The EPoX 4G4A+ seems very promising.

[Acer]

Originally posted by: krazisoljahz

It looks like my cpu which is a 2.4B (18X) is holding me back. Can't get above 150 FSB. The same stick of Samsung worked on my son's 4G4A+ (with old style HS for NB) up to 163, but he had a 2.26 (17X).

By any chance did you run the memory at 4:5 ratio and turbo settings? Cause i'm about to get the samsung on samsung pcb and thats the specs that i would like to run on. Thanks

Yes I am running it at 4:5. I haven't tried Turbo and I don't think it would work at that setting unless I am at 133 FSB. I'll give it a try later.

I am currently trying the Sandra Burn-in-Wizard to see if I can maintain a stable platform just for normal Windows operations. Right now the CPU run is kicking it out back to the Desktop. I've lowering the Vcore to see if heat is an Issue. I am using the V7+ and temps are around 43-44 idle. I magine the temp gets up their in the 50's when running the cpu continously. Memory run is ok. I just might have a weak t*t cpu.

 

[jleon]

Heya all,

I just got my epox 4G4A board thanks to the recommendations from this forum. However, I'm having some problems putting it together. It's been a long time since I put together a whole rig since back in the good 'ol BX days.

When I power up the new machine, I hear it churning and what seems like it about to POST but then it just sits there. No beeps or anything, no POST. I'm planning on using the onboard vid until my radeon comes. I believe I got all the wires connected on the bottom correctly, but not 100% sure. Pretty sure they are ok.
I have a Codegen 6044L case with 350W power supply.

What I'm mainly unsure about is the IR Connect pins which I have nothing connected to it. Also, the power supply has a flat 6 pin connector as well as a square 4 pin connector that I don't have anything plugged into it. Am I missing anything?

I haven't plugged in any pci cards, just trying to boot with the essentials, with 512 Mushkin DDR 2700 but no go.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanx in advance!!

 

[Acer]

You haven't said anything about what brand or type memory you are using. Stay away from Dimm slot 1. Use 2 or 3, but only one stick in there unless both sticks are single sided and not larger than 512 mb/stick.

If you can't post (no video), then try clearing cmos. If still no post, then I would suspect a cpu problem. Where do you have jumper (JP 1) set to? It should be set to 1-2 "CPU select" (which is default).

Also, disable the Keyboard power up feature Jumper JKBP01. Refer to page 3-5 of your manual.

 

[Acer]

Originally posted by: Acer

Originally posted by: krazisoljahz

It looks like my cpu which is a 2.4B (18X) is holding me back. Can't get above 150 FSB. The same stick of Samsung worked on my son's 4G4A+ (with old style HS for NB) up to 163, but he had a 2.26 (17X).

By any chance did you run the memory at 4:5 ratio and turbo settings? Cause i'm about to get the samsung on samsung pcb and thats the specs that i would like to run on. Thanks

Yes I am running it at 4:5. I haven't tried Turbo and I don't think it would work at that setting unless I am at 133 FSB. I'll give it a try later.

I am currently trying the Sandra Burn-in-Wizard to see if I can maintain a stable platform just for normal Windows operations. Right now the CPU run is kicking it out back to the Desktop. I've lowering the Vcore to see if heat is an Issue. I am using the V7+ and temps are around 43-44 idle. I magine the temp gets up their in the 50's when running the cpu continously. Memory run is ok. I just might have a weak t*t cpu.

I set Turbo in the bios and it changed my cas 2 setting to 2.5 since my Stick of Samsung CTL stuff is really rated for 2.5. I am now running 2-5-2-2 at 145 fsb. Sandra memory scored at 2815. I am now running the cpu looping to see if it will kick it out.

I think I might just have to settle for less fsb but max out memory settings to get a reasonable running system.

 

[wizz0bang]

Thanks Acer. I haven't tried upping the Vmem yet, but as I am not overclocking the memory yet, how will this help my CPU overclock? When using 1:1 with PC 2100, I'm actually underclocking the ram at 120 and running in spec at 133. Wil going up to 2.8vmem give me more CPU overclockability?

Thanks!

 

[krazisoljahz]

I set Turbo in the bios and it changed my cas 2 setting to 2.5 since my Stick of Samsung CTL stuff is really rated for 2.5. I am now running 2-5-2-2 at 145 fsb. Sandra memory scored at 2815. I am now running the cpu looping to see if it will kick it out.

Thanks for the update acer. I wish it could do better at higher fsb, because i have samsung chip on powmem pcb, only that mines is stable at 154 at default specs. At turbo, i'm not really sure when mines is stable yet, probably 140.

 

[jleon]

Everything is default. I didnt' change any jumpers out of the box yet.
Keyboard powerup is off.
Jumper 1 is on cpu select (default)

I can give clearing the CMOS a try once I get off work. So, basically I move jumper to clear CMOS jumper and try to power up the machine? Is that how you clear it?

RAM is 1 stick of 512, and if i remember correctly is double sided and I tried it in both slot 0 and 1.
Unfortunately it's hard for me to narrow down which could be the culprit as I do not have spare parts to swap in and out .

thanks.

 

[Acer]

Originally posted by: jleon
Everything is default. I didnt' change any jumpers out of the box yet. Keyboard powerup is off. Jumper 1 is on cpu select (default) I can give clearing the CMOS a try once I get off work. So, basically I move jumper to clear CMOS jumper and try to power up the machine? Is that how you clear it? RAM is 1 stick of 512, and if i remember correctly is double sided and I tried it in both slot 0 and 1. Unfortunately it's hard for me to narrow down which could be the culprit as I do not have spare parts to swap in and out . thanks.

To clear cmos, you should unplug the power cord and wait 10 secs then move the jumper to clear position. Wait about 10-15 secs and then move the jumper back to the default running position. Now, plug your power cord back into the supply and power up.
Go ahead and move your 1 stick of memory to the middle Dimm slot before you clear cmos. Hopefully everything will power up and you will get a post to boot. If it doesn't give you video then you are going to have to wait for your new VC to see if the board video chipset is defective, assuming there is nothing wrong with memory or cpu.

 

[Acer]

Originally posted by: wizz0bang
Thanks Acer. I haven't tried upping the Vmem yet, but as I am not overclocking the memory yet, how will this help my CPU overclock? When using 1:1 with PC 2100, I'm actually underclocking the ram at 120 and running in spec at 133. Wil going up to 2.8vmem give me more CPU overclockability? Thanks!

Yes, increasing the memory voltage will help with o/cing the cpu. Also try with only 1 stick for the interim. Switch sticks out to see which is best. While using 1 stick, try dimm slot 2 (middle slot) to see if that gives you any better stability.

 

[wizz0bang]

Yes, increasing the memory voltage will help with o/cing the cpu. Also try with only 1 stick for the interim. Switch sticks out to see which is best. While using 1 stick, try dimm slot 2 (middle slot) to see if that gives you any better stability.

Yes, I have tried the 1-stick in slot 2 ordeal with no effect. Sicne I have Crucial, there isn't any difference between the two sticks, so one isn't better than the other. This one stick problem annoys me as I want to run another 512mb Crucial for 1GB total when the price comes down. But from some of the posts here, it only kreeps up when running over PC2100. I am perfectly happy running at 133 bus, I just wish my CPU would go that high!

I have noticed that my Northbridge gets quite hot. It has the original "Epox" heatsink on it. I ordered one of the Zalman gold Northbridge coolers (www.casecooler.com for $6.95) and will use some Arctic Silver II. I have the Zalman 6500B copper 478 cooler and LOVE it. I actually ordered two of the northbridge coolers and will use one for my GF3 to be completely quiet! I want a _SILENT_ system... silent as the Red October (without the singing!).

Thanks for the advice, perhaps I'll try overclocking my Crucial ram...

 

[Acer]

Does anyone know why you will lose onboard sound when you unlock the PCI/AGP bus?

I've tried an alternative method of using a basic PCI sound card, which has worked on every board up to as high of a FSB of 210 mhz with a 1/4 divider; so I know the PCI sound card is good with high PCI bus speed. I get the crackling and clicking noise that was so predominant on the old VIA KT133a chipsets. I would have never thought that Intel chipsets like the 845G would cause problems with sound cards or the onboard sound chipset.

Any ideas what this is all about?

 

[wizz0bang]

How do you enable AGP side-band and AGP fast writes on this board? I have looked throughout the bios and the manual and can't seem to find the settings. Sandra reports they are turned off, but my GF3 is running at 4x (I set the AGP aperture to half my ram of 256mb). I'm running the 4/24 bios...

Thanks!

P.S. if I'm being a blind fool go ahead and say so, but include where they are as well!

 

[Acer]

It all has to do with the VC and driver. If the VC is enabled for those features, then the driver has to be coded to use it. You might want to try another driver.

 

[nic949]

Where can i download the 4/24 BIOS. My mobo came with the 6/17 BIOS.

 

[wizz0bang]

Hmmm... I'm running the Nvidia Detonator from about a month ago... I'll check for a new one. On my Abit board I could control those settings in the Bios.

 

[Acer]

My understanding that even if the bios allows, it is still up to the drivers to use that feature. Just as if you have onboard sound enabled in the bios, you still have to install the drivers to make it useable in Windows.

 

[Antoneo]

Well, I haven't had this type of problem with other computers but this one is a bit wierd. Any of you guys have to "install" drivers for the motherboard? I just checked my device manager (running WinXP) and there is the yellow exclamation point next to: SM BUS Manager and Universal Serial Bus Controller.

Uhh... aren't these things supposed to be installed by default by windows? What is SM BUS Manager anyway? I'll probably feel stupid after someone explains this but thats ok .

Also, I'm running a P4 1.6A NOT overclocked with retail hs+fan and Antec ref. silver and am getting temps like 42C idle and 55C loaded. Is there something wrong with the 4G4A+'s reading of the temps because they are awfully high imo. Case temps are also around 36C... hmmm......

 

[CrazySaint]

Yes, you have to install chipset drivers. You can get them from Intel.

 

[nic949]

Originally posted by: ahsia

Originally posted by: pay
I am looking forward to purchasing this board, just a couple questions.

1. Where are these INF/IAA drivers everyone is talking about?

Download them from Intel Chipset Driver.

2. Should I install them or not?

Most people have installed them and find ways to continue overclocker at their high rate.

3. If I install them, what is this "fix" everyone is talking about that will prevent loss of performance

Some people have experience less chance of hitting higher FSBs, so it doesn't really affect performance. The "fix" is:

1. Use dimm slot 2
2. Dont use the latest bios, flash the 04/24 one or older...
3. Use only one stick ram, try as many as u can find, till u get the suitable

As for myself, well, after reading some more on the 845G vs. 845E chipset, I decided to keep the 4G4A+ and pass on the Gigabyte 8IEXP. Then, while putting my system together again, the bracket for the P4 snapped, so I had to RMA it anyways, but this time, I exchanged it for another 4G4A+. Well, let's say I am having better luck this time around.

Without wasting any time, I went ahead and installed XP, download the latest INF drivers from Intel, App Accelerator, installed them. Then installed video, sound drivers, as well as 3DMark, Prime95 and SiSoft. Everything at 1.6GHz. Then proceeded to overclocking. I could was to boot into XP 133FSB, then 150FSB, then 154FSB, but 160FSB was unstable as soon as XP loaded. Highest voltage I set was at 1.7v, although it showed it hovering between 1.75-1.77v. I ran 3DMark with my Radeon 8500LE at 250/275, and score 9480. Very happy!

I realized that some of the problems I was having before was with overclocking my 8500LE. Without the INF drivers, I could boot into XP at 288/300 and run 3DMark, although my scores would be in the 8000s. Now with the INF drivers installed, 3DMark would only run at 250/275, if I overclock it to 275/275, 3DMark would crash. But being able to score 9480 is great.

So my 1.6A is running at 2.4GHz right now, going through Prime95 now, but I left my system, so I don't know how long it will run before erroring. I am glad I kept this board!

P.S. The first 4G4A+ I had, the heatsink on the motherboard chipset had an EPoX logo on it, but this one doesn't. Dunno if that makes a difference. Also, under PC Health Status, the default BIOS shows higher voltage than what is actually set, while the new updated BIOS shows lower voltage than what is actually set. Thought you guys would like to know.

Where do I get the 4/24 BIOS for the 4G4A+.(A link would be nice)

 

[Acer]

nic949: What brand of memory are you using?

Mistaeng: All the drivers are on the cdrom.

 

[nic949]

Im using one 512 mb chip of Corsair XMS DDR 3000 C2 v2.1

 

[jdogg707]

Wow, what a thread....anyway I've got a problem with my new 4G4A+ setup, here are my specs:

P4 2.26GHZ w/ Swiftech MCX478 Heatsink and AS3
Epox 4G4A+
One 512MB Stick of Corsair XMS PC3200 Platinum CL2.5
Leadtek Geforce4 Ti4600
Antec SX1040B w/400W PS and 4 Case Fans (2 Intake, 2 Exhaust)
Windows XP Pro

My problem is that my system doesn't seem to want to overclock at all, I can't even go to 135FSB and not get errors in Prime95. I've tried various solutions, but here's what I've got it running at currently...
2.28GHZ, 133 FSB, Memory @ DDR333 and Turbo Setting (2-5-2-2), PCI/AGP Lock on, Vcore @ 1.5V

My CPU never seems to heat up over 35 degrees C, so I don't believe heat could be an issue...but this is my first time overclocking like this, and am wondering if my hopes of hitting 2.8GHZ or even 2.5GHZ are gone?

Note: I did put this post in the overclocking forum, but found this thread has helped so many others with this board and hoped it could help me too.

 

[gsethi]

check your memory first.

Your memory is rated for CL 2.5 and it you didnt changed the memory timings manual, it is running at Turbo mode ie. CL2 . Therefore your memory might be giving you errors since it wont be able to run at CL2. thats the first thing i would do.

second thing, i would increase CPU Vcore to about 1.60v and see if you get any errors while Overclocking. Also some more info would be nice like what OS, what slot is your memory in, what other components are you using...are you using RAID ?

Also, did you remember to lock your PCI/AGP bus ? make sure that is locked too.

hope that helps and report back with some more info

thanks
gsethi

 

[jdogg707]

Ok, here's what I found. I just got through putting my memory in DIMM2 and booted up the computer at 2.55GHZ, 4:5 memory divider, and at DDR375 and FSB @ 150. Everything is working great so far, ran it through Sandra Benches, 3D Mark ( I finally hit 12K), PC Mark, and Prime95 as we speak. All of this at default voltage and my CPU hasn't even reached 40C yet! I am using RAID and my memory is rated at CAS2 until DDR366, and then 2.5 at everything above that. If Prime can run all night with no trouble I'll try for a higher setting in the morning....thanks....BTW, the PCI/AGP lock is on.

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: jdogg707
Ok, here's what I found. I just got through putting my memory in DIMM2 and booted up the computer at 2.55GHZ, 4:5 memory divider, and at DDR375 and FSB @ 150. Everything is working great so far, ran it through Sandra Benches, 3D Mark ( I finally hit 12K), PC Mark, and Prime95 as we speak. All of this at default voltage and my CPU hasn't even reached 40C yet! I am using RAID and my memory is rated at CAS2 until DDR366, and then 2.5 at everything above that. If Prime can run all night with no trouble I'll try for a higher setting in the morning....thanks....BTW, the PCI/AGP lock is on.

Lookin' good! Here's hoping you hit 3GHz!