*** Official MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum (nForce4 Ultra chipset) Thread ***

[doc2345]

Originally posted by: vojtanek
yeah, don't tell me that... i guess that Abit AN8 Ultra seems to be a good choice. the MSI MB is good, but this one seems to be better..

It's not a good choice if you believe these guys.

 

[sixth]

Yeah i dont recommend the ABit, i was going to get that board but after the reviews i went Epox and couldnt be happier!

 

[dwb]

Sixth, I have the whacky Lian Li case that flips everything; Power supply is at the bottom of the case. My fan blows in from the back, is directed to the HSF by the groovy PLUS retro fit kit. The wiring harness would be a major blocker in my case. I wish it would work, I would love to get the Epox. I thinkt that I will try the Aopen.

dwb

 

[sixth]

Ahhh ok dwb, i gothca, i agree that prolly wouldnt work very well, to bad that board is sweet

I guess my next pick would be the abit...

 

[dwb]

The simplist AN8 looks pretty good. I cant do the passive heatsink, cause my case is upside down, and I don't want the turbo blower capacitor cooler thingy either.
Aopen, or Bust.
dwb

 

[MayanGuy]

Originally posted by: ledi
Hello.

I just got MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum and indeed the fan is too loud. I got me a Zalman fanmate to quiet down the noise.

Now I'm wondering if it's enough and would like to put Zalmans ZM-NB47J on it but I don't know if it will fit or not.
Has anyone replaced their fan to this and had a GFX card similar in size to X850?

If it fits, I'd be more than happy to get rid of the nasty little fan.

Originally posted by: anax
....I've 'quieted' the system with a Zalman CNPS-7000B AlCu on the CPU and a VF-700 Cu on the X700. I put a Zalman Fanmate on the Northbridge and reduced the speed to 3700 RPM which made a noticable difference.

I've done the same but also fear that it's not cooling enough...has anyone found a replacement that fits?

 

[the cobbler]

oops nm

 

[MayanGuy]

Originally posted by: the cobbler
A64 3000+Venice 0517APAW@2.72 (302x9)/1.621v
2x512 Corsair VS@212mhz 2.5,3,3,6 1T

Impressive timings there cobbler...I know nothing about memory timings and am just going by the posted timings on the memory (manually setting them) if I loosen them up a bit will it allow me to push it further? or is it just that the memory I have is not conducive to overclocking...and how far can you safely crank up the CPU voltage on this baby?

 

[NoSpeed]

After reading the cobbler's recommendation to reinstall the nVidia 6.66 chipset drivers following a BIOS 1.9 upgrade, I decided it was worth a try. For days, it seemed to have fixed the previous problem I was experiencing with shutdowns. Unfortunately, it appears I may have been premature in my judgement. The "Shutdown" bug appears to be alive and well, but has mutated into a new dangerous form. This is the message I just fired off to MSI tech support and will post any replies I receive:

"While I have not received a reply to my last message, I would like to let you know that I gave BIOS 1.9 another try after reading a thread on Anand Tech forums that said you need to reinstall the chipset drivers after upgrading to the latest BIOS, version 1.9. This information was said to come directly from an MSI tech, but I do not have a name to give you. Anyway, I gave it a try and it appeared to cure the "Shutdown" bug. I experienced a normal shutdown while performing a Start|Turn Off Computer|Turn Off sequence of clicks eight consecutive times in a row. Unfortunately, shutdowns 9, 11 and 13 did not go well and I have again rolled back my BIOS to version 1.6 following shutdown number 14. On shutdown number 9, my system emulated a response identical to that of hitting my reset switch. There were no "Saving Settings..." or "Windows is Shutting down..." messages. A reboot began immediately. Since this was an abnormal shutdown, I fully expected CHKDSK to run. It did and corrupted my Netscape 7.2 profile! I was able to recover from the damage, but it was a lot of work. Netscape was not running at the time I initiated shutdown. Shutdown number 10 was normal. Shutdown number 11 did the same thing as number 9, however CHKDSK did not corrupt any files. Netscape was running at the time shutdown number 11 was initiated. Shutdown number 12 was normal. Shutdown number 13 did the same thing as number 9. As before, it took a bit of work to recover my Netscape profile. Netscape was closed at the time I initiated shutdown number 13. Shutdown number 14 was normal. This series of shutdowns occurred over the past 10 days. In the same time frame, I did not experience any hangs when rebooting with the Start|Turn Off Computer|Restart sequence of clicks. I still recommend you pull BIOS 1.9 off your web site and conduct more testing for evidence of a "Shutdown" bug. Am I the only customer with this type of complaint? Regards."

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: MayanGuy

Originally posted by: the cobbler
A64 3000+Venice 0517APAW@2.72 (302x9)/1.621v
2x512 Corsair VS@212mhz 2.5,3,3,6 1T

Impressive timings there cobbler...I know nothing about memory timings and am just going by the posted timings on the memory (manually setting them) if I loosen them up a bit will it allow me to push it further? or is it just that the memory I have is not conducive to overclocking...and how far can you safely crank up the CPU voltage on this baby?

ha, actually those are pretty bad timings, cheapo Value ram

your timings are much better. loosening them up will allow higher speed, tightening them will give lower latency, try to increase Vdimm to around 2.85-2.90v or so and see if you can drop timings to 2,2,2,5 1T and still increase speed even at those timings

try 3,3,3,8 or so, that RAM looks like it will run 1:1 probably almost DDR600 speeds, you may not need to use a divider at all

that is sweet RAM, btw

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: NoSpeed
After reading the cobbler's recommendation to reinstall the nVidia 6.66 chipset drivers following a BIOS 1.9 upgrade, I decided it was worth a try. For days, it seemed to have fixed the previous problem I was experiencing with shutdowns. Unfortunately, it appears I may have been premature in my judgement. The "Shutdown" bug appears to be alive and well, but has mutated into a new dangerous form. This is the message I just fired off to MSI tech support and will post any replies I receive:

"While I have not received a reply to my last message, I would like to let you know that I gave BIOS 1.9 another try after reading a thread on Anand Tech forums that said you need to reinstall the chipset drivers after upgrading to the latest BIOS, version 1.9. This information was said to come directly from an MSI tech, but I do not have a name to give you. Anyway, I gave it a try and it appeared to cure the "Shutdown" bug. I experienced a normal shutdown while performing a Start|Turn Off Computer|Turn Off sequence of clicks eight consecutive times in a row. Unfortunately, shutdowns 9, 11 and 13 did not go well and I have again rolled back my BIOS to version 1.6 following shutdown number 14. On shutdown number 9, my system emulated a response identical to that of hitting my reset switch. There were no "Saving Settings..." or "Windows is Shutting down..." messages. A reboot began immediately. Since this was an abnormal shutdown, I fully expected CHKDSK to run. It did and corrupted my Netscape 7.2 profile! I was able to recover from the damage, but it was a lot of work. Netscape was not running at the time I initiated shutdown. Shutdown number 10 was normal. Shutdown number 11 did the same thing as number 9, however CHKDSK did not corrupt any files. Netscape was running at the time shutdown number 11 was initiated. Shutdown number 12 was normal. Shutdown number 13 did the same thing as number 9. As before, it took a bit of work to recover my Netscape profile. Netscape was closed at the time I initiated shutdown number 13. Shutdown number 14 was normal. This series of shutdowns occurred over the past 10 days. In the same time frame, I did not experience any hangs when rebooting with the Start|Turn Off Computer|Restart sequence of clicks. I still recommend you pull BIOS 1.9 off your web site and conduct more testing for evidence of a "Shutdown" bug. Am I the only customer with this type of complaint? Regards."

crap, sorry that didn't work

sounds very frustrating, hopefully MSI has a fix.

 

[MayanGuy]

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: MayanGuy

Originally posted by: the cobbler
A64 3000+Venice 0517APAW@2.72 (302x9)/1.621v
2x512 Corsair VS@212mhz 2.5,3,3,6 1T

Impressive timings there cobbler...I know nothing about memory timings and am just going by the posted timings on the memory (manually setting them) if I loosen them up a bit will it allow me to push it further? or is it just that the memory I have is not conducive to overclocking...and how far can you safely crank up the CPU voltage on this baby?

ha, actually those are pretty bad timings, cheapo Value ram

your timings are much better. loosening them up will allow higher speed, tightening them will give lower latency, try to increase Vdimm to around 2.85-2.90v or so and see if you can drop timings to 2,2,2,5 1T and still increase speed even at those timings

try 3,3,3,8 or so, that RAM looks like it will run 1:1 probably almost DDR600 speeds, you may not need to use a divider at all

that is sweet RAM, btw

damn...2.85-2.9v...first time overclaocking for me...I don't want to blow anything up. I tried running my RAM at 200 and couldn't get it to post with the CPU at 250x9 HT4X...
so I dropped it down to 166mhz @2.7v which is within range of the manufacturer. Running stable now. But I wouldn't mind cranking it up a bit more...maybe at 275-280x9@ 2457-2520 mhz but I take it I have to reduce the HT to 3X and not sure what to do with the memory.

 

[NoSpeed]

MSI responds regarding BIOS 1.9:

"Dear Customer,

Sorry for not replying previously in regards to your issue we do have customers using this bios version with no issues at all it would seem that you have a piece of hardware or software that maybe the cause if can do try to eliminate if possible but can just run system with bios version 1.6 until a new bios release and try it Thanks"

 

[Justin343563611]

I have bios 1.5 right now, I can't adjust voltage on my CPU, when I try to, and go into windows, CPU-Z and other programs report the same voltage around 1.4v. Do you guys think I should update to v1.9 bios or goto 1.6 incase of these issues with 1.9 pop up.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: Justin343563611
I have bios 1.5 right now, I can't adjust voltage on my CPU, when I try to, and go into windows, CPU-Z and other programs report the same voltage around 1.4v. Do you guys think I should update to v1.9 bios or goto 1.6 incase of these issues with 1.9 pop up.

1.6 offical, or 1.3 official, or one of the 1.7x betas or mods

I would use 1.6 official, it's the best one

don't use 1.9, it's causing tons of problems

 

[DJFrustration]

I'm having the hardest time OC'ing my rig and would like to know where I'm screwing up. I have the following HW and can't get my speed any higher than 2.33 Ghz:
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum PCIe
Athlon XP 3500+ Venice & Stock Heatsink & Fan (used silver thermal paste)
OCZ Technology 2GB (1GBx2) PC3200 DDR Dual Channel Platinum
PNY GeForce 6800 GT PCIe

I've tried dropping the multiplier down to 8x, turned off agressive timing and dynamic OC, Cool N Quiet but nothing seems to be the right combo. Is it the stock heatsink and fan thats the culprit or something else?

FYI, I also replaced my loud Northbridge fan with a passive heatsink by Thermaltake (but had to bend the prongs because of the vid card).

 

[Zhar]

Ive been using 1.9 out of the box and its given me no grief at all.

 

[Justin343563611]

I need a link to download 1.6 official bios for 7125.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_detail.php?UID=637&kind=1

 

[Justin343563611]

Thanks my brother.

 

[MayanGuy]

Originally posted by: DJFrustration
I'm having the hardest time OC'ing my rig and would like to know where I'm screwing up. I have the following HW and can't get my speed any higher than 2.33 Ghz:
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum PCIe
Athlon XP 3500+ Venice & Stock Heatsink & Fan (used silver thermal paste)
OCZ Technology 2GB (1GBx2) PC3200 DDR Dual Channel Platinum
PNY GeForce 6800 GT PCIe

I've tried dropping the multiplier down to 8x, turned off agressive timing and dynamic OC, Cool N Quiet but nothing seems to be the right combo. Is it the stock heatsink and fan thats the culprit or something else?

FYI, I also replaced my loud Northbridge fan with a passive heatsink by Thermaltake (but had to bend the prongs because of the vid card).

don't know about overclocking but the passive heatsink sounds like a good plan...I might do that myself...that little fan is loud; the fanmate I'm using does solve the noise issue but I think it's not cooling enough.

 

[Carraspin]

Hi, just got my board today and am really eager to test it. This is the second time I build a computer and when I was reading the manual I started wondering which connector from my Tagan TG480-22 power supply should I use: The 20 pin or the 24 pin? Apparently the board is compatible with both so I don't know which is better...
Also I would like to check which BIOS version are you using 1.6 or 1.9?

Thanks

Yago

 

[MayanGuy]

Originally posted by: Carraspin
Hi, just got my board today and am really eager to test it. This is the second time I build a computer and when I was reading the manual I started wondering which connector from my Tagan TG480-22 power supply should I use: The 20 pin or the 24 pin? Apparently the board is compatible with both so I don't know which is better...
Also I would like to check which BIOS version are you using 1.6 or 1.9?

Thanks

Yago

I'd use the 24 pin, I believe my Enermax EG495AX-VE has the same option and I use the 24 pin. I've been on BIOS 1.6. It's been pretty stable while moderately overclocked.

 

[Carraspin]

Thanks for the quick reply!
I also have another question: Should I use my old Sound Blaster Audigy or is the onboard sound better?

 

[knifemyglitter]

i just got an X2 4400+ and it only reads dual core in XP when i go into my bios screen before starting up! otherwise its as if its not there? what does that mean! can anyone help me with this. i currently have bios version 3.70 should i flash back to an old one?