**Official Epox 8K5A Series (KT333) Thread** (Files, Reviews, and Info Inside!)

[lyrebird]

Hi Insane,
just want to remind you the epox has released new bios. NOT BETA
here is the link

NEW BIOS 11.1.2002

I am wondering if the raid information will be erased by flashing bios...

 

[RideFree]

russr,

it's not just VIA that does this

Shore 'nuf!
However, this is not "universal" (pardon the apparent play on words).

I checked on an Intel 815E (Asus CUSL-2) and found the following:
Under Hardware >
"Universal Serial Bus controller"
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
s are mine, not Intel's
I realize that we are looking at the new Intel Southbridge readings in
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,4886561~root=ocusa~mode=flat

 

[RideFree]

Live, ETAL

With a locked 2000+ I doubt you will hit 166 at once

I would be surprised if you ever hit 166FSB with a 2000+. There simply isn't enough headroom. Probably not even with water-cooling.:disgust:

 

[jagilbertvt]

Lyrebird: It wont touch the raid (other than perhaps a bios update on it). Your RAID array will remain intact.

-Jeremiah

 

[RideFree]

DrPara,

We're not ignoring you, I doubt that anyone knows as yet.
I think I saw an article somewhere that proved that the KT-400 could not support a 1/6th divider. But, that is unfounded - and I may just be a rumor monger.
If you have D/L the manual and searched for it without finding anything, EPoX may not claim it.
Also, there should be a review out there somewhere.
Didn't Insane announce that he was going to get one and a new TBredB & O/C the sh_t out of it?

 

[russr]

lyrebird, this was posted just a few posts up, please read before posting the same stuff....this is how this thread is 10 pages long.

 

[Ruroni]

Okay guys, now that my systems are running, it is time for me to stress myself again.

I've always been curious about overclocking and what it is like. I have been reading posts on this threat about overclocking and to be entirely honest, I don't think I feel convicted by my understanding. I've visted websites that talk about overclocking and I read some posts here talking about overclocking without unlocking the CPU, and something about unlocking the CPU and then I've noticed that different versions of the same CPUs are to be unlocked differently (some used to be unlocked by writting with a pencil, some require more work etc.). I've noticed that some people talk about votlages and clock settings and and and.... It's all too overwhelming

There are 2 main things I know about overclocking.
1) It makes your hardware run faster than its sticker price.
2) It's dandgerous and voids warranties.

Aside fom those 2 facts, I (think) I know that there are different kinds of manual labor to be done on the hardware, as well as some work to be done on the software. And the last thing that I (think) I know is that overclocking is done incrementally. But even with the little I THINK I know, I realize that I ACTUALLY know not to try it.

Does anyone know where I can find some info where OC'ing is explained, like if it was meant for an audience composed of 6 year olds? Or does anyone feel confident in their knowledge enough to try to explain what is overclocking, how is overcloking done, and all kinds of pertinent information?

 

[jagilbertvt]

In my attempt to alleviate some of my Maxtor + HPT374 Raid issues I've created a modified bios for the 8k5a3+ which includes the latest Highpoint 374 bios (1.23). If you're interested in grabbing it, you can do so here.


-Jeremiah

 

[wizdum]

I decided I am going to order the 8KA52+ on friday. man.. i've had so much troubles with my Abit KX7-333R! TWO RMA's and it still wouldn't work. I swapped out every other component also. Anyway... can you buy a fan for the northbridge? Do you have to install drivers for the onboard sound? I've never had anything onboard before. Can I overclock the FSB of my CPU with standard air cooling? thanks!

 

[Insane3D]

Ok guys, I updated the links on the first page for the new 8K5A2+ bios, the links for the Highpoint drivers now take you directly to Highpoint's site, and added a USB 2.0 2K/XP drivers link (from Soyo). A couple things to be aware of with the two official bioses for the 8K5A2+.

First, both bioses (8/15 and 11/1) have the bios for the Highpoint RAID controller included. The 8/15 uses the v2.32 HP bios, and the 11/01 seems to use the newest v2.34 bios. This is important to know the correct Highpoint drivers to use. It's very important to use the same version drivers as the bios version to avoid any problems. If you are using the 2.32 drivers now, and update to the new bios, you might want to update your HP drivers first. Keep that in mind and you bios flashing should be painless.

One more thing, the 11/1 bios comes with the newest version of the Award Flasher, 8.22 I believe, and that is a handy program to keep on hand. It can sometimes be tricky to find the lastest version through Google or otherwise when you really need it.



My 2400+ should come Thursday or so, and I will post my results. I will most likely use the 9/9 Beta bios first, the one I am using ATM, and then try the 11/1 and see if there are any differences.

 

[russr]

I have noticed no differences in stability between 9/05, 9/09 and 11/01 bioses. I can't comment on performance because I honestly just like using the newest ones as long as they are stable.

Insane3d, as far as the flasher for the bios goes, is there anything wrong with using the magic flash utility in Windows to flash the bios? I've been using that and have noticed no negative side effects.

 

[Insane3D]

Insane3d, as far as the flasher for the bios goes, is there anything wrong with using the magic flash utility in Windows to flash the bios? I've been using that and have noticed no negative side effects.

No, there is really nothing wrong with it, just that it's still beta, and I prefer the old fashioned way. I got burned by Asus's one once, so I just sort of stuck with the boot disk way, except I have no floopy drives in my systems, so I use a boot CD, and put the flasher and bios on a CDRW.

 

[FriedRiceBob]

Hey ya'll just a little note on updating to 11/01 BIOS.
I first downloaded and installed the latest windows High-point RAID drivers, to be certain of compatibility after flashing. restarted computer, windows still works fine. next, i tried using the winflash program to flash the bios. seemed to work great, restart computer. upon restart, computer hangs after the highpoint v2.34 utility detects drives. also of note, it does not find the RAID 0 array that i have, instead listing both WD400bb drives. Attempts to enter the highpoint utility (ctrl+h) are unsuccesful. next step, disable raid controller in bios, boot from floppy, re-flash new bios. bios flash was successfull, once again with the 11/01 bios release. same problem. finally, i flashed back to 8/15 and got my raid array back. Highpoint v2.32 utility detects it fine. windows is back and that's where i am as of now. Any clues as to what caused my problems with the v2.34 highpoint utility that's included in the latest bios?

SO: anyone with a RAID 0 array, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP OLD BIOS AND FLASH UTILITY HANDY, just in case v2.34 doesnt like you

guess that's all for now...any insight on the raid problem is appreciated.
Fried

 

[Live]

Originally posted by: DrPara
is it true that the new 8K9A has a 1/6 PCI DIVIDER ?

No it has not and no other VIA kt400 has it either. Some mobo makers claimed they did but its just not included in the hardware in kt400. We will have to wait for either kt400a or nforce2 to se if it will be there and working....

 

[RideFree]

Insane,

I have no floopy drives in my systems, so I use a boot CD,

You might mention the 1 caveat to this TIKO, namely that this is not compatible with NT4s RDisk as it insists on writing to the "A" floppy (at least I'm not aware of a work around to this). If you know differently, please advise.

Also, how does this work if you need Ghost (for example) to create the boot disk(s) for access to the CDRWs, network, tape &/or SCSI boot drivers.
I've thought for quite some time that we should be able to get rid of the 'ol floppy but due to the above, haven't ventured into that area again after being so resoundly defeated by WinNT.
Wouldn't one of your systems require at least 1 floppy?

 

[Michfan]

Live

have the exact same problem. I cant get any faster memory timings to work. And this with Crucial 3200 XMS cl2 memory! If i dont set memory to normal It loads up windows XP but frezez at the desktop screen. This is very disaponting when I have spent a lot of money to get what I tought was the best stuff. I have updated everything accept the onboard lan and raid(I dont use the raid disabled in bios). CPU temp 30-33c and Sys temp 28c. My memory is in dimm slot 3 and 4. Any advice would be most helpfull.

Yeah it took me about a week or so to figure this one out. After browsing the official Corsair Support Forums i stumbled across the settings that the modules are tested at. So i went in changed it to normal and set the timings to 2-3-6-3 and now its working like a charm. Getting over 2800 mb/s on Sandra now.

Quick update on my venture into OCing my Athlon 1800+ and Epox 8k5a3+

Well i have successfully reached 145 FSB on my Epox with no stability issues and am toting a 2000+ now. Temps are at 47 C Idle and 50 C Load with a Thermalright AX-7 and 80mm Panaflo (Cant remember the CFM here at work). Ill work on getting those temps down with a couple front intake fans on the case which i have been too lazy to buy as of late. Any case fan recommendations??? I know Sunons are good. I also plan on getting some round IDE cables to improve airflow but im not sure what brand to get or if it matters. Newegg didnt seem to have a big selection of them.

*I was Michfan4 but for some reason lost the pass and made a new one at work*

 

[wizdum]

Can I overclock an athlon XP 2000+ w/ this board on standard air cooling?

 

[BZeto]

I just got a new sound card, so I can ditch the onboard sound on my 8K5A2+. Before I use my sound card do I need to disable the onboard sound in the bios? Where is the option at in the bios?

Also, I heard before udating the BIOS you should set everything back to default (disable all your OCs, ect) Is this true?


EDIT: forgot one thing, I am getting an internal ZIP drive, can I plug it into one of the extra 2 IDE ports(the red ones) without installing the highpoint drivers?

 

[wizdum]

What does the little LED display thing do?

&

Can I overclock an athlon XP 2000+ w/ this board on standard air cooling?

 

[jagilbertvt]

Bzeto: You don't have to disable the onboard sound immediately, but I'd recommend it, as there is really no reason to leave it enabled. As for the zip drive: I believe you will still need the hpt drivers, as Windows will want them when you enable the HPT controller. Also, I am not sure if the HPT is compatible with the zip drive (someone else will have to answer this ).

-Jeremiah

 

[russr]

Insane3d and others interested. I tried out the new 11/01 BIOS and I found one thing that is different in it compared to the older 8/15, 9/05 and 9/09. The 11/01 BIOS slightly underclocks the FSB and hence the CPU clock. For example...I have my FSB running at 166mhz according to BIOS, but WCPUID and CPU-Z report it as 165.6 to 165.7. It also reports my RAM accordingly as 332.3mhz.

The older BIOSes slighly overclocked so at 166mhz in the BIOS I would be at 166.5mhz actually.

Worth nothing I think. Would appreciate any comments and whether or not you've noticed this.

 

[Imaginer]

I would have love it better if i can get this system up to 200fsb.

But anywho

I have my 1600+ AGOIA week 24 of 2002 at 167fsb unlocked and running with 1.8 V

I think I need to blame my AIW Radeon. I dont think it tolerates overclocked busses. It would post with 180 but does nothing else or cant get into windows.

What is the best way to stress stability? Prime95?

 

[russr]

best torture test= prime95 torture test for 24 hours.
second best...run prime95 for a few hours like 6 and then while running prime loop 3dmark2k1

 

[Live]

Originally posted by: wizdum
What does the little LED display thing do?

&

Can I overclock an athlon XP 2000+ w/ this board on standard air cooling?

The Led display is for diagnosing problems with the board. There is a list of codes in your manual.

Yes you can overclock with these epox boards and you can do it well.

 

[cPKain]

Hi everybody. I want to know your opinion about Epox 8K5A2+ vs Epox 8K9A, without + in terms of performance.