Geforce4 and Abit KG7!

[Rebel 304]

Hi there,

does anyone know which BIOS settings increase performance or are optimal for this Combo? :confused:

There are many options in the Chipset menu :)

with regards

R304

[mdzcpa]

Rebel 304:

The AGP Driving Control settings under the Chipset Driving Control page are best left on defaults for the best chance of trouble free AGP use. However, myself and a few others came up with a group of settings that improved 3DMark2001SE scores and overclockability.

They are:
Driving Strength D8
Driving Slew Rate (rise) Slow
Drving Slew Rate (fall) Slow
Data Strength Strobes FF
Data Strobe Slew Rate (rise) Fast
Data Strobe Slewr Rate (fall) Fast

I would test these and see if they help. They did for me, but that was in a highly overclock situation (165 FSB for the KG7).

Again...the defaults work well too.

The other settings under Advanced Chipset Features are more important. Optimised would be:

AGP Aperture 128
AGP Fast Writes Enabled
AGP 4X
AGP Compensate Enabled

One nice thing is that fastwrites seems to work really well on the AMD 761 chipset mobos, unlike some other chipsets...I never had an issue with it on any KG7 and it's worth a little performance. So try it. As always, if you think it causes you trouble, just disabled it.

BTW, another way to really pick up on graphics performance is to improve the overall system bandwidth, so if you haven't already tried these settings...give them a shot. They are sure to improve memory bandwidth yet are very stable:


Starting with SDRAM Timing Setting-

Manual
16
8
8
2
6
2
1
2
2
2


Everything above should get you pretty opimised for that GF4:)

[Rebel 304]

Thanks my friend! :)

Now there's one question remaining!

I am using BIOS 9M ..it's the latest....I bought an AthlonXP..now I want to know if I have to change something in the chipset settings (BIOS)....something like CPU SLEW RATE....is this necessary? and what does this setting do?

thanks

again!

Rebel :>

[mdzcpa]

Originally posted by Rebel 304

I am using BIOS 9M ..it's the latest....I bought an AthlonXP..now I want to know if I have to change something in the chipset settings (BIOS)....something like CPU SLEW RATE....is this necessary? and what does this setting do?



There have been reports of needing to adjust the Slew Rate to get the XPs to run with stability on the KG7, but that is far more the exception than the rule. I've personally had no trouble at all running the XP on any KG7.

But, if you think you are experiencing instability due to the new XP processor, changing the Slew Rate to 6 or 7 usually solves the issue quickly. All the Slew Rate does is adjust the timing of when a certain amount of current is available to charge a capacitance somewhere in the CPU. That's not an exact definition, but close enough for our uses. It needs to be changed sometimes as Abit has everything tuned aggressively in there BIOS for performance, and the XP processors sometimes fall just slightly outside the range the mobo provides at default BIOS settings.

[Rebel 304]

Hi,

In 3DMARK2001 i have 9400 points....is this ok?

Don't have touched the Bios yet:

AGP Aperture size is -----> 128MB

Cas Latency is -----> 2

Super Bypass ENABLED

Memory to Turbo

FWrites and SBanding ENABLED

AGP set 4X

------------------------------------------

so far now


my system:

AthlonXP 1800+
512 PC266 Ram Samsung CL2
Soundblaster Live
3COM NIC
WD 400BB HDD
Geforce 4 TI4400

[mdzcpa]

For an XP 1800 and a Ti 4400 that is indeed a very good score.

Your setting look good. Those custom memory settings i have posted above may score you a few more points if you care to try. Otherwise everything is set nicely.

You do have a good score, so if it's stable the way you are now...remember these settings and come back to them if you need to.

Lookin good:)

[Rebel 304]

I have flickering textures and polygons under Direct3D....this seems to be related to either Sideband Adressing or Fastwrites.....what do you think? :confused:

[mdzcpa]

Are you overclocking the video card? If so, back it down and check it again.

Otherwise, disable FW and SB one at a time and see what helps:)

[Rebel 304]

NO, I don't overclock.

Can u tell me how the cooling system of the GF4 works?

PNY VERTO GF4 TI4400 (NVIDIA REFERENCE DESIGN)

[mdzcpa]

Here's a PIC (http://www.dicom.com.pl/products/pny_cards/verto_g4_ti4400/verto_g4_ti4400.htm) so everyone can see it.

Yep..that is the reference design as you said. The stock HSF unit is basic. The fan moves air over the GPU heatsink keeping it cool, while the heatsink design itself directs air flow over the memory.

Works ok if you're not overclocking much.

[Rebel 304]

Strange....it blows the air over the memory towards the front of the tower......isn't that the wrong direction?

I have only a front fan and a fan which is blowing air to the GPU

[mdzcpa]

The airflow for that video card will run independent of your case flow. All the vid card HSF is doing is moving a tiny amount of air over the GPU and the vid card memory. As long as your general case airflow is good, the vid card HSF will be effective (for an OEM HSF anyway).

[Rebel 304]

Hi again,

I think I am doing something wrong setting up my system.

I will tell you how I install the OS.

First some Information:

Specs:

Athlon XP1800+
KG7-Raid (Bios 9M + HP 2.1024 + driver=2.32Beta)
2x256MB Samsung DDR (PC2100) =512MB
PNY Verto GF4 TI4400 (Detonator 30.30)
Soundblaster Live Player 1024 (Latest drivers)
3COM 905B 10/100Mbit LAN (for DSL)
Western Digital WD400BB on Highpoint
Pioneer DVD-116 on Primary IDE (VIA)


BIOS:

CPU values all default.
CPU Slew Rate to 7 (as recommended)
AGP to 4X
Fastwrites ON
Sidebanding ON
AGP-Size=128MB
the other AGP features are default and are the ones you recommended.
Memory runs in Turbo Mode (a bit more agressive, I tweaked the timings :)) and CL2 without problems.
Primary IDE runs a DVD-116 from Pioneer



How I set up the system:

All cards have their own IRQ, don't share anything.


Windows98:

Starting setup as normal. Windows configures and after a short time it boots for the first time.

Now I install the AMD761 APG driver 4.80 for Windows98 and reboot. Then I install the VIA 4in1 4.29 (supplied with the KG7-CD), but don't install the VIA AGP since I have a AMD NBridge.
Rebooting again, installing the Detonators, rebooting :rolleyes:
installing sound card drivers, Highpoint and all the other network cards. Finally installing Directx8.1.
The NIC ist automatically installed by Windows.

WindowsXP: There I only install the AMD 5.33 AGP driver.

That's it :)


If you have the time, can you tell me or explain how you exactly set up the KG7? :confused:


Many thanks

[mdzcpa]

Rebel 304:

It would be very helpful if you indicated what type of trouble you are having and why you beleive your set up is wrong.

But, even without that info, here are some suggestions.

If you have Win XP, that should be the OS you use. It is far more stable and trouble free than Win 98.

Next, I see your biggest problem may be running that Highpoint 2.32 driver with the older 1204 BIOS...not good! The BIOS and driver should be matching. Sometimes you can get away with them being different (eg running the 1024 BIOS with the 1019 driver) but they need to be real close.

For all new KG7 set ups I use a very specific BIOS and driver combo that has been very successful for me. I suggest that you flash the BIOS to a modded 68 with the 1203 Highpoint BIOS and then use the matching 1203 driver. This combo has been 100% successful for me:)

I have both files (modded KG7 68 BIOS with the 1203 Highpoint BIOS, and the 1203 Highpoint driver) if you want me to email them to you.

If you choose not to flash your BIOS, you must use the 1019 Highpoint driver that comes with that 1024 Highpoint BIOS. Do not use any 2.X series drivers with the 1024 BIOS.

So for a fresh Win XP install do the following:

Configure Hardware-
Put the SB Live in PCI slot 2 or 3 (leaving the other empty)
Put the 3Com in PCI slot 4 or 6 (leaving the ohter empty)
Leave PCI slots 1 and 5 empty

Put memory in Slots 4 and 3 (DIMM slots furthest from the CPU)

Flash the BIOS if you choose

Set the BIOS to Optimised Defaults for now. Set the CPU to XP 1800. Disable any unused serial ports.

Format the HD and fresh Install Win XP with all cards in the system (no need to press F6 for the Highpoint driver if you do not plan on using RAID). Let Win XP use it's default drivers.

Once that is done, go to the Hardware Device manager and update the RAID/SCSI controller to the 1203 driver if you flashed the BIOS, or the 1019 driver if you stayed with the Official 9M BIOS with the embedded 1024 Highpoint BIOS).

Do not install the AMD AGP driver under Win XP...it causes more trouble than it fixes.

Go to the Win XP update center and get all the critical updates installed. Also pick the other updates you feel youmight need. Get all that installed.

Everythong should be running fine now using XP defualt drivers for everything exept the Highpoint controller.

Go back into the BIOS and use these settings:

Use the CPU Slew rate of 7 only if you are experiencing instabilites at this point. If not...leave it at default.

Under Advanced chipset settings-

Set SYS BIOS CACH, VID RAM CACH, and MEM HOLE to disabled

Choose chipset driving control ...then enter these:
Control cpu : manual
7 (fastest)
09
07
manual
D8
slow
slow
FF
Fast
Fast
Manual
3
3
1
0
Manual
3
3
1
0
Manual
3
3
1
0

Press escape

Set AGP Aperture at 128

Now continuing on this page, starting with AGP Secondary Lat Timer, the settings are as follows :

Secondary Lat Timer : 20h
Fast Writes : enabled
4X
Enabled
Disabled
Enabled
2
0
Manual
16
8
8
2
6
2
1
2
2
2

I highly suggest the above memory settings versus using "Turbo".

Reboot and confrim everything is working fine.

Next, download the most current WHQL certified detonator for your video card and update the driver.

Your done:)

[Rebel 304]

:) It's working better. I was just surprised that Serious Sam SE ran with the GF2 better, so I thought something is wrong here.

Thanks brother!

There is still one big problem with WinXP.

The mouse :(

The reaction is slow, let's say laggy and I couldn'T fix this, therefore I use Win98 for FPS games.

I have an Microsoft Intellimouse Optical and I am using the latest software. It is connected to the PS2.

thanks

R304

[sptw]

Did you try USB port with your Intellimouse?

[Rebel 304]

Originally posted by sptw
Did you try USB port with your Intellimouse?

Well, sometimes the USB "crashes", seems like no power is coming out, very strange. :(

[sptw]

I know what you mean Rebel.I had the same kind of problem before, and the only solution was to use a USB hub.BTW, you said that you installed the latest software for intellimouse, did you try to let windows recognize it using default drivers, without to install the software?

[lechumbl]

Hi Rebel304,

Agree with sptw, try the onboard drivers. They are usually better than the stock ones that you get with the hardware.

Take care.......

[mdzcpa]

Don't forget to change your Highpoint driver too. Using that 2.3x driver with the 1024 BIOS can cause a lot of trouble. Using the wrong Highpoint driver with the win2k kernal can cuase mouse jitter, mouse freezes, and all sorts of weird stuff.

It may not be the sure fix, but is something that I would do as part of the trouble shoot process.

[Rebel 304]

Originally posted by mdzcpa
Don't forget to change your Highpoint driver too. Using that 2.3x driver with the 1024 BIOS can cause a lot of trouble. Using the wrong Highpoint driver with the win2k kernal can cuase mouse jitter, mouse freezes, and all sorts of weird stuff.

It may not be the sure fix, but is something that I would do as part of the trouble shoot process.

Yes :) It fixed the problem! :)

No I have the same bios and drivers :)

Thanks my friend and keep up the good work :)

[mdzcpa]

Glad I could help:)

[lechumbl]

Hi Mike,

Get off the laptop.....you are on holiday!!:D

Enjoy what is left..............

[mdzcpa]

:o
Darn...didn't think anyone would notice:)

[Rebel 304]

Ok,

last problem :(

I get flickering textures and polygons in Direct3D games. Under OpenGL everything works fine.

I am using the Detonator'S 30.30 and DX8.1! ~:|
AGP4 X
FW, SB

The 29.42 didn't help either!

[mdzcpa]

I assume this is on the same machine with Win XP so correct me if I am wrong.

First, if your using those advanced AGP BIOS settings under Chipset Driving Control I mentioned, go back to default (AGP Driving Control set to AUTO) and see if that helps.

If not, disable SB and FW one at a time and see if it cures the problem. But leave these settings under Advanced Chipset Features:

AGP Aperture 128
AGP ISA Aliasing Enabled
AGP Secondary Lat Timer 20h
AGP FW Disabled
AGP Data Transfer x4
AGP Always Compensate Enabled

Remember, Sidebanding is only activated through a tweak program so you need to disabled it again through that program.

If no help, uninstall any tweak software (riva tuner, nvmax, etc), then reboot and uninstall the video driver...and reboot again. Let Win XP find the card and install it's default driver.

Let me know if that helps. We'll get things tweaked to a better driver later after we get the flashing polys fixed.

[Rebel 304]

Unfortunately, Sidebanding is "default" enabled and can't be disabled. Tried Powerstrip, but it crashes ~:|

Well, I will try the other settings now.

Didn't try your AGP tweakings now, AGP was always @AUTO!

[Rebel 304]

Set AGP to D8....worked better but not good enough!


Disabled SIDEBANDING with NVMAX....now everything works as it should be :)

A troublefree system :))


Do I have any noticable performance loss with SIDEBANDING DISABLED? :confused:


FAST WRITES IST STILL ENABLED AND WORKS! :) :)

P.S.: LIQUID NINJAS 4EVER!!!! :walkies:

[mdzcpa]

Rebel,

I'm so glad to hear everything is working out :D

The performance loss without sidebanding is miniscule. Don't even think about sweating it.

Certainly leave fastwrites on if it isn't causing you any trouble.

Enjoy your troublefree system...it should be rockin' now:) And if you think we did a good job helping you out here at LiquidNinjas...spread the word please! We're always looking for new members to share ides with.

[Rebel 304]

Originally posted by mdzcpa
Rebel,

I'm so glad to hear everything is working out :D

The performance loss without sidebanding is miniscule. Don't even think about sweating it.

Certainly leave fastwrites on if it isn't causing you any trouble.

Enjoy your troublefree system...it should be rockin' now:) And if you think we did a good job helping you out here at LiquidNinjas...spread the word please! We're always looking for new members to share ides with.

In every forum I am, the URL of Liquidninjas is in my signature :) :)

I am trying to spread it as good as I can :)
Unfortunately most friends are in Germany, but their english is sufficient :) Will tell them too :)


Last question:

the AGP settings:

D8
slow (set to "fastest": more performance?)
slow (set to "fastest": more performance?)
FF
Fast (set to "fastest": more performance?)
Fast (set to "fastest": more performance?)


It runs rockstable with the fastest settings, of course FAST WRITES is ON!

[mdzcpa]

Originally posted by Rebel 304

the AGP settings:

D8
slow (set to "fastest": more performance?)
slow (set to "fastest": more performance?)
FF
Fast (set to "fastest": more performance?)
Fast (set to "fastest": more performance?)



Nope...it doesn't work that way with these settings. These settings adjust signal strength, strobe, and slew rate. The key here is the combination of settings where everything works together. I would highly recommend using either the defaults, or the settings above. I've tried many other combinations but have not had nearly the success of the above settings ( and the default ones as second best).

[Rebel 304]

mmmkay, so I will take your settings :)

BTW have you read my question about the sound cards?

HERE (http://www.liquidninjas.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=876)