90nm cpu and socket 939 mobo question

ChrisAdan650

I'm planning on purchasing the socket 939 EPOX EP-9NDA3+ along with an Athlon 64 3500+ 90nm cpu. I've read that I'd have to flash the bios for the motherboard in order for it to recognize the cpu. How would I go about doing this? Also, I read that I would have to install the SATA driver so that windows xp could recognize my sata based hard drive? What's this about? Thanks in advance.

CrapolaJola

Save yourself some money man, buy a 90nm 3000+ or 3200+ and overclock it. On air most of the 90nm CPUs seem to be hitting pretty similar overclocks, although the 3500+ will probably do those speeds with less voltage it's not with the money. As for the motherboard I'd either get the MSI K8N Neo board, it finicky, but it's the best out there once you get it setup right or wait for the new nForce4 boards (depends on when yo uwant to buy it). Also, I'd reccomend (depending on your current ram) that you get some new ram with the samsung tccd chips like corsair xms pc3200 rev4 (only 4 has the tccd), 3200xl, ocz pc3200el rev2., and other ram. Also pick up a Coolermaster Hyper6 or Thermalright XP-90 with a nice fan for your cooler. As for SATA hard drivs, you do have to do that, but I've never done it my self, but I'm sure if you search on google you can find inormation on it or another forum member could help you.

MiDKnYtE

I think the Asus A8V is a better pick.

when you install xp, there is an option f6 to install additional controller drivers. use the floppy that comes with the board to install the sata controller drivers. the rest of the setup is the same.

@/2ct!<

You probably wont have problems, but it depends on when the mobo was made. The newer it is, the more likely it is to have pre-supporting bios for for 90nm out of the box.

CrapolaJola

He's right most boards can now support 90nm out of the box, butif you're going 90nm thta's something risk, if you get unlucky I just hope ya got a friend that could loan u a 130nm 939 cpu. As for Midnyte's commentthe AV8 has gotten a lot better since it's initial release and the non-workinglocks, but I still say the Neo is better if you're willing to deal with it's problems. Oh well it's a matter of opinion

Vampyromaniac

Instructions are included with the BIOS update. Simply download it and check the readme.txt file.

If you want to install Windows onto a SATA drive, you will have to load the driver during installation. Windows will show a message on the bottom line of the screen telling you to press a key (I think F6) if you want to load any RAID or other special driver. Press that key, and you'll be able to initialize your SATA drive for installation. Be sure to have the driver ready to go on a floppy beforehand.

Logla

I think the problem is more to do with the fact that the board may not boot with that particular cpu in place until the bios update has been applied.

A lot of the SFF intel boards are the same with prescott cpu's.

Vampyromaniac

You mean you would press the power button, and the computer wouldn't even POST? Yes, that would be a setback.

Hopefully someone can confirm if that is actually the case with these 90nm Winchesters.

MiDKnYtE

looks like you should be ok:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1682