FSB on an 8KTA3+

"Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes RemoveThis @mars.cox.pluto> wrote in message
news:4nN6b.66649$0u4.63171@news1.central.cox.net...

 > First, the 8KTA3+ isn't going to do 166MHz FSB. The KT133A chipset was the
 > first VIA chipset capable of 133MHz.

Every review I've read says it does Actually when I POST it says the FSB
is 266, where the hell that came from I don't know.

 > Second, to find out if your CPU is unlocked, change the multiplier in your
 > BIOS by one full number (e.g. from 12 to 11), then reboot and see what
 > happens. If the CPU speed changes to reflect the multiplier change, it's
 > probably unlocked.

It does

 > While you're in the BIOS check to see what the current
 > FSB and multiplier settings are.

Err, how ?? I've got the multiplier settings, currently at 9.5, but for the
life of me I can't find *any* BIOS option that looks remotely like FSB to
the untrained eye

 > If they are 100MHz and 12, find out what
 > kind of SDRAM you have. Is it PC100 or PC133?

I *think* it's 133, but again, how can I tell ?

 > Your CPU could be either a "B" Athlon, defaulting to 12x100, or it could
be
 > a "C" Athlon, defaulting to 9x133

The default multiplier settings were 9x, so (wild stab in the dark) I'll
guess option C.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: FSB on an 8KTA3+ 

"Draxen" <NOjack RemoveThis @SPAMjudgement.no-ip.TRAPcom> wrote in message
news:3f5babd4$0$250$fa0fcedb@lovejoy.zen.co.uk...
 > "Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes RemoveThis @mars.cox.pluto> wrote in message
 > news:4nN6b.66649$0u4.63171@news1.central.cox.net...
 >
....
 >
  > > While you're in the BIOS check to see what the current
  > > FSB and multiplier settings are.
 >
 > Err, how ?? I've got the multiplier settings, currently at 9.5, but for
the
 > life of me I can't find *any* BIOS option that looks remotely like FSB to
 > the untrained eye
 >

I believe it is a jumper on the board.

Seppo<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: FSB on an 8KTA3+ 

"Draxen" <NOjack.TakeThisOut@SPAMjudgement.no-ip.TRAPcom> wrote in message
news:3f5babd4$0$250$fa0fcedb@lovejoy.zen.co.uk...
 > "Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes.TakeThisOut@mars.cox.pluto> wrote in message
 > news:4nN6b.66649$0u4.63171@news1.central.cox.net...
 >
  > > First, the 8KTA3+ isn't going to do 166MHz FSB. The KT133A chipset was
the
  > > first VIA chipset capable of 133MHz.
 >
 > Every review I've read says it does Actually when I POST it says the
FSB
 > is 266, where the hell that came from I don't know.
 >
  > > Second, to find out if your CPU is unlocked, change the multiplier in
your
  > > BIOS by one full number (e.g. from 12 to 11), then reboot and see what
  > > happens. If the CPU speed changes to reflect the multiplier change, it's
  > > probably unlocked.
 >
 > It does
 >
  > > While you're in the BIOS check to see what the current
  > > FSB and multiplier settings are.
 >
 > Err, how ?? I've got the multiplier settings, currently at 9.5, but for
the
 > life of me I can't find *any* BIOS option that looks remotely like FSB to
 > the untrained eye
 >
  > > If they are 100MHz and 12, find out what
  > > kind of SDRAM you have. Is it PC100 or PC133?
 >
 > I *think* it's 133, but again, how can I tell ?
 >
  > > Your CPU could be either a "B" Athlon, defaulting to 12x100, or it could
 > be
  > > a "C" Athlon, defaulting to 9x133
 >
 > The default multiplier settings were 9x, so (wild stab in the dark) I'll
 > guess option C.
 >
 >
I would suggest that you start by reading your motherboard manual. If you
don't have one, download it from:

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://web.epox.com/html/Support.asp?pl=motherboard" target="_blank">http://web.epox.com/html/Support.asp?pl=motherboard</a> then select you model.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: FSB on an 8KTA3+ 

"Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes.DeleteThis@mars.cox.pluto> wrote in message
news:PE_6b.69534$0u4.10312@news1.central.cox.net...
 >
 > "Draxen" <NOjack.DeleteThis@SPAMjudgement.no-ip.TRAPcom> wrote in message
 > news:3f5babd4$0$250$fa0fcedb@lovejoy.zen.co.uk...
  > > "Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes.DeleteThis@mars.cox.pluto> wrote in message
  > > news:4nN6b.66649$0u4.63171@news1.central.cox.net...
  > >
   > > > First, the 8KTA3+ isn't going to do 166MHz FSB. The KT133A chipset was
 > the
   > > > first VIA chipset capable of 133MHz.
  > >
  > > Every review I've read says it does Actually when I POST it says the
 > FSB
  > > is 266, where the hell that came from I don't know.
  > >
   > > > Second, to find out if your CPU is unlocked, change the multiplier in
 > your
   > > > BIOS by one full number (e.g. from 12 to 11), then reboot and see what
   > > > happens. If the CPU speed changes to reflect the multiplier change,
it's
   > > > probably unlocked.
  > >
  > > It does
  > >
   > > > While you're in the BIOS check to see what the current
   > > > FSB and multiplier settings are.
  > >
  > > Err, how ?? I've got the multiplier settings, currently at 9.5, but for
 > the
  > > life of me I can't find *any* BIOS option that looks remotely like FSB
to
  > > the untrained eye
  > >
   > > > If they are 100MHz and 12, find out what
   > > > kind of SDRAM you have. Is it PC100 or PC133?
  > >
  > > I *think* it's 133, but again, how can I tell ?
  > >
   > > > Your CPU could be either a "B" Athlon, defaulting to 12x100, or it
could
  > > be
   > > > a "C" Athlon, defaulting to 9x133
  > >
  > > The default multiplier settings were 9x, so (wild stab in the dark) I'll
  > > guess option C.
  > >
  > >
 > I would suggest that you start by reading your motherboard manual. If you
 > don't have one, download it from:
 >
 > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://web.epox.com/html/Support.asp?pl=motherboard" target="_blank">http://web.epox.com/html/Support.asp?pl=motherboard</a> then select you model.

Arrgghh! I've got one sitting beside me, nowhere does it mention the magic
words Front Side Bus.

In the Frequency / Voltage Control BIOS screen I have options for
CPU Ratio (currently at 9.5)
and CPU/PCI/Spread Spec, this gives options such as 133/33/.25 which seems a
likely suspect. Do all these values affect the FSB ?

I'm not doubting the 8KTA3+ is an overclocker's mobo, it's just very poorly
documented if you're a n00b like me.

This page,
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/epox_8kta3+/EPoX8KT" target="_blank">http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/epox_8kta3+/EPoX8KT</a>
A3+_bios.asp
among others shows reviewers claiming up to 166Mhz on the FSB. Why the heck
does my POST screen say I'm getting 266Mhz when 3D-Mark-2001 says I'm
running 133Mhz FSB ?

I don't understand, it's just a question of translating the jargon I'm sure,
but I've never found a website that'll tell me how to do this, reliably or
not, on my mobo.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: FSB on an 8KTA3+ 

"Draxen" <NOjack.DeleteThis@SPAMjudgement.no-ip.TRAPcom> wrote
 > "Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes.DeleteThis@mars.cox.pluto> wrote

[.........]

  > > I would suggest that you start by reading your motherboard manual. If
you
  > > don't have one, download it from:
  > >
  > > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://web.epox.com/html/Support.asp?pl=motherboard" target="_blank">http://web.epox.com/html/Support.asp?pl=motherboard</a> then select you
model.
 >
 > Arrgghh! I've got one sitting beside me, nowhere does it mention the magic
 > words Front Side Bus.

Epox call it "CPU Clock" for the 8K3A - dunno if the 8KTA3+ is the same...


 > In the Frequency / Voltage Control BIOS screen I have options for
 > CPU Ratio (currently at 9.5)

More commonly called the multiplier - AMD CPUs can be unlocked but that
requires various unlocking 'tricks' - ie. modifications to the 'bridges' on
the CPU that vary depending on which CPU it is.

Hmmn, just re-read your first post - 1.2C Athlons were all left unlocked at
the factory AFAICR - so they could be set to run at 12x100 on an older
motherboard or spec' 9x133 if the motherboard could handle it.

If you're very lucky with the stepping of your chip then you might get
1400MHz out of it but my AXIA 'Y' Thunderbird (best ever stepping Tbird.)
required 1.95Vcore & watercooling to achieve that - I ran it for roughly two
years at 9.5x147MHz for 1400MHz on an Iwill KK266-R.


 > and CPU/PCI/Spread Spec, this gives options such as 133/33/.25 which seems
a
 > likely suspect. Do all these values affect the FSB ?

'Spread Spec' is an anti interference setting - if you can set it to zero
then the motherboard will probably be more stable.

CPU/PCI is the ratio between FSB and PCI clocks - in this case 4:1 - they're
'locked together' in that ratio above 133MHz FSB. If possible you want to
avoid pushing the PCI clock too high as hard drives and various other PCI
devices don't like the PCI bus too far out of spec. One of the majr
overclocking advantages of the latest motherboards is being able to lock the
PCI bus to 33MHz, whatever FSB you set...


 > I'm not doubting the 8KTA3+ is an overclocker's mobo, it's just very
poorly
 > documented if you're a n00b like me.

Each manufacturer tends to have their own jargon which doesn't help much
either...


 > This page,
 >
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/epox_8kta3+/EPoX8KT" target="_blank">http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/epox_8kta3+/EPoX8KT</a>
 > A3+_bios.asp
 > among others shows reviewers claiming up to 166Mhz on the FSB. Why the
heck
 > does my POST screen say I'm getting 266Mhz when 3D-Mark-2001 says I'm
 > running 133Mhz FSB ?

266MHz DDR (Double Data Rate) is actually 133MHz clock rate, the Athlon's
CPU to Northbridge bus is DDR - data is sent on both the leading and
trailing edges of the clock pulse - it's a bit of a misnomer to use 266MHz
but most manufacturer's do it.


 > I don't understand, it's just a question of translating the jargon I'm
sure,
 > but I've never found a website that'll tell me how to do this, reliably or
 > not, on my mobo.

Sorry I can't help with exact specifics, I don't own an 8KTA3+ - Epox may
have used "CPU Clock" (ie. FSB) for this mobo too, I dunno...

Ciao...

[UK]_Nick...
--
Nick M V Salmon Master Mariner MN(Retd.)

My four initials.DeleteThis@btinternet.com<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: FSB on an 8KTA3+ 

Please see responses below in context. All responses per the manual as
downloaded, as I no longer have any KT133A mobos.

"Draxen" <NOjack RemoveThis @SPAMjudgement.no-ip.TRAPcom> wrote in message
news:3f5c964a$0$206$fa0fcedb@lovejoy.zen.co.uk...
 >
 > Arrgghh! I've got one sitting beside me, nowhere does it mention the magic
 > words Front Side Bus.
 >
 > In the Frequency / Voltage Control BIOS screen I have options for
 > CPU Ratio (currently at 9.5)
If you CPU is running at approximately stock speed, that means your "CPU
Host Clock Select" jumper is set for 133MHz (Check to confirm that JP5 is
jumpered at 2-3). Manual page 3-6. You can see the setting in the BIOS in
Advanced Chipset Features - DRAM Clock. Manual Page 4-9.

 > and CPU/PCI/Spread Spec, this gives options such as 133/33/.25 which seems
a
 > likely suspect. Do all these values affect the FSB ?
IIRC, the settings for "DIMM PCI Clock" under Frequency/Voltage Control
(page 4-22) are the ones to look at, and your choice shows the FSB/PCI
clock/multiplier, I believe. The multiplier applied to the FSD leaves the
PCI clock at stock speed (33 ~= 133/4).
 >
 > I'm not doubting the 8KTA3+ is an overclocker's mobo, it's just very
poorly
 > documented if you're a n00b like me.
 >
 > This page,
 >
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/epox_8kta3+/EPoX8KT" target="_blank">http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/epox_8kta3+/EPoX8KT</a>
 > A3+_bios.asp
 > among others shows reviewers claiming up to 166Mhz on the FSB. Why the
heck
 > does my POST screen say I'm getting 266Mhz when 3D-Mark-2001 says I'm
 > running 133Mhz FSB ?

266 is the "effective speed" as data is transferred at 2x the actual MHz. If
anybody is running a KT133A mobo at 166MHz FSB (333 data rate), they are
overclocking the PCI and AGP busses severely, because that motherboard does
not have a multiplier smaller than .25 to apply. Someone still running this
mobo may know of a BIOS that will allow for an appropriate multiplier to
keep the PCI and AGP busses at stock speeds. Without that, setting the FSB
to 166MHz will mean running the PCI bus at 40MHz vs. stock 33 and the AGP
bus at 80MHz vs. 66. That sort of overclocking is just asking for data
corruption, video corruption, etc. Some peripherals might accept such abuse,
many will not. More modern mobos have the appropriate multipliers to keep
PCI and AGP speeds stock while allowing FSB speeds of 200MHz.

 > I don't understand, it's just a question of translating the jargon I'm
sure,
 > but I've never found a website that'll tell me how to do this, reliably or
 > not, on my mobo.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: FSB on an 8KTA3+