A7N8X CPU upgrade problems

niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
edited April 2004 in Hardware
ASUS A7N8X2.0 ACPI BIOS Rev 1003
Phoenix-Award BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS DATE 03/19/03
AMD Duron 800 Processor upgraded to
AMD Athlon XP-A, 2079 MHz (6.25 x 333) 2800+
Barton
FSB 166
multiplier: X12.5
Core voltage 1.65 V
Zalman CPNU 7000 Cooler (close to the power supply)
Elixir Memory 512MB DDR333 PC2700
300W Power Supply
1 Maxtor 40Gb HD
Freshly installed HD
Abit FX5200
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4




Hi,


I bought an new AMD 2800 XP Barton processor for my mobo but the system is not stable
All my games and applications are shuting down and the pc restarts.
I can use the internet and do receive windows errors
I set the memory timings of my Elixir Memory to default as mentionned in the Asus Mobo instructions but this made things worse, unable to boot the system => Clear CMOS and all was set back to default=> 7 3 3 2.5

I then tried to change the multipliyer to lower ones but this changed the FSB to 100 and the CPU was 1250Mhz and the POST would just freeze.
Reset it too 12.5 and the system boots up to Win2000 and the CPU would show AMD XP 2800.
I can't figure it out problem.

So, if you could help me in clearing this problem and stabalising the sytem I would be gratefull.
Thanks for your future posts.
Niaxous

Comments

  • qparadoxqparadox Vancouver, BC
    edited January 2004
    My guess would be power supply, 300 Watts is awfully sketchy on that system especially if its a no-name PSU. What's brand and what are your voltages.

    You might have to up V-dimm and / or back off the timings. Have you tried running memtest? www.docmemory.com?
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited February 2004
    Yeah, most likely it's the PSU.

    I started off with a 300w power supply, then upgraded to the bad-boy below.
  • WuGgaRoOWuGgaRoO Not in the shower Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    qparadox wrote:
    My guess would be power supply, 300 Watts is awfully sketchy on that system especially if its a no-name PSU. What's brand and what are your voltages.

    You might have to up V-dimm and / or back off the timings. Have you tried running memtest? www.docmemory.com?

    im iwth him, 300w doesnt seeme nough :Canflag:
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited February 2004
    I have a different idea. Sounds like heat. What are your temps. Since you changed the CPU, did you reseat the HSF correctly? Its not sitting on the lip is it? I had it happen once and it wasnt stable with 100% usage.
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited February 2004
    Try these suggestions (in order)

    1st Reseat your Heatsink

    2nd Buy a Thermalright SLK800 or 900

    3rd Buy a 400+ watt PSU
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    www.memtest86.com

    welcome to short-media
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    mmonnin wrote:
    I have a different idea. Sounds like heat. What are your temps. Since you changed the CPU, did you reseat the HSF correctly? Its not sitting on the lip is it? I had it happen once and it wasnt stable with 100% usage.

    The Zalman Cooler is screwed on the motherboard and I don't think it could be this.
    CPUCool indicates very low temps: 20°C/68°F.
    I checked the Zalman website and it could be that the HSF would to be too close to the psu.
    I suppose this could lead to electomagnetic fields (my thoughts and unfounded)
    What do you think?
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    Omega65 wrote:
    Try these suggestions (in order)

    1st Reseat your Heatsink

    2nd Buy a Thermalright SLK800 or 900

    3rd Buy a 400+ watt PSU

    I will have a look at the heatsink and probably consider a new psu but
    adding a Thermalright SLK800 seems a bit over the edge.
    I am not looking to o/c the system just stablising it.

    When I replaced mu Duron 800 to a 2600 (FSB 133) it became unstable and I was thrown out my apps and games, then I was unhappy of my new CPU performances I decided to get this new Barton CPU.
    Do you think by changing two CPU's previously would make the system unstable and re-installing the whole HD would allow it it to work better.

    As for the PSU, I don't have a lot of choices in Belgium.
    Q-Tec(50$), Zalman (130$), Sweex(25$).
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited February 2004
    20C is like below WC. Thats like way low. Hell whats the temp of your room. I dont see how it can be that low. I mean our heater is set at 68 F and my CPU even at idle non-OCed is quite a bit more than that.

    I dont think that Zalman is much if any better than my SLK-900. Just seems way low. You arent outside or anything are you? Maybe try measuring the temps with something else.
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    mmonnin wrote:
    20C is like below WC. Thats like way low. Hell whats the temp of your room. I dont see how it can be that low. I mean our heater is set at 68 F and my CPU even at idle non-OCed is quite a bit more than that.

    I dont think that Zalman is much if any better than my SLK-900. Just seems way low. You arent outside or anything are you? Maybe try measuring the temps with something else.

    I know it's very low, so I don't think it has anything to do the ventillation.
    No, ;-)) lol I am not outside but I think it might be something to with PSU.
    My AMD 800 didn't bother with my 300w PSU, I made some space on the HD and it has 14% free space on it.
    Memory temp: 82 F
    Mobo temp: 68 F

    I did test it with Sisoftware Sandra 2004 and it mentions a bad block on the HD.
    I think I'll probably go for a clean sheet, re-installing the whole thing unfortionally.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2004
    The 7000 is the round, vaguely thermaltake orb-ish heatsink, right?

    If so, that's fine for a 2800, as long as you've got the fan on full speed.

    What brand is the power supply? 300w is sufficient, but it has to be a GOOD 300w PS.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited February 2004
    Oh and one thing I just noticed in yout first post. The actualy FSB of a 333mhz CPU is 166 not 333. 333 is the DDR speed, 166 double pumped to 333. So that means your Multi is not 6.5 but rather 12.5.
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    Geeky1 wrote:
    The 7000 is the round, vaguely thermaltake orb-ish heatsink, right?

    If so, that's fine for a 2800, as long as you've got the fan on full speed.

    What brand is the power supply? 300w is sufficient, but it has to be a GOOD 300w PS.
    Yes, that's right and the fan is set on full speed

    It's a no-name but how can I see if the PSU is any good?
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    mmonnin wrote:
    Oh and one thing I just noticed in yout first post. The actualy FSB of a 333mhz CPU is 166 not 333. 333 is the DDR speed, 166 double pumped to 333. So that means your Multi is not 6.5 but rather 12.5.

    The multi is set on 12.5, the max of the optimal setting in the BIOS.
    I copied the information from Sisoftware Sandra 2004 during a benchmark of the system.
    Yes, two Dual memory @ 166 would generate 333 but I have only one in slot 1. I understood that even though in my first post it could be quite confusing.
    Thanks anyway.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2004
    Well, if it's a no-name PSU, that could very well be the problem. If it's not an Antec, Enermax, or PC Power & Cooling, 300w is probably not going to be enough with that system.

    Even if it is not the PSU, asking a generic 300w PS to power that kind of a load is just asking for the PS to blow up, and possibly take parts of your system, if not the entire system, with it.

    You should probably get a decent PS and see if that solves the problem.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited February 2004
    DDR sends data out twice per clock cycle. So 166 MHz * 2 = 333 effectice MHz. Dual DDRaka dual channel is more bandwidth on top of the whole DDR thing.

    I just saw that you changed it from 6.5 to 6.25. There are to .25 multis but rather only whole number and .5 multi. CPU speed is measured by the actual 100/133/166/200 FSB speed and the multiplier. So 12.5*166.6=2083 MHz.
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    mmonnin wrote:
    DDR sends data out twice per clock cycle. So 166 MHz * 2 = 333 effectice MHz. Dual DDRaka dual channel is more bandwidth on top of the whole DDR thing.

    I just saw that you changed it from 6.5 to 6.25. There are to .25 multis but rather only whole number and .5 multi. CPU speed is measured by the actual 100/133/166/200 FSB speed and the multiplier. So 12.5*166.6=2083 MHz.
    Well, I am going to buy one of these PSU you mentionned and hopefully I can get them in Belgium or elsewere.
    Narrowing down the different problems sure helps me in saving a couple of 100 bucks.
    All the left overs of my previous system will contribute in building a second one;-).
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2004
    An Antec SL-400 (400w) or SL-450 (450w) ought to be more than enough. Even an SL-350 (350w) would be fine, but if you're going to buy one, you might as well get one that's big enough to handle some future upgrades, too.
  • KometeKomete Member
    edited February 2004
    Well Hopefully you have already fixed your problem but if not Flash your bios to 1004. Every where I turn I see that bios versian is helping people maintain stability, Myself included. If you can find 1004uber even better. Stay away from 1007 plenty of negatives on that one.

    Also play a game for a while and then check your temps in the bios.

    Heres a link for bios
    http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15505
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited February 2004
    Komete wrote:
    Well Hopefully you have already fixed your problem but if not Flash your bios to 1004. Every where I turn I see that bios versian is helping people maintain stability, Myself included. If you can find 1004uber even better. Stay away from 1007 plenty of negatives on that one.

    Also play a game for a while and then check your temps in the bios.

    Heres a link for bios
    http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15505

    You've got a point there. :cool:
    My father-in-law tried to stabalise the sytem but without success, I told him about the power supply but he thought the idea rather far feched.
    He's got an AMD XP 3Ghz running on a 250W. :hair:

    My pc is going into the hands of my company IT manager, I will stress this point to him.
    I will post this discussion with the final results. :smiles:
    Thanks again for your point of view and the link for the update.
    Niaxous
  • Al_CapownAl_Capown Indiana
    edited February 2004
    You mean amd XP 3000+? That's not 3 GHz hehe, 3 GHz xp's need prommies.
  • niaxousniaxous Brussels, Belgium
    edited April 2004
    niaxous wrote:
    You've got a point there. :cool:
    My father-in-law tried to stabalise the sytem but without success, I told him about the power supply but he thought the idea rather far feched.
    He's got an AMD XP 3Ghz running on a 250W. :hair:

    My pc is going into the hands of my company IT manager, I will stress this point to him.
    I will post this discussion with the final results. :smiles:
    Thanks again for your point of view and the link for the update.
    Niaxous

    The IT guy changed the MB + CPU + ventillator + memory.
    :banghead:
    Apparently he couldn't find the problem neither, so he decided to change the MB to P4P800 + CPU Prescot 2.8Mhz.
    He OC'ed it to 3.44.
    Memory 2 X 256Mb (400)

    A brandnew pc for € 350 = $ 420 :woowoo:
    The system works fine with XP Pro

    Thanks for all the previous posts,

    Niaxous
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