Hello, everyone!
Here is a quick guide on how to get the most out of your AMD Athlon 64 Motherboard Equipped with the VIA K8T800 Chipset.
Increasing Memory Performance
Setting Command Rate @ System Startup
This Cannot Harm Your System
If you havn't noticed, while running a memory benchmark such as SiSoft Sandra, or Everest Home, you get memory speeds around 2400-2500 MB/ps, but you have PC3200 Ram! Bogus, but theres a fix. If you would like to see the before & after results, you can download Everest Home Free Edition Here.
First, click Here to download it. Make sure you place it in a folder on the desktop called "memfix."
Now, double click wpcrs120.exe. It will extract a few files.
Start InstDD.exe
Now, click Install. It will ask you to reboot. You don't have to yet, so just click "No."
Next, go into the folder where the extracted files are, again, and double click WPCRSET.exe.
Once it is open, first click Start so this enables itself when you reboot your machine/start your machine.
Then, click "Add."
Now, enter the following. This is crucial.
Bus: 0 Device: 24 Function: 2 | Register: 93 Data: 08
Then press "OK."
Then Press "OK" and it should ask you to restart. Press "Yes." If it doesn't, restart manually. Then run a memory benchmark again. (SiSoft Sandra, Everest Home) and see the improvement!
Power Supplies
Athlon 64 Power Requirements, It's not your Mom's Duron 800.
Crucial To A Stable Performing System!
Athlon 64 Processors generally require a lot of power. A few tips and guidelines apply, such as...
How Much, Configurations, Brands, etc.
A Wrong Configuration Can Cause System Instability, or a Non-Working System!
VIA K8T800 Chipsets are "OK" with memory, but can be quite picky. First off, it is not reccomended, but in some lucky cases, work. If you do decide to mix ram, it will most likely work if the chip layout is the same, stock timings are the same, and stock speed is the same.
Just a notice, Corsair XMS Series and VIA K8T800's Do not Play Well, with Eachother! :nutkick:
Ram Placement
If you have two sticks of DDR, it is reccomended you put them in slot's 1 & 3. Memory seems to be more stable in those slots. But just to make sure, first, put them in 1 & 2, because generally, you get better performance using 1 & 2. If it is just a little un-stable in 1 & 2, try raising your CAS Latency 0.5 Up. (Ex. CAS 2 to CAS 2.5)
Video Cards
Tip Top Performance Is Key!
Make Sure You Have All The Newest Drivers!
First off, it is reccomended for best compatibility and performance, you use an AGP 8x card. An AGP 4x card will work, but you will lose some performace.
The first thing to do when you set up Windows XP is to download VIA's 4 in 1 Hyperion Chipset Package. You can download them, Here. For the selection, choose "Chipset or Platform Driver."
After you have installed your Chipset drivers, and restarted, download the newest drivers for your video card! Select your corresponding video card maker, below, for the newest drivers.
nVidia ATi
In the BIOS, AGP Fast Writes should be enabled. AGP Aperature size, depends on amount of System Ram.
Generally,
RAM Aperature
256MB 64MB
512MB 128MB
768MB 128MB
1GB 256MB
1GB+ 256MB+
Some good overall ram for the VIA K8T800 Chipset would be...
Cases & Cooling
Reccomended Cooling Solutions
Don't Be A Fool; Keep It Cool!
First off, make sure you have a ATX Case (For ATX Sized MOBO's).
At the MINIMUM, you will need at least one, 80MM Case fan. If your case has a spot for it, the best position to have a fan, if you only have one, is in the front of the case, blowing into the case. You generally dont need as many exhaust fans, because all the high quality PSU brand's I listed above, have dual fans, so that works as an exhaust fan.
It is reccomened though, even with a dual fan PSU, to have one intake fan, and one exhaust fan.
When installing your CPU & Heatsink for the first time, follow these directions...
CPU & Heatsink, Including Thermal Paste/Pad Pre-Applied To Heatsink.
Never re-use thermal paste. Always apply fresh. Never use computer with no thermal paste between the CPU and Heatsink!
So There Ya Go! Enjoy!
Here is a quick guide on how to get the most out of your AMD Athlon 64 Motherboard Equipped with the VIA K8T800 Chipset.
Increasing Memory Performance
Setting Command Rate @ System Startup
This Cannot Harm Your System
If you havn't noticed, while running a memory benchmark such as SiSoft Sandra, or Everest Home, you get memory speeds around 2400-2500 MB/ps, but you have PC3200 Ram! Bogus, but theres a fix. If you would like to see the before & after results, you can download Everest Home Free Edition Here.
First, click Here to download it. Make sure you place it in a folder on the desktop called "memfix."
Now, double click wpcrs120.exe. It will extract a few files.
Start InstDD.exe
Now, click Install. It will ask you to reboot. You don't have to yet, so just click "No."
Next, go into the folder where the extracted files are, again, and double click WPCRSET.exe.
Once it is open, first click Start so this enables itself when you reboot your machine/start your machine.
Then, click "Add."
Now, enter the following. This is crucial.
Bus: 0 Device: 24 Function: 2 | Register: 93 Data: 08
Then press "OK."
Then Press "OK" and it should ask you to restart. Press "Yes." If it doesn't, restart manually. Then run a memory benchmark again. (SiSoft Sandra, Everest Home) and see the improvement!
Power Supplies
Athlon 64 Power Requirements, It's not your Mom's Duron 800.
Crucial To A Stable Performing System!
Athlon 64 Processors generally require a lot of power. A few tips and guidelines apply, such as...
- A High quality, well known power supply, such as Enermax, Antec, Tagan, PC Power & Cooling, OCZ.
- 350w+!!!! I cannot stress enough, with a mid-range video card, 350w Is the bare minimum with a PC featuring 2 HDD's and 2 Opticals.
- 400w+ For a PC with a high-end video card.
- ATX v2.0 Is Reccomended, even if your mobo is ATX v1.3.
- 20a On the +12v Rail OR MORE, NONE LESS. If You Have <20a And Your PC Works, DONT COUNT ON IT MUCH LONGER!
How Much, Configurations, Brands, etc.
A Wrong Configuration Can Cause System Instability, or a Non-Working System!
VIA K8T800 Chipsets are "OK" with memory, but can be quite picky. First off, it is not reccomended, but in some lucky cases, work. If you do decide to mix ram, it will most likely work if the chip layout is the same, stock timings are the same, and stock speed is the same.
Just a notice, Corsair XMS Series and VIA K8T800's Do not Play Well, with Eachother! :nutkick:
Ram Placement
If you have two sticks of DDR, it is reccomended you put them in slot's 1 & 3. Memory seems to be more stable in those slots. But just to make sure, first, put them in 1 & 2, because generally, you get better performance using 1 & 2. If it is just a little un-stable in 1 & 2, try raising your CAS Latency 0.5 Up. (Ex. CAS 2 to CAS 2.5)
Video Cards
Tip Top Performance Is Key!
Make Sure You Have All The Newest Drivers!
First off, it is reccomended for best compatibility and performance, you use an AGP 8x card. An AGP 4x card will work, but you will lose some performace.
The first thing to do when you set up Windows XP is to download VIA's 4 in 1 Hyperion Chipset Package. You can download them, Here. For the selection, choose "Chipset or Platform Driver."
After you have installed your Chipset drivers, and restarted, download the newest drivers for your video card! Select your corresponding video card maker, below, for the newest drivers.
nVidia ATi
In the BIOS, AGP Fast Writes should be enabled. AGP Aperature size, depends on amount of System Ram.
Generally,
RAM Aperature
256MB 64MB
512MB 128MB
768MB 128MB
1GB 256MB
1GB+ 256MB+
Some good overall ram for the VIA K8T800 Chipset would be...
- Corsair Value Select
- Kingston ValuRam
- GeIL Value
- Crucial
- OCZ
Cases & Cooling
Reccomended Cooling Solutions
Don't Be A Fool; Keep It Cool!
First off, make sure you have a ATX Case (For ATX Sized MOBO's).
At the MINIMUM, you will need at least one, 80MM Case fan. If your case has a spot for it, the best position to have a fan, if you only have one, is in the front of the case, blowing into the case. You generally dont need as many exhaust fans, because all the high quality PSU brand's I listed above, have dual fans, so that works as an exhaust fan.
It is reccomened though, even with a dual fan PSU, to have one intake fan, and one exhaust fan.
When installing your CPU & Heatsink for the first time, follow these directions...
CPU & Heatsink, Including Thermal Paste/Pad Pre-Applied To Heatsink.
- Insert CPU
- Latch Lever Down
- Angle Heatsink, and Clip on the side of the metal latch that doesnt have a spot for your screw driver.
- Place heatsink down into plastic heatsink bracket and wiggle into place.
- Push down on other side of metal latch and clip on to other plastic knotch.
- Push down black plastic safety lever.
- Insert CPU
- Latch Lever Down
- Put a small, BB Sized blob of thermal paste onto the middle of the IHS on the CPU. (IHS, Metal Plate on CPU called Integrated Heat-Spreader)
- Angle Heatsink, and Clip on the side of the metal latch that doesnt have a spot for your screw driver.
- Place heatsink down into plastic heatsink bracket and wiggle into place.
- Push down on the other side of the metal latch and clip on to the other plastic knotch.
- Push down black plastic safely lever.
Never re-use thermal paste. Always apply fresh. Never use computer with no thermal paste between the CPU and Heatsink!
So There Ya Go! Enjoy!
