6800GT/7800GS/x1950 Pro

If you want a period correct "top system" I suggest you find an FX 5900XT / Ultra or a Radeon 9800.

candle_86 wrote:

6800GT/7800GS/x1950 Pro

All of these are wasted on a socket A machine - you won't really see much of a performance improvement with any of those cards - and the X1950 and 7800 might actually act up on the A7N8X. To top out the X1950 PRO I had to use a overclocked Core 2 Duo P8400...

That is debatable, since they will allow you to raise the resolution and/or increase AA.

I'm thinking OP wants to do 1600x1200 or some other high resolution (perhaps widescreen?), in which case they would benefit greatly by a fast GPU.

like above, Slap a 9800XT in there or a 5900 ultra. Audigy 2 ZS would be a good choice for the system, although if you can find a faster CPU like a 3200+ Barton core Athlon XP I'd go with that.
if you want to try something newer in it, then many an X800 series or an X1950XT, although they'd be better off in a newer machine.

jcarvalho wrote:

Hi guys! I am putting together a 462 "top" system for XP.
At the moment I have:
-AMD Athlon XP 2500+ running like 2800+ (12,5*166) I think multiplier is unlocked. Cant go to 200*12,5 because crashs windows xp install

Weird.....so you have a 2500+ (11x multi) running like a 2800+ (12,5 multi) and it isn't stable at 200fsb (effectively 400fsb)....what about running it at 11x200 so it runs like a 3200+???

12,5x200=2500mhz and that is asking a lot but every single barton i ever tested had no problem running at 2200mhz aka 3200+ speeds.

If you mean it is locked instead of unlocked then try and run it at 12,5x176mhz fsb to get 2200mhz.

meljor wrote:

Weird.....so you have a 2500+ (11x multi) running like a 2800+ (12,5 multi) and it isn't stable at 200fsb (effectively 400fsb).. […]
Show full quote

jcarvalho wrote:

Hi guys! I am putting together a 462 "top" system for XP.
At the moment I have:
-AMD Athlon XP 2500+ running like 2800+ (12,5*166) I think multiplier is unlocked. Cant go to 200*12,5 because crashs windows xp install

Weird.....so you have a 2500+ (11x multi) running like a 2800+ (12,5 multi) and it isn't stable at 200fsb (effectively 400fsb)....what about running it at 11x200 so it runs like a 3200+???

12,5x200=2500mhz and that is asking a lot but every single barton i ever tested had no problem running at 2200mhz aka 3200+ speeds.

If you mean it is locked instead of unlocked then try and run it at 12,5x176mhz fsb to get 2200mhz.

I had a Barton 2600 that was unlocked, wouldn't run 2.2ghz no matter what you tried, it just would not do it at all for any reason, I'd wager christ himself would have sent it to hell for its stubbornness

candle_86 wrote:

meljor wrote:

Weird.....so you have a 2500+ (11x multi) running like a 2800+ (12,5 multi) and it isn't stable at 200fsb (effectively 400fsb).. […]
Show full quote

jcarvalho wrote:

Hi guys! I am putting together a 462 "top" system for XP.
At the moment I have:
-AMD Athlon XP 2500+ running like 2800+ (12,5*166) I think multiplier is unlocked. Cant go to 200*12,5 because crashs windows xp install

Weird.....so you have a 2500+ (11x multi) running like a 2800+ (12,5 multi) and it isn't stable at 200fsb (effectively 400fsb)....what about running it at 11x200 so it runs like a 3200+???

12,5x200=2500mhz and that is asking a lot but every single barton i ever tested had no problem running at 2200mhz aka 3200+ speeds.

If you mean it is locked instead of unlocked then try and run it at 12,5x176mhz fsb to get 2200mhz.

I had a Barton 2600 that was unlocked, wouldn't run 2.2ghz no matter what you tried, it just would not do it at all for any reason, I'd wager christ himself would have sent it to hell for its stubbornness

Hi! I said that the CPU was unlocked because I didn't messed up with VCore and just raised the multi in BIOS and when the PC is POSTing it says 2800... Temps about 44ºC and perfect working, no crashs no nothing... I went to 12,5 x 200, it boots, starts windows xp install (no VCore mod) and get reading errors from CD install files, but it boots fine... I got confused... By the description of things, can we be talking about an unlocked CPU? I didn't saw the manufacture date when I was installing it... I read somewhere that all bartons until 2002 week xx were unlocked ones. Maybe I got lucky with it, will give a quick try 11x200 Mhz to see if t says 3200+ and boots nice without any voltage adjust to RAMS... They are PC3200... So I think that they are under specs...BTW someone to sell 9800XT or 5900 ultra at good price? Got scared with some prices asked in a famous auction site.
Small Update: I have tried 11x200 but got some blue screens IRQ NOT LESS OR EQUAL one time and in the other some file serial port related, I think that the rams are not good for this, raised VCore to 1,75v but no luck, I dont have the know-how to overclock this sucker in a proper way, I will stick to 12,5 x 166 settings. For more speed I am in process of building an 939 system with Opteron 180 using 4x512 Kingston HyperX CL2 rams that I have found for about 2 euros+postage in a very well known auction site (I dont know if I can post here names of worldwide auction sites and I dont want to be banned)

When I think of Windows XP, my inner voice is telling me to go dual core. Instead, I like socket A for a monster Win98 build. Along this route, Vortex 2 card sound can be an option.

If you definitely want to use XP, Aureal cards should generally be avoided due to the termination of vendor driver support around this time.

jcarvalho wrote:

I didn't saw the manufacture date when I was installing it... I read somewhere that all bartons until 2002 week xx were unlocked ones.

calender week 43 of 2003 should be the week.

Palomino's were released from Oct2001 to Mar2002.
Thoroughbred's A and B were released from Jun2002 to Oct2002.
Barton's (except the rare OEM one's), were released from Feb2003 to Oct2003.

quick update:
I have made some changes in BIOS: 190 * 11, cpu vcore: 1.75v, CAS Latency: 3T RAS precharge: 3 RAS to CAS 3 , Precharge 8
Now system stable and shows athlon xp 3200+.
memory ddr400 kingston. Any advices to this config?
I know that it is a little out of period, but I have found localy an 7900GS (in negotiation) to build my "top" system

gdjacobs wrote:

When I think of Windows XP, my inner voice is telling me to go dual core. Instead, I like socket A for a monster Win98 build. Along this route, Vortex 2 card sound can be an option.

If you definitely want to use XP, Aureal cards should generally be avoided due to the termination of vendor driver support around this time.

well, I am quite happy with xp installed, it is fast. The only problem for not to go w98 is that those Aureal vortex 2 are out of my budget

Note that not every revision of the a7n8x deluxe can do 400mhz fsb. Rev. 2.0 (or later) should have no problems but earlier ones may not reach 400fsb stable.
It's a common mistake but the early a7n8x deluxe boards are 333fsb boards. It had the nforce2 but the later ones have the nforce2 ultra chipset.

A7N8X-E every revision is officially 400fsb.

Edit: sorry, i now see you have the 2.0 board 😎

meljor wrote:

Note that not every revision of the a7n8x deluxe can do 400mhz fsb. Rev. 2.0 (or later) should have no problems but earlier one […]
Show full quote

Note that not every revision of the a7n8x deluxe can do 400mhz fsb. Rev. 2.0 (or later) should have no problems but earlier ones may not reach 400fsb stable.
It's a common mistake but the early a7n8x deluxe boards are 333fsb boards. It had the nforce2 but the later ones have the nforce2 ultra chipset.

A7N8X-E every revision is officially 400fsb.

Edit: sorry, i now see you have the 2.0 board 😎

😀 I have some unofficial bios based on 1008(latest and present on MB), but I am a little scared to use them..
http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?349979 … =62#post3095488
1008mod2a cpc on

1008mod2a cpc off

1008mod3 cpc on

1008mod3 cpc off
I dont knpow what is cpc and what to choose, and dont know if i can reach 200*11 stable with one of those listed above

jcarvalho wrote:

:happy: I have some unofficial bios based on 1008(latest and present on MB), but I am a little scared to use them.. http://foru […]
Show full quote

😀 I have some unofficial bios based on 1008(latest and present on MB), but I am a little scared to use them..
http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?349979 … =62#post3095488
1008mod2a cpc on

1008mod2a cpc off

1008mod3 cpc on

1008mod3 cpc off
I dont knpow what is cpc and what to choose, and dont know if i can reach 200*11 stable with one of those listed above

CPC is a memory setting and stands for "command per clock", it's the same as "1T" command rate.

Do not use a BIOS with "CPC on" if you do not know if your memory can handle it.

Skyscraper wrote:

jcarvalho wrote:

:happy: I have some unofficial bios based on 1008(latest and present on MB), but I am a little scared to use them.. http://foru […]
Show full quote

😀 I have some unofficial bios based on 1008(latest and present on MB), but I am a little scared to use them..
http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?349979 … =62#post3095488
1008mod2a cpc on

1008mod2a cpc off

1008mod3 cpc on

1008mod3 cpc off
I dont knpow what is cpc and what to choose, and dont know if i can reach 200*11 stable with one of those listed above

CPC is a memory setting and stands for "command per clock", it's the same as "1T" command rate.

Do not use a BIOS with "CPC on" if you do not know if your memory can handle it.

😊 Thanks! will give a try on mod3 cpc off. Will post feedback... I am loving this build... will post some photos after

small update:
with moded bios i can go to 195*11 vcore:1.8v
need better ram modules

another update:
On-board sound disabled, now with audigy 2 zs

jcarvalho wrote:

small update:
with moded bios i can go to 195*11 vcore:1.8v

What is your PCI / AGP frequency? Do you have a PCI/AGP fix setting in BIOS? I cannot see something in the Asus A7N8x manual.

Without a "fix-function" of PCI/AGP, your PCI clock is 39MHz and AGP is 78MHz, right?

melbar wrote:

jcarvalho wrote:

small update:
with moded bios i can go to 195*11 vcore:1.8v

What is your PCI / AGP frequency? Do you have a PCI/AGP fix setting in BIOS? I cannot see something in the Asus A7N8x manual.

Without a "fix-function" of PCI/AGP, your PCI clock is 39MHz and AGP is 78MHz, right?

Hi! can you teach me?
I have AGP frequency set to AUTO, but I can change it from 50 to 100 mhz
I dont see a menu with pci/agp
I add to lower 195*11 to 175*12.5 because I couldn't launch unreal II, but windows booted fine. Got some agp errors in a log file tath unreal 2 displays on screen

This is what i also see in the manual: AGP AUTO, or manual values of AGP frequency.

Normally, the PCI and also the AGP speed (2 times the PCI clock) is dependent from the FSB you choose.
With later chipset's, it was possible to fix the PCI/AGP clock to default values.
Would be interesting what values (PCI and AGP) you have on FSB195.

For example the intel BX440 chipset supports only 100MHz FSB, whereas the VIA apollo pro supports FSB133.

Divider for intel BX440 chipset is 3.0 :
100.00MHz (FSB) / 3 = 33.334MHz (PCI clock) - inside specification
133.33MHz (FSB) / 3 = 44.443MHz (PCI clock) - overclocked

Divider for VIA apollo pro chipset is 3.0 @100FSB and 4.0 @133FSB :
100.00MHz (FSB) / 3 = 33.334MHz (PCI clock) - inside specification
133.33MHz (FSB) / 4 = 33.333MHz (PCI clock) - inside specification

Divider for Nforce2 -Ultra 400 chipset is 5.0 @166FSB and 6.0 @200FSB :
166.67MHz (FSB) / 5 = 33.334MHz (PCI clock) - inside specification
200.00MHz (FSB) / 6 = 33.333MHz (PCI clock) - inside specification

You can check the clock speed with tools which were available back in the day, for example everest home edition: (see option -motherboard)

Hi guys! System is running fine 11x200 FSB, this barton is acting like an 3200+ and running like a champ, the instability and BSOD were due a DDR module, now running with only 1GB but stable, waiting to arrive a killer deal for 2 x 1GB Kingston HyperX, VCORE 1.8v