A7N8X and AMD 2500: BIOS will not let me set FSB correctly 1

[sqaguy]

I am trying to get a new AMD 2500 cpu to work on an older A7N8X mobo (rev 1). I updated the bios and have checked the jumper several times, but when I go into setup I can only choose up to 200mhz, so the cpu is recognised as an 1100 (and my PC2100 ram is at 100mhz). Is there a white paper or something I can check for known issues? or better, if anyone has seen this and has a recommendation! I suspect the mobo is not setting the FSB according to the jumper, but what else may be going on here?
thanks

 

[micker377]

Starting from PCB version 2.0, The A7N8X Deluxe motherboard supports Front Side Bus (FSB) 400. The users of PCB 1.06 or earlier version can update their motherboard BIOS to get FSB 400 support. The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) version is located beside the motherboard name printed on the motherboard. . PCB 2.0 BIOS version or later are not compatible with PCB 1.06 or earlier BIOS versions."

Quote from ASUS. Note: "not compatible with PCB 1.06 or earlier"

 

[sqaguy]

Thanks for the quick reply, but this is not the Deluxe model, just the original A7N8X. The User's manual specifically states it will handle FSB 333/266 when the jumper is set at the default location. Since both positions yield the same 200 Mhz bus speed, I question if my board is defective or if I'm an idiot.

 

[paparazi]

Well there are a couple of things got mixed up here:

1) A Barton core Athlon XP2.5+ has a front side bus of 333 default, so the setting you need is 166 on the jumper and/ or in bios (double data rate ram (DDR) doubles this to the required 333 setting.

2) Your PC2100 (DDR266) is only capable of the 133 setting so is incorrect for this CPU/motherboard combo

You don't need to do anything to a revision 1.0 A7N8X for it to work just fine with an XP2.5+ CPU

So FSB of 166 with
PC2700 (DDR333) or faster ram

No white paper required just a better understanding of how this setup works.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[micker377]

Thanks for the correction Martin, I've never used this board - just going by the info on the ASUS website.

 

[sqaguy]

Thanks everyone for your assistance. As my staff has long suspected, I should keep my hands off the things I'm not supposed to play with. Sometimes I get lucky and it works, but not today!! At least DDR2700 is reasonable, so I'll pick up a stick and have another go at it.

back to my cave.