Project: The Ultimate AGP System (PC-A05FNB/HD3850)

[cdawall]

If everyone wants the 64 bit GART driver the XP 64 bit one works but you have to hack vista or 7 to accept unsigned drivers.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/nVidia-nForce-6.25-Windows-64-bit-download-919.html

I attached audio/lan/SB drivers that are signed.

 

[TRWOV]

If that works then I've got another AGP system to build

 

[_JP_]

Like I said they were so close in performance that it was pretty much a wash... The 4670 had 1gb ram clocked at 1600mhz and the 3850 had 512mb at 1400mhz, but the 4670 had a 128-bit Memory Interface and the 3850 had a 256-bit Memory Interface. Both used GDDR3 memory. All I'm saying is that one could argue that the HD4670 was the fastest.. I just threw it out there just for reference. My nephew still games on a HD3850 pci-e card I gave him and it amazes me.. hehehe It still plays current games fairly well. I just bought him AC:II and Just cause 2. It plays all of his steam games except RAGE..

Yes, I also consider the HD 4670 to be better, but because it consumes way less than the 3850.
Performance-wise...yep, they're pretty much the same.

 

[TRWOV]

For benchmarks the 3850 would be better. I get around 2500 extra 3dmarks from an HD4670 -> HD3850.

My Octanux rig tops at 12418 in 3dmark06.


Plus, I don't know about any HD4670 waterblock

 

[Mindweaver]

Yes, I also consider the HD 4670 to be better, but because it consumes way less than the 3850.
Performance-wise...yep, they're pretty much the same.

yea buddy I didn't even think about the power savings. Power savings the 4670 hands down.

For benchmarks the 3850 would be better. I get around 2500 extra 3dmarks from an HD4670 -> HD3850.

My Octanux rig tops at 12418 in 3dmark06.


Plus, I don't know about any HD4670 waterblock

yea, overclocking wise with water the 3850 would win due to it being a performance card and the fact they made water blocks for it.

 

[cdawall]

For benchmarks the 3850 would be better. I get around 2500 extra 3dmarks from an HD4670 -> HD3850.

My Octanux rig tops at 12418 in 3dmark06.


Plus, I don't know about any HD4670 waterblock

Do like I did with my 470 full cover heatsink and gpu block. They have standard ati mounting holes.

 

[TRWOV]

Really? Do you have the specific model?

Heck, if jayzilla confirms the drivers as working then I might be in luck with my 939A8X-M There are drivers for XP64 but of course they don't work in W7.


<hijack thread>
Solaris, your bios modding offering was serious? I would like some help with the Conroe865PE bios...
</hijack thread>

 

[b1gt1m]

Conroe Blues

Hiya, Im new on here, I joined after finding this topic as you do... Well, I gotta a big headache, maybe you can help/advise me? I've just completed a system build which consists of : intel Q6600 SLACR (G0) CPU - ASRock Conroe865PE MB - 2 x Kingston KTM-M50/1Gb RAM Modules - Sapphire HD3850 AGP Gfx Card - Creative Labs Audigy Sound Card - PowerCool GT 700w PSU with dual 12v rails rated at 22A each! PHEW! Now when I turn on the system with both RAM in dual channel config I get a blank screen, when i put them in single channel mode the POST appears and I can get into the bios, change things, etc. Also, when I try to boot off the HDD, I get BSOD's so try to boot off Windows DVD an run setup but same again or just reboots. I tried running with 1 stick of RAM in there but same symptoms... any ideas as Im fresh out!! Bear in mind that Ive completely stripped an rebuilt this system 3 times today an im getting a bit desperate...

Thanx in advance

 

[b1gt1m]

By the way

The BIOS is P1.70. and its showing correct RAM speeds, size etc and the CPU is showing correct type, model, speed, etc.

 

[Jayzilla]

Hiya, Im new on here, I joined after finding this topic as you do... Well, I gotta a big headache, maybe you can help/advise me? I've just completed a system build which consists of : intel Q6600 SLACR (G0) CPU - ASRock Conroe865PE MB - 2 x Kingston KTM-M50/1Gb RAM Modules - Sapphire HD3850 AGP Gfx Card - Creative Labs Audigy Sound Card - PowerCool GT 700w PSU with dual 12v rails rated at 22A each! PHEW! Now when I turn on the system with both RAM in dual channel config I get a blank screen, when i put them in single channel mode the POST appears and I can get into the bios, change things, etc. Also, when I try to boot off the HDD, I get BSOD's so try to boot off Windows DVD an run setup but same again or just reboots. I tried running with 1 stick of RAM in there but same symptoms... any ideas as Im fresh out!! Bear in mind that Ive completely stripped an rebuilt this system 3 times today an im getting a bit desperate...

Thanx in advance

The BIOS is P1.70. and its showing correct RAM speeds, size etc and the CPU is showing correct type, model, speed, etc.

Hi b1gt1m!

Welcome to my work-log. Not meant to be rude. This thread is about my project and maybe some issues relate to it. I’m trying to showcase my works while makes it as an entertainment. I would start a thread in an appropriate section if I have problems or questions about my rig. If you having issues with your HD3850 there is a forum for it:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50040

I’ve learned so much in there I’m sure many members on TPU would help you out. Thanks buddy.

 

[b1gt1m]

Aye! No probs - Im outta here!

 

[TRWOV]

Jayzilla, do you already have a NB block?

Found this: http://www.evercool.com.tw/install/instal_wc_nothbridge.htm

 

[Jayzilla]

Jayzilla, do you already have a NB block?

Found this: http://www.evercool.com.tw/install/instal_wc_nothbridge.htm

Yes. I have a Swiftech MCW30 block. Visual is a priority in this project. I want to match all the color of the blocks. So it takes time to collects the parts.

I have that block too. It's a bad design block. It only compatible with their own brand products. You need a pair of hose clamps if you use others 3/8 tubing.

I will try to have some updates tonight about the driver cdawall provided. This is exciting.

Cheers

 

[Phusius]

This is the best topic I have come across in awhile. I remember in the 8th grade installing my first AGP card in my Dad's old piece of crap Compaq PC so I could play Warcraft 3 xD

 

[TRWOV]

I was cruisin for parts on eBay and found out that a 3.4 Prescott goes for $19 shipped heck, shouldn't have sold my old AiW X800XT... I miss it now

 

[Jayzilla]

Nice project! Care to sell the 865 Conroe? I have an e5200 & x850xt PE collecting dust

Sure. PMed. I would love to see someone reuse the old parts. Dual core with a decent AGP is nice.

I didn't have any problems with my 4CoreDual-SATA2 paired with a C2D E6400 and a BFG 7800gs agp card. I think he'll do fine with this build. Didn't amd release the dual core optimizer to help this problem anyway?

EDIT: I miss that old 7800gs.. lol I got it from best buy.. I had a $250 in store credit and the BFG 7800gs was $389.. hehehe So, I picked it up and was not disappointed.. That card blow away my current 9800pro.. hehehe

The 7 series AGP from Nvidia was considered top-notch. I owned all the 7800GS ever existed. Including two different legendary Golden Sample from Gainward. That was my good old days.

They never made a 3870 agp card. There were talks about it, but it never seen the light of day. A 3850 is pretty much a waste on agp anyway... The pci-e variant was a lot faster.

EDIT: Plus, I believe the fastest agp card is the HD4670, but the 3850 and 4670 are neck and neck.

Depends on the screen resolution and game, tbh.

Yes, I also consider the HD 4670 to be better, but because it consumes way less than the 3850.
Performance-wise...yep, they're pretty much the same.

The performance between HD3850 and HD4670 is really controversy. They are not always the winners. There are many factors to determine the performance like CPUs, chipset, benchmarking software and games. Sometimes the Nvidia beats all the Radeon cards in 2D apps. Sometimes the X series wins and sometimes they do better in some particular CPUs. I had a benchmark data file for over 50 high-end AGP but the computer got stolen last year. TRWOV should know better because he got many retro systems.The HD4670 beats HD3850 in heat and power consumption for sure. In my current system the HD3850 Iceq3 Turbo is the boss.

This is the best topic I have come across in awhile. I remember in the 8th grade installing my first AGP card in my Dad's old piece of crap Compaq PC so I could play Warcraft 3 xD

Thanks. I had my first AGP card pretty late. It was super expensive back in the days.

So I just helped someone else out with the nforce3 in windows 7/vista issue. There are beta 64bit drivers out there for nforce 3 that allowed me to run my dfi s754 nforce3 board in windows 7 64bit.

Heck, if jayzilla confirms the drivers as working then I might be in luck with my 939A8X-M There are drivers for XP64 but of course they don't work in W7.

Sure. I'll be the white mice first.
The drivers doesn't seem to works. I got a blue screen of death during the restart. It happens so fast I couldn't read it.

So I've only installed the GART and SMBus driver and the reboot was fine. I just tried this on XP-64bit. I haven't try it on W7. Here is the official page (dead).

Somethings still wrong.

I've also found this forum : http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/nforce-drivers-f28.html
I'm not sure it helps on our issues but take a look if you have the time. I want to focus on my current hardware because I can pick the OS on the very last. I will come back for it and I might get two SSD and RAID them up if Windows 7 is an option for me. Man, I have so much to do in here.

 

[t_ski]

The drivers doesn't seem to works. I got a blue screen of death during the restart. It happens so fast I couldn't read it.

You'll need to disable automatic restarts to get the error code, or look in the event logs to see if you can find it there.

 

[Shou Miko]

nice build to start with, but if it was me i would have taken that 7950GT if i am not wrong and use that it was a nice card for AGP at it's time.

 

[TRWOV]

The 7950GT was about on par with the X1950PRO. The 3850 has 2x the performance of those.

 

[Solaris17]

sorry! i havent checked back. unfortunetely the bios update was an example. for the OS problems or something microcode related the bios will not help. as for the missing PCI device get the hardware ID and google to see what it wants?

also try and stress 3d i see GPUz isnt displaying it right thats probably because of the "built" driver. and the missing piece. but if you can find the hardware ID then you can probably remod the INI with one that does have the info and get it to show up. but practice makes perfect and these ideas are all better if you attempt it with windows 7 or rather the final OS/of choice. because windows xp 64 wasnt ever that stable to begin with.

 

[Krazy Owl]

Just for information there is a 4670 AGP 1gig ddr3 at 1780mhz. It's the top notch of the IceQ they made with the cooler as in the 3850 picture of the OP.

 

[xBruce88x]

Hopefully that "pci device" isn't the pci-e to agp bridge chip. not sure where you'd get software for that, except the manufacturers card drivers. I think that's why its "agp8x @ pci" but i'm not completely sure... here's the files from HIS, you have to click the little blue arrows to download.

http://www.hisdigital.com/us/download1-358.shtml

hmm... interesting... the 3850 has twice the texture power of the 4670 and better memory bandwidth, yet the 4670 has about twice the pixel fillrate power. tough choice.

 

[eidairaman1]

Now I am under the impression that Agp and multi core cpu's especially Amd's don't play nice together. I am curious on to how you are going to remedy this. Also I am not seeing support for the proc you want to use for the board you listed.

it is an Nvidia Driver Issue actually.

here is a possible solution for NF2/NF3 users with Windows 7 and a Dual Core CPU

http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/13935-x1950-agp-nforce3-x2-athlon-4000-problem.html

 

[TRWOV]

Hopefully that "pci device" isn't the pci-e to agp bridge chip. not sure where you'd get software for that, except the manufacturers card drivers. I think that's why its "agp8x @ pci" but i'm not completely sure... here's the files from HIS, you have to click the little blue arrows to download.

http://www.hisdigital.com/us/download1-358.shtml

hmm... interesting... the 3850 has twice the texture power of the 4670 and better memory bandwidth, yet the 4670 has about twice the pixel fillrate power. tough choice.

What's missing from the nforce3 drivers is a proper GART driver. Without it the AGP port functions as a PCI port.


Based on my experience (I own both) the 4670 runs neck and neck with the 3850 at stock settings. The sweet spot for both is 1680x1050; at that res their performance is practically the same. Above that the 4670 gets a slight edge because of its 1GB of VRAM and at lower resolutions the 3850 256bit bus shows its force... if only there was a 1GB 3850

In games with high lots of textures (Oblivion) the 4670 wins even at lower resolutions too.

Still, the overcloking headroom is higher with the 3850 (mine runs 824/1197 0.974v and I've seen reports of 837Mhz). With the 4670 I only managed a 30Mhz overclock. I think that the voltage regulation circuitry is what makes that possible on the 3850 as it was a high end part at its time.

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

it is an Nvidia Driver Issue actually.

here is a possible solution for NF2/NF3 users with Windows 7 and a Dual Core CPU

http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/13935-x1950-agp-nforce3-x2-athlon-4000-problem.html

That would be Nf3/Nf4 wouldn't it. Primarily Nf4. Nf2 was socket a.

The system I built not long ago that was Nf4 based s939 wouldn't even install the os without issues. Hell half the time I couldn't even get it to boot with the Ati hd card in it. I had to swap it out for a Nvidia card and got it stable with it.