What BIOS is best for NF4 Ultra-D?

[gabbadoo]

Hi

 

I just downloaded OCZTony's 704BTA bios because some recommend it - especially when running with 1GB modules.

 

Somehow I still feel a bit stupid even considering flashing my bios to a version older than the latest 0604 official DFI bios.

 

I'm having trouble getting my mem above 245MHz (ocz pc4000 gold 2x1GB / infineon ce5) and thought maybe a mod-bios would help.

 

Downloaded a version of AWDFLASH with autoexec.bat saying:

 

[

@echo off

cls

@ECHO OFF

A:AWDFLASH N4D623-3.BIN /cks/sn/py/cc/cd/cp/wb/ld/qi

echo "The version of BIOS was inaccurate,"

echo "Please remove the floppy, download the right one and re-flash."

@ECHO OFF

]

 

If I format a floppy to msdos boot disk and replace "N4D623-3.BIN" with "704-2BTA.BIN", will that do the trick?

 

Is there a newer and better mod available?

 

I'm currently running a raid-0 config. Will I lose my array when flashing with a new bios?

[old_geekster]

Well, the "prevailing wisdom" says, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. In other words, flashing a BIOS simply to be flashing it, is not good practice. It is never a sure thing. If you are not looking for a particular fix or upgrade, then stay with yours if it is doing the job; especially if it is newer.

 

With that said, Tmod's CD is the safest way to flash a BIOS. It is not fool-proof, but the next best thing to it.

 

Whenever you flash a BIOS, you should have a backup plan. The best plan is to have a flashed spare BIOS available. Those are also available from Tmod.

[Sharp]

Hello,

 

If the RAID ROM also gets flashed then it may alter the array.

[gabbadoo]

Well, it turns out one my memory socket is faulty. The 2nd lowest memory socket, 1st yellow one, won't let the system even POST if run in Single Channel mode (with only one module). Just tested both modules individually in the two top-most sockets, but they're still not up to 250 MHz at rated timings 3-4-3-8. So mainboard and memorymodules are faulty I guess ?

[old_geekster]

Sorry for the oversight, "Welcome to the Street"!

 

Your observation is correct. None of the "yellow" slots will allow for boot with one stick of RAM. If you want to boot with one stick, it should be placed in the "orange" slot nearest the top of the board (DDR2).

 

I would suggest that you go to DFI's website and download the "Manual" for your board. It will give you some excellent information about it.

[gabbadoo]

Sorry, didn't know that. Why would that be obvious? Thanks for your response - it rules out the mainboard faulty.

[gabbadoo]

The manual that came with my board definitively does not state anywhere that yellow slots won't allow system to post with only one module installed.

The top most (slot 4) yellow slot has no problem using a single module and running stable as before though.

 

I'll download and skim through the online manual.

[gabbadoo]

Alright. Just downloaded the manual. It states that Dual Channel memory should be installed in Orange slots (2 and 4 read from above) in order to gain stability - if installed in Yellow slots, they should be run at 2T timing for stability.

 

It does not say that a single module must NOT sit in slot 3, or any other slot.

 

Since I tested both modules individually in slot 1 and slot 2 - wouldn't you say the memory is the culprit, not the motherboard?

 

EDIT: Still - since manual does not state yellow slots is single channel is no go - am I wrong to assume memory slot 3 (read from above - first yellow slot from cpu) is defective too??

[Kingfisher]

It is hard for us to determine if your board is defective on a forum.

Besides that, you should be dealing with the orange slots. Look over the memory guides, they have alot of information for you.

[wolverineI]

it doesnt state in the manual that the yellow slots are no go for 1 stick.

you need to look in the forums overclocking guide for what works and what doesnt.stick with the orange slots for the 704 bios its more forgiving for your ram.overclocking the ram is not as important with your setup as cpu speed anyways.

[gabbadoo]

In Dual Channel mode, the manual says I should use the orange slots, or the yellow slots while setting a 2T timing for stability. Since I tested both modules individually in slot1 and slot2 (read from above), and since the modules would still not run at 250MHz at rated 3 4 3 8 timings (rest on auto), I think it's fair to assume the modules may be from a bad week or so. They just wont go past 244MHz - yet they do 244MHz at 3 2 2 6 stable. I doubt the result in Dual Channel mode would be any better by placing them in the orange slots since both modules seem to max at 244MHz no matter if they're placed in slot1 or slot2.

 

If I place one module in slot3 the system wont post. If I put another module in slot1 so it becomes a dual channel setup - the memory does 244MHz again but no 250MHz.

 

Of course I'm gonna try the orange slots, but I think I recollect me doing that way back 10 (or so) months ago when I had just purchased the modules - and I saw no difference in performance back then. Maybe, since I tuned the modules from the bottom and up (200MHz -> max) I've never had them at 244 and beyond in the orange dual channel mode though.

[gabbadoo]

Just tried setting both modules in the orange slots, but no POST. My motherboard is definitively faulty. I still think the memory modules are not up to specs and should be RMA'd too though. I better begin with the mainboard.

 

I purchased my mainboard off a german retailer, but I live in Denmark. Can I still use the option to ship my MB directly to DFI (I know that works for people who live in Germany, UK and France), or wont they ship back to Denmark? It'll probably save me some time sending the MB directly to DFI and I know the retailer haven't got any DFI boards for sale atm, so he'll be forced to do the same anyway.