VOGONS


Best (Super) Socket 7 motherboard?

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Reply 120 of 151, by Sphere478

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rmay635703 wrote on 2021-11-25, 05:19:

I have owned a few super 7 boards that supported 512mb dimms the unstable SIS540 definitely worked with 512mb modules

A few didn’t explicitly support 512mb but did support high density and worked with 512mb modules.

I even had a super 7 with ddr but the onboard video and lack of slots made it not very useful

Which super 7 supported ddr?

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

Reply 121 of 151, by OMORES

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Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-25, 08:40:
rmay635703 wrote on 2021-11-25, 05:19:

I have owned a few super 7 boards that supported 512mb dimms the unstable SIS540 definitely worked with 512mb modules

A few didn’t explicitly support 512mb but did support high density and worked with 512mb modules.

I even had a super 7 with ddr but the onboard video and lack of slots made it not very useful

Which super 7 supported ddr?

Most advanced RAM a socket 7 motherboard could theoretically use is VC-SDRAM. (bandwidth is incresed by using virtual channels) SIS 540 chipset which was launched in 1999 is credited as VC-SDRAM capable, but I don't know in practice... I had an Epox EP-7KXA (slot A) which was for sure VC-SDRAM capable.

Reply 122 of 151, by Tetrium

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rmay635703 wrote on 2021-11-25, 05:19:

I have owned a few super 7 boards that supported 512mb dimms the unstable SIS540 definitely worked with 512mb modules

A few didn’t explicitly support 512mb but did support high density and worked with 512mb modules.

I even had a super 7 with ddr but the onboard video and lack of slots made it not very useful

As the Dutch would say, this sounds like monkeybread to me 🤣

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Reply 123 of 151, by Tetrium

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OMORES wrote on 2021-11-25, 09:24:
Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-25, 08:40:
rmay635703 wrote on 2021-11-25, 05:19:

I have owned a few super 7 boards that supported 512mb dimms the unstable SIS540 definitely worked with 512mb modules

A few didn’t explicitly support 512mb but did support high density and worked with 512mb modules.

I even had a super 7 with ddr but the onboard video and lack of slots made it not very useful

Which super 7 supported ddr?

Most advanced RAM a socket 7 motherboard could theoretically use is VC-SDRAM. (bandwidth is incresed by using virtual channels) SIS 540 chipset which was launched in 1999 is credited as VC-SDRAM capable, but I don't know in practice... I had an Epox EP-7KXA (slot A) which was for sure VC-SDRAM capable.

I wonder if anyone here has any actual VC-SDRAM?
I've known about its existence for over 10 years but as far as I'm aware, I never encountered any.

Whats missing in your collections?
My retro rigs (old topic)
Interesting Vogons threads (links to Vogonswiki)
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Reply 124 of 151, by BitWrangler

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When Anandtech tested VCSDRAM it was a whole 0.3 to 0.5 percent faster in one or two things and 5-7% slower in quake 2, so pretty much the best thing in PC hardware since the IBM PC Junior.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 125 of 151, by cyclone3d

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Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-25, 04:02:
cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-25, 03:14:
Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-24, 23:24:

needs two notches. those get harder to find the newer they are

Yep, All the ones I have have two notches 😀

Can you send a link? I can’t find anything faster than a 7600 for sale with two notches

7900GS on eBay right now - Not my sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526840774

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Pic of a 7950GT two notch

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The 7900GS and 7950GT cards I have are XFX. Only pictures I could find show a single notch.

I'll have to double check the cards I have but I am pretty sure they are all two notches - maybe I am mistaken. I'll post pics of them when I am back home.

Here is a youtube video that compares a bunch of different higher end AGP video cards that has a few of the 7x series that have two notches.
https://youtu.be/AFaC5JVSMPg

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Reply 126 of 151, by Sphere478

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cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-25, 23:21:
7900GS on eBay right now - Not my sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526840774 7900GS-Galaxy-two-notches.jpg […]
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Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-25, 04:02:
cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-25, 03:14:

Yep, All the ones I have have two notches 😀

Can you send a link? I can’t find anything faster than a 7600 for sale with two notches

7900GS on eBay right now - Not my sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526840774
7900GS-Galaxy-two-notches.jpg

Pic of a 7950GT two notch
7950GT-two-notches.jpg

The 7900GS and 7950GT cards I have are XFX. Only pictures I could find show a single notch.

I'll have to double check the cards I have but I am pretty sure they are all two notches - maybe I am mistaken. I'll post pics of them when I am back home.

Here is a youtube video that compares a bunch of different higher end AGP video cards that has a few of the 7x series that have two notches.
https://youtu.be/AFaC5JVSMPg

Too much, I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks!

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 127 of 151, by cyclone3d

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Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-26, 00:45:
cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-25, 23:21:
7900GS on eBay right now - Not my sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526840774 7900GS-Galaxy-two-notches.jpg […]
Show full quote
Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-25, 04:02:

Can you send a link? I can’t find anything faster than a 7600 for sale with two notches

7900GS on eBay right now - Not my sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526840774
7900GS-Galaxy-two-notches.jpg

Pic of a 7950GT two notch
7950GT-two-notches.jpg

The 7900GS and 7950GT cards I have are XFX. Only pictures I could find show a single notch.

I'll have to double check the cards I have but I am pretty sure they are all two notches - maybe I am mistaken. I'll post pics of them when I am back home.

Here is a youtube video that compares a bunch of different higher end AGP video cards that has a few of the 7x series that have two notches.
https://youtu.be/AFaC5JVSMPg

Too much, I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks!

Oh.. that price is cheap compared to what I have seen them listed for before. I've see the 7950GT listed for over $300 US before.

I got lucky and got all mine for really cheap.. most of them before prices started to go sky-high.

As for buying one for a really good price now, pretty sure your only real option is either getting extremely lucky on eBay or finding one at a recycler.

Yamaha modified setupds and drivers
Yamaha XG repository
YMF7x4 Guide
Aopen AW744L II SB-LINK

Reply 128 of 151, by cyclone3d

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Well, I was completely mistaken. Looked again at my 7800GS, 7900GS, and 7950GT cards and all of them only have a single notch.

In any case, it has already been proven that the Geforce 2 and Geforce 3 series are the fastest possible solution for Socket 7 due to newer drivers having too much overhead.
AMD K6 3DMARK, aiming for stars.

Yamaha modified setupds and drivers
Yamaha XG repository
YMF7x4 Guide
Aopen AW744L II SB-LINK

Reply 129 of 151, by Sphere478

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cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-28, 04:59:

Well, I was completely mistaken. Looked again at my 7800GS, 7900GS, and 7950GT cards and all of them only have a single notch.

In any case, it has already been proven that the Geforce 2 and Geforce 3 series are the fastest possible solution for Socket 7 due to newer drivers having too much overhead.
AMD K6 3DMARK, aiming for stars.

well, there are pics of ones with two notches so they must exist.

That’s wild that geforce 2 and 3 are the fastest…

Last edited by Sphere478 on 2021-11-28, 11:07. Edited 1 time in total.

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 130 of 151, by Tetrium

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Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-28, 05:36:
cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-28, 04:59:

Well, I was completely mistaken. Looked again at my 7800GS, 7900GS, and 7950GT cards and all of them only have a single notch.

In any case, it has already been proven that the Geforce 2 and Geforce 3 series are the fastest possible solution for Socket 7 due to newer drivers having too much overhead.
AMD K6 3DMARK, aiming for stars.

well, there are pics of ones with two notches so they must exist.

That’s wild that geforce 2 and 3 are the fasrest…

Well, putting a V800 engine into a lawnmower doesn't automagically make it teh fastast lawnmower in all of whooman history 😜

Whats missing in your collections?
My retro rigs (old topic)
Interesting Vogons threads (links to Vogonswiki)
Report spammers here!

Reply 131 of 151, by Sphere478

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Tetrium wrote on 2021-11-28, 10:01:
Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-28, 05:36:
cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-28, 04:59:

Well, I was completely mistaken. Looked again at my 7800GS, 7900GS, and 7950GT cards and all of them only have a single notch.

In any case, it has already been proven that the Geforce 2 and Geforce 3 series are the fastest possible solution for Socket 7 due to newer drivers having too much overhead.
AMD K6 3DMARK, aiming for stars.

well, there are pics of ones with two notches so they must exist.

That’s wild that geforce 2 and 3 are the fasrest…

Well, putting a V800 engine into a lawnmower doesn't automagically make it teh fastast lawnmower in all of whooman history 😜

Um, I’ve seen those. They are very quick…

You can drive it first though, I’ll watch from a tree.

After that last part I had to re read that in Quark’s voice.

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 132 of 151, by BitWrangler

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Tetrium wrote on 2021-11-28, 10:01:
Sphere478 wrote on 2021-11-28, 05:36:
cyclone3d wrote on 2021-11-28, 04:59:

Well, I was completely mistaken. Looked again at my 7800GS, 7900GS, and 7950GT cards and all of them only have a single notch.

In any case, it has already been proven that the Geforce 2 and Geforce 3 series are the fastest possible solution for Socket 7 due to newer drivers having too much overhead.
AMD K6 3DMARK, aiming for stars.

well, there are pics of ones with two notches so they must exist.

That’s wild that geforce 2 and 3 are the fasrest…

Well, putting a V800 engine into a lawnmower doesn't automagically make it teh fastast lawnmower in all of whooman history 😜

I'd say it's more like turbos, put a supercar turbo in a small hatchback and it makes it slower, hasn't got the CFM to spin it. Put the turbo from a hot hatchback in a supercar and it doesn't do much either, not big enough. Match the size of the turbo to the size of the engine and wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 133 of 151, by ruthan

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Only chance to make something newer than Geforce 3 faster, would be in theory hack some old drivers to support newer cards.. but its big maybe. I checked whole that AMD K6 Mark thread, but there not too much info, how big if any is difference between Geforce 2, Geforce 2 Ti, Geforce 2 GTS, Geforce 3 200, Geforce 500. There is only info that Voodoo 3 is not fast enough from 3D Mark 2000 point of view and Geforce FX 5xxx is slower because of bigger driver overhead and not tuned drivers for old AMD CPUs.

Im old goal oriented goatman, i care about facts and freedom, not about egos+prejudices. Hoarding=sickness. If you want respect, gain it by your behavior. I hate stupid SW limits, SW=virtual world, everything should be possible if you have enough raw HW.

Reply 134 of 151, by stef80

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Does anybody have more info on EPoX EP-51MVP3E-M. Good, bad or in-between? It has 1MB of L2 and supports K6-3+ / 127GB disks with latest bios.
It's either that or DFI K6XV3+/66 [512KB L2].

Reply 135 of 151, by Nemo1985

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I'd go with the epox, but maybe is one of the models with no support for bus >100 mhz.
The dfi is on par with the Epox only if you use the modded bios from Soggi, the stock bios is slower and it has less l2 cache.

Reply 137 of 151, by shamino

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stef80 wrote on 2022-04-25, 07:48:

Does anybody have more info on EPoX EP-51MVP3E-M. Good, bad or in-between? It has 1MB of L2 and supports K6-3+ / 127GB disks with latest bios.
It's either that or DFI K6XV3+/66 [512KB L2].

Never seen the DFI but I had that EpoX board many years ago. I liked it.
There's an AGP 1X/2X setting in the BIOS which is pretty convenient since AGP 2X doesn't work well on this chipset. My Tyan doesn't have that, I have to rely on a "safe mode" install option in the VIA chipset driver to get the same effect.
Epox made their jumpers simpler to figure out than a lot of boards.
They did use bad capacitors though, and at least on a slot-1 board I worked on they had weak transistors on the fan headers which burned out easily.

Reply 139 of 151, by PcBytes

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The best SS7 mobo I've had would be the LuckyTech P5MVP3 (aka SYE P5MVP3) that's usually seen in some Romanian retro SS7 builds. It's absolutely fast and well documented IMO.

The second best board I've used was Chaintech's 5AGM2, though beware as the PS/2 and USB header isn't standard.

DFI's P5BV3 and K6BV3 are also good ones (1MB cache!) but good luck, those usually had abysmal capacitors (not that any I've listed in my post have any better caps - the SYE board I have was originally filled with Jackons, and Chaintech has some "G-Cap" caps that I don' t really trust but currently am missing replacements for them due to their diameter.) compared to a few other mainboards I've usually seen. About half of the DFIs I've seen had badcaps, and the only one I was able to find again through my life, it was dead due to those caps, unfortunately - I say dead as not even after replacing them, I couldn't get the board to ever work again.

"Enter at your own peril, past the bolted door..."
Main PC: i5 3470, GB B75M-D3H, 16GB RAM, 2x1TB
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