For those with an Asus A7N8X-DX

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For those who followed <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=396099#396099" target="_new">my thread</A> in the graphics cards, I recently had a bad experience upgrading CPU to XP3200+ with my Asus A7N8X-DX board (rev 1.04 BIOS 1007). With the FSB set at 200 Mhz, the system would hang/freeze/reboot all the time 3 or 4 minutes into Windows. I had to downclock the FSB to 166Mhz to regain stability. The result is that I've got an XP3200+ running at a XP2500+ speed. I'm very disappointed in Asus, and I must appologize to ATI who I thought the drivers were causing the mess. This is a warning to those with the same board. I'd like to know if there are other people in the same situation.
Good day everyone!

Asus A7N8X-DX (rev 1.04 BIOS 1007)
AMD XP3200+
Kingston 1Gb
2x Seagate 80Gb S-ATA Raid 0
1x Seagate 40Gb EIDE (backup)
Sapphire ATI 9600XT 256Mb
WinXP SP1
LG DVD-ROM
LiteOn CD-RW
 
The deluxe v2.x will run your 3200+ (11X200=2.2GHz, 3200+)The version 1.x, as your's use the oldest nforce2 chipset, which was designed for 166 MHz (11x166, 1.83GHz, 2500+) operation. The C1 stepping of the nforce2, called ultra400 is able to run at 200+MHz FSB.

It is not Asus fault, just bad information that was given to you. I would try to sell that mobo and buy a newer one to fully use your cpu. maybe you could built a system with your old parts, and sell it.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
Did you ever try with your RAM in single channel mode? Just curious - it could've been your RAM unhappy with DC at the higher speed.

I've heard of systems where this was the case - even though the sticks are apparently matched, very minor differences are sometimes enough to stop it working in dual channel.

Failing that, if it is your chipset then you might be able to get 200FSB by slightly bumping the chipset voltage up a little in BIOS, although this might require you to use a better chipset cooler.

In my case, just replacing the cooler was sufficient to just squeeze me past 200 (196 was the best I could do with the stock one), but the stock Epox Cooler is pretty crap on these boards 😱

obviously, stuff like this invalidates the warranty, but it's cheaper than getting a whole new mobo.

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 
Sorry Pat, but it is Asus' fault. Asus clearly mentions that the revision 1.04 of the A7N8X Deluxe is able to run an XP3200+ since BIOS revision 1004 (<A HREF="http://www.asus.com/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx" target="_new">see here</A>).
 
<A HREF="http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX3500AK2_1G.pdf" target="_new">My RAM</A> is stated to run at 217Mhz. It has always been running stable at 200Mhz (CL=2), even back when I used a 166Mhz FSB CPU. I don't use aggressive timings (2-3-3-7).
I'm not too fond of fooling around with the voltage.
I'm really considering getting rid of everything and jumping into 64-bit!!!
 
Have you tried it in Single channel mode though? I can remember a poster here a while back that couldn't get beyond 166FSB with an A7N8X-Dlx, and he eventually found it was ok if he ran in single channel mode, because his RAM couldn't cope with dual channel at that speed. it wasn't cheap generic stuff - it was some reasonably high-end OCZ I think.

If you're not happy fiddling with Voltages in the BIOS, then swapping northbridge heatsinks is <i>definitely</i> not for you.. 😱 ..

A64 isn't a bad option. While you decide you could always see how far you can get with your motherboard anyway. Your board will allow you to lock the AGP/PCI bus and increase the FSB by a few Mhz at a time. You should find you can get 180FSB at least, probably 190 before you get any problems, which'll give you much nearer the proper performance you've paid for.

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 
I'll try out single channel mode.
OCZ huh? I never had good feelings for OCZ.
Though, it's really pissing me off that Asus would announce that A7N8X Deluxe can run an XP3200+ (see earlier post) just to find out it can't, after having dished out the money to get a hold of this CPU.
 
I just take a look at Asus web site. From the page you referred me, it's stated that from version 1.04. But from that <A HREF="http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=A7N8X Deluxe&langs=09" target="_new"> page</A>, it is from version 1.06. So Asus make a mistake somewhere. Sorry for you. Maybe you could increase the multiplier to have it running close to 2.2GHz, if the cpu is not locked.. Is it too late to return your 3200+. If not, you could change it for a mobile 2500+ and run it at 2.4GHz, with no fancy air cooler as mine. I use a thermaltake Silent boost to keep the noise down and that work pretty good.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
If you can get your MB to about 190MHz FSB, you might want to try a better cooling of your North Bridge to see if it runs too hot.

And you should have buy mobile Barton instead of XP3200+.

NOTE : I have the exact same MB rev. 1.04 but I don't have 200MHz CPU to test 200MHz capabilities.

--
<b><font color=red>GO!</font color=red> <font color=blue>HABS!</font color=blue> <font color=red>GO!</font color=red></b>
 
According to the link you refer to, it is not from version 1.06, but <b>up to</b> version 1.06: "PCB 1.06 <b>or earlier</b> version need BIOS update".
So, no mistake from Asus, but rather misinformation.
 
I see from your signature that you're in the Montreal area (Go Habs Go indeed!!!) :wink: !
I'd be glad to supply the XP3200+ for you to test your board. I bought the XP3200+ because I don't really like overclocking that much.
 
You have to reinstall windows with that FSB, relax memory timings to 3338 at least, then complain.

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...
 
You have to reinstall windows with that FSB
Click to expand...
WTF? Why? 😱 do you seriously think all these Overclockers are <i>re-installing windows</i> Whenever they fiddle with their FSB? 😱

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 
I surely agree with Chip!
Anyhow, FSB was adjusted prior to Windows installation.
Why should I time the memory at 3338? I did not buy fast modules to time them at 3338.
They have always been working smoothly at 200Mhz before at 2337 (which they are stated to work at). I know the problem is not with the memory modules (Memtest, and the fact they always performed flawlessly). If this is what I must do to get the board to work at 200Mhz, I will throw this board away!
 
It might be worth relaxing the mem timings though, just to see if it does help? OR You could always buy the same RAM as me 😎

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 
I'll give it a shot, but I doubt this will change anything.
While going through the latest revision of the board's Manual (again), I came across a little note (in the procedure explaining how to set the CPU_FSB jumper) that says "Support for FSB 400 is available to PCB 2.0 or later versions only". It was a big surprise for me as Asus claims that PCB 1.04 supports FSB 400 starting with BIOS 1004. How contradictory is that?
 
I'm seriously considering switching board now, and I though about <A HREF="http://www.dfi.com.tw/Product/xx_product_spec_details_r_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=2141&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&SITE=NA" target="_new">this DFI board</A>. Do you have a take on it?
 
It looks OK, and I think I've heard people say it's good, but I've not used it myself.

Actually, according to <A HREF="http://www20.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030721/nforce2_ultra_400-32.html" target="_new">This review</A> of Tom's the DFI is a good performer, but the performance difference between all the boards is not going to be noticeable.

I've seen a lot of recommendations for the Abit NF7-S board if you think you might want to Overclock, and I've now built 2 rigs around the Epox 8RDA+ board - one a rev 2.0 and my rev 1.1 board, and both work very well, but I'm not sure if Epox still make them - you could maybe pick up an Epox 8RDA3+ instead (basically the same board but with on-board SATA support).

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 
Thanks for the info.
Although, Epox boards are rather scarce in my part of the world. I also heard people having troubles with the NF7-S (and the AN7 as well). I really need SATA support, built-in LAN and good audio. DFI was rather cheap for the features included. My main concern was stability and reliability. I'm not into overclocking, so overclocking capabilities means nothing to me.
 
You can try the Soltek 75frn2-rl, that you can buy online at ww.ncix.com. I have this board and has been trouble free for one year and still running perfectly stable. I've built 3 other system with these board and all of them worked good from first boot and still running great.

I dont thrust Asus board anymore....Their quality seem on the down side ...

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
Désolé Pat, this board is way too expensive for what it offers. The DFI is about 45$CA cheaper and it includes 4 SATA headers (Silicon Image), IEEE1394 ports and nVidia MCP-T (SoundStorm). These are features I need. The DFI is an excellent feature-packed performer for a lot less than the Soltek. So, the Soltek is not an appropriate option for me.
I do agree with you though about Asus. I don't know if I will rely on them again anytime soon. I'll consider not recommending Asus boards for a while, hoping Asus will get their story straight in the near future. They've been lying to me as of late.
I will be going with DFI this time around. I'll post my experience with the board as soon as I get to play around with it.
Merci quand même pour ta suggestion!
 
Pas de probleme!!!

It's only that the Soltek has the promise SATA controller, which is, IMHO, way better than the Sil. But the DFI should be good too.

Once you'll have the DFI up and running, come back to me as how it is running!

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
Silicon Image is up and coming hard at Promise. Sil chips are probably helping driving down the cost of mobos, but they are still good performers.
What kept me away from Soltek is mainly price, sound and Firewire.
I'll let you know about the DFI.
 
Well, I tried relaxing mem timings and, as suspected, it didn't work. That confirmed the mobo problem to me.
I'm now awaiting my new DFI board.
Thanks for all your help!
 
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