OK what is REALLY going on with the Lanparty NF4 series?

[mobdragon]

prime95 and 3dmark2k5 both run fine and stable no crashes, also ran F@H and no crashes. Only HL2 related programs crash to desktop but computer still runs fine for other things.

I have same problem with other memory stick and running only one stick at a time, I have also tried all fixes available at forums.

[cantankerous]

I can memtest for hours and hours as well as loop 3dmark01 for about 9 hours yet lately I have had HL2 crash to desktop on me as well. Weird.

[mobdragon]

Thank you highoctane, all problems solved. Over 100fps in CS:S, computer stable, all ports are cool, etc.

[cantankerous]

hey mobdragon, sorry to bud in but what did you do to further stabilize your computer when certain things give you issues?

[mobdragon]

Just keep tweaking the bios until you get it right. All my hardware tested good, no power issues, etc.

I just did not take the time to properly set the values in BIOS, I was still trying to run some settings in AUTO mode.

[Sparx]

DFI NF4 Ultra D and BIOS question to all with the board, or info.

Has it been decided that the 310 BIOS is better? I have been using the 1/25 (shipping BIOS) and have done.... OK with it. (This BTW is my 2nd DFI NF4 Ultra D 1st was RMA'd)

I have no memory compatability issues, with G.Skill LE so I didn't flash to 310.

However I had the rig running 32 hours Prime95 stable at 278 x10: 200 1t 2.5-4-8-4.

I was having some small issues with Win XP so reinstalled the OS after reducing the overclock. Then I tried to get back to 275 x10 and Prime95 hates me, you know what I mean.

So I cleared cmos set up the BIOS again and cannot get prime to run 270 x 10 for any respectable duration.

This is the nature of overclocking, we all know that. Thus the reason for my question on how 310 BIOS is working out.

sparx

[cantankerous]

I find 310 leaps and bounds over 125. I would highly recommend it. There is a new set out now based on 331. Those are also doing quite well. They are based off 310 with some other additions and tweaks. Those appear to be doing quite well too.

[Sparx]

Thanks Cant-
I see your CPU is two weeks newer than my 0448, how is it?
Get the 310 from the DFI site?
sparx

[mobdragon]

the 310 BIOS is way better, definately recommend it.

[pervisanathema]

Mine is fantastic. I love the board layout, it is stable, and it O/Cs very well right out of the box.

[cantankerous]

my cpu is ok. Can do about 2580 but that is max. Mem controller is crap and cuts out at about 240 so my cpu in a divider. Definately not the greatest. Im through screwing with these bottom feeder cpus. I think my next one will be a full blown FX that way I have unlocked multis, 1mb cache and a strong memory controller.

[Sparx]

I am tempted to get one of those too, but cost stops me for now.
sparx

[highoctane]

Yeah its a big throw of the dice with the low end cpus as you never know if you will even be able to eek out another 200mhz more from a low clocked core, as was the case with the Winchester 3200 topping out at 2.2ghz stable, that just completely blows for an OC.

The same goes for the mid and high range cpu as far as OC'ing goes but I'd rather be stuck anywhere from at least 2.4ghz on than be stuck at 2.2 and lower.

I've been very pleased with my Clawhammer 3500, will run 2750 at 1.7vcore on air which is pretty decent in my book & runs 2640 at 1.61vcore daily, not bad for a midrange cpu.

I'm also running the 0310 bios and have been pleased with it, integrated memtest is a nice bonus and has been stable as can be for me, no complaints here.

So far this board has been EXCELLENT, I might go out on a limb by saying quite possibly the best board I've owned to date/ever, its been stable, fast, & totaly tweakable!

[Dalton]

Not going to vote yet, unsure of where i stand as it's been only one day. Right away though the system isn't stable in memtest, no overclocking. I had to up the voltage on the mem from 2.6 to 2.7 to make it semi stable in memtest86. (it's testing now) When it's @ 2.6 it ran for 9 hours and passed 30+ times but had several errors on test #5. board was shipped with the 1/25 bios, but i flashed it to 3/10 this morning. Didn't seem to make any difference on the voltage side.

This system is unlikely to be overclocked since it's for my father. Possible, but unlikely.

Specs are as follows

A64 3200+ winchester
1GB Corsair Value Select CAS 2.5 DC Kit
DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D
Antec 350w PS with a 20 pin
eVGA E-GEFORCE 6200 256MB PCI-E
Seagate 200gb 7200.7
NEC-3520A DVDR

Should I bother RMA'ing the memory? Or is it time for a new power supply? Or is it just going to be a lot of tweaking to get this running nicely.

Edit #1: sparx, i would be inclined to agree, but after a lot of reading, it seems more of a memory timing issue then a power supply issue, but i do appreciate the advice. My reasoning for this is when I increase the voltage by 0.1v putting more of a load on the power supply (tiny i know) it loops memtest #5 for 8.5 hours and over 500 passes just fine. the current timings are 2.5-3-3-8 in DC mode. I don't know what they default to. Anyone?

[Sparx]

Please take this as a kind gesture but a 20 pin 350 watt power supply will hold you back.
I have been reading on this board for two months or so and guys can't get by with 420 watt units.

I know you are up and running as other were, but in time instability will raise its ugly head.
For the Nf4's need a least a 500 power supply and quality (not saying Antec is not quality), before long 700 is going to be the minimum. I know it's insane.
IMO
sparx
edit- I put some of that Corsair Value Select stuff in an Abit Av8 I built for my daughter. For the price I was very happy with it. I got a moderate 235 x 10 (333 mem divider & 1t) over clock with that stuff Prime 95 stable for over 24 hours. Keep the RAM for now, fix the PS.