EP-8KHA+ one pretty part!

[dimmreaper]

Just got my EP-8KHA+ in. If this works half as good as it looks, it will kick arse. A few things stood out about the board(when you have seen as many boards as I have, it says a lot when stuff stands out):

1. Plenty of capacitance to go around(this might be an understatement, overkill is probably the right word).
2. Heavier than it looks. Probably because of the 10 2200uf 10v Capacitors included in the 3-phase power supply.
3. Lots and lots of space around the ZIF Socket.
4. The ZIF socket is a quality component made by MOLEX, and actually has a metal arm for the cam.
5. Obviously a considerable amount of time was spent to get the critical trace lengths perfect(looks like a well laid-out rat maze).

So far all I can say is, BIG UP EPoX! Now I've got to back-up some files and format a harddisk to build a system around this board. I'll let everyone know my Final Thoughts in a review for one of our Allies or something.

One suggestion for EPoX though: Add some black pigment to the PCB resin! This is the only thing that could give this board more eye appeal. And I hear it drives the case modderz crazy! But I'll take green over brown any day of the week

[proze]

congrats, jeff!!

mutter.. mutter.. lucky swine...

[EPoX Tech]

Go for it dimmreaper ! I'm pleased that you like our product.

[dimmreaper]

Why for does the multiplier resets itself back to the default(10x) when I switch the 100/133 jumper. It's not really a problem bcause my Duron 1GHz (10x100) will post at 1.33GHz (10x133) and let me then change the multiplier but I'm just curious. Frankly I'm wondering why these boards even need that jumper all the KT133a and higher SocketA VIA chipseted motherboards have these jumpers so I assume that they are a neccessity. Sorry if this seems like rambling with not real sentence structures, it's 5AM and I've been up since 4AM yesterday . . . . . an the beer didn help nun.

[Daniel ~]

It's obvious this board found someone who appreciates it! And man I think you deserve it!

[Wa11y]

That's the new KT266A chipset on that board, ain't it? I was looking into picking that one up myself. How well does it overclock? Or rather, how easily? And did VIA really get rid of the USB dying over 138MHz FSB problem, like they said they would?

[dimmreaper]

Originally posted by Wa11y
That's the new KT266A chipset on that board, ain't it? I was looking into picking that one up myself. How well does it overclock? Or rather, how easily? And did VIA really get rid of the USB dying over 138MHz FSB problem, like they said they would?

Well Wally, right now I'm sitting here at 150FSB solid as a rock with memory timings set to "Turbo". Oh and I'm using an optical USB mouse. I've heard rumors to the effect the the highFSB/USB problems might have been caused by certain PLL/Chipset combonations, at least thats they way I understood it, so I could be wrong.

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by dimmreaper
Well Wally, right now I'm sitting here at 150FSB solid as a rock with memory timings set to "Turbo". Oh and I'm using an optical USB mouse. I've heard rumors to the effect the the highFSB/USB problems might have been caused by certain PLL/Chipset combonations, at least thats they way I understood it, so I could be wrong.

I thought it was just a chipset issue, but as long as they fixed it, I'm happy!

[dimmreaper]

Originally posted by Wa11y


I thought it was just a chipset issue, but as long as they fixed it, I'm happy!

Maybe EPoX Tech can shed some light on the Issue.

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by dimmreaper
Maybe EPoX Tech can shed some light on the Issue.

Yes, maybe he can!

EPoX Tech, we turn the floor over to you!

[EPoX Tech]

Well here I am for some high FSB malarky !!!!

Judging the system that you have, I have attached an image of what you should easily acheive using your components. Iset up the following :

EPoX 8KHA
2 x 128Mb Crucial PC2100 CAS2.5
Duron Morgan 1Ghz
MTS Glaciator Cooler

I unlocked the chips multiplier.
I set the VccCore to 1.85v
I set the VDimm to 2.70v
I set the multiplier to 7.5
I set the FSB to 160
I set the memory timings to Turbo, CAS2, 4 way interleave, BUT changed the last timing setting that gets changed (bottom of memory timings page) to 1T to 2T to increase stability.

This will run 3DMark 2001 with a GeForce 3 in loops for 12hours easily.

[dimmreaper]

Originally posted by EPoX Tech
I set the memory timings to Turbo, CAS2, 4 way interleave, BUT changed the last timing setting that gets changed (bottom of memory timings page) to 1T to 2T to increase stability.

So is that why I'm having problems posting in the 160MHz range.

[EPoX Tech]

And then using a 1.4Ghz Thunderbird (can't use an Athlon XP due to the lack of multiplier adjustment even when unlocked) I get 165Mhz at 2.90v VDimm as seen here.

DDR will take a lot of voltage, but obviuosly this is done at your own risk.

Any challengers on this one (I know I'm not the best overclocker around as a mere humble mainboard manufacturer employee) .......

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by EPoX Tech
Well here I am for some high FSB malarky !!!!

Judging the system that you have, I have attached an image of what you should easily acheive using your components. Iset up the following :

EPoX 8KHA
2 x 128Mb Crucial PC2100 CAS2.5
Duron Morgan 1Ghz
MTS Glaciator Cooler

I unlocked the chips multiplier.
I set the VccCore to 1.85v
I set the VDimm to 2.70v
I set the multiplier to 7.5
I set the FSB to 160
I set the memory timings to Turbo, CAS2, 4 way interleave, BUT changed the last timing setting that gets changed (bottom of memory timings page) to 1T to 2T to increase stability.

This will run 3DMark 2001 with a GeForce 3 in loops for 12hours easily.

But does the on-board USB still work at that FSB?

How high can you crank that puppy anyway? You've got 1.2 goin' right now. I'd love to see what that tops out at. I hope there's a 8KHA+ at the computer show this weekend. I might be forced to pick that bad boy up!

[dimmreaper]

Originally posted by EPoX Tech
Any challengers on this one (I know I'm not the best overclocker around as a mere humble mainboard manufacturer employee) .......

Don't tempt me(no really don't, condensation would not do the board good). This photo was only taken about an hour ago, and there is still plenty of the cold stuff to go around!

[dimmreaper]

Originally posted by Wa11y
I hope there's a 8KHA+ at the computer show this weekend. I might be forced to pick that bad boy up!

Do it Wally. I think I can safely say that you won't be disappointed. I think you might be able to hit higher FSBs with the 8K7A+, but this board would still kick it's arse in memory bandwidth.

I'm seing mid 800s under sandra memory bench right now, but I've seen scores around 1000 with this board, I need to figure out the problem. Any advice EPoX Tech, perhaps some WPcredit tweakage or something?

[Daniel ~]

Ya but where will Wally get support when he needs it?":O} Sorry just reveling in our good fortune!

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by dimmreaper
Do it Wally. I think I can safely say that you won't be disappointed. I think you might be able to hit higher FSBs with the 8K7A+, but this board would still kick it's arse in memory bandwidth.

I'm seing mid 800s under sandra memory bench right now, but I've seen scores around 1000 with this board, I need to figure out the problem. Any advice EPoX Tech, perhaps some WPcredit tweakage or something?

If there's an 8KHA+ there, I'ma pick it up. A few years ago I went to this same show, and I was disappointed. Then again, I was know where NEAR the hardware monkey then as I am now, so now that i know what to look for, I might have a better time. I'll also see what processors are there. Hoping for a good stepping on a 1.4 Tbird.

[dimmreaper]

Originally posted by Daniel ~
Ya but where will Wally get support when he needs it?":O}

Hehe, I don't think he needs to worry 'bout that one. Between EPoX Tech and all the other knoledgable folks around here, he is garenteed support. And he will most likely have a great OC to boot.

[EPoX Tech]

Any advances on 165MHz guys ?

Regarding your memory scores, I think that there may be some software in the way of your memory and Sandra.

That is way low for KT266A on 8KHA+. WPCREDIT is not necessary at all.