Xaviers Column

[PR.]

I see that you had problem setting up a P4 2ghz on the Asus P4T due to the BIOS.

Do you know if this is because the Mobo you ordered was older stock and that they now ship with an upgraded bios?


I was planning on competing the build at the end of the month when Intel drops its prices, I have already ordered my P4T and am expecting it Monday. Is it possible to run the CPU at a lower speed until the BIOS is upgraded?

Also have you had any other problems with your setup? The only reason I'm building this one is because my current Dual P3 1gig is too unreliable with its via chipset :/

Build Spec:

P4 2ghz
Asus P4T
2x 256MB RDRAM (when I can find it in stock somewhere )
Chieftec DA-01BD + Enermax 431W PSU
ELSA GeForce 3
Herc Game Theatre XP
Seagate 20gig Cheetahx15
2x Seagate 20Gig BarracudaATA IV
Adaptec 29160N SCSI Card
16x Pioneer DVD-ROM
16x10x40 Sony CDRW


Help of any kind gratefully recieved

Thanks

 

[Xavier]

if only it were that simple...

The incompatibility arises not only because older bios don't support the 20x multiplier but also the stepping of the 2ghz chips is undefined in older revisions, you need to ask your supplier for confirmation that the board is using the newest bios or that they'll reflash it beforehand, may will do it for you...

As for the rdram check our http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk - they may not list it but they can get hold of it all the time and pricing was pretty good when I got my 4x256mb

One question that screams out at me - intel aren't producing chips quicker than 2.0ghz for the s423 platform so why aren't you getting s478??

 

[PR.]

Re: if only it were that simple...

Originally posted by Xavier
The incompatibility arises not only because older bios don't support the 20x multiplier but also the stepping of the 2ghz chips is undefined in older revisions, you need to ask your supplier for confirmation that the board is using the newest bios or that they'll reflash it beforehand, may will do it for you...

Well it just arrived and is labelled 1004, I searched the internet but couldn't find any conclusive yes or know as to wether this would run the 2ghz, was yours 1004 or earlier?

As for the rdram check our http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk - they may not list it but they can get hold of it all the time and pricing was pretty good when I got my 4x256mb

Email sent...

One question that screams out at me - intel aren't producing chips quicker than 2.0ghz for the s423 platform so why aren't you getting s478??

Theres only one answer to that... bad research

If I find that this BIOS is unusable, I will probably (if I can) get it sent back and either get one pre flashed or get the P4T-E if I can find it...

Thanks for your help

 

[Xavier]

Ah, not exactly the answers I was hoping for, the minimum BIOS you need is 1.005 - 1.004 only solves a few compatibility issues and doesn't address the issue of newer steppings, if an company has sold you a P4T on the premace that it is compatible with s423 2Ghz then there's an immediate reason to give them a call and arrange a replacement... The fact that companies are aware that S423 is on it's way out means that they are currently fobbing consumers off with the boards/chips wherever possible, let them know you were misled as to the boards compatibility and for that matter upgradeability and that you want an alternative.

To be honest the nicest S478 boards are currently the Abit TH7-II and TH7-II RAID - I'm using the latter of the two... for the money the asus doesn't cut the price/performance mark one bit... It's a pity as I have three systems using asus boards but when it came to s478 I couldn't justify going for the asus when the others have so much more...

We're always happy to help with techie bits and bobs if you ever want to get some info before making purchases, better we give a little input and you get the right bits rather than get lumbered with kit that after 6 months has no upgradeability

P.S. If you're an overclocker I understand swiftech will soon be releasing a new s478 compatible version of the 462 so it might be worth waiting before you buy any spanky aftermarket heatsinks - oh and check out the new Creative Audigy cards before you buy the Herc, we're currently working on a comparison grouptest and it's a pretty impressive card indeed