Progress so far with the MSI K8N diamond plus

[sacha35]

Well this has some Great points and some bad:

Great points:

1.Adjust CPU FSB Frequency:

Youcanadjustthedesired"CPUFSBFrequency"byusing"+,key The default value of AMD Athlon™64 is 200MHz. The maximum value is 450MHz.

2.AMD Overclocking Configuration (CPU Ratio):

If the CPU is Athlon™64 FX series, the ratio range is from 4 to 25.

If the CPU is Athlon™64 series, the ratio should be set according to its model number. For example, the ratio range of 3000+ is from 4 to 9, and the 3200+ is from 4 to 10.

3.Adjust Extra CPU Voltage:

This is for adjusting CPU voltage while overclocking. Following the CPU default value, the maximum is 1.8V. The interval is 0.05V.

4.Adjust DDR Memory frequency:

The Memclock is the major part which has four different frequencies to match many kinds overclocking memory modules. The memory frequency settings includes DRAM/FSB=1/2, 2/3, 5/6, 1/1.

5.DDR Memory Voltage:

This is for adjusting memory voltage while overclocking. K8N Diamond Plus has a special design.We use jump to distinguish two level arrangement of voltage. In this way it can get maximum 4.1V for overclocking modules. As you can see the below pictures, the left one is the standard mode when jump hat is located at the top postion. The default value is 2.5V, and the maximum is 3.2V. The interval is 0.05V. As the right one, it is overclocking mode when jump hat is located at the under postion. The default value is 3.2V, and the maximum is 4.1V. The interval is 0.05V.

6.Cool running.

7.Good onbard sound.

8. plenty of space for add on cards.

One bad point at the moment but a bios update should fix the problem:

1. Double sided memory modules seem to be set to 2T and make it run at a defalt speed of 333MHz, but single sided memory models seem to be ok and can be set to 1T and run at defalt of 400MHZ.

Conclucion:

This is a great motherboard, the layout has plenty of room for PCi cards even when running with SLI instaled,the onbard sound is also very good as it uses the Creative sound Blaster Audigy SE audio,this is also a very cool running motherboard [this has been compaired to the ASUS A8N32]

The Temperature figuers listed are with the ASUS and MSI motherboards running at 2.6GHz at 1.35 volts with both cores underfull load using prime 95.and room Temperature of 22c.

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard Temperature: 38c, CPU Temperature: 38c-40c.

MSI K8N diamond plus motherboard Temperature: 36c, CPU Temperature: 30c-32c.

The Temperature figuers listed are with the ASUS and MSI motherboards running at 2.6GHz at 1.35 volts with no load

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard Temperature: 32c, CPU Temperature: 30c-32c.

MSI K8N diamond plus motherboard Temperature: 30c, CPU Temperature: 16c-17c.

These Temperature have been checked with two Independant sensors.

So to rap this post up now, all i can say is when this motherboard does get an updated BIOS it will be a real contender for the DFI motherboards.

 

[fatty]

The asus can run 2 16 x pcie slots in sli mode can the msi?? If not then you cant compair the two mobo's IMHO if it does run the two cards in 16x mode then it may be a contender

If not then you may as well compair it to the fatality board cos it runs ram in 2t mode as well

 

[sacha35]

Yes both motherboards do x16 for PCI-E.

• Supports two PCI Express x16 slot (supports PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a compliant)

• Supports two PCI Express x1 slots (support PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a compliant)

• Supports 1 PCI Express x4 slot interface, supports PCI Express x2 transfer rate

(supports PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a compliant)

• Two 32-bit v2.3 Master PCI bus slots (support 3.3v/5v PCI bus interface).

 

[fatty]

so in sli mode both cards will run 16 x nice

DFI need to do a 2 x 16 pcie that works

 

[maverik-sg1]

I like the MSI board - the Layout (apart from memory spacing) the voltage options - the fact that it overclocked my FX60 further than the DFI, it's all good.

Just a BIOS update away from being brilliant.

Mav

 

[chris_ah1]

Have you done this sort of analysis for every major board on the market?

So what order would you choose the top-end sli boards from MSI, DFI, Asus, Abit, Gigabyte, and Foxconn?

I guess MSI and DFI are at the top now and gigabyte probably at the bottom - but what about the rest?

 

[sacha35]

No just done on these two motherboards, at the moment i would say the asus can go higher, but as maverik has said once this MSI gets its BIOS update there be no stoping it.

 

[equilibrium]

Thats my biggest issue with asus board is the layout! Damn pci slots Its ok running an sli setup aslong as ure using the onboard sound but getting a sound card in there is a bi**h May consider changing mine to the msi as both of you are saying the same

DAve

 

[maverik-sg1]

Depends what you want really.

MSI has best of everything (voltage options, Layout, BIOS options) but lacks decent BIOS - so potentially the best you can get.

DFI has all of the above - the SLI DR and SLI D are stable (crappy layout) the EXPERT is great for all but phase (although it's still good, twitchy when u r on the edge though).

ASUS come in next (currently above MSI until BIOS issue is sorted) in the SLIx16 version, Premium os pretty good too - they all lack voltage options though and unless u are watercooling the PCI slots are not in the best place.

EPOX can be modded and are a solid choice, just bever made a real impact in SLI.

Gigabyte - bad layout, bad voltages, okay BIOS, not for overclocking though really (hope they do better with SLIx16)

ASrock have a new SLI board out based on the ULI1697 chipset which has potential with voltage mods - I'd choose this over the Gigabyte.

Can't think of any others worth mentioning.

 

[chris_ah1]

but dude - the layout on this msi board seems to be even worse - all you have room for is at most one sound card and that's it when using SLI.

So if you wanted sound+raid+TV card though you are going to have problems on any SLI board though I guess except for that expert thing.

ta for the rundown mav.

 

[sacha35]

Yes but this is far better than the asus A8N32 if you fit a PCI card in that motherboard useing SLI then it is so close to the video card it would make it overheat and if you have got watercooling like me then it will not fit at all, the asus A8N32 is a good motherboard apart from the udervoltage it has and lack of space and hot running but appart from that like i said it is a good motherboard

 

[chris_ah1]

aaah, i didn't realise it was that tight.

 

[sacha35]

Just a short one to show you all the temps without any load on running at 2.7GHZ.

 

[sacha35]

Hi all there seems a problem so far with the FSB going over 300MHZ, have spoken to MSI tec today and have been told that he will get onto headquarters and see wht they can do as he knows there is a updated bios in the pipeline also he knows of a overclockers bios that they have and may be able to send me a copy.

anyway have posted some pics again of FX55 chip and this motherboard, the temps are so good when you think i am in a room where it is 20-22c

 

[sacha35]

well guys motherboard has given up today, no post or anything just hangs, tried anouther chip in it and memory but still no post, so arfter 4 days its given up, look like the coms chip has failed, so RMA today to get refund looks like i will be going for the DFI now as i have had the ASUS Great board but not enough volts to the Chip, MSI Great board low temps but problem with the FSB going over 300MHZ, so it can now only be the DFI.

so what one should i go for the Expert or anouther, please recomend.

But i am looking at running SLI, the new 580 look good but i belive you nead ATI cards to run in SLI with the new 580 chip boards is this correct.

 

[maverik-sg1]

Sorry to hear that mate - you tried resetting the CMOS and/or removing the CMOS battery?

Anyhow the EXPERT is the board to have (twitchy on the ragged edge using phase though) - but general overlcocking its the one to have. Harcore phase overclocking - it has to be the SLI-DR (non-expert)

Mav

 

[sacha35]

Yes mate tried remvoing the batter and resting the coms button but no joy, anyway had fun with it, it is a great motherboard and it does sure run a lot cooler than most, just the problem with the FSB but i am sure the bios update will sort it out, anyway will go for the Expert and then see wat happens with the MSI bios updates so might get this motherboard again later.

Thanks again mate for your help.

 

[equilibrium]

sorry to hear about your board m8! Sounds like an excellent board tho Im gonna make my over to the expert from asus too! Good read i enjoyed it thx

Dave