---=== EPoX EP-8K7A+ Questions ===---

[Daemium]

I’m planning to upgrade my old PIII-700@1000mhz with a new AMD 1.4ghz with two 256mb corsair 2400 DDR sticks paired with the EPoX EP-8K7A+, but I have some doubts about the mobo.

1. Somebody knows if this mobo is compatible with the future “Athlon 4”? I’m concern about the
apparently impossibility to under voltage the Vcore. Also can be this fixed with a bios upgrade?
2. This mobo really has the 1/5 divider that everybody is talking?
3. I should buy 1 memory stick or two? (going to overclock)
4. Can you completely disable the RAID?
5. Recommended Heat sink?

Any other comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Valid]

I'm not knowledgeable enough to answer most of your questions. But as for heat sinks, I'm pretty sure that the 8K7A/+ can handle all heat sinks manufactured for Socket A Processors. Mine fits a Swiftech MC-462A just fine.

 

[Daemium]

Tks Valid I will take look on that Swiftech

 

[Bobby Manus]

I read a post today with someone on a ddr mobo that said he could get a higher overclock with only 1 stick then 2. I dont think it would make a noticible difference if any, maybe 1 or 2mhz fsb extra at most. I would just get 1 256mb stick for now, unless you play wwII online like me and need 512megs to stay above 10fps (oh dear!).

 

[Wega!]

If u are gonna disable the RAID, why don't just get the EP-8K7A, which don't have RAID. That would save u some $$$$

Just my 2 Cent.

 

[Bobby Manus]

Yea unless you need the raid at a later time then get the epox 8k7a, same board w/o the raid and about 20$ cheaper.

 

[Tacoman667]

It should be compatable with a BIOS update but will be unable to utilize the in-die thermal sensor though.

Yes, this motherboard has the /5 and /6 PCI multipliers with the new 1711 BIOS update.

Buy one memory stick. With two, you risk one beng slowere then the other and the faster RAM will be forced to run at the fastest of the slower RAM chip.

You can disable the RAID controller in the BIOS as with other RAID motherboards. If you will not use the RAID now, at least you will have it when you venture into that realm later and not have to buy even MORE equipment.

I personally like my watercooling system, but I have another system with a GlobalWin CAK38 on it and it works GREAT. I have heard great things about the new Thermaltake SK5 I think it is and the Swiftek line are great workers too.

I hope this helps you in your overclocking journeys.

 

[Valid]

I actually believe I'm running into the problem mentioned above. I have 2 sticks of Crucial PC2100 256MB DDR RAM. With both sticks in, I can't even reliably reach 140mhz (fully stable) on the fsb. I'm using AUTO memory timings, although I have manually slowed it. One (or both) appear to be really cranky. I'm pretty sure it's not the processor, as I've had it at ~1530 just using the CPU multiplier. It may be the GeForce3 flaking out, or perhaps the SBLive!, but I don't think so, as the crashes predominantly occur during the Sandra Memory Benchmark.

 

[Valid]

I have to disagree with the previous post though. RAM is really, really cheap now. Buy 2 sticks anyway, even if you're only using one! It's like rolling dice twice. You've got better odds at getting something good. Besides, I'm planning on putting a server together later. (Before I go back to school), so I don't really mind the extra RAM. In fact, I'll probably "roll the dice" twice more. Out of four pieces of RAM, two have to be at least passable. On the other hand though, I haven't really upped the voltage on the RAM. I believe the 8K7A runs them at slightly higher than specified voltage anyway, though. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Daemium]

I’m really happy with the response from the ppl here

And for sure I will buy this mobo without any doubt

 

[Daemium]

Well the problem is that I really need 512mb to run some CAD programs and I can't find a 512mb DDR 2400 stick (only the expensive 2100). So probably I will buy the two in sacrifice of the speed

By the way is the Mushkin memory better than Corsair ??

 

[Tacoman667]

Valid (Jul 29, 2001 06:47 p.m.):
I have to disagree with the previous post though. RAM is really, really cheap now. Buy 2 sticks anyway, even if you're only using one! It's like rolling dice twice. You've got better odds at getting something good. Besides, I'm planning on putting a server together later. (Before I go back to school), so I don't really mind the extra RAM. In fact, I'll probably "roll the dice" twice more. Out of four pieces of RAM, two have to be at least passable. On the other hand though, I haven't really upped the voltage on the RAM. I believe the 8K7A runs them at slightly higher than specified voltage anyway, though. Anyone know for sure?

The default setting of the 2.5v DDR jumpers is +.1. I'm sure that EPOX just wants to make damn sure that the DDR RAM you put in will work perfectly on thier boards. That's just my thought though. I know that the 3.3v on the board actually runs at 3.39v so that may be what you are referring to.

 

[Valid]

Well, I tried each memory stick seperately. None were willing to work rock-solid at even 140, so I guess it's default fsb for me. I'm almost certain that it's not one of the other components, as the failure occurs on the sandra memory benchmarks. Any advice would be helpful. (I've already lapped the north bridge hsf and applied arctic silver II)

 

[Tacoman667]

I know that my RAM needs the +.3 jumper set to run at 150FSB. I had to set it to the +.4v to get to 160 before something else crapped out. Raise your jumper and see where it leads you. ALSO, I had to lower my CPU multiplier as my CPU has a stopping point at just over 1.6gigs. You may need to try that route also.

 

[Bobby Manus]

How much danger is there in upping the volts to ram? What is acceptable and what is dangerous?

 

[Placid]

!!! VDDR voltages of 2.8 and beyond are almost guaranteed to destroy the memory module!!!

http://www.mushkin.com/cgi-bin/Mushkin.filereader?3b63ca3f082bc832273fc0a8010205e6+EN/products/990700

Thats Mushkins warning for their ddr.
Who knows as I see alot using it at more.

 

[Bobby Manus]

Then again killing ram isnt nearly as bad as ohhhhh say... a mother board =)

 

[Tacoman667]

If running the DDR voltage were garanteed to kill off the RAM, then running the vcore at what others do (2.0 and more) would garantee killing the CPU as with anything else. But there sure seems to be alot of people that do it successfully and their components sure do last a long time. I think they are just saying that THEY have rated it at that voltage so that someone less knowledgeable doesn't RMA the component because they didn't know any better.

 

[Richard]

Micron's (Crucial) DDR RAM is rated at 2.5 volts. It is rated to go as high as 2.7 v no problem. Higher than that won't guarantee a fried stick of RAM, but you're obviously on your own. ;-)

Bobby Manus (Jul 30, 2001 12:48 a.m.):
How much danger is there in upping the volts to ram? What is acceptable and what is dangerous?

 

[Valid]

I think I'm going to try those Memory Module Heat Spreaders as soon as I get my paycheck. Hopefully it'll offset the higher voltage/heat generated by running 2.7 through it.