Help with Epox mobo and k6-3

[Alfie]

Motherboard is Epox mvp3g2 with AMd k6-3 400mhz.
What are the optimal settings in bios to enable agp 2x,and what are the best parameters to overclock the k6-3.
Board has multiple bus speeds.
Has anyone had success with overclocking this board?
Any suggestions?

[Wombat]

Sorry Alfie,
It's nearly impossible go get AGP 2x on a SS7 board. Even those that did it needed a lot of luck.
However, it's really not a big deal. You wouldn't notice a difference between 1x and 2x.

Overclocking:
You shouldn't need to go .2v or .3v over the standard voltage for your CPU. Anything over that, and your chances are slim-to-none that you'll be able to push it further.
If you OC - get a GOOD fan, and some thermal paste. I use a GlobalWin fan myself, and it works wonders. I got it from http://www.computernerd.com/
What speed is your CPU? If it's a 450, I don't like your odds. 500 has been hard even for AMD to reach w/ the K6 design. If it's a 400, try 4.5x100, or 4.0x112. Good luck.

Wombat


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K6-2/350@400, 503+ rev 1.2a, 128MB PC100 RAM, Millenium G200, RH6.1 w/ 2.2.12-20, Win98, and too many classes

[RAB]

Hi Alfie,
I have a MVP3G5 (2 meg) and a K6III-450 with 128 megs of generic PC100. Overclocking is not too easy with the 450 like Wombat says, but AGP 2x is automatic. No need to use registry hacks. Thats one thing about Epox boards thats better than the other boards.

At 450 (4.5x100) I can use CAS at 2 and the other memory timings at their fastest settings. This gives me better 3dMark2000 scores that are generally better than Celeron 300s @ 450. I have gotten it to 500 (5x100) but had to use CAS at 3, slow memory timing and 2.7 volts. I never ran any benchmarks at 500 because it looked slower than 450 with the faster memory settings. Also, I didn't like having to use such a high voltage even though the temp was still in the 40's C. I've heard of using 2.8 volts, but that's uncomfortably high.

BTW, the Epox temp and fan speed utility is great. Just delete it from the Startup folder in Windows, though, unless you want it to run at start up. It will still be available through Control Panel

I never could get 112 FSB to work, but this might be a limit of the generic PC100. This memory might also be why 500 is a problem.

These are wonderful boards. Far more stable than my old FIC. (Wombat, if you can hold out for the Epox K7 KX133 board next month(?), I think you would be much happier with it than the current Microstar). The one jumper settings for FSB and multiplier are a real convenience. The locations of the cable sockets are also ideal.

Sorry this turned into a mini review, but I think you can see that I'm very happy with it.

RAB

[Wombat]

Next month?

The problem is that I don't have any computer right now, and I have to do some programming in the coming weeks.
Maybe I'll just buy the MSI from someone w/ a good restocking policy.

[Alfie]

Thanks for the replies.
Have tried the two settings yousuggested Wombat,but no go,just frightening messages such as, windows is corrupted you'll have to reinstall,etc.
I suspect the problem there is udma66 and perhaps it's more sensitive than normal setups.
Rab,I still can't get agp2x (g200)and suspect bios settings ,they're a little more than I'm used to!If it's not much to ask could you shed a little light on them or guide me to someplace that has more info besides enable- disable!
I agree it's one cool board stable and I'm well pleased with the zip of the k6-3.
Supposedly,a 500 mhz k6-3 .18 micro is due out next month.
However that maybe the limit(remains to be seen)
Wombat doesn't Azzo sell the msi?
They're a good company,and I'm sure they meet your requirements(besides you've got an in through Greebe!)

[RAB]

Sorry Alfie, I've got a G400 and didn't realize you had a G200. Its always been a problem to get 2x on a G200 on every board. I had heard that some were getting 2x on Epox boards (and only Epox boards) without registry hacks. But I guess your G200 will not. I've never tried the hacks, but they are on the MURC home page.

For overclocking, go into bios and look at the Chipset Features. The CAS setting is actually labeled SDRAM Cycle Length. 2 is the fastest setting and 3 is "normal". You might need to use 3 to overclock. The other memory setting to look at is the Bank 0/1 DRAM timing. Set this to "Turbo" at normal CPU speeds for fastest memory. You might have to set it to "Normal" to overclock. "Fast" is really the normal setting.

The best explanation of VIA chipset bios settings I've found are here. But they are not too much better than the motherboard manual. Print it out and put it in your manual for reference.

Hope this helps. I just got a new Epox EP-MVP3C2 Baby AT to replace my broken FIC 503+. It will use the old K62-350 and G200 on my second computer. I plan to set it up tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes. I'll let you know if I can get 2x.

RAB

[Wombat]

Thanks Alfie,
But if you check out Azzo's prices, you'll find that they are VERY high. Usually 33%-100% above the competitions'.

[Alfie]

See what you mean Wombat:
Try here, good company,good reputation,good prices http://www.paragoncomp.com/cgi-bin/enhanced
Thanks,Rab,off to bios I go!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[RAB]

Alfie,
Sorry, but I can't tell you about 2x with the G200 yet. I thought it was my FIC that was broken, but when I replaced it with the Epox, I still can't boot. I put the CPU from my other working computer in and it still won't boot. Pulled out all the cards but the video and still no boot. Even tried an old VGA card and still nothing. I guess its a bad power supply. I measured the voltages on it and they are low, (4 and 10 instead of the normal 5 and 12) but the fans were all running so I thought the P.S. was OK, but I guess not. I'll get another tomorrow and see if that fixes it. Any other ideas. I don't think its a dead hard drive since I can't even boot from a floppy or even get to a bios screen.

RAB

[This message has been edited by RAB (edited 25 December 1999).]

[Alfie]

Bummer!
Must be power supply,sufficient power for fans,but not enough for system?
2x is of little importance now,just get your system up and running!
Good luck and Merry Christmas!!!