EPoX EP-9U1697-GLi: ULi M1697 Goes Mainstream
by Gary Key on March 15, 2006 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
FSB Overclocking Results
Our 4000+ CPU posted excellent results in the overclocking tests. We were able to run the system at a HTT setting of 260 with very good results. However, the board would not pass part of our multitasking test suite at the 260 HTT setting, but it was extremely stable and passed all of benchmark test suites at the 255HTT setting with an HT multiplier of 5x. We were able to run our memory at a 1T command rate up to the HTT setting of 325. The board actually completed our test suites at an HTT setting of 335, but it required a 2T command rate along with a voltage increase to 1.600V.
Our Opteron 170 also posted excellent results with this board. However, this CPU has reached 2.95GHz on 1.450V in past testing. At the 10x280 and 9x315 overclock settings, the system was able to complete all of our benchmark test suites three consecutive times and run Prime95 and SuperPI without issue. Overall, the board would make an excellent platform for the typical overclocker.
Memory Stress Testing
Memory stress tests look at the ability of the Epox EP-9U1697 GLi to operate at the officially supported memory frequencies of DDR-400, at the best performing memory timings that the OCZ PC4800 Platinum Edition will support.
The EPoX EP-9U1697 GLi was extremely stable with 2 DDR modules in Dual-Channel mode at the settings of 2-2-2-5 at 2.7V. We will now install our memory into all four available memory slots, which results in more strenuous requirements on the memory subsystem than testing 2 DDR modules on a motherboard.
The Epox EP-9U1697 GLi displayed superb stability with 4 DDR modules in Dual-Channel operation at the settings of 2-2-2-7, but it required the command rate to be increased to 2T. Note that this 2T requirement for 4 DIMMs is typical of nearly all 939 boards; only the DFI SLI-DR Expert managed 1T timings with 4 DIMMs, but overclocking beyond 205 MHz HT bus speeds once again required 2T.
| Front Side Bus Overclocking Testbed | |
| Processor: | AMD Athlon 64 4000+ (San Diego) AMD Opteron 170 (Toledo) |
| CPU Voltage: AMD Athlon 64 4000+ AMD Opteron 170 |
1.500V (1.400V default) 1.450V (1.300V default) |
| Memory Settings: | 2.5-3-3-7 1T - (12x) 2.5-3-3-7 1T - (10x) 2.5-4-4-10 1T - (9x) |
| Memory Voltage: | 2.9V |
| Chipset Voltage: | 2.2V |
| HT Multiplier: | 5x up to 260HTT, 4x up to 325HTT |
| Memory: | OCZ PC4800 Platinum Edition |
| Cooling: | Zalman CNPS9500 |
| Power Supply: | OCZ Power Stream 520 |
| Maximum CPU OverClock: (AMD Athlon 64 4000+) |
255HTT x 12 (3060MHz) +27% (4000+) |
| Maximum HTT OverClock: (AMD Athlon 64 4000+) |
325HTT x 9 (2925MHz) +62% (4000+) |
| Maximum CPU OverClock: (AMD Opteron 170) |
280HTT x 10 (2800MHz) +40% (O170) |
| Maximum HTT OverClock: (AMD Opteron 170) |
315HTT x 9 (2835MHz) +57% (O170) |
Our 4000+ CPU posted excellent results in the overclocking tests. We were able to run the system at a HTT setting of 260 with very good results. However, the board would not pass part of our multitasking test suite at the 260 HTT setting, but it was extremely stable and passed all of benchmark test suites at the 255HTT setting with an HT multiplier of 5x. We were able to run our memory at a 1T command rate up to the HTT setting of 325. The board actually completed our test suites at an HTT setting of 335, but it required a 2T command rate along with a voltage increase to 1.600V.
Our Opteron 170 also posted excellent results with this board. However, this CPU has reached 2.95GHz on 1.450V in past testing. At the 10x280 and 9x315 overclock settings, the system was able to complete all of our benchmark test suites three consecutive times and run Prime95 and SuperPI without issue. Overall, the board would make an excellent platform for the typical overclocker.
Memory Stress Testing
Memory stress tests look at the ability of the Epox EP-9U1697 GLi to operate at the officially supported memory frequencies of DDR-400, at the best performing memory timings that the OCZ PC4800 Platinum Edition will support.
| EPoX EP-9U1697 GLi Stable DDR-400 Timings - 2 DIMMs (2/4 slots populated - 1 Dual-Channel Bank) |
|
| Clock Speed: | 200MHz |
| CAS Latency: | 2 |
| RAS to CAS Delay: | 2 |
| RAS Precharge: | 2 |
| RAS Cycle Time: | 5 |
| Command Rate: | 1T |
| Voltage: | 2.7V |
The EPoX EP-9U1697 GLi was extremely stable with 2 DDR modules in Dual-Channel mode at the settings of 2-2-2-5 at 2.7V. We will now install our memory into all four available memory slots, which results in more strenuous requirements on the memory subsystem than testing 2 DDR modules on a motherboard.
| EPoX EP-9U1697 GLi Stable DDR-400 Timings - 4 DIMMs (4/4 slots populated - 2 Dual-Channel Banks) |
|
| Clock Speed: | 200MHz (800FSB) |
| CAS Latency: | 2 |
| RAS to CAS Delay: | 2 |
| RAS Precharge: | 2 |
| RAS Cycle Time: | 7 |
| Command Rate: | 2T |
| Voltage: | 2.7V |
The Epox EP-9U1697 GLi displayed superb stability with 4 DDR modules in Dual-Channel operation at the settings of 2-2-2-7, but it required the command rate to be increased to 2T. Note that this 2T requirement for 4 DIMMs is typical of nearly all 939 boards; only the DFI SLI-DR Expert managed 1T timings with 4 DIMMs, but overclocking beyond 205 MHz HT bus speeds once again required 2T.
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Palek - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
Gary,There is a spelling error in the last sentence of the 1st page:
"Let's find out how Epox's offering fairs against the competition."
The correct spelling is "fares" not "fairs".
Gary Key - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
I had corrected it on the final draft and somehow it still made it in. My fault for not catching it once the article went live last night. It is corrected now as are the ascending chart figures.Googer - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
Is epox part of Shuttle?http://local.google.com/local?q=Epox%20EP-9U1697-G...">http://local.google.com/local?q=Epox%20...utf-8&am...
Googer - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
The ULi M1695 is all about upgradeability and the ASrock implementation uses a 20pin PSU where as the Epox implementation needs a 24pin connection. Based on the benchmarks it also looks like you will need to purchase a PCI-e x1 gigabit controller.Speaking from experience, my biggest gripe on the ASrock M1695 is the BIOS is very quirky and can be very very slow to POST.
Epox is the king if you are an overclocker and overall performance is very impressive compaired to the ASrock ULi M1695.
Avalon - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
8Mb throughput? Are you sure that's not a mistake?The only comment on Epox's ethernet score was that it was not competitive...700Mb vs 8Mb...I'd say something is wrong, or a typo?
Palek - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
Yeah, I noticed that, too, then I found the missing "9" outside the graph area. The figure is correct, it's just the layout that is messed up.Gary Key - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
The actual number is 98.9Mb/s. Our graph engine has a small issue with variances that wide. It placed the 9 into the description field. I updated the text statement to reflect this issue. Thank you.Peter - Friday, March 17, 2006 - link
While you're updating, you might want to correct the research error that the RTL8201 is a "PCI based solution". It is not, it's just a PHY to the ULi chip's integrated 10/100 MAC.Oh, and when are you finally going to stop attributing memory performance to chipsets on AMD64?
Cygni - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
Might have to pick one of these up...Rock Hydra - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link
The Epox EP-9U1697 GLi displayed superb stability with 4 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel operation at the settings of 2-2-2-7, but it required the command rate to be increased to 2T.