rec.autos.simulators

> > Sorry for the OT post, but I'm doing another computer upgrade to
> > accommodate the latest racing sims, and I know that you guys are
> > knowledgable, and that some of you overclock your systems.  I'm
> > expecting delivery of my new Athlon XP2100 T'bred B CPU tomorrow and
> > am planning to use it in my present mobo - an Epox 8Kha+.  I was
> > wondering whether anyone here has a similar rig and, if so, could
> > answer the following questions.  (Anyone else that might be able to
> > provide the info, please chime in, as well).  Note: My present BIOS
> > is the one that came with the mobo, dated 11/2/01.  Epox has at least
> > 2 newer BIOS's on their website for download.  I just never needed to
> > flash the BIOS before....

> > Here are the questions:

> > Can I just pop the new CPU into the mobo, or will I need to flash the
> > BIOS first?  One reason I ask is that the default voltage for the CPU
> > is
> > 1.6, but my present BIOS goes no lower than 1.65v.  Would this voltage
> > level be a problem?   Would this prevent the BIOS from automatically
> > detecting the CPU?  Another reason is that the PCI divider in this
> > BIOS version can only go to 3 or 4, and is set automatically based
> > upon FSB speed.  I would ideally like it to have a divider of 5
> > available, since I plan to overclock and would like to raise the FSB
> > to 166 or more, if possible (without frying any components, of
> > course).  So does anyone here know if an upgraded BIOS would provide
> > the proper divider?  (Note: The Epox website states that this mobo
> > will support an XP2200 thru XP2600 with a BIOS flash, but
> > specifically does not include the XP2100. However, Ive been informed
> > that the XP2100 has the same core as the XP2600, so there should be
> > no problem.  So, based on this, I assume that a BIOS flash should
> > provide the correct divider [I hope]).

> > Any help on clarifying this situation would be greatly appreciated.

> > Thanks!!
> > Bert

> Hi Bert,

> I would recommend flashing to the latest bios to be safe, more so for
> processor recognition than anything. I believe that 2100+ will require this.
> Be very careful and follow the directions to a T when flashing the bios, you
> can render a system inoperable if your not careful and watch what your
> doing.
> You should then be able to drop that 2100+ in there without any problem.
> Note: Be very careful around those capacitors if your installing a heatsink,
> those things are fragile - one of mine fried when I put a 2400+ in it, and I
> may have bent one of the capacitors installing the heatsink. Had to throw
> that mb away.
> No, you will not get more pci dividers. That board is a kt266 mb, you would
> need at least a kt333 mb or better I believe to get the additional pci
> dividers.
> You should be able to overclock it though on that mb up to around 140-145
> mhz fsb, as long as you have good hardware that is not too sensitive to it.
> When I had mine, I had it running at 142 mhz fsb.
> I don't think you will be dissappointed in your performance.

> Hope this helps,
> --
> Don Burnette

>>> Hi Guys,

>>> Sorry for the OT post, but I'm doing another computer upgrade to
>>> accommodate the latest racing sims, and I know that you guys are
>>> knowledgable, and that some of you overclock your systems.  I'm
>>> expecting delivery of my new Athlon XP2100 T'bred B CPU tomorrow and
>>> am planning to use it in my present mobo - an Epox 8Kha+.  I was
>>> wondering whether anyone here has a similar rig and, if so, could
>>> answer the following questions.  (Anyone else that might be able to
>>> provide the info, please chime in, as well).  Note: My present BIOS
>>> is the one that came with the mobo, dated 11/2/01.  Epox has at
>>> least 2 newer BIOS's on their website for download.  I just never
>>> needed to flash the BIOS before....

>>> Here are the questions:

>>> Can I just pop the new CPU into the mobo, or will I need to flash
>>> the BIOS first?  One reason I ask is that the default voltage for
>>> the CPU
>>> is
>>> 1.6, but my present BIOS goes no lower than 1.65v.  Would this
>>> voltage level be a problem?   Would this prevent the BIOS from
>>> automatically detecting the CPU?  Another reason is that the PCI
>>> divider in this
>>> BIOS version can only go to 3 or 4, and is set automatically based
>>> upon FSB speed.  I would ideally like it to have a divider of 5
>>> available, since I plan to overclock and would like to raise the FSB
>>> to 166 or more, if possible (without frying any components, of
>>> course).  So does anyone here know if an upgraded BIOS would provide
>>> the proper divider?  (Note: The Epox website states that this mobo
>>> will support an XP2200 thru XP2600 with a BIOS flash, but
>>> specifically does not include the XP2100. However, Ive been informed
>>> that the XP2100 has the same core as the XP2600, so there should be
>>> no problem.  So, based on this, I assume that a BIOS flash should
>>> provide the correct divider [I hope]).

>>> Any help on clarifying this situation would be greatly appreciated.

>>> Thanks!!
>>> Bert

>> Hi Bert,

>> I would recommend flashing to the latest bios to be safe, more so for
>> processor recognition than anything. I believe that 2100+ will
>> require this. Be very careful and follow the directions to a T when
>> flashing the bios, you can render a system inoperable if your not
>> careful and watch what your doing.
>> You should then be able to drop that 2100+ in there without any
>> problem. Note: Be very careful around those capacitors if your
>> installing a heatsink, those things are fragile - one of mine fried
>> when I put a 2400+ in it, and I may have bent one of the capacitors
>> installing the heatsink. Had to throw that mb away.
>> No, you will not get more pci dividers. That board is a kt266 mb,
>> you would need at least a kt333 mb or better I believe to get the
>> additional pci dividers.
>> You should be able to overclock it though on that mb up to around
>> 140-145 mhz fsb, as long as you have good hardware that is not too
>> sensitive to it. When I had mine, I had it running at 142 mhz fsb.
>> I don't think you will be dissappointed in your performance.

>> Hope this helps,
>> --
>> Don Burnette