = 2.70mhz, under load with prime i get up to 61C ?

 

[gururu]

My cpu (winbond HD) idle is 50.50 C, and 60-64 C at load-Neverwinter Nights. This is with AS3 and retail HSF unit. My room temp is 27. The cpu max spec for northwoods seems to be 66 (intel manual). I cant wait till the winter!

1.6A@146 Mhzbus(2.33 Ghz)
settings on High 4:5 (same results with by spd)
memory frequency is o/c to 365 Mhz (512 MB Corsair value select PC2700/DDR333 cs 2.5)
cpu v at +5%
DRAM v at default
stability: perfect. nothing can crash this puppy.

tried low/3:4...no dice


sisoft memory bandwidth (integrated video on):
16-bit desktop: >2500
32-bit desktop: >2300
hopefully with new video card, bandwidth will jump up a few hundred

p.s. low/ 3:4 with less clock works, but inevitably ends up lowering memory speed. If the clock can get high enough,
then you will more than compensate for having to use 4:5 instead of 3:4.
gururu

 

[gururu]

One other thing.
To test stability I recommend Final Reality. It is an old graphics benchmark. I was able to run PCMARK, all SIsoft tests,
3DMARK 2000. 2001, 2001SE and Burn P6 up to 152 Mhz (with looping). EXCEPT Final Reality. This program wouldn't run through at anything above 146... which is what I settled for.
It is also great for checking out memory bandwidth.

gururu

 

[snoopyb0y]

Originally posted by: gururu
One other thing.
To test stability I recommend Final Reality. It is an old graphics benchmark. I was able to run PCMARK, all SIsoft tests,
3DMARK 2000. 2001, 2001SE and Burn P6 up to 152 Mhz (with looping). EXCEPT Final Reality. This program wouldn't run through at anything above 146... which is what I settled for.
It is also great for checking out memory bandwidth.

gururu

Where do you get "Final Reality"? I always thought if passing 24hrs with Prime95, 3D Mark , and no hics playing various 3d games for a whole day was stable enough...? If possible can you email me or ICQ me so i can get Final Reality off you.

kgwong@shawbiz.ca
ICQ:18489867

 

[gururu]

Final Reality can be found here:

http://www.remedy.fi/fr/

 

[gururu]

Final Reality:

use second link and scroll down to:

Site 1 USA
Site 2 USA
Site 3 UK

 

[kENNYC28]

I am also having that problem inf/geforce/bg7 It will overclock bueatiful to 4:5 memory ratio160fsb with my 1.6a costa rica
once I install the INF drivers the best I can do is 155fsb 1:1 ratio
heres my system
bg7 of cousre
gforce 4 ti4600
corsair xms3000
soundblaster live
antec 430 tru power psu
16xdvd rom
hp cdrewriter 16x10x40
wd 80 gig hard drive
avc sunflower cooler
anyone found an answer to that one yet?

 

[Lizardman]

Just got my BG7 in the mail on tuesday. Its great. I am doing 133fsb at 4:5 so my mem is ddr333.

Specs

1,6A
Bg7
Geforce2
modem (mach 2)

Samsung ddr266 x2
crucial micron x1

 

[gururu]

I love this motherboard too.

I got my 1.6A going at 2340 MHz on it.
and thats with corsair vaue select PC2700 running at 365 MHz.
the i845G loves it, the memory loves it, I love it, everybody is happy!

gururu

 

[kENNYC28]

thats still not ddr 400 4:5 memory ratio and 160fsb 2.56ghz with my 1.6a which I had it at before installing the chipset drivers now the highest I can get is 155 fsb at 1:1 memory ratio I dont like to settle for less than before adding a driver