90nm cpu and socket 939 mobo question

ChrisAdan650 · Nov 18, 2004, 10:28 PM

I'm planning on purchasing the socket 939 EPOX EP-9NDA3+ along with an Athlon 64 3500+ 90nm cpu. I've read that I'd have to flash the bios for the motherboard in order for it to recognize the cpu. How would I go about doing this? Also, I read that I would have to install the SATA driver so that windows xp could recognize my sata based hard drive? What's this about? Thanks in advance.

CrapolaJola · Nov 18, 2004, 10:41 PM

Save yourself some money man, buy a 90nm 3000+ or 3200+ and overclock it. On air most of the 90nm CPUs seem to be hitting pretty similar overclocks, although the 3500+ will probably do those speeds with less voltage it's not with the money. As for the motherboard I'd either get the MSI K8N Neo board, it finicky, but it's the best out there once you get it setup right or wait for the new nForce4 boards (depends on when yo uwant to buy it). Also, I'd reccomend (depending on your current ram) that you get some new ram with the samsung tccd chips like corsair xms pc3200 rev4 (only 4 has the tccd), 3200xl, ocz pc3200el rev2., and other ram. Also pick up a Coolermaster Hyper6 or Thermalright XP-90 with a nice fan for your cooler. As for SATA hard drivs, you do have to do that, but I've never done it my self, but I'm sure if you search on google you can find inormation on it or another forum member could help you.

MiDKnYtE · Nov 18, 2004, 10:56 PM

I think the Asus A8V is a better pick.

when you install xp, there is an option f6 to install additional controller drivers. use the floppy that comes with the board to install the sata controller drivers. the rest of the setup is the same.

@/2ct!< · Nov 18, 2004, 11:31 PM

You probably wont have problems, but it depends on when the mobo was made. The newer it is, the more likely it is to have pre-supporting bios for for 90nm out of the box.

CrapolaJola · Nov 19, 2004, 02:28 AM

He's right most boards can now support 90nm out of the box, butif you're going 90nm thta's something risk, if you get unlucky I just hope ya got a friend that could loan u a 130nm 939 cpu. As for Midnyte's commentthe AV8 has gotten a lot better since it's initial release and the non-workinglocks, but I still say the Neo is better if you're willing to deal with it's problems. Oh well it's a matter of opinion

Vampyromaniac · Nov 23, 2004, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisAdan650

I'm planning on purchasing the socket 939 EPOX EP-9NDA3+ along with an Athlon 64 3500+ 90nm cpu. I've read that I'd have to flash the bios for the motherboard in order for it to recognize the cpu. How would I go about doing this? Also, I read that I would have to install the SATA driver so that windows xp could recognize my sata based hard drive? What's this about? Thanks in advance.

Instructions are included with the BIOS update. Simply download it and check the readme.txt file.

If you want to install Windows onto a SATA drive, you will have to load the driver during installation. Windows will show a message on the bottom line of the screen telling you to press a key (I think F6) if you want to load any RAID or other special driver. Press that key, and you'll be able to initialize your SATA drive for installation. Be sure to have the driver ready to go on a floppy beforehand.

Logla · Nov 23, 2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyromaniac

Instructions are included with the BIOS update. Simply download it and check the readme.txt file.

I think the problem is more to do with the fact that the board may not boot with that particular cpu in place until the bios update has been applied.

A lot of the SFF intel boards are the same with prescott cpu's.

Vampyromaniac · Nov 23, 2004, 11:50 PM

You mean you would press the power button, and the computer wouldn't even POST? Yes, that would be a setback.

Hopefully someone can confirm if that is actually the case with these 90nm Winchesters.

MiDKnYtE · Nov 24, 2004, 01:27 AM

looks like you should be ok:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1682

Nov 18, 2004, 10:28 PM	#1
ChrisAdan650 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 152 Rep Power: 0	90nm cpu and socket 939 mobo question I'm planning on purchasing the socket 939 EPOX EP-9NDA3+ along with an Athlon 64 3500+ 90nm cpu. I've read that I'd have to flash the bios for the motherboard in order for it to recognize the cpu. How would I go about doing this? Also, I read that I would have to install the SATA driver so that windows xp could recognize my sata based hard drive? What's this about? Thanks in advance.

Nov 18, 2004, 10:41 PM	#2
CrapolaJola The Great DaK Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 317 Rep Power: 0	Save yourself some money man, buy a 90nm 3000+ or 3200+ and overclock it. On air most of the 90nm CPUs seem to be hitting pretty similar overclocks, although the 3500+ will probably do those speeds with less voltage it's not with the money. As for the motherboard I'd either get the MSI K8N Neo board, it finicky, but it's the best out there once you get it setup right or wait for the new nForce4 boards (depends on when yo uwant to buy it). Also, I'd reccomend (depending on your current ram) that you get some new ram with the samsung tccd chips like corsair xms pc3200 rev4 (only 4 has the tccd), 3200xl, ocz pc3200el rev2., and other ram. Also pick up a Coolermaster Hyper6 or Thermalright XP-90 with a nice fan for your cooler. As for SATA hard drivs, you do have to do that, but I've never done it my self, but I'm sure if you search on google you can find inormation on it or another forum member could help you. __________________ P2 X4 @ 3.6ghz, 4gb ddr3, SSD, 5870 @ 950/1250 + a 3ghz i5 lappy

Nov 18, 2004, 11:31 PM	#4
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	You probably wont have problems, but it depends on when the mobo was made. The newer it is, the more likely it is to have pre-supporting bios for for 90nm out of the box. __________________

Nov 19, 2004, 02:28 AM	#5
CrapolaJola The Great DaK Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 317 Rep Power: 0	He's right most boards can now support 90nm out of the box, butif you're going 90nm thta's something risk, if you get unlucky I just hope ya got a friend that could loan u a 130nm 939 cpu. As for Midnyte's commentthe AV8 has gotten a lot better since it's initial release and the non-workinglocks, but I still say the Neo is better if you're willing to deal with it's problems. Oh well it's a matter of opinion __________________ P2 X4 @ 3.6ghz, 4gb ddr3, SSD, 5870 @ 950/1250 + a 3ghz i5 lappy

Nov 23, 2004, 11:50 PM	#8
Vampyromaniac confutatis maledictis Join Date: May 2002 Location: somewhere dark Posts: 5,974 Rep Power: 74 System Specs	You mean you would press the power button, and the computer wouldn't even POST? Yes, that would be a setback. Hopefully someone can confirm if that is actually the case with these 90nm Winchesters. __________________ *Digitalis 3.3* Athlon 64 3000 // ASUS K8V SE Deluxe // 1024MB PC3200 (2-2-2-10 1T) ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro // 20" Dell 2005FPW (DVI) M-Audio Revo 7.1 + Philips Acoustic Edge // Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 320/16 Western Digital WD3200KS + 120/8 Seagate 7200.7 NEC ND-3550A 16x DVD±RW + Lite-On 52x24x CD-RW Antec Sonata case // 480W Antec TruePower personal bests \|\| Aq'3: 46796 \| 3D'01: 20461 \| 3D'03: 6336 \| 3D'05: 2677 \| PC'04: 4605 \| PC'02: 7691,9092,1250

Nov 18, 2004, 10:56 PM	#3
MiDKnYtE Caffeine Machine Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hell is empty. All the devils are here. Posts: 670 Rep Power: 0	I think the Asus A8V is a better pick. when you install xp, there is an option f6 to install additional controller drivers. use the floppy that comes with the board to install the sata controller drivers. the rest of the setup is the same.

Nov 24, 2004, 01:27 AM	#9
MiDKnYtE Caffeine Machine Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hell is empty. All the devils are here. Posts: 670 Rep Power: 0	looks like you should be ok: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1682