VOGONS


First post, by The Serpent Rider

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Since I have both, might as well do some documentation.

Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 2.2 and 3.2.jpg
Filename
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 2.2 and 3.2.jpg
File size
992.48 KiB
Views
1444 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 2.2.jpg
Filename
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 2.2.jpg
File size
1.22 MiB
Views
1444 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 3.2.jpg
Filename
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 3.2.jpg
File size
1.3 MiB
Views
1444 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Compared to the previous revision, 3.2 has the following improvements:
- Additional NEC K3296 voltage regulator (2 vs 1)
- Better VRM coils
- Additional ultra low CPU voltage options (1.3-1.9v)
- Colored IDE connectors
- South bridge M1543C revision B1 (A1 on 2.2)
- Stepping D north bridge M1542 with integrated TAG RAM (optional, 512mb RAM cached)*
- Revision C1 M5819P IC chip (B1 on 2.2)
- More streamlined jumper configuration
- Different capacitor manufacturer: Hermei (3.2) vs Choyo + GSC (2.2)**

*Looks like revision 2.2 comes only with external cache, so only 128mb RAM can be cached on those.
**Looks like most early 3.2 boards with external TAG (stepping E NB) are still Choyo + GSC combo.

Last edited by The Serpent Rider on 2018-11-19, 18:25. Edited 1 time in total.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 1 of 9, by The Serpent Rider

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Did some further investigation and found photos of revision 1.1:

Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 1.1.jpg
Filename
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 1.1.jpg
File size
890.47 KiB
Views
1380 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 1.1 close.jpg
Filename
Gigabyte GA-5AA revision 1.1 close.jpg
File size
954.01 KiB
Views
1380 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Apart from the different PS/2 connector placement and 2-pin CPU fan, it's practically identical to the revision 2.2. Although maybe it doesn't support AMD K6Plus.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 2 of 9, by Sphere478

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Darn, I have the 2.2 version.

Have you had any issues with getting the thing to act right on the 100mhz fsb setting? I couldn’t get cd booting to work until I set fsb lower I have it at 66mhz now. But now am having floppy issues

Sphere's PCB projects.
-
Sphere’s socket 5/7 cpu collection.
-
SUCCESSFUL K6-2+ to K6-3+ Full Cache Enable Mod
-
Tyan S1564S to S1564D single to dual processor conversion (also s1563 and s1562)

Reply 3 of 9, by kinetix

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Hello my friend. Could you post a photo of the bottom of the rev2.2? if possible in detail the surroundings of the TC40 capacitor.
also, I have downloaded the motherboard manual. More specifically, two manuals, revision 2.2 and 3.2. Being the rev2.2 , this is the one I take as a guide. To test the board, instead of using the K6-2, as a "safety" measure I´m using a Pentium-166. BUT, the jumper/switch configuration in the manual and what is stamped on the board differ slightly!!
Which one do I believe?
also, In the stencil 0 (zero) is ON and X is OFF, as in the manual?

Reply 4 of 9, by dormcat

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Just spot one 2.2 at e-waste; will be back and add more details shortly.

EDIT: Huh, I can't remove this post after posting an updated reply. My bad.

Last edited by dormcat on 2023-11-02, 18:31. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 5 of 9, by dormcat

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
kinetix wrote on 2023-09-24, 02:18:

Hello my friend. Could you post a photo of the bottom of the rev2.2? if possible in detail the surroundings of the TC40 capacitor.

Here you go:

GA-5AA_TC40_front.jpg
Filename
GA-5AA_TC40_front.jpg
File size
1.08 MiB
Views
521 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0
GA-5AA_TC40_back.jpg
Filename
GA-5AA_TC40_back.jpg
File size
987.77 KiB
Views
521 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0

I had high hope of this SS7 MB, only to find at least three bulging capacitors. Unlike most bulges that crack the top with pre-carved indentations (cross, three-pronged star, or letter "K"), bulging capacitors on this MB go "downward."

GA-5AA_TC40_side.jpg
Filename
GA-5AA_TC40_side.jpg
File size
1.31 MiB
Views
521 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0

The TC40 was the worst one, followed by TC45 and TC44.

Should have grabbed that Epox EP-51MVP3E-M two years ago (sigh).

kinetix wrote on 2023-09-24, 02:18:

also, I have downloaded the motherboard manual. More specifically, two manuals, revision 2.2 and 3.2. Being the rev2.2 , this is the one I take as a guide. To test the board, instead of using the K6-2, as a "safety" measure I´m using a Pentium-166. BUT, the jumper/switch configuration in the manual and what is stamped on the board differ slightly!!
Which one do I believe?

I noticed that too. The manual gave Pentium 133-200 (w/o MMX) 3.5V but the official Vcore should be 3.3V. OTOH the manual gave Pentium-MMX the correct Vcore of 2.8V.

kinetix wrote on 2023-09-24, 02:18:

also, In the stencil 0 (zero) is ON and X is OFF, as in the manual?

Yes, those were based on East Asian mindsets. 😅 Gigabyte is a Taiwanese company after all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_mark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_mark

Reply 6 of 9, by kinetix

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

thank you so much. I already solved the problem a couple of weeks ago, the board is alive and well, even better, with the last stable BIOS. you can see here
Help with a Gigabyte GA-5AA rev 2.2
I also send some better images to theretroweb site
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/gigaby … -ga-5aa-rev-2.2

and yes, I replaced the five capacitor on the socket side, and a couple more

Last edited by kinetix on 2023-11-04, 01:26. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 7 of 9, by dormcat

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Glad to hear that. 😸

I really felt sorry for that MB I saw, as I don't have tools or expertise to recap it. 😿 I'll ask around if someone nearby has the skill.

Reply 8 of 9, by kinetix

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

just want to know, be really really sure. how are the holes of C40 on the top side. can you get an even closer image , like the third image but closer, looking that pace below the capacitor.
because i was never 100% sure if one was connected to the upper big vein

Reply 9 of 9, by dormcat

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
kinetix wrote on 2023-11-04, 01:29:

just want to know, be really really sure. how are the holes of C40 on the top side. can you get an even closer image , like the third image but closer, looking that pace below the capacitor.
because i was never 100% sure if one was connected to the upper big vein

I've already asked a skillful friend to replace those bulging caps.