Info on 440LX & AGP

[KUzaG]

This is really to follow up the message Cara posted about Voodoo3 and TNT2 not working properly on motherboards using the 440LX chipset. I have such a motherboard, and was about to buy either a V3 or TNT2. Fortunately I read Cara's message and stopped myself. I've now had a chance to look around a few other message boards and have foud this is a serious problem. Gigabyte have finally announced that V3's and TNT2's will not work in almost all of their LX motherboards, and Abit have given details on how to "butcher" their LX boards in order to get V3 and TNT2 to work! (tip: You'll need a soldering-iron!). Check out: http://www.weslow.net/bytethis/reviews/voodoo3/abit_lx6.html http://hem.fyristorg.com/redtop/

Now I'm not sure who is to blame here. Is it with the video card companies for making their cards use none-standard AGP voltages, or the motherboard manufacturers for not setting the AGP port up properly? I would guess the latter as they are now starting to rush out these quick fixes. I would have though the video card companies could have released some sort of patch to fix the problem - but I don't really know how it works. I hope this isn't going to be a permanent problem though - one of the reasons I picked my motherboard was so that I could upgrade to an AGP card....and now I can't.
Anyway, I'm going to buy another Voodoo2 and go SLI - maybe in a few months this mess will be sorted out.
Gaz.
p.s. Some people have V3 and TNT2 working fine in 440LX motherboards. I'm not taking the chance, especially as I have a Gigabyte board - who's entire range of LX (not to mention some BX and various others) boards seems to be affected.

[Cara]

Well, congrats you found more than I did http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif.
I think the bottom line is better graphics, faster speeds need more power. I'm sure they could have developed a lower voltage architecture, but with everyone desperate to release their cards after so much hype they gambled most people would be unaffected. Not consumer friendly really but expect more of the same in the future.
Well at least a few will not be going down that road without checking first. http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif.
Well found info!

[Nor]

I have a 440Lx board and recently bought a V3 3000. After the 3rd one http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif i gave up and just went for another v2 sli like yourself.

[KUzaG]

A-ha!

What's that phrase......something about "horses" and "mouth" http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif

So how ya finding your SLI then m8?

Gaz.

[KUzaG]

Cara

Yeah m8 - first it was games being rushed out half finished, and now it seems to be the hardware too - a worrying trend. What will REALLY get on my boobs is if, about a week after ordering my V2, they start releasing patches for the cards that cure the problem. Then I will cry http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif

Gaz.

[[MI]CUD]

Well, i cant understand your problems, i got
an LX mobo,(Biostar eh??), p2 266, fitted
a V3 2000 a month ago, and not had ANY
problems at all. Runs fine, fitted an extra
fan out of caution at same time, so i dont
see how people can justifiably say the V3
wont run on an LX board. Most new products
in this field will not be compatible with
all machines out there,(i've heard the
tnt2 ultra is no good without at least a P3
or equivalent cpu, probably boll*cks, but
some people believe all they hear), and some
people have problems with the V3, but that doesn't mean it applies to everybody. Use a
retailer u know, try one, and see, you may
have no problems at all, but then again.....

[Big D]

I have to agree with CUD, I've bought my LX Motherboard machine from TINY and my AGP V3 works loverrrrrrrrrly http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
[TFA]Slo Motion

[KUzaG]

Yes, yes - I said in an earlier post that this problem doesn't affect everybody. In fact, most people are probably OK. The point is, AGP is meant to be a standard - what's the point in having a standard if one side starts mucking about with it, or doesn't get it right in the first place. This is a serious problem, and it's no good sticking your head in the sand if you're about to buy a new AGP card and have a 440LX chipset. I'm only trying to warn people and give them a chance to check things out first.

[[DFA]Lonedeath]

how do u find out what kind of motherboard u got, i got my pc from tiny as well, but no manuals.
aint got a clue what it is

[Cara]

Tiny do not supply manuals for motherboards. And requesting them usually is pointless. This problem was raised in pczone last month.
The response from Tiny was go and visit:
msi.com.tw where the information is available.
Dismal support imo.

[lurker]

The problem with V3s and even TNT2s in LX and even some BX motherboards is actually just current consumption. They're flying very close to the limit imposed by the AGP standard and the voltage drops enough at that current on some motherboards, that the card will stop functioning.

It's not LX specific, it's just more common with those mobos since in their day, AGP cards weren't sucking that much juice.

If a card doesn't work and you can't hack the current limiter (often just a simple fat resistor) then you want a new mobo. Cards aren't going to suck significantly less power any time soon.

Lurks