EP-9NDA3J/+: some questions before buy it...

[Wales]

Hi all! I need a 939AGP mainboard, and I prefer - at the moment - this Epox 9nda3j/+ to DFI NF3 or MSI NEO2 (too unstable and difficul to setting up)...
I have to change my "fantastic" 8rda, xp1700+@2600+ (2080Mhz)...

I have some specific questions:

1 - Has been fixed the "fastwrites ON bug"? I have an X800XT PE AGP and (at least on my 8rda) "she" requires FastWrites ON for let me play at SimBin's GTR (FIA-GT simulation)... Otherwise, game crashes!

2 - I have also a Pinnacle PCTV PCI card... Someone has one installed on his 9nda3? Everything is ok?

3 - I have read that this 9NDA3 does not support 3.3 or 12v monitoring... Is it true? Then: are USDM surveys reliable? I hate bad monitoring... Voltages and temp of my 8rda with USDM are perfect!

4 - I have an Antec TP-430W PSU... Do you know any problem? I have read about some probs with Antec 550W or another PSU (don't remember)...

5 - Is it correct to set AGP frequency to @67Mhz from 66Mhz to lock PCI/AGP bus properly?

6 - Are still any problems with USB ports?

7 - Are still problems with 512mb sticks? I have 2*512 V-data PC3200... Not for overclock... I hope to run asynchronous...

8 - Is it true that dimm slots 1 and 2 don't like 2x512MB (dual channel)?

9 - I know the hardware difference (2 Marwell external sata and firewire) but... Is better the "3+" or the "3J"?

How many questions! Sorry...
Thanks for the support! I hope that you answer to all my questions in order to tranquilize me... Maybe recently bioses have fixed all! I'm very happy with my 8rda, and I hope that I will be also with 9NDA3!


Hi all!

Tnx in advance and sorry for my english! I'm from Italy!

[danrok]

4 - I have an Antec True Blue 480w which works just fine.

5 - Seems to make no difference if I have it at 66 or 67. So, I'm assuming it locks fine at 66mhz.

6 - Not had any USB problems myself.

8 - I don't have any issues with 2x512mb in dual.

9 - The + and J are much the same board as far as overclocking is concerned. If you don't need the extra + features then save your money and get the J.

[CX23882-19]

1 - No problems with FW On with my X800XL
2 - Not sure about the Pinaccle, but various Hauppauge cards with BT878 and 88x chipsets are working fine
3 - In SpeedFan etc not all voltages are displayed. I don't see it as a huge problem.
7 - I have 2x 512MB Crucial PC3200 sticks and they work fine

[Lazgoat]

1) I have to have FW OFF for my 6800Ultra to work ok.

One thing to note is the location of the nVidia SATA connectors, they are right below the AGP slot so If your card is long (like the 6800 for example) and has a large HSF (as they most likely do) then using these SATA connectors can be a problem. I can't get to the nVidia SATA ports with my 6800Ultra in place using the supplied SATA cables. I might be able to if I used ones that were shaped 90deg, so I'm using the Marvell SATA ports at the moment.

[danrok]

SATA cables with right-angle connectors would do it.

[Lazgoat]

Originally Posted by danrok

SATA cables with right-angle connectors would do it.

Are there any differences between the Marvel SATA controller and the Nvidia? I've only just plugged the drive in, so if the nVidia one offers better/more reliable performance then I'll order a right-angled SATA lead.

[danrok]

The Marvel one doesn't lock.

[Wales]

Very good! Thank you very much! All my questions aswered...

I hope not to have problems with GTR (FW on/off)...

Thank you again and see you! If other questions come me in mind, I'll post!


Oh! Another question! Is the bundle in "3+" and "3J" the same? (bracket, ports, accessories, software, etc.)


Ciao!

[danrok]

Originally Posted by Wales

Oh! Another question! Is the bundle in "3+" and "3J" the same? (bracket, ports, accessories, software, etc.)

I believe so.

[CX23882-19]

I had the full set of "goodies" with my 3J.

[Lazgoat]

Originally Posted by danrok

The Marvel one doesn't lock.

Would that have any effect if I ran a HTT of 250+ say?

[EPoX Tech]

Originally Posted by Wales

Very good! Thank you very much! All my questions aswered...

I hope not to have problems with GTR (FW on/off)...

Thank you again and see you! If other questions come me in mind, I'll post!


Oh! Another question! Is the bundle in "3+" and "3J" the same? (bracket, ports, accessories, software, etc.)


Ciao!

The 3+ has even more goodies...... Screwdrivers and kitchen sink so to speak...........

[Wales]

Originally Posted by EPoX Tech

The 3+ has even more goodies...... Screwdrivers and kitchen sink so to speak...........

What lacks in this 3+ bundle list?

Motherboard
CD with software and drivers
User manual in English + brief installation instruction
Two "aerodynamic" ATA-133 cables, FDD cable
Two SerialATA cables + 2 power switches
Bracket with 2 extra USB2.0 ports
Bracket with 2 extra Firewire ports
Bracket with COM2 and GAME ports
PowerPack: brand screwdriver
PowerPack: a set of heatsinks for MOSFETs
Epox sticker
Case back gag

Are the heatsinks so important for mosfets? Do they make the difference?
Why don't Epox install those heatsink on any 9NDA3?


Tnx again!

[jnansley]

My screwdriver from my 8RDA3+ Pro is nifty But not worth the price difference in and of itself

I *think* the conclusions you can draw from the MOSFET sinks not being applied at the factory is that Epox Tech's do not deem them necessary for the life of the board under OEM usage or reasonably-sane overclocking - and the question has arisen before as to whether attaching heatsinks to epoxy packaging is more or less effective than simply directing airflow.

I personally will be pointing a 40mm fan at my unheatsinked MOSFET's (and capacitors) whenever I get around to reassembling my watercooling loop (with a new airtight reservoir so I won't grow penicillin this time )

[Lazgoat]

Originally Posted by jnansley

I personally will be pointing a 40mm fan at my unheatsinked MOSFET's (and capacitors) whenever I get around to reassembling my watercooling loop (with a new airtight reservoir so I won't grow penicillin this time )

Get some Redline Water Wetter in with your Distilled water and you should be safe from most/all Algae! I've not had a problem yet....over 1 year with the same water/RLWW mix.....

[Shocky]

I would recommend another motherboard partly because I would have difficultly buying memory for this board due to the compatibility issues with 1t. If I was to buy memory I would want it confirmed to work by someone I trust.

[Wales]

Originally Posted by Shocky

I would recommend another motherboard partly because I would have difficultly buying memory for this board due to the compatibility issues with 1t. If I was to buy memory I would want it confirmed to work by someone I trust.

Oh... I read a review saying that this mobo has great compatibility with various modules of ram...

I don't want a large/exaggerated overclocking, so I will use the actual "poor" V-data PC3200 in asynchronous...

What's the approx performance difference between 1T to 2T?

Hope well...


Ciao!


P.S: could someone post a screenshot like mine with 9NDA3 & USDM? Tnx!

[jnansley]

Originally Posted by Lazgoat

Get some Redline Water Wetter in with your Distilled water and you should be safe from most/all Algae! I've not had a problem yet....over 1 year with the same water/RLWW mix.....

Yes, as a matter of fact, that is what I use. It makes for a very interesting smell when it's mixed with random white floating spores which are apparently immune.

I also tried mixing in a dose of isopropyl alcohol on a monthly basis after the second time I had to flush/fill (and I used a bit of bleach for the flushing.) Didn't seem to help either.

The reservoir I was using was not airtight, despite my best efforts to make it so. I know that is the problem. I have a new one to put fittings on (try the thrift store ), and just got some 120mm fans to replace my 92mm ones.

[swiharta]

Man, I don't know what to tell you. I think the 9nda3+/j are well made and don't seem to be "dieing" like the MSI's seem to after some time. I have no idea why but I see posts all the time with people saying "my Neo2 just died, looking for another board." But I think the memory compatibility and ability to run 1t and high frequency RAM might be better with the Neo2 than the 9nda3 series. This is just based on reading forums and stuff, not any experience with the Neo2.

I will say that I also have some difficulty running 1t at higher frequencies on my 9nda3+ (>220mhz). But I don't have any other board to compare it with so I will never really know what the RAM is capable of until I upgrade.

The thing that really ticks me off the most about this board is that RAM slots 1&2 DEFINITELY work much worse than the slots 3&4. Now I'm not using 4 RAM sticks, just 2x512. Maybe its because they are double-sided, but I don't see this kind of inferior RAM slots phenomenon on other boards, including the Neo2.

About USB, yes there are some issues with SOME of the sockets randomly not working after a reboot. You just have to reinsert them to get them to work again. This doesn't seem to be affecting everyone however, so I'm guessing its a power issue maybe, related to the PSU and voltages, but I know nothing.

I've attached the pic of USDM with my 9nda3+, I have my CPU vcore set at +0.175v (from the assumed baseline 1.4v for Winchesters) but the 9nda3+ seriously undervolts the vcore, so even with +0.175v, the USDM is only reporting just over 1.5v!

Oh, and I would definitely just get the 9nda3j if I were you. Exact same thing as the 9nda3+ minus the FW and SATA (ports that are unlocked anyways and basically useless if you OC). The firewire bracket takes up a PCI slot; it would have been nice if they had integrated a FW port into the back panel next to the USB ports, but the way it is now, I'd just get a nice Texas Instruments chipset FW PCI card if you need FW to go with your 9nda3j.

Let us know if you have any more concerns.

[BarrySWE]

I had USb issuie. when i cut the power off a long period unplug the computer. he dident find the mouse have to unplug it from usb and insert again..
but i solved it by connecting it to the Extra usb ports..