OT: New CPU Help Requested

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 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

Chances are, you'll have to flash your BIOS to correctly detect the new CPU. Running the CPU at 1.65 should be OK until you get around to flashing the BIOS.

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> 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

Thanks for the reply, Don. [ Especially for tearing youself away from NR2003 for a few minutes. 8-) ] Don Burnette wrote:

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> > 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

Thanks for the reply, Don. [ Especially for tearing youself away from NR2003 for a few minutes. 8-) ]

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> > 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

Thanks, Redmist! Redmist wrote: > Chances are, you'll have to flash your BIOS to correctly detect the new CPU. > Running the CPU at 1.65 should be OK until you get around to flashing the > BIOS.

Thanks, Redmist! > Chances are, you'll have to flash your BIOS to correctly detect the new CPU. > Running the CPU at 1.65 should be OK until you get around to flashing the > BIOS.

No sweat :). Your quite welcome, Don Burnette

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> Thanks for the reply, Don. [ Especially for tearing youself away > from NR2003 for a few minutes. 8-) ] > > > > Don Burnette wrote: > >>> 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

"Don Burnette" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:[email hidden]:

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> No sweat :). > > Your quite welcome, > > Don Burnette > > >> Thanks for the reply, Don. [ Especially for tearing youself away >> from NR2003 for a few minutes. 8-) ] >>

I think he was fixing to take a potty break. dave henrie