The *Official* MSI K8NGM2-FID GeForce 6150 Motherboard Thread

[mikeaco]

Originally posted by: Olive Yew
Well it sucks that your memory is bad but I'm glad you found your problem. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for a replacement set.

Yeah...hopefully I can some to borrow from a friend while I wait for the replacements.

In the meantime, I did do some more testing with the one good module to see what my particular system is capable of.

I was able to get memtest86+ to PASS while the good RAM module was at 220MHz (1.75Vddr, 2.5-3-3-8 1T. I'm not sure if this is the max speed. For my purposes, I'll probably only have the RAM running at a max of 2500/(200/166*10)MHZ or 208.33MHz IF I can get the CPU to 2.5GHz.

I then used Zebo's article that renethx linked to find that my system was perfectly stable with a 250Mhz FSB. Good.

Next, I checked the CPU. I'm still working on this one, but it looks like it's going to be in the 2.3Ghz to 2.34Ghz range. It passes SuperPI (32M) at 2.4GHz, but the best I have gotten out of Prime95 is 6.5 hours at 2.36GHz. I'm running Prime95 at 2.34GHz right now.

We'll see. Thanks again for everyone's help. Once I get some good memory, I'd be happy if I could get the CPU stable at 2.3GHz.

Mike

 

[aeroguy]

Originally posted by: derekn

That's funny. I ordered Tuesday night from zipzoomfly @ $99 (free shipping). Also got an OEM Microsoft Remote Keyboard for MCE for $57. Everywhere else is selling these for $80, and up to $105 at Worst Buy.

I wish I didn't wait too long to order this board. I saw the $89. price from zipzoomfly earlier this week on Tuesday. It was $99. on Wednesday and it was $109. yesterday. I ordered it yesterday. I thought I got a good price $90. from Amazon.com on Wednesday but it ended up being backordered.

Now, I am wondering if I should get another board since I will probably like this board so much I will want to build another one.......

I just got mine in the mail. 2 day FedEx from zipzoomfly is nice. Just a suggestion, but don't put periods after dollar amounts. Writing $99. makes for difficult reading. Using $99.00 is okay though.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: aeroguy
Writing $99. makes for difficult reading. Using $99.00 is okay though.

Here in Canada, we often use the european convention: 99 $ or 99,00 $

 

[renethx]

Olive Yew,

Thanks for the reply. It seems that nobody has statistical data and I suspect that most of authors of "the guide" to build PC is no expception. However I decided to follow the general consensus about memory issue. I am not sure how to incorprate it in the main post yet though. I appreciate your opinion and suggestion.

 

[jhlee99]

How good is the "High Definition Audio" that is included in this board? What exactly is a "High Definition Audio" anyway? Is this good as SoundStorm or should we consider buying a PCI sound card? If we need an external sound card, do they sell PCI-E sound cards? I need to install a sound card, a wireless lan card, and a HDTV tuner card and I don't see any PCI-E versions of these. So, if the built-in sound is good, I was thinking of skipping the sound card. Any thoughts?

I need to build this system as my main HTPC which will be used with my 106" PJ as DVD Player, Music Server, and DVR and will be on 24/7 (well, maybe S3 when idle).

 

[aeroguy]

Originally posted by: jhlee99
How good is the "High Definition Audio" that is included in this board? What exactly is a "High Definition Audio" anyway? Is this good as SoundStorm or should we consider buying a PCI sound card? If we need an external sound card, do they sell PCI-E sound cards? I need to install a sound card, a wireless lan card, and a HDTV tuner card and I don't see any PCI-E versions of these. So, if the built-in sound is good, I was thinking of skipping the sound card. Any thoughts?

I need to build this system as my main HTPC which will be used with my 106" PJ as DVD Player, Music Server, and DVR and will be on 24/7 (well, maybe S3 when idle).

Have you thought about getting a USB wireless adapter? This is what I did since PCI slots are so valuable on micro-ATX boards. You can get a D-Link wireless G USB adapter for $27 after $10 MIR from buy.com.

I haven't checked prices on other brands, but you may be able to get one cheaper.

I too have wondered what I can use in the PCI-e x1 slot.

 

[Rogue 2]

POWER SUPPLY / COMPATIBILITY QUESTION...

My new K8NGM2-FID is acting oddly on power-up. On a "cold" bootup (first time in the morning or evening, as the case may be), I hear real faint clicking... can't really tell if it's from the mobo or the HDD, but I physically switch the PS off, back on, and hit the power button, and it works fine (using it now).
I have this power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006
Are my problems due to an underpowered system (only 18A on the 12V rail), or should I troubleshoot further and/or RMA the board?

Other components:
3000+ Venice (E6)
2x1GB Sticks G.Skill PC3200 (the red sticks rated at 2.5-3-3-6)
Using IGP, planning on 6800GS soon...
No other PCI cards, USB/IEEE1394 devices... running fairly lean at the moment.

Any ideas? The HS was loose on the IGP when I first got it, not sure if this may be indicative of other issues.

Thanks in advance...

 

[pctwo]

Originally posted by: Bozono
I plan on purchasing this and an X23800 on Monday, but I have been getting conflicting info. on whether or not the TV-out bracket is included or optional. I checked MSI's site and it lists it as optional. So is it included?

Yes it's included, and it's both S-Video and COMPONENT video! so you can hook up a high def TV set to it. You can also use DVI if your TV supports it.

picture here

pic

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: renethx
nVIDIA should have never released such a crappy (NF4) chipset).

Do you think there are some inherent flaws at the hardware level in the NF4 chipset, and that these flaws can't be fixed with driver updates?

 

[andrewjnyc]

Any additional news on availability of the S/PDIF bracket? Given that I need both my PCI slots for tuner cards, I desperately need one for digital output. Any leads on where to get them would be hugely appreciated. The S-bracket linked to further up in the thread is *not* the same thing!

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: BernardP
Do you think there are some inherent flaws at the hardware level in the NF4 chipset, and that these flaws can't be fixed with driver updates?

I am pretty sure that flaws of NF4 are at the hardware level and cannot be fixed by software. This is based on my experience with several NF4 boards. This is also attested by numerous long threads dedicated on a single hardware problem. Some says that the single chipset is physically very difficult and causing problems. Separting NB and SB is the right direction. I am not sure the credibility of this comment.

 

[BernardP]

I also feel this way, renethx. Another reason for which I finally bought a MSI K8NGM2-FID
I have not seen any complaints about data corruption in all the comments I read about this board or other 6xxx-4xx based boards.

 

[Artanis]

Testing by Memtest86+ does not distinguish why memory might not be performing properly so much as if.

You are right, but you can make sure what is the cause : the memory or the MB if you test ok (or not ok) the same memory on the other MB.

 

[charger2000]

Hi, could somebody tell me where can I find the SPDIF cable/bracket in Europe please ?

Nik

 

[aeroguy]

Originally posted by: andrewjnyc
Any additional news on availability of the S/PDIF bracket? Given that I need both my PCI slots for tuner cards, I desperately need one for digital output. Any leads on where to get them would be hugely appreciated. The S-bracket linked to further up in the thread is *not* the same thing!

I got lucky and the case I bought came with one (digital coaxial output right above the power supply in the picture).

I looked at the bracket renethx linked and it looks like it has an digital optical (toslink) output. Isn't that what you need?

Edit: It's out of stock however.

 

[aeroguy]

2 more places to get the MSI SPDIF bracket:

compumusic.com (currently out of stock)

kingli.com (currently in stock)

 

[Bigchad]

 

[Bigchad]

The problem is that s bracket is not the one that fit this board as the motherboard connector is a cd-rom audio type plug

Bigchad

 

[Mr Magoo]

This is my first post. I have been lurking in the background for some time. This is a very informataive site. I received my MSI K8NGM2-FID on Mondayand I have just finished installing everyting; I am building a HTPC in a nMedia 200 case. I powered it up today and it will not POST. I get the following error: PXE-E61: Media test Failure, check cable. I have my primary hard drive connected to IDE1. I have reconnected it and disconnected it and still get the same error message. I have also connected it to IDE2...same result. I have even changed the cable...same result. I have two additional hard drives conntected to SATA1 and SATA2.

I have read on this post that others have had issues with the IDE connections on this board; however, before I RMA it I want to make sure I haven't missed something.

Thanks for the help.

 

[pctwo]

Originally posted by: Mr Magoo


This is my first post. I have been lurking in the background for some time. This is a very informataive site. I received my MSI K8NGM2-FID on Mondayand I have just finished installing everyting; I am building a HTPC in a nMedia 200 case. I powered it up today and it will not POST. I get the following error: PXE-E61: Media test Failure, check cable. I have my primary hard drive connected to IDE1. I have reconnected it and disconnected it and still get the same error message. I have also connected it to IDE2...same result. I have even changed the cable...same result. I have two additional hard drives conntected to SATA1 and SATA2.

I have read on this post that others have had issues with the IDE connections on this board; however, before I RMA it I want to make sure I haven't missed something.

Thanks for the help.

does it post with just one SATA drive?

if yes, try putting one IDE drive on IDE1 and set the drive's jumper to CABLE SELECT. this worked for someone else.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Thanks pctwo,

I unpluged both SATA drives and moved primary drive's jumper to CABLE SELECT. I get the same error --PXE-E61: Media test failur, check cable. What are the chances I have two bad IDE cables!

 

[Mr Magoo]

pctwo,

I also tried to get it to POST with just a SATA drive....I get the same error PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable. Nothing is plugged into IDE1 or IDE2. I can't figure this out?

 

[andrewjnyc]

By switching around the wires on a Biostar SPDIF bracket I had lying around, I was finally able to get digital audio output from my K8NGM2-FID! One thing I discovered that may not be widely known: The mobo seems incapable of TOSlink output, since the third pin on the header doesn't conduct the required +5V of electricity (and there are no +5V pins on other headers within reach of the wire). Coaxial, however, works beautifully! I'm going to have to reshuffle some inputs on my receiver to accomodate coax, but it's no biggie. I'm just glad it's working at last.

Before going the DIY route, I dug deep into Google on a search for the three-pin bracket this motherboard requires, and found two vendors who carry it, neither in the U.S. It's here at cyberport.de in Germany (that should help you, charger2000) and here at the Australian MSI site. I emailed both to enquire about whether they'll ship to the US, and haven't heard back from either. Of course, it's moot for me now since I got the Biostar bracket to work..

 

[renethx]

Revision of the Main Post

• Small subsections on "Memory Test" were added in two places.
• The order of sections was changed to more logical one.

 

[jough]

I finally got my MSI K8NGM2-FID (replacing a faulty ASUS CSM 6150 board) and could not be happier with my decision.

One question: I have front-panel audio (one mic and one headphone jack) on my Aspire X-QPack case and they don't work when plugged into the front-panel audio pins on the board. However, both the case and the mobo are new, so I don't know whether they're incompatible or whether the audio is bad on the board or whether the case jacks are bad.

I have the latest drivers installed (I installed the system based on following renethx's excellent advice above). Just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the front-panel audio.