Gigabyte GA-Q35M-S2 F7A

[eNdEmiOn]

Thanks I thought that was the normal one. Anyway it doesn't seem to give access "CPU Host Clock Control (FSB)" function as mentioned above by pandalove although I don't get anything greyed out it just isn't there it only gives me extra RAM control as in just the timings (same with F2 bios btw).

[Lost_N_BIOS]

I don't know, I don't use it or have this board, I assumed it was modified since it's saved there and says "Unlocked", stock BIOS wouldn't be saved there like that.
I will download it now and modify the setting you want, if you reading this now please wait for my edit in a few minutes.

* Edit, this BIOS does not contain FSB control to unlock (I assumed this anyway, since Qxx model = budget/business).
There is only CPU Ratio and Fine Ratio (0.5), and C.A.M. CPU Adjustable MultiplierSet Clock Ratio For Frequency-locked CPU

[eNdEmiOn]

This mobo was a special case back then, a q35 with actual OC abilities. Bud sadly Gigabyte has at some point removed all the bios versions that actually allowed for FSB control (F3, F3A, F3R and F7A it seems).

Ive tried all the bios versions that are available right now even F1 which isn't supposed to support my cpu (E2180) but is does anyway so I'm wondering if its not the original F1. Anyway the F1 version allows for the same "unlocked" features as that F7 here but more sable and there is voltage control. So I was wondering as you could you have a look at the F1 version and see if it has maybe unlockable FSB control?

[Lost_N_BIOS]

Ohh, thanks for that info! So, we need to find F7a then, correct? If yes, maybe I can find, I'll get back to you soon and let you know.
I checked F1, that one doesn't even have CPU ratio control.

On F7 if you are on the main BIOS page, not inside any submenu, and you press Control + F1, after the screen flashes do you get FSB option? I doubt since I can't see in BIOS, but best to check

[eNdEmiOn]

Yes it does seem so that we need the F7a version (or possibly an F3). I've googled and binged more than 10 pages of search results down trying to find some non gigabyte source for a F7a copy but no luck. Well maybe there is some obscure Russian server that still has a copy but I don't read Russian so that is a dead end for me as well.

And after Ctrl + F1 it just adds manual memory timing options.

When I was googling for the F7a bios for the q35m-se I did end up quite a few times at VM900M board for some reason. I noticed it does the F7a bios still available. So I was thinking what if (big if, file size is relatively small) that bios does have hidden potential could it be copy pasted?

[Lost_N_BIOS]

I've looked around and asked a few people no luck yet. Have you sent PM's to the users in the first page?
I didn't look for F3, maybe easier to find that one, are you sure it would have it?

VM900M unrelated, probably just came up since it has a F7a BIOS out there too.

[eNdEmiOn]

I did PM the users in the first page but later after reading the posts a bit more thoroughly it seems to have been a wasted effort as the TS stated later that he couldn't find the F7a bios anymore and I don't think anyone else responding got his hands on a copy either. And no responses.

I'm not sure about the F3 versions how can I be I can't test it? It is however suspiciously absent from the gigabyte servers just like the F7a.

[da_real_eagle]

I did PM the users in the first page but later after reading the posts a bit more thoroughly it seems to have been a wasted effort as the TS stated later that he couldn't find the F7a bios anymore and I don't think anyone else responding got his hands on a copy either. And no responses.

I'm not sure about the F3 versions how can I be I can't test it? It is however suspiciously absent from the gigabyte servers just like the F7a.

Hi Guys, about a year ago you talked about the GA-Q35M-S2, did someone find a Bios or have a Bios mod with unlocked FSB?
I gave my mother my DELL all in One PC that i used in my Garage so i took my old 775 mobo out of the box again. Before buying newer Hardware i wanna try to OC this Computer a little, i think it will be okay for my usecase (Car Diagnostic and a little gaming sometimes, when my nephew visit me)
In Gaming the CPU is a Hard bottleneck for the 1050ti, i dont run for 160fps, but stable 60 would be nice.

The Hardware i use with the GA-Q35M-S2 Mainboard:

Intel q9400 CPU
4x 2GB DDR2 Kingston RAM 800mhz
3x HDD Drives
1x SSD Drive
1x GTX 1050ti

[Wainsie]

Hi guys did anyone have any luck with a modded bios as have just got this with a q6600 and thought that I could overclock this like my old gigabyte board, I've searched the net for either a f3 or f7a with no luck

[tokafondo]

Hi all.

I'm also one of the unfortunate users that got a Gigabyte GA-Q35M-S2 motherboard and found that there was a BIOS that allowed to tweak and overclock the CPU and memory modules.

After years of looking for this obscure BIOS I just realized that maybe the logical step would be to ask Gigabyte for a copy of the F7A BIOS, the one that allowed to tinker with the overclock settings.

So I asked for it and received what I'm including here.

I'm not 100% sure that this is the actual F7A bios. It says F7A in the boot messages, but I see no difference between it and the regular F7 BIOS available officially.

I hope the geniuses here can tell about it and please, find the overclocking settings and unlock them for all of us.

A big THANKS for everybody interested.