Athlon / Phenom (II) support on EPoX MF4-Ultra3

[presola]

I've recovered easily - the GhostBIOS worked Even though I had to get the emergency ATA CDRW drive from the archives Got any more ideas?

[TheWiz]

I don't know how smart of an idea it is to add a random APCI table, because the power settings aren't the same for all AMD boards. I think, which is simply brainstorming, that the ncpucode.bin has the hex values that que the info from the AGESA ROM, so I dont think you can just replace the AGESA ROM without also updating ncpucode.bin. Ill look into this once I do some more analyzing.

TheWiz

[presola]

Got any good news for me? Or the old rumors are true - EPoX had the best bios writers, some of which ex-Phoenix workers?

[TheWiz]

I know it is possible in my mind, I think I need to do some more research on the queing of the AGESA module in the NCPUCODE.BIN. Ill get back to you on this one.

Thanks,
TheWiz

[presola]

Might MEMINIT.BIN have something to do with it too? I think I read about it @ rebelshaven forums a while ago... It was something like if (like in this case) you update the agesa, you'll have to update MEMINIT too, because newer cpus' memcontrollers (AM2+ & AM3) support higher frequency DDR2 than just the 800Mhz (PC6400), supported by the original AM2 ones.

[TheWiz]

Well, MEMINIT.BIN is sometimes a BIn, but sometimes hardcoded. So, let me do some work and get back to you. And, nice thought.

TheWiz

[natesuniverse]

Hate to jump into thread but since you are already talking Epox/AM2, I just wanted to ask a question for now. I have i the past had very good luck with epox board recognizing cpu's that were most likely not in the bios, I am sure fairly sure last one wasn't but could have been as the cpu itself wasn't released till well after the bios but was "in line"/comparable with the other brisbanes. I have an AD580XR from Epox and was wondering since the last two boards seemed to boot cpus that weren't in bios, If there would be a good chance of the bios recognizing the newer athlon II's since they only have the L2 cache also. Most likely I'll just purchase one of the dual cores but also would it be possible that the board may recognize and be able to use the tri or quad also????

Yes the Epox board that I have had were all great boards and good bios's. The asrock board I have now boots so slow, I realize most of that is the raid rom on the ATI chipset but still. My Epox MVP3G had sata raid on it from silicon image and boots like a champ. boop bloop and windows starts to load boom. This Asrock is like ummmhmm ummmmhmmmm ummmmhmmm ummmhmmm ummhmmmm ummmhmmm ummmhmmm ummmhmmm ummmmmhmmm and then window starts to load. My AD580XR always booted quick too even with 4x raid0??

I am grateful for any input you may have. I would love to kick the old Epox 580x board back to life with a little more horsepower.

[presola]

With your chipset, I suppose you have better luck of running an AM2+/AM3 CPU, but I don't believe that will be without any bios modifications. Newer CPUs don't differ only in L2 cache, they differ in HT speed, supported memory speeds, etc. Basically, even nForce 3 chipsets can run the newer Athlons / Phenoms (as shown by our favorite Frankenstein mobo maker - ASRock), as long as there's someone who updates their bioses.

[TheWiz]

Check the newest CPU upgrade request, you will see that we are still working on making these successful requests, so don't be down!

TheWiz

[natesuniverse]

Alright, thanks. I know the HT and memory timings are is different but that is all very overclockable on the Epox I have which are usually rock solid if the cpu is solid. Have had the memory running at 1000mhz since first day so 1066 with good ram not a far stretch. Always had to decrease multi on HT for cpu though as I ran a 300mhz FSB or so to get the 1000mhz memory speed?

I'll put something on order sooner or later but will report back and make a request if needed. Thx again.