Updated Hot! Hot! EPoX 8RDA+ now down to $85 at Newegg shipped!

[clarkmo]

Purchase Twinmos pc3200 ram for this board. There is a thread around here for that. Then head over to AOAforums.com and read about board mods, particularly the vdd mod covering voltage to your northbridge. I use this and my Newegg Radeon 9500 to reach over 14000 3dmarks with air cooling. SLK900u-one of the few nforce boards that take the heatsink. Currently at 200 fsb 11x multiplier on a Newegg xp 2100.

 

[pelikan]

Good job Clarkmo and good advice!
If you buy the right memory for the particular nforce2 board you have then you will have excellent results. The right memory will run well over its spec. It's just that the memory compatibility list is tight. Go to AMDMB.com and look for what people are having good results with on your particular board.

 

[Pothead]

Originally posted by: mngisdood
I remember when these were $103 hehe

This is a perfect match with the amd xp1700+ that (ymmv) is being overclocked on air to 2.x ghz levels.

Are you sure you are overclocking it to 2.x Ghz or to XP2200+ levels, there is a big difference.

For my secondary pc with the 8rda+, I have a XP1700+ T-bred B version with 512mb of Kingston Hyperx pc2700, everything at stock voltage running the chip at 1.71 Ghz (10 x 171), I could go higher but I'm sticking with default voltages.

 

[jasonpaul]

Originally posted by: Pothead

Originally posted by: mngisdood
I remember when these were $103 hehe

This is a perfect match with the amd xp1700+ that (ymmv) is being overclocked on air to 2.x ghz levels.

Are you sure you are overclocking it to 2.x Ghz or to XP2200+ levels, there is a big difference.

For my secondary pc with the 8rda+, I have a XP1700+ T-bred B version with 512mb of Kingston Hyperx pc2700, everything at stock voltage running the chip at 1.71 Ghz (10 x 171), I could go higher but I'm sticking with default voltages.

YES they are overclocking over 2.0ghz. I just got mine last week and running 190x11 without uping the voltage. CPU is running at about 37 degrees C with a volcano 9.

Ram is keeping me from going higher at this point.

 

[RobsTV]

Zero problems or issues here running 8rda+ and various memory.

The following was from my post in the Twinmos thread:

-------------------------------------------------
I've now tested the Corsair PC3500, Twinmos/Winbond PC3200 , Twinmos/Twinmos PC3200, and Samsung PC2700.
Save some money and just get the Twinmos/Twinmos for $59 or less.

Using 8rda+ Dual channel (nForce2) and also 8k5a2 (KT333), both without any mods.
All memory hit same end max speed of 205MHz (sync) in both boards.
Corsair did at at 6-2-2-2
Twinmos/Winbond did it at 6-2-2-2
Twinmos/Twinmos did it at 6-2-3-2 (TRCD = 3)
Samsung did 6-3-3-2.5

Performance difference between worst and first was nothing to brag about, and even though the Samsung ran CAS 2.5,
it performed close enough to the Corsair 2.0 sticks to leave in a system, while the expensive sticks were resold.
Over 3000 Sandra mem running Samsung PC2700 cas2.5 in a KT333 is plenty.
Cheapest is the best way to go.

--------------------------------------------------

So just about any old memory should work fine.


EDIT:
And most with this board along with the Newegg XP1700+ TBred B are hitting 2GHz or more.
While I can run 205MHz fsb, everyday speed is 191MHz x 10.5 or 2006MHz, with cheap SVC GC68 $5 HSF @ 40c.
The CPU getting all the attention now is that somewhat rare 1700+ TBred A/B 1.5v unit that many are getting 2.5GHz on air with low vcore.

 

[corinthos]

I didn't realize FIC manufactured these boards..

 

[zettler]

Rob's TV Said: "I've now tested the Corsair PC3500, Twinmos/Winbond PC3200 , Twinmos/Twinmos PC3200, and Samsung PC2700. Save some money and just get the Twinmos/Twinmos for $59 or less."

Any suggestions on where to purchase this memory, or what price levels to look for - now and in the near future? I know you don't have crystal ball(s) but curious on which way to go with this. I already have the two sticks of PNY Samsung 256M Pc2700 and one Crucial 512M PC2100 chips, and hate to spend a lot more right now if I only achieve slight increases....

I do have the 1700+ B but cannot recall if its the 1.5V or not. It does run cool though and all I have done to date is increas the FSB to 150 without the slightest hickup - and realized a gain to 1.67 from 1.47.

I am new but learning fast. Fast enough to make me dangerous and further ruin my wallet.

 

[CallMeCrazy]

RobsTV or anyone else... I have a small or not so small question... What are the bios setting you would use to achieve the performance you are referring too? I can?t find a clear cut article that tells you what components to put together and what bios setting to use to achieve a certain level of performance... can anyone lead me in the right direction as I don?t want to do a trial and error and fry my new CPU other ram... Any help is much appreciated?

 

[Techie333]

Does this board have front and rear speaker outputs for 4 channel speaker systems?
Also is this better or the Soltek SL-75FRN2-L mobo for $89 at googlegear????

 

[RobsTV]

zettler
Do a search here for Twinmos.
But, since you already have 2 sticks of Samsung PC2700 256meg, I would just use those. Sell the Crucial 512 PC2100.
You should be able to hit 200+ fsb at Cas2.5, but will probably have to increase vcore to 1.75v or so.
Check out CPU overclocking forum for more info.
I think those 1.5v XP1700+'s have only appeared in the past couple weeks. Again, look in CPU overclocking forum.


CallMeCrazy
Check out same as above, CPU Overclocking forum for starters.
You will not fry a CPU by overclocking it.
Use gradual increases in speed, voltage and other settings.
Test with software like Sandra and 3dmark, then Prime95 torture test if you think it's done.
Worse thing that will happen is it won't boot all the way. Then simply modify changes until it runs best.

Techie333
Supports up to 6 channels using rear outputs, (RR/LR/RF/LF/Center/Subwoofer) and also has header for front panel audio line out and mic.



The two best forums for this motherboard, with detailed info on Bios, memory, performance hints, as well as great advice:
AMDMB.com... epox motherboards
"Alliance For The Advancement Of The Overclocking Arts" > EPoX MotherBoards

 

[Techie333]

I don't know how that would work though because when I see the picture for the sound output on this motherboard, it has the standard 3 outputs for speaker, mic, and whateva the otherone is tht nobody uses. When I look at sound cards they have 5 outputs, 2 of which are front and rear outputs. This board does not have front and rear outputs for the speakers ive gotten which are logitech 540's.........so whats the DEAL?????!!!

 

[Orbius]

Theres a thread on HardOCP listing experiences with nForce2 boards. the 8RDA pops up a lot as having trouble, more than it should. Just a friendly heads up to anyone spending their hardearned cash.

 

[RobsTV]

Motherboards have been reassigning audio outputs for a couple generations now.
It's all done within Windows app.

In 2 channel mode
Pink = Mic-in,
Blue = Line-In (L+R)
Green = Line Out (L+R)

In 6 channel mode
Pink = Center/Subwoofer
Blue = Rear Out (L+R)
Green = Front Out (L+R)
use front panel for Mic in / Line in when using 6 channel mode.

There is also 4 speaker mode which keeps Mic in as pink (I think)

 

[st0nefry]

---------------
Originally posted by: Superdoopercooper

There is NO onboard video on the 8RDA+. You must be thinking the 8RGA+
----------------


OMG LOL. Anybody that buys anything with a model # that includes the letters "RGA" (Returned Goods Authorization) has got to be retarded

st0nefry

 

[Techie333]

RobsTV, thanks a lot for clearing that up. Guess I am behind in mobo technology!

 

[chibchakan]

Originally posted by: zettler
Any suggestions on where to purchase this memory, or what price levels to look for - now and in the near future?

256MB Twinmos/Winbond PC3200 $66 + $6 UPS ground shipping @ Memoryx

512MB Twinmos/Winbond PC3200 $126 + $6 UPS ground shipping @ Memoryx

 

[Techie333]

Do you think that memory will get you the 2300mhz levels on the new athlon 1700 xps w/ 1.5v from excaliberpc.com???

 

[clarkmo]

It won't be the memory that holds you back. More like , can the cpu handle that speed? Say 11 x209 fsb. Also, some 8rda+'s require the vdd mod to reach that fsb. Some run at 220 mhz out of the box. The mod is easy if you get grabbers and use a multimeter to verify resistance before powering up.

 

[durracell]

I bought this board last week at Fry's for $119 along with an XP2100 Thoroughbred for ~$109. I got 2 256MB sticks of Kingston HyperX 3000 to run dual-channel. This RAM is good stuff. I'm comfortably running it now at 185x11 = XP2400 with retail fan and no voltage increases. If you look up some FAQ's on Google you will find that to run >200 bus, you will need to do a mod to the board.

For those of you who do get one and you start overclocking and then can't get into the bios, simply hold down the insert key when you boot up. That saved me several times.

 

[zettler]

Rob's TV.

Thanks for the info on TwinMos memory!

Its just that I hate to spend $72 for 256M of RAM when I got a Gig of it at PC2100 for the same price. I know, I know, you get what you pay for....

I just haven't tried too much tweaking - yet. Changing the FSB in BIOS to 150 was the only thing I have done and it increased it from stock 1.47 up to 1.67 - or thereabouts. I am still running the BIOS that came with it (1/29/03), as I have heard too many issues with the 3/5/03 and the like.

What I found interesting was that my 3Dmarks 2001 SE was 1,000 points higher when I ran the Crucial PC2100 512M, as oposed to the Samsung - in several combinations. Those two chips (PNY) were being sold as PC2100 on the PNY boards by CC but actually contained the PC2700 Samsung chips. I have tried several combinations with these RAM chips - one PNY, two PNY, one PNY and Crucial, two PNY and Crucial, different slots, etc., and the best score I achieved was the original with the Crucial. Interesting....

I am not looking for extravagent increases, just more bang! I did order a bunch of stuff from SVC last night to aid in the cooling of the NB and SB - plus, other crap for now and the future. But several questions occured to me:

1. What about the fan filters? Can's these be made cheaply at home? What materials should one use?
2. I have two, never-used, Golden Orb HS/Fan's from when I was going to add extra cooling (three years ago) for my P3's. Has anyone considered using this type for cooling a SB, or what I feel it might be a better fit for, the NB? They are heavy...

These are the primary ones. Thank you so very much for your patient counsel!

 

[RobsTV]

Try this link for answers to all of your questions:
8rdafaq

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: grrl

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Damnit, I just paid $112 for this recently. Go grab it now!

Great overclocker, only thing that sucks is that although it has the great nforce2 audio, it doesn't have the connectors. You have to pay extra for that.

What connectors are you talking about?

If you buy the board you cannot do a full 6.1/5.1 setup unless you buy this special $35 connector kit thingy. Just go look at a screen shot of a A7N8X and a 8RDA+ and you will see what I am saying.

Also my first board from NewEgg was DOA. I had the FF Code and it never even hit bios. Before any of you tell me FF is good, go do some research first. It has two meanings (quite odd). They didn't have any in stock when my RMA went in so I had to wait and pay $4 more a week later. DOH! This one works perfect!

 

[MaxTS]

he is talking about spdif...that's for digital hookups. You do not need that for analog audio, you can use connections on the back. And yes you can have 5.1 sound, but you lose the mic and the line in connects (they act as rear and middle channels outputs).

 

[grrl]

Thanks MaxTS, that makes more sense. I knew the ports changed according the number of channels selected.

 

[Superdoopercooper]

Just ordered mine yesterday.

Got the

8rda+ - $99
XP 2200+ retail - $105 (don't ask why I didn't get the 1700+... I'm a dolt, but wanted to be more sure I got B stepping).
WD 80GB 8MB - $97
Floppy - $12 (for some reason I still feel I need one )

TOTAL: $313

Plus, from memory X, I ordered 512MB of PC3200 Twinmos/Winbond for $131 shipped 2 day.

So, I should have a pretty decent machine now, save for my Radeon 7000 32MB.