**OFFICIAL** Abit BG7 (i845G) Thread

[yuppiejr]

Some promising initial results with my new BG7/P4a system:

Parts List: (from Newegg)

P4 1.8a Retail kit (6-14-2002, version 003)
Stock cooling and thermal pad
256 mb Mushkin PC3000 DDR RAM w/ purple heatspreader
ABIT BG-7 with the latest 6-2002 BIOS release
Radeon 8500 "LE" 64 mb DDR (250/275 version from Newegg for $87)
Antec 630 case w/ 300 watt SmartPower supply (newer "purple label" version)
2x Zalman ZM-F1 80mm Case fans with Quiet mode adapters installed (2000 rpm)
Seagate Barracuda IV 80gb drive in performance mode (still silent)

I left the stock CPU thermal compound on while I burn in the system to make sure the CPU doesn't die and leave me to explain the non standard thermal transfer compound on the CPU to Intel(why take chances). I plan on removing the stock stuff in a few days and upgrading to AS2 if it doesn't show any signs of dying on me. I replaced the chewing gum and white goop on the northbridge with AS2. I left the foam surround pad in place to protect the NB core when I reinstalled the heatsink with the spring clip. However, I think the foam surround pad MAY be lifting the heatsink a bit too much off the top of the silicon which may be why people are noting problems with heat, particularly above 148 mhz FSB? I'm going to pull the foam off of this heatsink when I put AS2 on the CPU just to be safe, so far no problems with it.

I MAY RMA the Mushkin back to Newegg if it doesn't O/C well and go with a 512 meg Samsung part - I'm not sure about the Samsung DTL stuff though which is why I wanted to give Mushkin a try. Guess I'll see in the next couple of days.

Another quick side note - this machine is QUIET, the only noise I can hear is the fan on the video card. Unfortunatly the bastard is GLUED on so I can't use the quiet cooling solution I was planning on. Hmm. I sense another project. Anyway..

In the BIOS, enabled boot strap/fast mode - set the FSB to 133 and the cpu:mem ratio to 4:5. The memory is currently configured per SPD at CAS 2.5, will be bumping that up later. DRAM/CPU voltage set to default. Installed XP Pro, ICH4 drivers, XP critical patches and the most current video/sound/misc device drivers I could find.

I ran the UD Agent with 100% CPU utilization for 1 full hour and didn't have any problems, temp maxed at 51 C.

Uninstalled UD, rebooted - ran Sandra memtest - 2578/2577. Seems to be on track.

Ran 3dmark 2001 SE w/ patch - 9398, not bad with everything but the CPU at stock speed. Link to results.


I left the system up all night running UD Agent again, 9 hours later the machine was purring along at 51C. I uninstalled UD Agent, reboooted and started 3DMark looping continually while I was at work. 10 hours later, still running like a champ. It was up to 53C but my condo was a little warmer today than it was last night so that makes sense.

So far so good, I'm planning to tweak the memory settings to their maximum and see how it goes tonight - then I'm going to start bumping the FSB up a notch at a time. I'll report back with my findings.

I have noted an odd number of Winbond alarms related to my +12v PS line. While the machine has not crashed yet, it keeps getting momentary alarms that I'm dropping to 10v briefly. My "vid" reading also seems a bit on the low side. Vcore, 5v and 3.3v are all stable and pegged at their optimal levels so I am not overly concerned. The problem only seems to occur when I'm running programs, if I sit and watch Winbond with nothing running it's fine. If I start UD Agent (100% CPU) and watch Winbond it will start beeping a couple times a minute with low 12v alarms but the system operates normally. I might upgrade to a 350 watt SmartPower supply and see if the problems persist. Any ideas?

Thanks to everyone who's posted so much good info in this thread, I've been lurking for a while sucking up info and hope some of my results will be useful to someone else who may be considering this board for overclocking their P4a. To the "pros" - I'm a bit new at this so feel free to toss me any configuration suggestions you have.

 

[tyoung88]

OK just bit the bullet and upgrade to the new bios. So far no increase or decrease in OC'ability. Tried using LOW/3:4 or LOW/SPD at 2.6,2.7, and 2.8 . . . no luck. Tried my maximum previous setting of HIGH/4:5@2.6v then enabled the new Enhanced Memory Function . . . no luck. So I guess I have no real positive or negative opinion of the new bios since it didn't effect my system performance in any way. The only thing I guess I can assume is that the update fixed whatever needed fixin.

 

[yuppiejr]

With the new BIOS I compared the "enhanced" enabled versus disabled at 133x18 and found there was a whopping *7* point difference in my Sandra score with it enabled. Ick. I have left it disabled and haven't noted any problems with overclocking so far.

My latest O/C results (added A.Silver2 to the CPU, installed an additional 2000 rpm 92 mm fan over the NB, RAM and CPU):

146 FSB (2.6 ghz), 4:5 - DDR 365 - Sandra score is 2827, 3dMark @ 9684. Stable for a few hours so far w/ 100% CPU load, now at 46 idle/58 peak temp and my Vcore is @ 1.6-1.65v (+5%). Ram is at default voltage. The CPU is getting a little warmer than I like, though I did just apply AS2 so I'm hoping it will "cure" and drop a degree or two under full load in the next day or two.

150 FSB (2.7 ghz), 4:5 - DDR 375 - booted WinXP fine, Sandra score was 2910 BUT it rebooted the box after 15 minutes. Not sure if it was the CPU or RAM that crashed the system but I wonder if I tweak the voltage a bit if it won't fly. Maybe the system needs some burn-in before I take it any higher?

I think I'll wait for my 350 watt Antec P/S to show up before I try any 3:4 memory settings to try for that magic 3000 in Sandra. The second fan pulling air from right abover the CPU should bring my temps down a bit and stabilize my jumpy 12+ volt rail. I hope.

I'm loving my BG7 so far - if it proves stable in the long run at the speeds I've tested it will be, by far, the best mainboard/chip combo I've ever owned.

 

[mpeg4v2]

Just so you know, I think it has been established that BG7 temps are about 10 C higher than what is really true. So that 58 peak is actually about 48-50 C peak.

 

[Khanivore]

CPU: 2.26B@2.73GHz [160fsb w/1.650v vcore, actual is 1.63v. Temperature is 47C idle]
MEMORY: Samsung Original 512Mb DDR333 [H/W=By CPU + By SPD (DDR400) w/2.7v vdimm]
TIMINGS: 2.5-3-3-6 & Enhanced DRAM=Disabled

= Sandra 2002 Memory Benchmark: 3083/3079 and without Intel INF drivers it's 3116/3115
= 3DMark2001 SE Score: 13,411 [http://service.madonion.com/compare?2k1=4100683]

Stability: Good. No crashes... so far.

 

[5150Joker]

Quick update:

I've been gone awhile and haven't been following the thread but I did download the latest 6/26 bios and so far it's a very good improvement over the 5/03 bios that shipped with the board. I can go as high as 155 fsb with h/w strap set to low and 3:4 ratio. However, 3DMark did crash after a few runs at 155 fsb so I backed it down to 150 fsb 3:4 and it's rock solid now. You can follow this link and see that it scored fairly well (3063/3061). 3DMark got a respectable 12,700 at 310/700 with a Leadtek Ti4600.

 

[mike9390]

Hey guys, I can't believe how big this thread has got. Well I asked about a problem several pages ago and no one had a answer. I've done a little more tinkering and I still can't figure out why my system is doing this and nobody elses. Ok, the thing is when I run the Sandra memory benchmark I don't the results everyone else has reported. I just did several benches at different FSB and memory speeds and here's what I'm getting.

100/266 I get 2010/1919
133/333 I get 2533/2410
133/356 I get 2691/2559
150/376 I get 2856/2719
150/400 I get 3042/2895

All tests were run at 2.5/3/3/6, 2/2/2/5 doesn't make a difference nor does Enhanced DRAM Performance. I'm using the new BIOS no difference. As you can see the first number is about right but the second number, the buffered one, is low. I using the BG7, 2.26B, 256 MB of Samsung DTL, a GeForce2 Ultra, Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer, and a Maxtor D740X 60GB hard drive. I'm using Windows 98SE and have tried different Intel chip drivers, the ones one the Abit CD and the new ones from Intel. No difference, although I haven't tried it without the chipset drivers. Don't know if you can uninstall them. Using the lastest Intel application accelerator and nVidia drivers 30.30. Have tried every setting in the Bios, I'm not using the onboard lan or sound. I had the problem before I installed the Audigy also.

So do you guys think it might be the ram even though it does 400? I haven't tried higher although I got the FSB to 170 while fooling around. Or is it the BG7? Or could it be Windows 98SE? I can't really give you any real benchmarks because the GF2 Ultra is the bottleneck in this system. I'm worried because I'm trying to decide on a video card upgrade and don't want this problem to become a real problem. So is this normal or what?

Hey thanks for listening.

Mike

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: mike9390
Hey guys, I can't believe how big this thread has got. Well I asked about a problem several pages ago and no one had a answer. I've done a little more tinkering and I still can't figure out why my system is doing this and nobody elses. Ok, the thing is when I run the Sandra memory benchmark I don't the results everyone else has reported. I just did several benches at different FSB and memory speeds and here's what I'm getting.

100/266 I get 2010/1919
133/333 I get 2533/2410
133/356 I get 2691/2559
150/376 I get 2856/2719
150/400 I get 3042/2895

All tests were run at 2.5/3/3/6, 2/2/2/5 doesn't make a difference nor does Enhanced DRAM Performance. I'm using the new BIOS no difference. As you can see the first number is about right but the second number, the buffered one, is low. I using the BG7, 2.26B, 256 MB of Samsung DTL, a GeForce2 Ultra, Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer, and a Maxtor D740X 60GB hard drive. I'm using Windows 98SE and have tried different Intel chip drivers, the ones one the Abit CD and the new ones from Intel. No difference, although I haven't tried it without the chipset drivers. Don't know if you can uninstall them. Using the lastest Intel application accelerator and nVidia drivers 30.30. Have tried every setting in the Bios, I'm not using the onboard lan or sound. I had the problem before I installed the Audigy also.

So do you guys think it might be the ram even though it does 400? I haven't tried higher although I got the FSB to 170 while fooling around. Or is it the BG7? Or could it be Windows 98SE? I can't really give you any real benchmarks because the GF2 Ultra is the bottleneck in this system. I'm worried because I'm trying to decide on a video card upgrade and don't want this problem to become a real problem. So is this normal or what?

Hey thanks for listening.

Mike

Try windows xp and see what happens.

 

[Khanivore]

I agree with 5150Joker, install WinXP Pro (i heard Home Edition sucks) and then try memory benchmarks. Plus, with the setup you have, WinXP will be very fast and rock stable, provided your overclocked machine is stable.

Anyway, try WinXP Pro.

 

[Khanivore]

Just confirming as others have that LOW+3:4 does indeed work at 150MHz FSB. Very stable too.

CPU: 2.26B@2.56GHz [150fsb w/1.500v vcore, actual is 1.47v. Temperature is 43C idle]
MEMORY: Samsung Original 512Mb DDR333 [H/W=LOW + 3:4 (DDR400) w/2.7v vdimm]
TIMINGS: 2.5-3-3-6 & Enhanced DRAM=Disabled

= Sandra 2002 Memory Benchmark: 3069/3066

 

[Womba]

Quite nice mobo, i was able to break 3GHz with it. Here´s some benchies:

Sandra Membandwidth: 174fsb/4:5/2.5-7-3-3 => 217MHz (DDR434)
3353/3357

3Dmark2001SE and Pifast3.3 scores in signature

 

[gururu]

Mike 9390,

your memory seems pretty good. like the others, i think it is an os phenomenon. try xp or w2k.
your scores scale nicely though, reflecting a healthy mobo/cpu/ram setup.

good luck,

gururu

 

[Tummy]

Man this is a big thread - i've read through as much as I can but haven't found an answer to what I'm wondering yet :

Is anybody using 2 pieces of 256mb double sided pc2700 dimms in this motherboard in an OC state? if so, what kind of OC and what voltage?

THanks. I ask because i have the GA-8IGX but any non-standard fsb when using 2x256mb pc2700 samsung double sided sticks --> unstable. And I have a BG7 on the way and am wondering what to expect, or wondering if I'm going to have to go get just 1 512mb stick.

Thanks all!

 

[gururu]

what i understand from previous posts is that oc will be limited by one of the sticks (since no two are equal).
did you try overclocking with each stick by itself and then both? if so can you let us know what the gigabyte and bg7
let you do? unfortunately, i have not seen anything about this problem with a bg7.

thanks,


gururu

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Womba
Quite nice mobo, i was able to break 3GHz with it. Here´s some benchies:

Sandra Membandwidth: 174fsb/4:5/2.5-7-3-3 => 217MHz (DDR434)
3353/3357

3Dmark2001SE and Pifast3.3 scores in signature

Impressive. I'm getting tempted to purchase a 2.26b and try for the 3 ghz mark too. However, i think my dimm may hold me back since it refuses to go above 160 fsb

 

[Lizardman]

I am using two sticks of single sided samsung and I can go the same fsb if I used one or two but my memory can go up to DDR400 with only one stick and not two.

 

[Tummy]

what i understand from previous posts is that oc will be limited by one of the sticks (since no two are equal).

Yeah, I tried in my GA board with each individual stick. I can do at least 380 on each stick when it's the only one in the machine - but as soon as put both in, stuck at 333. When I get my BG7 I will definitely let you guys know how I make out.

I am using two sticks of single sided samsung and I can go the same fsb if I used one or two but my memory can go up to DDR400 with only one stick and not two.

Good to know that it's at least not a 2 dimm limitation. I wonder if it's a bank # problem of some kind...since I have 2 double sided 256mb pieces and not single sided.

 

[mike9390]

What memory timings were you using? With two sticks you have to lower them. What do you get with 2.5/3/3/6 or 7?

Mike

 

[Tummy]

What memory timings were you using? With two sticks you have to lower them. What do you get with 2.5/3/3/6 or 7?

I've tried everything - in fact, I can't even run my 2xpc2700 sticks at 135 (270). It just seems to be a problem at any non-standard memory fsb...

 

[MeCalvin]

Beginner question:
my floppy drive is down,
could I flash the bios (with /SN switch) with a bootable CD...

 

[MeCalvin]

Answer my own question.

Yep, you can as long as you don't want to backup the old BIOS.

Cool with a CDRW.

 

[gururu]

thanks Mecalvin!

i was hoping you'd let us know your results!

gururu

 

[snoopyb0y]

The New BG7 bios 794.exe is nothing special! I upgrade to new bios, tried low HW strap @ 3/4 which would have taken my memory to 360mhz at 2-3-3-6. My system boots up in windows but fails terribly in 3DMark2001 second editon. Bottom line is my OC' results and limitations are still the same with old bios and new bios. I have corsair XMS 3000C2 ddr 512mb, not sure if its my ram holding me back. Some ppl have posted that they can run at low strap 3/4 ratio and end up close to DDR 400...? Are you ppl stable with 3DMark at this memory speed ? I find it hard to believe.

 

[snoopyb0y]

I think i am going to go back to the old bios. The new bios is worst in terms of stability and performance for me. I can't even alt+tab in Counter-Strike now! Question: how do you go back to the old bios? Do you just reflash it with old bios or is there a revert or restore function?

 

[MeCalvin]

I'm going back to the old bios too.

Before the new BIOS can do 140fsb and 4:5 RAM, Std vcore and 2.7V RAM. CPU and northbridge both have AS3.

With new bios, cannot even get through test 14 of 3DMark with the same settings, even with +10%Vcore and 2.8VRAM.

Tried everything, even 2.5Cas delay, cannot get through 3DMark and 140fsb and 4:5 RAM.

Only stable at 140fsb, and RAM at BYSPD, and with +10%V.

Not yet try ENHANCE DRAM setting.

Could be my imagination but does anyone else notice that AGP on the new bios is only up to 4X. What happens to 8X setting ?


-------------------------------------
1.6A
BG7
1x512MB XMS2700
Enermax 350W Whisper
80GB WD; 40GB WD
Xtasy CDRW
Asus DVD