Official GIGABYTE Forum
Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with AMD processors => Topic started by: soarwitheagles on January 08, 2012, 10:14:42 am
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Thank you Absic.
Should I install the drivers first and OS?
Thanks,
Soar
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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. ;)
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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
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No!
in fact, when I install the OS onto an SSD I go through the initial install process then when Windows asks to create the partition I make sure there is only one partition on the drive (I do not allow Windows7 to create the 100 Mb System Reserved bit).
To do this go through the process of installing Windows7 then, when it comes to the disk creation/partition screen go advanced. Allow Windows to creat teh partition and it will automatically create the 100 Mb one too. Then delete the larger partition and then extend the 100 Mb partition to use the whole drive.
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Thanks Absic! I have never heard of this method before. Can you help me understand why you choose this method?
Thanks,
Soar
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Hi Soar,
I chose this method after a LOT of research and trawling the internet for advice prior to getting my own SSD's. The 100Mb partition created during Windows7 Install is really not needed, it is basically used to store some DOS information to help with PC recovery and is there more as a safety net than for serving any useful purpose. I have been running my SDD's without this partition and I can still restore my system from the Windows Back-up image whenever I have needed to.
On the old HDD's we used to advise the creation of partitions because these drives were that much slower. Creating an initial partition for the OS would place the necessary files into a smaller disk area thus speeding up the BOOT process and the way that Windows worked. With today's SSD's this is unnecessary as they are so fast you will struggle to keep up with them.
Depending on what programmes you are going to install and how you configure your system a 120GB HDD for the primary BOOT drive is probably about the right size. I have 2 X 60GB SSD's and have used just over 50% of the total capacity with Windows 7 and the vast majority of my software.
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I don't do that at the moment absic but not for any reason other than it happens automatically. What you say makes sense though and next time I install the OS I will do it that way I think. See never too old to learn....just takes a bit longer now! ;)
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Another thing to consider is that SSD's need to have the partition aligned.
With Windows7 this is done automatically during install and removing the 100Mb partition can help.
As I said, I did do a LOT of research before investing in SSD's for myself and have also done a lot of experimenting/testing since getting hold of the little devils for myself and I believe this is the best first step to make.
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You two are the best.
Thanks and will do!
To be honest with you, I am tempted to use two of the Agility 2 SSD's in RAID 0 [I think the speed would almost double], but I have never tried a RAID set up, and I think it would not permit TRIM, and that concerns me.
I do have a number of the Intel 160 GB SSD's, and although I would prefer the faster SATA III, I am not willing to pay the price for a larger capacity SSD III at the moment. I keep reading articles that SATA III, although significantly faster than SATA II, barely shows the increased speed in real world scenarios and applications...
Although I have one SATA III SSD [Crucial C300], I refuse to stress out anymore from the low storage capacity....[64gb]. Hence, my decision to go with the Intel 160 GB. The nice thing about the Intel 160 GB, is it has a 5 year warranty, tons of excellent reviews, the Intel Toolbox, and no worries about overloading the storage capacity with OS and programs.
Do you two agree that the difference between SATA II and SATA III is negligible in real world settings [example: internet surfing, word processing, watching movies, etc.]? Or is there truly a noticeable difference in every day computing?
Soar
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Another thing to consider is that SSD's need to have the partition aligned.
With Windows7 this is done automatically during install and removing the 100Mb partition can help.
As I said, I did do a LOT of research before investing in SSD's for myself and have also done a lot of experimenting/testing since getting hold of the little devils for myself and I believe this is the best first step to make.
I would agree now that I know about it. There is a great deal of different working procedures with SSDs compared to magnetic disks and like you I did a lot of reading before buying my first one. I will just be glad when they finally sort out the use of TRIM in the RAID arrays. Intel is supposed to have it sorted out but I haven't seen any sign of it yet.
soar
I really wouldn't worry much about SATA2 or SATA3 as some of the SATA2 drives will beat some of the SATA3 drives. It is more a case of good and not so good drives to be honest.
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Hi Soar
once again, I have tested my two SATA3 SSD's in standalone (AHCI Mode) and RAID0 configurations on both the AMD and Intel platforms. I also have a 90GB OCZ Agility SATA2 SSD and have been able to do some comparisons here.
Yes, SSD's in RAID0 will give you faster speeds but, in the real world, you will only really notice this when first installing the OS and programs. The systems will take slightly longer to POST with RAID enabled as the BIOS needs to access the RAID Chip. As DM has mentioned, the situation with TRIM in RAID is still a bit hit and miss and in most instances any SSD's in a RAID Array will have to rely on Garbage Collection rather than TRIM for keeping things working properly. Personally, I have found things to be better when I have run my drives as separate units rather than combined.
A SATA3 SSD on a SATA3 controller again is faster than a SATA2 SSD on a SATA 2 controller but you are right when you say that you will not see any real difference in day-to-day operations with things like opening web pages, word processing etc. It is the speed with which the basic program opens where you will notice a difference. But again, this is more noticeable when first switching from an HDD to an SSD rather than between SATA2 and SATA3 SSD's.
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Thanks again gentlemen!
You sure have a good way of making things very clear and I appreciate both of you.
For now, I will go the Intel route.
Cheers!
Soar
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Ok, just finished installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. So sorry about the delay, but our vacation time was over and I had to go back to work...
My next question:
Shall I install all the Gigabyte recommended drivers or should I refrain from the Marvel drivers? I remember somebody telling to use Intel drivers for the SSD...
Can you help me please by refreshing my mind?
Thanks,
Soar
PS This new 990xfa somehow is transferring files from my USB 2.0 flashdrive triple the speed of my Intel 2500k rig:
Intel rig USB 2 transfer speed: 10mps
AMD rig USB 2 transfer speed: 33mps
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Hi again everyone!
Ok, a quick update: It's been a few weeks now and the system is working purrrrrfect.
Just wanted to come back here and give a big thank you to everyone that helped me do it right.
I am very happy with the new GA-990XFA-UD3, and the thirteen month old 1055T keeps chuggin' along doing its job well.
I will try to post some pics soon!
Have a great day everyone!
Soar