Radeon 9700 and AGP 8X: what's the matter?

[Oratius]

... if there's one.
I have heard of some problems that the radeon 9700 should have with those mobos which support agp 8X (through sis and via chipset): I would like to know if it's true and in this case which is the problem because I've a friend of mine who is going to buy asking me if i know of any problem.

 

[antlers]

This situation is not clear. It appears that some early models of 9700 are incompatible with some early models of driver chipsets (I heard SIS mentioned). I don't think there is a blanket fix for this, yet. I have heard that in some cases ATI will send you an updated board, but I think this is being done on a case-by-case basis.

 

[T2k]

Just straight from the 9700/DS topic...

So, maybe I'm wrong but the situation is:

1. 9700 IS working with P4S8X. Confirmed here: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=869356&highlight_key=y&keyword1=P4S8X check the 4th post.
Solution: latest BIOS. Chipset: SiS648.

2. 9700 IS working with A7V8X. Confirmed here: http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33635392&highlight=A7V8X check the starting post.
Solution: latest BIOS. Chipset: KT400.

3. 9700 SHOULD BE work with VIA P4X400 based mobos. Confirmation here: http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33634311&highlight=VIA+P4X400 check the 6th post: it's by 3DCube, he's ATI employee. Solution: ?

Of course, there are still more problems but could be solved in the new CATALYST v02.3 (just came out an hour ago), maybe, it's just speculation.

Since there's no more available chipset w/ AGP v3.0 standard, probably we can assume: the story is about the mobo makers, isn't?

IF it would be 9700's fault AT ALL then ALL the cards should be def in ANY AGP v3.0 mobo, right?

...my 2 cents...

 

[Doomtrooper]

Not to mention the other AGP 8X cards the SiS Xabre's are also locking up.

 

[ben6]

Hrm I'm expecting another new toy in from Nvidia soon. Which I'll test my 9700 with, hopefully AGP 8x will work fine with it

 

[T2k]

Hrm I'm expecting another new toy in from Nvidia soon. Which I'll test my 9700 with, hopefully AGP 8x will work fine with it

Silly games... that would be funny: 9700 only work in nForce2...

 

[T2k]

Not to mention the other AGP 8X cards the SiS Xabre's are also locking up.

...and have fixed w/ new BIOSes too! Gettin' weird, huh?

PS: I don't understand why ATI has to fix the mobo manufacturers' sh**...

 

[Bigus Dickus]

PS: I don't understand why ATI has to fix the mobo manufacturers' sh**...

Because, as has been so painfully illustrated recently on this board, the finger is pointed at ATI (sometimes quite forcefully) regardless of who is really to blame.

 

[Doomtrooper]

Tweaktown is now stating the AE2 stepping of the 9700 is causing some of the 8X issues...rumours of course:

ATi Radeon 9700 AE2 Stepping AGP 8x Bug
Published: 12/09/2002 07:08:20 AM
Author: Cameron Wilmot

Since receiving our Sapphire Radeon 9700 graphics card a couple of days ago during testing we have been experiencing a few strange problems – such as continuous system reboots and programs and games crashing back to Windows desktop when used on all SiS 648, VIA KT400 and P4X400 based motherboards with AGP 8X support operational which we currently have testing.

We cannot be 100% sure if this is an isolated problem however can be sure in saying we received confirmation from our contact at Epox Taiwan (who got first hand information direct from ATi) saying the problem is only occurring in AE2 stepping Radeon 9700 chips, and not the newer AE3 chips which are now shipping from the Canadian company, who say fix the problems discussed here. The problem is, the AE2 stepping chips are vast, and thus many made it into the retail market where end-users are no doubt going to suffer. It’s important to note that we had no problems what-so-ever running the AE2 stepping Radeon 9700 on VIA KT333 and Intel 845E/G based motherboards operating in either AGP 2x or 4x modes.

If you have any further information to add we’d appreciate it if you add it to the following thread in our Rumors and Speculation Forum. We’ll be passing the information provided onto ATi and Epox to help remedy the problem.

 

[KimB]

Guess what? It's called immature technology. Unfortunately, this means that if you want to run a 9700 at AGP8x right now, you're running the risk of having problems.

The upcoming AGP8x NV28 and NV18 should have somewhat fewer problems, as they'll be out later, and the NV30 should still have fewer.

By analogy, motherboards/chipset revisions released later will also improve compatibility.

If you really want to use AGP8x without issues, wait at least 3-6 months for things to solidify.

 

[T2k]

RADEON 9700 PRO 128 MB - System does not POST on some AGP 8x capable motherboards

In certain cases, after installing the RADEON 9700 PRO 128MB in an AGP 8x capable motherboard, the system will not post, or boot up.
Not all AGP 8x motherboards are affected. Some Customer's have reported that lowering the AGP transfer speed in some instances, will allow the system to then post.


ATI Engineering has been advised of this issue and is investigating. Any updates will appear on this page when they become available.

Please provide the following information to ATI Customer Service:

your name, address, and phone number
make, model, and revision of the motherboard
102 part number from the affected RADEON 9700 PRO 128MB
make and model of the power supply
current AGP transfer setting
a completed ATI Problem Report (if able to boot at a lower AGP transfer setting)

INFO-BASE# 4080

KEYWORDS: RADEON 9700 for PC POST BOOT 8X AGP MOTHERBOARD

Source: http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/4080.html