Don't get MSI 975X for X6800 CPU... yet :P

[sony3127]

I got all my parts in yesterday (see sig) and installed everything. It all runs fine, but I am very disappointed in MSI's mobo that I got. The 975X Platinum does not live up to MSI's history of plenty of features and good OC support. Here's my list of gripe's...

1) You cannot set the multiplier above 11 on a X6800. (this is a 975X chipset, I don't understand why it doesn't have the option!)

2) Even when only using a single PCI-E slot, it only runs in 8x mode instead of full 16x (it's only supposed to be 8x if you have a card in BOTH PCI-E slots and it won't let me change it)

3 There's not even an option in the memory settings to set the command timings to 1T

4) It says it's Conroe ready... it recognized my X6800, but the timings it defaulted to were way off. For some reason it defaulted to a 66MHz FSB and 8x multiplier. I had to manually set the FSB to 266MHz and the multiplier to 11. Then it worked fine, but if it says it's Conroe ready you would think it should read these setting automatically... hmph.

So basically I took a gamble and lost. I have used MSI for the last 4 builds I've done and they have always had tons of options and features so I assumed that would carry over to this board. NOT SO. It runs stable, but not worth the $220 I spent for a 975X board. Honestly, I'm hoping that MSI comes out with a BIOS update soon that will fix/add these features as I have seen them do with a couple of boards in the past.

 

[ElMoIsEviL]

I got all my parts in yesterday (see sig) and installed everything. It all runs fine, but I am very disappointed in MSI's mobo that I got. The 975X Platinum does not live up to MSI's history of plenty of features and good OC support. Here's my list of gripe's...

1) You cannot set the multiplier above 11 on a X6800. (this is a 975X chipset, I don't understand why it doesn't have the option!)

2) Even when only using a single PCI-E slot, it only runs in 8x mode instead of full 16x (it's only supposed to be 8x if you have a card in BOTH PCI-E slots and it won't let me change it)

3 There's not even an option in the memory settings to set the command timings to 1T

4) It says it's Conroe ready... it recognized my X6800, but the timings it defaulted to were way off. For some reason it defaulted to a 66MHz FSB and 8x multiplier. I had to manually set the FSB to 266MHz and the multiplier to 11. Then it worked fine, but if it says it's Conroe ready you would think it should read these setting automatically... hmph.

So basically I took a gamble and lost. I have used MSI for the last 4 builds I've done and they have always had tons of options and features so I assumed that would carry over to this board. NOT SO. It runs stable, but not worth the $220 I spent for a 975X board. Honestly, I'm hoping that MSI comes out with a BIOS update soon that will fix/add these features as I have seen them do with a couple of boards in the past.

Now, take my post as an opinion rather then fact. MSI sucks... have always sucked and will continue to always suck. Of course I'm biased against MSI since they nearly burned down my house and caused 10K in damages to my wall, computer desk and surrounding fax machine when it's fan header failed and caused the CPU to burst into flames.

I have the pictures still...

I HATE MSI... lol

 

[joset]

Now, take my post as an opinion rather then fact. MSI sucks... have always sucked and will continue to always suck. Of course I'm biased against MSI since they nearly burned down my house and caused 10K in damages to my wall, computer desk and surrounding fax machine when it's fan header failed and caused the CPU to burst into flames.

Amazing! Compared to what you say happened to your wall & computer surroundings, the board seems like it could work fine; so, how can you say MSI sucks?! (joking!)


Cheers!

 

[sony3127]

I know this was also posted in the OC Mobo forum, but I don't know how many people from the CPU forum actually go there and I did't want someone to buy this mobo without knowing about these issues. (just trying to help ) That said, here's what I posted in the OC Mobo forum as my last reply:

Ugh... well, I've decided to stick it out. I'm going to try and be a loyal MSI customer. They fixed issues with thier BIOS before so I'm just going to hope they do the same with this board.

On a brighter note though, I have OC'd my X6800 quite well with no problems so far. I just bumped the FSB up to 333MHz (1333 QDR) on STOCK voltages to get a 3.66 OC and it is just churning away! Did I mention this thing is DAMN FAST?! lol It's even staying pretty cool now... I think the AS5 needed some time to "cure", because now it doesn't even get over 42C at load while OC'd on air! (I haven't put my LCS together yet, I'm doing that this weekend when I have some time ) I'm playing everything from F.E.A.R. and HL2: LC, to BF2 and AoEIII and this thing just FLY's! Anyone who can get one, GET IT!

(MSI, please read this and FIX THOSE BIOS ISSUES!!!)

 

[jaguarskx]

I ordered the MSI 975X Platinum for my rig after doing a lot of search. Since I'm dropping in an E6600, adjusting the clock multiplier doesn't matter. Based on some extensive research I already knew about it's limited X6800. I bought the mobo for it's stability and support for 4 IDE devices. I still have a few large capacity IDE hard drives that I just don't want to throw away yet.

Anywaste, based on my research, it seems this board is stable up to a FSB of 445MHz which is an increase from the 370MHz a couple of BIOS updates ago. Since I won't be receiving all my parts until next week , I can't say just how stable it from experience. But I'm not an extreme overclocker, but I expect it to run perfectly stable with an FSB of 333.

 

[shinigamiX]

The mobo on my first build was an ASUS. For my second(few months ago), I went with MSI. When the board got here, none of the PCI slots worked. I'm waiting for my P5B Deluxe now...learned my lesson

 

[advcomp2019]

I have always have had good luck with Abit motherboards. That is why I try to stay with them.

 

[jaguarskx]

The mobo on my first build was an ASUS. For my second(few months ago), I went with MSI. When the board got here, none of the PCI slots worked. I'm waiting for my P5B Deluxe now...learned my lesson

Well, I guess I'll find out for myself once I recieve all my parts early next week.

I haven't read anything too bad about the 975X Platinum. The worst thing is probably the multiplier issue which is a non issue for the E6600. The next worst thing I've read is the software utilities that is shipped with the mobo; they seem to be only 50% functional.

 

[sony3127]

I can confirm that jaguar... hopefully MSI will get on the ball and fix these BIOS and software issues!