The Phoenix-Award Bios used in the EVGA 133-K8-NF41-AX is not robust but then
again it is really not lacking. All the necessary software controls are here
making setup easy. Overclock settings are listed under Power User Overclock
Settings making these easy to get to. Setting the ram timings are found in the
Advanced Chipset Features section.
DRAM Timing Settings
DRAM Timing Settings consists of the basics with CAS Latency, RAS, RAS Precharge, RAS to CAS,
and Command Rate.
PC Health Status
PC Health Status contains what every system builder comes to know as the
essentials in determining the systems condition. All the necessary output
readings are found here.
PCIE Clock
CPU Ratio
The Power User Overclock Settings section brings a number of useful tools for
the overclocker. First the PCIE Clock screen shows settings of 100Mhz to 145Mhz
which provides the option of setting the PCI-E bus independently from the CPU.
The next screen show the available CPU Ratios and can play a very important part
for those seeking the highest front side bus obtainable. The available
multipliers for the 3700+ are x4 through x11 with, of course, the default
setting which on the 3700+ is x11.
CPU Vcore
CPU Vcore 7-Shift
CPU Vcore, in the case of the 3700+, offers CPU voltage settings from default of 1.4V up to a maximum of 1.55V. CPU VCore 7-Shift is another set of voltage settings I need to checkout. For some additional voltage applications in milli-volts the selections are from 50mV up to 350mV. The manual states that this offers selection of VCore voltages more than the standard value for precise overclocking in extra demanding performance applications.
VRAM Output
Northbridge Voltage
VRam Output lists my ram's default value and the ram performed well at this
setting. But a notice to overclockers! Check out the maximum available setting
in this Bios, 3.25V. This is well above most voltage offerings of the SLI boards
currently out.
NB Voltage should be used sparingly but sometimes does help give stability when
overclocking and you have the option of going 0.2V above default, 1.5V - 1.7V.
Just remember adding voltage increases heat output so adequate cooling is a
necessity. I could get 225 MHz HTT stable with tight timings (2-2-2-6) by
increasing the voltage to 1.6V. I did not run it for long and the heatsink on
the chipset was getting a little warm. Since not a lot can be done to the HSF on
the chipset an additional fan may be warranted for extended periods running at a
higher voltage than 1.5V.
While not the robust options of the DFI LanParty Ultra D and SLI boards this
bios does offer a lot for the experienced overclocker. The plus is that for the
less experienced it makes for an easy setup doing most of the work for you.
Later, you can come back a tweak to your heart's content.
