TWINX2048-3200C2 for A7N8X-E Deluxe? - Page 2

BlueScreen · #16 12-22-2006, 05:31 AM

Hello RJ,

According to my documentation the CPU is:

AMD Athlon XP-A, 2300 MHz (5.75 x 400)

Is that what you needed?

Thanks, Gary

DerekT · #17 12-22-2006, 05:34 AM

You need to set your bios to defaults and then read the BIOS startup screen. Your CPU is overclocked if it is saying 2300Mhz. The highest stock XP was 2.2GHz (3200+).

5.75 X 400 is the strangest multi X FSB that I have ever seen an Athlon XP running on. Curiouser and curiouser.

Blitz74 · #18 12-22-2006, 08:59 AM

Hey Bluescreen,

Also, if you have the software from your MB, ASUS provides a program that is very useful.

The ASUS PC Probe - It monitors temps, speeds, model numbers and contains alot of useful information. It is very user friendly and can also provide an alternative location for data. Check it out if you do not have it installed.

RAM GUY · #19 12-22-2006, 04:06 PM

You have a mobil 3200+ CPU is why you are getting those reading I think, the 3200+ CPU should be 11 X 200! Please check with AMD to be sure!

BlueScreen · #20 12-22-2006, 04:59 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure what my next step should be, but yes, I DO have ASUS Probe - as a matter of fact, the shortcut is right on my desktop.

Here's what IT says under Information > Processor:

Socket Designation : Socket A
Type: Central Processor
Family: -
Manufacturer: AMD
ID: 000006A0 0383FBFF
Version: AMDAthlon(tm)XP
Supported Voltage: 1.6V
External Clock: 200MHz
Max Speed: 3000MHz
Current Speed: 2300MHz
Status: Socket populated; Enabled
Processor Upgrade: ZIF socket

As far as going back to the default BIOS, I don't think anything has ever been changed (at least I never changed anything). I have, however, already prepared bootable floppies with both this BIOS (1011) and the newer BIOS (1013) which I downloaded from the ASUS website.

I wonder if I should go ahead and flash the BIOS with the newer version, then post its contents for you? I might mention that I'm a little nervous, never having done it before - I think I know how, though.

Please let me know if this info from ASUS Probe confirmed anything...

Thanks again!

Gary

RAM GUY · #21 12-22-2006, 05:04 PM

I would suggest using Bios version 1.013 with this MB it will fix a lot of issues with this MB and I would set the CPU manually to 200 X 11 with the memory in slots 2-3 and set the system performance to Manual at 2.7 Volts and see if that solves the problem.

BlueScreen · #22 12-22-2006, 07:27 PM

Hello Ram Guy,

Lots to report. First I updated the BIOS to v.1013.

Next, I went into ASUS Probe, which reflected the version update, but additionally showed a reduced External Clock Speed of 166 MHz with a Current Speed of 1916 MHz.

Going back into the BIOS, I attempted to set up everything as you had instructed.

The CPU was already set at 200MHz, but I changed the CPU Frequency Multiple to 11.0 as you suggested.

I changed System Performance to "User Defined", but then realized that I didn't know which parameter you wanted changed to 2.7V. The only three voltage settings I see are "CPU Vcore" (which is grayed out and therefore can't be changed), "DDR Reference Voltage" (which is currently set at 2.6V), and "AGP VDDQ Voltage" (which is currently set at 1.5V). Please let me know which of these parameters you were referring to...

Anyway, I went online and headed for YouTube, which for me has always been the "acid test" - the machine would NEVER play for more than a few seconds before freezing up.

YIPPEE! I played FULL SCREEN videos (another first) for about fifteen minutes without a single glitch!

I went back into ASUS Probe, which is again reflecting an External Clock speed of 200MHz, and a Current Speed of 2200MHz.

Things are DEFINITELY better! Please let me know which voltage to change to 2.7v and whether there is anything further I can do to "fine tune" the system.

THANKS!

Gary

RAM GUY · #23 12-22-2006, 07:44 PM

Please try these settings.
CPU Freq: 200 MHz
System Performance: User Define
Memory Frequency: 100%
Dim Voltage to 2.7 Volts
Resulting Frequency: 200 MHz
Memory timings: Manual
Would results in these settings
SDRAM CAS Latency: 2.5T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 3T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 3T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 6T
Graphics Aperture Size is 128 MB

Blitz74 · #24 12-22-2006, 08:32 PM

I bet there was a sigh of relief that was heard around the world. Make sure you adjust accordingly to Ram Guy, and then work on the "tweak factor". That's actually where I'm at with this set up and pushing the CPU to a 2.357 (11.5x by 205 mhz) Seems to be alright so far. Although I can't seem to get the 12x to adjust at all, I have to keep going back to 11.5x and creep the memory frequency up. Should find the sweet spot relatively soon.

Blue, I would leave the AGP voltage alone for now. Work on the general stuff mentioned by Ram Guy. Probably run Memtest and just perform your usual applications. Make sure things are smooth for a short time, just in case you try tweaking and are having difficulty, makes it alot easier to start from a solid performing machine. I'll keep posting on this thread for you with any helpful info.

Have a Great Happy Holidays! and maybe Santa will drop a video card under your tree. (He would rule if he actually did that).

BlueScreen · #25 12-22-2006, 09:26 PM

Hello Blitz and Ram Guy,

Well, I can at least assure you that there was a sigh of relief at THIS end!

The difference so far is just amazing. And thanks for your advice.

Ram Guy, I changed my BIOS settings according to those suggested in your last post. The machine's running like a top from all indications.

I do have a few discrepencies in my resulting timings though...

SDRAM CAS Latency is 3T (instead of 2.5T)
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS) is 8T (instead of 6T)
Graphics Aperture Size is 64MB (instead of 128MB)

I don't know why my results are different from yours, but I thought I'd mention it in case there are still some things that need to be tweaked.

Also, Blitz said that in his opinion, 2GB of RAM for a 400 MHz FSB MB was overkill. Is my present 512 MB pretty much optimum for this setup or would I benefit from another 512 MB or so?

I'm still looking forward to fine-tuning this system, but it looks like the worst might well be over. Thanks to everyone who took time to give me some great input - DerekT, Blitz74, RJLeong65, and of course the master, Ram Guy.

Gary (BlueScreen)

Blitz74 · #26 12-22-2006, 09:34 PM

I would adjust the timings manually to what Ram Guy suggested, I had to do the same. And I'm not sure about the AGP size. You only have a 64 mb card.

I have tha same memory type left over after I bought the 2 gigs except it's a 1 gig combination. I honestly can't say that I noticed a significant difference. The difference falls within the benchmark tests, which are a little higher with 2 gigs, but as far as when your playing games and such, it's hard to say. I would definitely up it to a 1 gig combo of the type you mentioned before.

BlueScreen · #27 12-23-2006, 03:11 PM

Hello Blitz,

I hadn't realized that the timing settings were user-adjustable (they were all grayed-out when I made my initial changes). I thought that they were simply the results of all the other settings.

Anyway, I went back in and now ALL of the BIOS settings match those recommended by Ram Guy.

Last night, I set up a full screen video to play on a loop. When I got up this morning, it was still playing away!

I guess everything is as it should be. Now I can do all the things the other kids do!

By the way, Ram Guy, if you're still monitoring this thread, I've been unable to confirm with AMD whether 11 x 200 is their recommended setting, or whether I indeed have a Mobile 3200+ CPU (I can't know for sure without pulling the fan). Everything sure seems to be working well, though...

Gary (BlueScreen)

RAM GUY · #28 12-26-2006, 03:36 PM

If every thing is working OK you should be good to go!
But please let me know if you have any problems!

Blitz74 · #29 01-03-2007, 07:27 AM

Hey Bluescreen,

Well, I've been running some tests lately and I think I've found a pretty stable setting. The CPU multiplier is set at 11.5x and the memory is at 205 mhz resulting in - 2357.5 processor speed. You may have to up your Vcore another .1 or so and put a little more juice to it. I've been testing it out throughout some heavy games like Dawn of War which recommends a 2.4 AMD or equivelant. I'm able to run it with all graphic settings on high, and adjusting my video card properties to the highest AA and AF settings. I must say that this processor is pretty amazing. Follow the link below if you want some more info as well as some testing results against some 3.0 Pentium III's assembled on higher FSB motherboards.

I'll also post my exact settings in the next couple of days.

http://www.hothardware.com/viewartic...?articleid=209