Replacing an Asus A7V333

[dterzis]

Hi folks...

I have a 3-year old system, based on an Asus A7V333, with 1GB PC2100
DDR SDRAM (2x256, 1x512) and an 80GB ATA-133 HDD.

After changing the CPU fan with a more silent model, I got the
notorious "System failed CPU test" problem, frequently associated (from
what I 've read in other posts) with this motherboard. I can't be
bothered to try and fix it anymore, so I am looking for a replacement.

The Asustec VIA A7V400-MX seems a good alternative, but I would like to
hear a few opinions before proceeding with the order. So, if anyone has
any suggestions, I would be grateful.

Thanks,

Dimitris

 

[Egil Solberg]

The Asustec VIA A7V400-MX seems a good alternative, but I would like
to hear a few opinions before proceeding with the order. So, if
anyone has any suggestions, I would be grateful.

Why not pick up an Nforce2 board like A7N8X-Deluxe-E?
Have you gone through regular troubleshoting like doing "clear CmOS",
reseating system components etc?

 

[dterzis]

Hi...

Thanks for the advice. I did try CMOS, even taking out the entire board
and all the components, then reseating it, nothing worked. I just can't
bother anymore. As for the A7N8X (deluxe or not), it only has ATA-133,
when at the same price I could get both that and SATA-150, good for
future upgrades.

I just realised that the A7V400 has only two RAM sockets, which means I
cannot install all three of my DIMMs (2x256MB and 1x512MB). So, back to
the original question: does anyone know of a 3-socket ATA-133
motherboard, suitable for Athlon XP 2100?

It seems that the following will do the job, at around the same price:

* Asus A7V600(-X)
* Asus A7V880
* Abit NF7
* Abit KV7

But which one is better/more reliable and can support my 3-DIMM RAM
configuration?

I have no experience with motherboards and their specifics (beyond the
basics), so all help greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Dimitris

 

[Paul]

Hi folks...

I have a 3-year old system, based on an Asus A7V333, with 1GB PC2100
DDR SDRAM (2x256, 1x512) and an 80GB ATA-133 HDD.

After changing the CPU fan with a more silent model, I got the
notorious "System failed CPU test" problem, frequently associated (from
what I 've read in other posts) with this motherboard. I can't be
bothered to try and fix it anymore, so I am looking for a replacement.

The Asustec VIA A7V400-MX seems a good alternative, but I would like to
hear a few opinions before proceeding with the order. So, if anyone has
any suggestions, I would be grateful.

Thanks,

Dimitris

A7V400-MX
1) Room for two DIMMs only.
2) Up to FSB400, but only up to DDR333 for memory.

A7V8X-E
1) Room for three DIMMs.
2) Up to FSB400, and with DDR400 memory in dual channel.
You could run 2x256MB in slot 1 and 2, and 1x512MB in slot 3,
and it would run dual channel. This yields a small improvement
in practical memory bandwidth (0 to 5%). The reason for the
small improvement, is DASP already does a good job when only
one channel is available.
3) Big minus ? Can be picky about RAM, when trying to achieve
FSB400, DDR400 operation. If you are using FSB333 for the
processor, and DDR333 memory, should be clear sailing.

With all Asus microATX (three PCI slot) boards, I recommend downloading
and reviewing the BIOS features before buying. Some boards had no
useful adjustments to speak of, and a lack of adjustments means
you cannot easily troubleshoot those boards, without swapping a
lot of different components through the board until something works.
Useful things to have are FSB clock, DDR clock, DDR timing adjust,
Vdimm, Vagp, Vcore adjustments. For Athlons, multiplier adjustments
that work, are useful if you ever plan on using AthlonXP-M mobile
processors (the multiplier can be set on those). Mobile processors
can be cheaper than buying a 3200+ Barton.

For an example of a board that is devoid of useful adjustments,
have a look at the A7N8X-VM/400 manual.

HTH,
Paul

 

[Jbob]

Hi...

Thanks for the advice. I did try CMOS, even taking out the entire board
and all the components, then reseating it, nothing worked. I just can't
bother anymore. As for the A7N8X (deluxe or not), it only has ATA-133,
when at the same price I could get both that and SATA-150, good for
future upgrades.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ben_pope/a7n8x_faq.html

The A7N8X Deluxe does includes SATA. I built a system for my son using
this board.

 

[dterzis]

Hi...

Thanks for the detailed comments. As an old Asus fan, I am torn between
A7V600-X and A7V880, so the ones you mentioned are not candidates
anyway.

Any further comments still appreciated.

Dimitris

 

[Odin]

Hi,

I also have this mainboard, and I have also had the 'failed CPU test
message' I stripped my system down to bare bones and discovered that for me
the error message disappeared when I removed it from the case, it has
something to do with 'GROUNDING' when the mainboard touches a standoff I get
that failed CPU test error message.

Also noticed going from 2000+ to 2400+ processor, the latter processor runs
but my system files slowly degrade to the point of my entire system
crashing, this I think is caused by generic memory, the memory just won't
cut it or there is errata with the proccessor ( faulty processor ) the
reason I know this is because I discovered that one of the auto - microsoft
downloads there is a micro-code patch for the proccessor.

Anyway maybe I have given you a clue to help you resolve your problem.

I am thinking of getting a new mainboard and processor probably a 939
mainboard and processor not sure which way to jump NVIDIA or VIA, maybe the
Nvidia chipset is better than the VIA or Acer chipset.

Best regards,

Ben.