Upgrading to a GA-990XFA-UD3. I welcome suggestions, comments, good advice, etc

[soarwitheagles]

Hi everyone!

Ok, last year around this time, many people here helped me to build a brand new AMD system that for the most part has worked flawlessly.  So I am still very happy about that.  I just upgraded from an 890XA-UD3 to a 990XFA-UD3.  I have decided to keep my 1055T for now, and wait awhile longer to see how the FX adventure pans out.

I have actually upgraded many components and hope to have a system that works well again.

Here's the list that Santa dropped off.  Included in the list is the AMD 1055T that Santa dropped off last Christmas.

New Hardware:

990XFA-UD3
OCZ 850 Watt Gold
Corsair Vengeance 1600 DDR3 16gb


One year old hardware:

AMD 1055T
CM Storm Sniper Black Edition
CM Hyper 212+

System posted first time after I installed all components.

I am not sure if I inserted the CM Hyper 212+ screws far enough into the back plate.  I was concerned that any more pressure/torque would begin the warp/bend the motherboard.  Anyone else use the Hyper 212+ on this MB, and if yes, did you cinched the screws all the way down or leave some breathing room?

I am posting some pics.  Feel free to chip in and share your good advice, suggestions, comments, etc.

Thanks everyone!

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

Soar, I am not 100% sure so please check but I would say that the screws should be tightened as far as they can go as there are stops on them and the way the springs are configured it will have a pre set torgue loading when fastened right down.

[soarwitheagles]

Ok, DM!  I will google it and see what other people have done.  Strange...when I disassebled the 890XA, the nuts on the bottom side of the MB seemed very loose, yet I made them tight when I installed them a year ago...maybe they loosened up due to not torquing the top screws down all the way.

The 1055T in the 990XFA is posting with a CPU temp between 32C-33C.  The Intel rig right next to it is humming along at 19C-20C.  12-13 degree difference? Wow!  Does not seem right for some reason. Both have the Hyper 212+, and I know Absic told me the AMD uses more wattage, but the temp differences seem a wee bit too big.

Next, how do I know which BIOS version the 990XFA is currently running?  I looked everywhere in the BIOS and could not find it.

Oh, I will need low profile RAM again!  Darn!  Any ideas how to avoid this?  Do I use a different CPU cooler?

Thanks DM!

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

I would say that the easiest way to get around rthe low profile ram problem is to raise the fan on the heatsink. It looks as if it is just clipped on so should be able to relocate. I would certainly figure some way of customising the heatsink to enable the use of standard memory sticks.

MAKE IT FIT!  

The BIOS version will be displayed on the initial screen when starting. You can press "PAUSE" to give you a chance to read it. Other way is in BIOS homepage press F9.

[soarwitheagles]

DM,

Ok, I will try the slide the fan up solution.  I have not even attempted to place the larger Corsair Vengeance RAM sticks into the MB yet.  Using the Low profile HyperX's for first boot purposes.

I hit f9 as you suggested...DM, did you know I could have spend hours looking for the right button to hit to discover the BIOS, yet with your help, it requires on seconds.  I want to say thank you again for helping all of us here on this forum.

This GA-990XFA-UD3 v1.1 currently has BIOS v. f4.

May I inquire as to which BIOS you recommend and when should I update it?

Presently I have only booted to POST.  No OS, no Gigabyte drivers installed as of yet.

Please let me know your suggested sequence.

BTW, I was planning on NOT purchasing the new IVY BRIDGE processors in April 2012 because I was told the prices would be over $1000.  I just read a leaked price article that is singing a totally different song.

Please let me know if these prices are truly accurate according to your sources too.  If this price leak is accurate, I will definitely be upgrading in April....probably sell off this AMD rig and go 100% Intel.  Please let me know what you have heard on the pricing.  

Thank you,

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

Hi soar

I saw exactly the same price structure list as you have posted and although I have heard other prices mentioned I wouldn't pay any real attention to them as they were purely guessing in my opinion. I reckon we will just have to wait and see. I too am hoping that Intel will keep it's realistic head on it's shoulders again for these prices. Time will tell.

I wouldn't try to advise you on the best BIOS to use as absic knows way more than me when it comes to AMD devices. Give him a shout.

[absic]

Hi Soar,

on the GA-990FXA-UD3 the latest BIOS is F6f.

Usually when I am putting a new system together I update to the latest BIOS version (even if it is a BETA) and this is what I suggest that you do to. You can go straight to this BIOS version from your current one and as always I would recommend using QFlash and disabling the "Keep DMI Data" option on the QFlash homescreen before you actually run the update.

[soarwitheagles]

Thank you Absic.

Should I install the drivers first and OS?

Thanks,

Soar

[absic]

Hi Soar,

I find it better to update the BIOS first then, when you know everything is working properly in BIOS to install the OS then the drivers.

[soarwitheagles]

Absic,

Ok, changed to BIOS from F4 to F6f as you advised.  Isn't there one other setting to change before installing the OS?  If I remember correctly, it had to do with a ACHI for those using SSD's?

Can you confirm please?  I think I am suppose to switch OnCHip SATA Type to ACHI.  AM I correct in assuming this is correct?  Or is it eSATA Ctrl Mode?  Sorry, I cannot seem to recall the exact setting I am to adjust to make the SSD work well.

And any other suggestions anyone for changing settings in BIOS before the OS and driver install?

Thanks,

Soar

[absic]

Sorry Soar,

I assumed that you would have remembered this particular setting. You are correct that you will need to run your SSD in AHCI Mode. The eSATA controller allows you to use removable storage and should be set as appropriate for your own system. Usually I disable this feature as I do not use eSATA devices.

Other things I disable in BIOS vary according to needs but usually I disable the Show Full Screen Logo Option, Serial Port and On-Board Audio as I use a separate soundcard for my audio.

Also check that Init Display First is set to PEG1 if you are using that PCIe slot for your Graphic Card

Other settings I tend to leave at AUTO until I have had the system up and running for at least a couple of weeks and I know that things are working OK.

[soarwitheagles]

Thank you Absic!

Ok, but there appears to be two separate settings that can be switched to AHCI.  Shall I switch OnCHip SATA Type to ACHI?

Or do I switch eSATA Ctrl Mode?

Or do I switch both?

Sorry for the confusion on my part!

Soar

[absic]

You need to switch the OnChip SATA Type to AHCI Mode for your SSD

As I said previously the eSATA Ctrl Mode is for using the external SATA ports on the motherboard. If you are not using any external eSATA devices you can safely disable this feature.

[Dark Mantis]

I think you are slightly confused by this eSATA connection soar. ESATA or eSATA just stands for external SATA and is only for drives that you connect outside of your system case. It is similar to the USB connection but only for drives.

I hope this helps clear it up a bit.

[soarwitheagles]

Thanks for your patience with me guys and sorry for my confusion.  I set it up as you have advised and now I am looking forward to installation of OS and drivers.

Oh, one more question...do you recommend my creating a separate partition on the Intel 160GB SSD for the OS?  I made a habit of doing this on the platter drives...not sure if it is important on the SSD drives too.

Thanks again!

Soar