Current - upgrade?

[blackdog68]

OK, don't have much time to post but quickly...

I followed the guide here so I wouldn't have to start from scratch with the OS...

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=853749

...and now I have very good image quality and full detail sliders at 60 fps, dropping to 38 minimum, on the deck, tons of trees and objects.  Multi-tasking while flying is also night and day better swithcing between apps then back to AH.  Also, no stuttering whatsoever.

I have not yet OC'd anything...just updated the video drivers.

[blackdog68]

Originally posted by SIK1
38ruk,

My mobo is a MSI k8n neo2 platinum. I tried looking up the specs for it but couldn't find anything that said it supports x2, so I'm assuming that it does not, or I'm just looking in the wrong place. I'm no tech guru (truthfuly I know just enough to get myself into trouble), so If I missed something and it does let me know. I would really like to extend this boxes useful life if at all possible.

I do know that AH supports custom resolutions. I am actually limited by my vid card that maxes at 1280x1024.

TIA
SIK1

Accoring to my research, your board will support X2 cores with the right BIOS.

[38ruk]

Originally posted by SIK1
38ruk,

My mobo is a MSI k8n neo2 platinum. I tried looking up the specs for it but couldn't find anything that said it supports x2, so I'm assuming that it does not, or I'm just looking in the wrong place. I'm no tech guru (truthfuly I know just enough to get myself into trouble), so If I missed something and it does let me know. I would really like to extend this boxes useful life if at all possible.

I do know that AH supports custom resolutions. I am actually limited by my vid card that maxes at 1280x1024.

TIA
SIK1

Looks like your all set as far as X2's go. They are supported (FX-60 and two opteron server cpu's are under testing) everything else looks to be fine, You might need to flash the bios if its older than what it states at the top of MSI's page.

 Here is the page i got off MSI's site .
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_cpu_support_detail.php?UID=607&kind=1

Good luck 38

[SIK1]

O.k. this might be a stupid question...

My BIOS is Phoenix Technologies v3.06. I have tried searching the web for info on this BIOS version, but I haven't really found much.  From what I understand Phoenix Technologies produce BIOS for OEM's among other things.

Stupid questions are usually prefaced with a long winded explanation..

Can I still flash my BIOS using one from MSI?

SIK1

[DAVENRINO]

You can only use the BIOS specific to your motherboard from MSI.  I would check MSI and some other harware forums to see which current BIOS is actually an improvement and supports what you want to do.  The Latest Greatest isn't always the best.

[SIK1]

Hi DJ,
I understand that I can only use a BIOS specific for my mobo. 38ruk linked to MSI's website that shows BIOS revs. that support dual core processors. What I'm concerned about is that the computer doesn't use a BIOS from MSI, but one from Phoenix Technologies instead.

What I would like to do is extend the life of my gaming box as long as possible, inexpensively as possible, and what seems like the best way to do that right now is upgrade the cpu, ram, and vid card.

I know that I'm working with an end of life situation here being that the comp is a socket 939, and agp, but it has worked well for me for the last three years and if I can get a couple more years out of it by spending a few hundred dollars I would be happy.  

SIK1

[blackdog68]

If the manufacturer of your MB has the BIOS on their website for your specific model, then the BIOS is the correct one.  If in doubt, contact their technical support or find someone in a forum that has your MB that has upgraded.

Award, AMI, Phoenix are the BIOS companies that produce the BIOS for most every MB I've ever used.

I did spend a few hundred dollars to turn my 2-3yo AGP-939 "Half-Life2" built computer into a great PC for AHII.  In my case, just adding memory and an X2 chip did the trick, thanks to the advice of other posters in this thread.

[38ruk]

When you first start your PC it should tell you the bios version on the opening black screen . Phoenix is the bios chip manufacturer that MSI get the physical chip from .   There is a express downlaod on the left hand side of that screen that will automatically download the updates for you , but i have never liked that method of doing bios updates .espessially since we dont know which version you have .  Look for something like this = bios version 7250 V1A  , **** *1B ,   ect.     that should be it .  GL 38

[DAVENRINO]

Originally posted by SIK1
Hi DJ,
I understand that I can only use a BIOS specific for my mobo.
SIK1

That is what I meant by FROM MSI.

Originally posted by DAVENRINO
You can only use the BIOS specific to your motherboard from MSI.  

You need to download the BIOS from the MSI site regardless of BIOS chip manufaturer.