New BIOS update for EVGA 680i motherboard: P28 May7, 2007

The EVGA website has a new BIOS update for their NF68 680i motherboard,
version P28, dated May 7, 2007. According to the website, P28 has these
changes from version P27:
Improve S3 resume functionality
USB flash key functionality improvements
Overclocking and memory improvements
WHQL-related HPET fixes.

The file is an .exe file and requires a floppy drive as a boot device. The
previous version(s) were available as .bin and .exe files; the .bin file
could be used to update the BIOS from Windows. (Is it possible to use a
recorable CD to update?) Best save a copy of the previously installed BIOS
update as EVGA seems to only post the latest BIOS version.

Phil Weldon

I flashed the BIOS on my EVGA 680i motherboard to version P28. I do not
notice any differences so far.
My E4300 overclocks nicely at 2.7 GHz and a CPU core voltage set to 1.2500
v.
At speeds over ~ 2.9 GHz the required core voltage is very high.
At the moment, using the Intel boxed retail heatsink/fan, the limit for my
system is 3.33 GHz with a CPU core voltage set to 1.5125 v.
At this speed and voltage, and with a room ambient of 27 C, the CPU
temperature rises to ~ 55 C with the very mild nTune Stability Test set to
CPU only (this is a VERY mild stress test - only CPU0 is used and only to a
level that varies between 5% and 38%.
Orthos 'Blend' causes a rapid rise in the CPU temperature to above 70 C and
Orthos halts. Adding additional stress quickly causes a crash. This is
reasonable to expect considering the voltage increase from 1.2500 v to
1.5125 v alone may raise the power dissipation by nearly 50%,

Still needed is a reliable way of getting the CPU, System, and nForce
temperatures displayed and logged, a reliable way of getting the four fan
speeds reported in the BIOS Health monitor displayed and logged, and a
reliable way of getting the system voltages displayed and logged.

Even though the nVida website directs support inquiries to the motherboard
manufacturer, it turns outh that nVidia actually has the reference
motherboard design manufactured and sent to various companies, including
EVGA for relabeling. Any improvements in 680i reference design motherboard
operation depends entirely on nVidia success in getting nTune, Nvidia
Monitor, and system BIOS to work correctly.

Phil Weldon

"Phil Weldon" <not.disclosed RemoveThis @example.com> wrote in message
news:1g70i.4848$296.1673@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
| The EVGA website has a new BIOS update for their NF68 680i motherboard,
| version P28, dated May 7, 2007. According to the website, P28 has these
| changes from version P27:
| Improve S3 resume functionality
| USB flash key functionality improvements
| Overclocking and memory improvements
| WHQL-related HPET fixes.
|
| The file is an .exe file and requires a floppy drive as a boot device.
The
| previous version(s) were available as .bin and .exe files; the .bin file
| could be used to update the BIOS from Windows. (Is it possible to use a
| recorable CD to update?) Best save a copy of the previously installed
BIOS
| update as EVGA seems to only post the latest BIOS version.
|
| Phil Weldon
|
|