The EPoX 4G4A+ seems very promising.

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tech405

Member
Nov 28, 2000
52
0
0
I increased the agp voltage and it seemed to work for about 1 minute. Then it locked up, and several seconds later gave me a new BSOD that says, "The device driver got stuck in an infinite loop." atidvag

I've tried two different drivers for this card. I guess I'll keep trying drivers until I find one that works.

 

tech405

Member
Nov 28, 2000
52
0
0
Just tried flashing to the latest BIOS 4/24 and it didn't help. I'm going to grab another drive and do a clean install of the OS and see how that works. Probably won't have any more updates until tomorrow. Thanks for your help so far.

J
 

pepsimanz

Senior member
Sep 14, 2000
230
0
0
Acer:

Yes, I have the 4/24 bios and I also flashed to the June Bios, and I disabled all caching, but it didn't solve the problem.

I never tried to mess with the latency for my Raid setup. Maybe that's some thing I can try if I get the same problem with my replacement (should be here tomorrow or Monday)

As for the Crucial Ram, I never tried uping the voltage that high before. I usually go to a max of about +.2 . I didn't think it was the problem because that same ram worked in my previous MSI 645 Ultra which has no vmem adjustment. But, it will be worth a try if the problem exist with my new board.

In addition, do you think my power supply might cause the problem. I am using some generic 400W ps which came with my case, I am thinking about getting a Antec True 480 or True 550. But I don't want to get it if it's not gonna help my situation and/or help me get a better OC (it cost like $80-100).

Tech405:

I read from EPOX's website (the Bulletin Section) that they have experienced problem with the Radeon DDR 64mb card. Since our ATI AIW uses the same video chip, maybe that's what causing the problem. EPOX claims that it has to do with the board not working well in 4X mode with the radeon card. They suggest switching to 2x agp, install windows or load to windows, then install the latest ati radeon driver, then reboot, after confirming that it's working, then switch back to 4x mode. HOWEVER, I couldn't find the option to switch from 4x mode to 2x mode in the bios. So I don't know if that's the problem.

In addition, from last post, even my GF4 4200 is giving my problems installing windows now, so I am RMAing the board and see if it's just a defective board.
 

Acer

Member
Jun 2, 2002
126
0
0
Memory from board to board will work differently (memory speed or fsb) and at different voltages. I presume a lot has to do with the trace wires embedded in the board, regulator and just the quality of the parts. Don't get me wrong, I still think that the 4G4A+ is a very solid and stable board. If you do raise the voltage, it would be a good idea to provide some form of active cooling for the memory sticks. I don't believe in heat spreaders myself because I found out by removing the spreader, even with active cooling, air blowing right on the heat spreader, I was able to increase the output of the memory speed by about 2-3 mhz (FSB wise). If you ever took off a spreader on a stick of memory, you would understand why. They use a fairly thick double sided tacky tape to attach to the IC chips and then to the spreader plate. I presume heat transfer through the tape was very minimal and therefore, allows heat to build around the IC chip. That is why I buy Samsung, even if it is DTL stuff. They don't put any HS on their memory except Mushkin does it for theirs, which uses Samsung. Even the DTL stuff is good. I've heard some give that latest release a thumbs down. I heard and then discovered the DTL stuff likes voltage, so that must be the difference between CTL and DTL. CTL stuff would crap out (at least on my Abit KR7A) above 2.95V while the DTL will work all the way to 3.2V on the 4G4A+.

As far as PS voltages, you should measure with a voltmeter for the 5 and 12 at the HD plug-in and then at the ATX Molar plug-in. At idle, as a minimum, you should see around 5.15 and 12.3. Under load the 5 will definitely drop by 0.15 and the 12 will move also. Since this board doesn't have the common Intel 12V plug, it becomes very important both 5/12 are supplying the proper voltages in idle and under a load. Don't forget, all manufacturers design their products to sustain a plus or minus 10% from the nominal voltage. So, you can be as high as 5.5 for the 5V and 13.2 for the 12V, and still be within allowable tolerances. Actually, higher voltage will produce less heat within the device.
 

stam01

Member
Nov 19, 2001
114
0
0
here's a small question for you 4g4a+ owners... what does your heatsink on your northbridge look like? my first 4g4a+ had a northbridge heatsink that had epox written on it, just like the one on the picture found on epox's website. however, i rma'd that board because it was a POS, and it kept rebooting no matter what, even at default speeds. now that i've got a replacement, everything seems to be 100% stable, but while installing it, i noticed that the northbridge heatsink looked different. mine appears to be slightly larger, silver in color, with fins. it just kinda made me curious as to what other people's boards look like. btw, i got mine from mwave.
 

Johnnychangs

Member
Jun 4, 2002
87
0
0
I got my 4G4A+ from Newegg the 2nd week of July. The chipset heatsink had the Epox logo on it, and when I removed it, there was no thermal paste between it and the chipset.

I replaced the stock chipset heatsink with a Thermaltake Tiger 1 845 heatsink/fan. It was only $9 from Newegg and its got the 845-style clips so it was real easy to install. The fan isn't super loud or anything either. Right now my mobo is at 27C, and goes up to 35C under extreme load on a real hot day.
 

sakic19

Member
Jul 14, 2002
40
0
0
i have this strange problem with my 4g4a. i'm doing 1.6@2.4. 150 fsb, 1:1 (same as auto) divider for pc2100@DDR300 (384mb (256 in slot 1 + 128 in slot 2, or the other way around, i can't remember) of samsung on samsung). it's been running really stable for some time, prime+sandra+3dmarks all stable. my problem is, it will freeze either right before memory count or after the xp splash screen whenever i do a fresh power-on. It doesn't freeze once i reset right after that nor it will freeze after subsequent reboots. only on power-on. my power supply is a 300W. anybody has any idea what's going on? i can provide more info if needed. but i'm going to bed now though. it'll be after 5:30pm CDT before i can get back on here. thanks in advance.
 

Acer

Member
Jun 2, 2002
126
0
0
Mine and others have said slot 1 is not stable so I would recommend putting the memory in slots 2 & 3. See if that helps any.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
17,971
857
126
OK, I finally got the 4:5 setting, but I still can't go beyond 133 and remain stable. I want to try this memory burn in thing, but I don't see a set way to do it. What say you? Should I just run it a few times, or a few hours?
 

Acer

Member
Jun 2, 2002
126
0
0
I would leave it on 1:1 and burn it for hours, unless you feel comfortable with the 4:5 at 133 FSB.
 

senway

Junior Member
Jul 21, 2002
5
0
0
Update on my status....finally got the chip (1.6a), ram (2 x 256 crucial 333), and mobo (4g4a+); here's what's up:

The chip is from newegg, pack date of 4/9/02. I wrote down the info from the chip itself but now I can't find it (I do remember that it was Costa Rica though). A bit upsetting because everyone lately seems to have chips that are at least a month newer than mine...could be the source of my struggle...

I'm currently at 2.2ghz (16x138), with ram set at 4:5. Vcore is *set* at 1.65 and Vdimm is *set* at 2.7...I say "set" because I have never trusted software readings; sandra/mbm/whatever are always different, and I can never be sure what the actual levels are. Anyway, I have experimented w/ different combinations of fsb and voltages, but it appears that this is the limit of the chip and/or ram. (Heh, damn what a retard I am, complaining about "only" getting 600 free mhz I really do need the vcore this high, any lower and games/tests aren't stable. As for temps, chip is 37C idle (reported by mbm) and mid 40's under full load.

Windows won't even boot if I try for a higher fsb, regardless of whether I'm at 1:1 or 4:5...it's the same situation if i try with 1 stick in slot 2, or keep both of them in. Too scared to raise the vcore any more (damn high as it is). I suppose I shouldn't be upset, but I was really hoping for that magical 50% oc.

Any other reports of people w/ a pack date of early april?

P.S. - Other misc. info :

intel inf utility installed
retail cooler, w/ AS2
 

mcveigh

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2000
6,457
6
81
Originally posted by: Acer
The 4G4A+ that I got had a NIC in it already. It must be something else.

but the 4g4a doesn't come with a nic, I guess you could say its a 4g4a+ without raid I think.
 

Acer

Member
Jun 2, 2002
126
0
0
Now you got me confused because you used the word plus in your other post.

The 4G4A+ that I put together for my son had NIC (LAN), HPT372, Sound, USB2.0.

Ok, what don't you have with your board?
 

senway

Junior Member
Jul 21, 2002
5
0
0
Acer: thanks for the suggestion; it helped, but not enough :frown:

Upped to 144 bus, along w/ following settings:

1.7 core, 3.0 mem >> windows does boot, all the way to desktop, but immediate BSOD related to PIF_LIST or something....
1.7 core, 3.1 mem >> successful boot, although same PIF_LIST bluescreen after about 5 mins.

This is with both ram sticks still...will try with just 1 in slot 2.
 

Acer

Member
Jun 2, 2002
126
0
0
Originally posted by: anazoal
4G4AI

4G4AI = 4G4A with nic = 4G4A+ without RAID


Huh! 4G4A+ is with Raid, HPT372. Are you trying to say 4G4AI has NIC and NO Raid. Is that what you are trying to say?
 

Acer

Member
Jun 2, 2002
126
0
0
Originally posted by: senway
Acer: thanks for the suggestion; it helped, but not enough :frown:

Upped to 144 bus, along w/ following settings:

1.7 core, 3.0 mem >> windows does boot, all the way to desktop, but immediate BSOD related to PIF_LIST or something....
1.7 core, 3.1 mem >> successful boot, although same PIF_LIST bluescreen after about 5 mins.

This is with both ram sticks still...will try with just 1 in slot 2.


Punch that Vcore to 1.75 along with the Vmem. You are on the right track. It could be one of your sticks of memory giving you the problem.
 

CrazySaint

Platinum Member
May 3, 2002
2,441
0
0
Originally posted by: Acer
Originally posted by: anazoal
4G4AI

4G4AI = 4G4A with nic = 4G4A+ without RAID


Huh! 4G4A+ is with Raid, HPT372. Are you trying to say 4G4AI has NIC and NO Raid. Is that what you are trying to say?

YES! THAT is what he's saying. 4G4AI is the same is the 4G4A except it also has NIC and its the same as a 4G4A+ except it has no RAID. Its also CHEAP you can buy it at NEWEGG!
 

senway

Junior Member
Jul 21, 2002
5
0
0
Just noticed something....the led that lights up with the POST codes, what is that supposed to read? I see C1 and C3 very quickly as soon as i boot, then it winds up to FF and stays there while in windows. Is that a prob?
 

wizz0bang

Senior member
Sep 28, 2000
290
0
0
Just noticed something....the led that lights up with the POST codes, what is that supposed to read? I see C1 and C3 very quickly as soon as i boot, then it winds up to FF and stays there while in windows. Is that a prob?

Tha's what mine does... read the back of your manual, it explains everything. When I try to overclock, it hangs on C3 and soudns like a French police car... but I'm hoping it's just my power supplY!
 
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