**OFFICIAL** Abit BG7 (i845G) Thread

[MeCalvin]

TYoung,
thanks for the response. I'm a newbie.

Just to let you know we have things in common. I am also building a P4 for video editing and opted for 845G chipset for stability.
I have heard of bad stories regarding OC CPU on Pinnacle forum while rendering DV.

So I'm thinking of just getting the 1.6A, run at stock speed for video editing, and OC when gaming or surfing.

I would like to hear your experience with your rig since I am going to be doing the exact same thing.

WHat do you thnk of this plan ?

Buy BG7 and 1.6A from NewEgg.
Put AS3 on HS.
Assemble and boot up. Still don;t know how the board going to see my XMS2700. Could you provide some input ?
Then run for a few days.
OC by BIOS to 2.4GHZ.

Thanx

 

[mike9390]

A 1.6A a stock speed is crap, the only reason and I mean the only reason to buy one is to overclock the FSB it to at least 133. That will give you 2.13. I just bought a 2.26B and it should be here today or tomorrow, if you have the money buy something better. I think you'll be much happier and you'll be supporting Intel. They won't be making much money if everybody buy $130 CPU's.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: MeCalvin
TYoung,
thanks for the response. I'm a newbie.

Just to let you know we have things in common. I am also building a P4 for video editing and opted for 845G chipset for stability.
I have heard of bad stories regarding OC CPU on Pinnacle forum while rendering DV.

So I'm thinking of just getting the 1.6A, run at stock speed for video editing, and OC when gaming or surfing.

I would like to hear your experience with your rig since I am going to be doing the exact same thing.

WHat do you thnk of this plan ?

Buy BG7 and 1.6A from NewEgg.
Put AS3 on HS.
Assemble and boot up. Still don;t know how the board going to see my XMS2700. Could you provide some input ?
Then run for a few days.
OC by BIOS to 2.4GHZ.

Thanx

I'd recommend you buy an AMD Athlon setup w/the new thoroughbred chips. You'd probably benefit a lot more by having one of those than a 1.6a if you're doing video editing. Clock for clock they kick a P4's ass at stock speeds.

 

[tyoung88]

Originally posted by: MeCalvin
TYoung,
thanks for the response. I'm a newbie.

Just to let you know we have things in common. I am also building a P4 for video editing and opted for 845G chipset for stability.
I have heard of bad stories regarding OC CPU on Pinnacle forum while rendering DV.

So I'm thinking of just getting the 1.6A, run at stock speed for video editing, and OC when gaming or surfing.

I would like to hear your experience with your rig since I am going to be doing the exact same thing.

WHat do you thnk of this plan ?

Buy BG7 and 1.6A from NewEgg.
Put AS3 on HS.
Assemble and boot up. Still don;t know how the board going to see my XMS2700. Could you provide some input ?
Then run for a few days.
OC by BIOS to 2.4GHZ.

Thanx

MeCalvin,

I agree that if you don't OC you might benefit from the better horsepower per dollar that the stock athlon has over the stock p4. However, if you decide to go with the p4 setup Compuplus.com has the BG7 for $112 + $14 shipped to CA no tax. Last I checked newegg had it for $129 + shipping and tax. Save you a few bucks. i checked out the resellerratings on compuplus and they looked pretty good.

As for my rig I just got my 1.6a from newegg:

FPO/Batch#3213A016
Pack Date: 05/16/02

Mobo and Ram coming tomorrow so we'll see how it goes

 

[The Wildcard]

Does anybody know how many 3 pin fan-power-connectors the Abit BG7 motherboard has?

 

[jyrgen]

Originally posted by: The_Wildcard
Does anybody know how many 3 pin fan-power-connectors the Abit BG7 motherboard has?

3

 

[GreenParrot]

I got all set today and hooked up everything but CPU.
Somehow it was packaged upside down and 6 pins were bent by the holders in the box.
Intel promised to ship a replacement, but I have to wait another week!
Now questions (sorry if they are dumb):

1. Can I power BG7 up without CPU and see anything through the onboard video controller?
Is it safe to do such a thing in general?

2. What is ATX1 connector? Is it essential? I hooked it up, but I don't understand
what it is for. Can anyone explain why a mobo needs two plugs to PSU?

 

[tyoung88]

Ok guys got my BG-7, 1.6a, Samsung 512 setup right now for the first time! Running PRIME95 as we speak. I'm in desperate need of some answers as although I've been reading this post for awhile I haven't OC'ed since PIII800 and there are so many bios options now.

First of I'm currently running the CPU at 150mhz = 2.4ghz

Temps: 58 C/136F (keep in mind up running the Prime95 torture test right now)
Voltage: 1.52V

Questions:

What are the FSB FREQ H/W Strap options for? HIGH, LOW, or CPU . . . which one do I use I'm currently using HIGH
DRAM Ratio: What should I attempt to set this to?
DRAM Timing: What numbers should I use for CAS Latency Time, Act to Precharge Delat, RAS to CAS, and RAS to Precharge?

I just hope I'm not doing anything wrong!!! Please help guys.

 

[GeoffW]

Hello Tyoung

Good questions, I would like to know the answers to some of those myself, that FSB strap one seems puzzling ? I have got a BG7 on order but not got it yet so cant help you very much.

Your question about what Ram speed multiplier to use?

Firstly, as you didnt say what speed RAM you have purchased I would try just using a 1:1 ratio, with your current 150 Mhz FSB that would give you DDR300. Note that the 845G is quoted only to officially support DDR266 (people are getting much higher from what I have read here though).
If you have bought DDR333 (PC2700) Ram and all is stable at DDR300 you could then try the higher ratio RAM settings to see how high you can get.

Anyone else throw any light on the other questions ?

I will add a question myself, I have just been reading the BG7 manual

It quotes for clearing the CMOS "make sure you turn the power off first (including the +5V standby power)"
What does it mean by the +5V standby power ? Does it mean the onboard small CMOS backup battery? If so, how do you turn it off, the manual doesn't seem to indicate it has a switch for that ?

Regards Geoff

 

[mike9390]

FSB FREQ H/W Strap on LOW will give you access to the 3:4 memory ratio, it's so a 100Mhz FSB CPU can run the memory at 133. But at 133Mhz FSB, the 3:4 ratio will run the ram at 354Mhz and at 150Mhz FSB, run it at 400Mhz. The HIGH will give you access to the 4:5 ratio, it's so at 133Mhz FSB you can run the ram at 333 and at 150 Mhz FSB run the ram at 376 and at 160Mhz FSB run the ram at 400.

First try the HIGH setting and select the 4:5 ratio for DDR 376. Set your timings to begin with at 2.5/3/3/6 then if that works try 2.5/2/2/5. Then if there are still no problems try 2/2/2/5. If your memory want's more either raise the FSB or switch to LOW/3:4 and try DDR400. You may have to raise the ram voltage to get DDR 376 and definitely at 400.

 

[tyoung88]

Originally posted by: mike9390
FSB FREQ H/W Strap on LOW will give you access to the 3:4 memory ratio, it's so a 100Mhz FSB CPU can run the memory at 133. But at 133Mhz FSB, the 3:4 ratio will run the ram at 354Mhz and at 150Mhz FSB, run it at 400Mhz. The HIGH will give you access to the 4:5 ratio, it's so at 133Mhz FSB you can run the ram at 333 and at 150 Mhz FSB run the ram at 376 and at 160Mhz FSB run the ram at 400.

First try the HIGH setting and select the 4:5 ratio for DDR 376. Set your timings to begin with at 2.5/3/3/6 then if that works try 2.5/2/2/5. Then if there are still no problems try 2/2/2/5. If your memory want's more either raise the FSB or switch to LOW/3:4 and try DDR400. You may have to raise the ram voltage to get DDR 376 and definitely at 400.

Thanks mike9390!

Well I've settled for the CPU @ 150mhz bus for now. It doesn't seem too stable above that but I'm satifisfied with 2.4. As for the memory. I got one 512mb stick of PC2700 Samsung "Original" DDR Ram from essential. Not that this is the newer DTL series not the CTL series sold at newegg. I'm able to do the following as you suggested:

HIGH Setting for the FSB FREQ H/W Strap
Ratio 4:5
Default Voltage
2.5/3/3/6

2.5/2/25 and an attempt at DDR400 fail to post. I tried upping the voltage which sometimes got me past the bios post but would blue screen me on XP boot. How much should I expect from this memory (DDR376 is good yes?)? And I guess this is where the Samsung "burn in" issue comes to play. Any thoughts?

Thanks again!

 

[render]

Idle: 42 C - 47 C

Are thess temperatures normal?

I'm using Volcano 7 + with fan speed low.(of course, with AS3) *I oced 1.6A to 2.13 (133FSB)

I'm planning to oc my cpu to 2.4 + but these temperatures are holding me back.

Am I supposed to read my cpu temps under 40 C (Idle) like other people state here?

Edit: case- Antec 1040B Fan: intake- 1 outtake- 2

 

[tyoung88]

Originally posted by: render
Idle: 42 C - 47 C

Are thess temperatures normal?

I'm using Volcano 7 + with fan speed low.(of course, with AS3) *I oced 1.6A to 2.13 (133FSB)

I'm planning to oc my cpu to 2.4 + but these temperatures are holding me back.

Am I supposed to read my cpu temps under 40 C (Idle) like other people state here?

Edit: case- Antec 1040B Fan: intake- 1 outtake- 2

render,

My idle is between 41-45C with an OC to 2.4@150mhz. I'm using an extra 5% of voltage on the CPU. With heavy load (Prime95) the temps go up to about 51-53C. I would slowly up your FSB and add that extra 5% voltage and monitor the temps closely.

You might wanna put some AS3 on the chipset also (prob not causing your high temps but wouldn't hurt).

 

[crapito]

render: when I overclock my 1.6a + stock heatsink and fan, my CPU temps were around 50-55C idle, and 60-65C stressed, so <50C idle is not holding your overclocking back.

update to my BG7/nVidia/overclocking problems: I RMA'ed my BG7 and ordered an Epox 4G4A+. honestly, I don't expect a new motherboard to solve my problems, but... I am sure I can get at least 133FSB 333DDR with the 4G4A+, which would be the same as my best stable/working overclock with all drivers installed on my BG7. if that happens, I'll quit and be happy.

l8r.

 

[mike9390]

tyoung88, it looks like your doing it right and 376 is a good start. You can leave your timings where they are for now and see what you can get after a little burn-in. Are you getting 376 at 2.5v? That's good.

To burn in your Samsung run it as high as you can stabily then run Sandra memory benches repeatedly or some burn-in program. Then try to go a little higher and up the voltage a little if needed. Continue to do this a little at a time until you can't go any higher. I don't know how high you want to go with the voltage but 2.7 should be safe. It may take a few days to burn it in, I don't know for sure because I'm won't be getting my BG7, 2.26B, and Samsung Original PC2700 until tomorrow. Keep us posted.

 

[tyoung88]

Originally posted by: mike9390
tyoung88, it looks like your doing it right and 376 is a good start. You can leave your timings where they are for now and see what you can get after a little burn-in. Are you getting 376 at 2.5v? That's good.

To burn in your Samsung run it as high as you can stabily then run Sandra memory benches repeatedly or some burn-in program. Then try to go a little higher and up the voltage a little if needed. Continue to do this a little at a time until you can't go any higher. I don't know how high you want to go with the voltage but 2.7 should be safe. It may take a few days to burn it in, I don't know for sure because I'm won't be getting my BG7, 2.26B, and Samsung Original PC2700 until tomorrow. Keep us posted.

mike9390,

maybe I'll try again in a few days . . . but I ran Sandra memory benchmark for 8 hours last night (999 cycles) using 376@2.8V. I tried to up the CAS this morning and no go . . . try'ed same cas upping to 400ddr no go. Lemme kno how yours turns out and maybe I'll try again sometime this week. BTW I have the DTL True Samsung PC2700 512 not the CTL. What did you get?

 

[mike9390]

I got the CTL from Newegg.com. I didn't know there were different types of original Samsung. What's the deal with DTL, is it not as good as the CTL? I heard about DDR using Samsung chips but not Samsung PCB's. Everyone agreed Newegg had the good stuff, well we'll see if mine is the "good stuff".

I don't know what to tell you about your situation. You may have maxed it out. How is your voltage situation, is it undervolting? What PS do you have? I got a Antec True Power 430. It could run better in a few days. It seems I read here or elsewhere someone thought their Samsung had maxed out but after a few days he tried again and suddenly had better luck.

 

[tyoung88]

Well, supposedly from what I've been reading here and at Hardforums the DTL series is the newer version of PC2700 DDR from Samsung. I've also heard a rumor (unconfirmed from the forums) that Samsung is "saving" their better chips for the coming 400DDR ram and therefore DTL's perform not as well as the CTL versions.

As for my powersupply, I'm just using the 300watt Startech one that came with my case. Voltage seem to be very steady but I'm sure that only having 300watts will eventually be a OCing factor. I've read of people getting 400DDR using the EPOX board but that thing seems to go up to 3.2V on the mem . . . as far as I can tell the BG-7 only goes up to 2.8.

 

[mike9390]

My stuff is here and they sent me the DTL, I bought one 256MB DIMM. I'll see in a day or so what it can do after a little breaking in. If what you say is try then that totally blows. I waited forever to get this system and I might be stuck with inferior ram from the beginning. It's a good thing I didn't really plan on overclocking much, just to screw around a little. I really only wanted to run the CPU at default and the ram at 354.

How high can you run your 1.6A with the 1:1 ratio? You had 150 can it go any higher? Did check your northbridge and get rid of the thermal pad and use some Artic Silver on the it? Your PS is a concern but if it's working for you then good for it. What is your voltage for your CPU, +5, +3.3, +12, -12, and -5 at idle and under load? That's what I would look at, if they drop a lot then that will hurt your overclocking. Look at the +5 line especially.

Does anyone know if you can monitor your ram voltage?

 

[5150Joker]

Just to clear up some misconceptions, as far as I can tell the DTL series work just as good as CTL. My 512 MB dimm of samsung pc2700 is DTL and it has no problems reaching 166 fsb. I currently run my system at 150 fsb 3:4 with 2.5-3-3-5 and it's rock solid. I can go above ddr 400 with this stick so I haven't encountered any real problems with it so far. The only thing I can see that it doesn't like is extraordinarily high fsb like 180 fsb+ and realistcally not many ppl will be at that fsb anyway.

 

[tyoung88]

So what do you think it'll take for me to get 400DDR on this board using the DLT series mem? Do I need a bigger ps? Will 2.8 not cut it?

 

[BlessidThug]

Bump! Keep the updates coming. Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[render]

I'm running 1.6a@2.4(150FSB) at default 1.5volt (actually 1.47v) with 4:5 memory setting (original samsung 512mb - default 2.5volt)

I'm sure I can get more juice out of this CPU(5/16/02 cost rica).

 

[mike9390]

Well I have my BG7, 2.26B and Samsung PC2700 installed and I have a problem and it really has me stumped. When I go into the BIOS somtimes the computer hard-locks before I can enter, there's just a blue strip at the bottom of the screen. Other times I can enter the BIOS but the computer will hard lock after a minute or so, its only happened in the PC Health Status screen. This dosn't happen everytime but I make my changes and get out quick. I'm using the onboard video right now, I wonder if that could be the problem? I dissconnected all my case fans, except the fan on the Alpha 8942 and even ran that off a molex. The only other thing I was running was only running my Maxtor D740X 60GB hard drive that i've had for a while. I even opened the side of the case but still had the occasional lockup. In my limited usage I haven't experienced any other problem.

My voltage is a little low and my temps seem high, about 45C at idle. I haven't stressed it much but when I did the temps didn't rise that much, about 47C. I'm using a Alpha 8942 with a Enermax adjustable 80mm set to max and sucking air off with 4 case fans, 2 80mm Enermax adjustables, 2 80mm Antec's that came with my 880 case and the power supply fans. System temp is 25C at idle.

 

[The Wildcard]

That problem deserves a BUMP!

BUT, on a side note, I just recieved my SAMSUNG 512 MB DDR ram from GOOGLEGEAR and it is DTL....and I just wondered if the DTL is cheaper?

Why?

Because on the day I ordered my RAM, newegg was selling it for $149 or so, and Googlegear was selling it for $109! And I was wondering if maybe Newegg is selling the CTL version?

BTW, 2 days after I ordered my ram, Google raised the price to $113, then I just checked it now and it's at $115....lol.