Ive lookin round at hardware stuff recently and I seem to have gotten myself quite confused about what I actually have in my PC.

I have run tools to find out what is in my PC but they either don't seem to make their mind up about what I've got or they disagree with eachother, and even better they seem to disagree with the numbers written on the chips in the computer.

I was wondering how the programs like AIDA32 and SiSoft Sandra get their information. Do they just go off what Windows has detected the hardware to be and what drivers windows is using?

I seem to have a lot of trouble identifying my motherboard. In AIDA32 and Everst it gives this information which I have cut some of the rubbish out of:

Code:

--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Computer:
      Operating System                                  Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
      OS Service Pack                                   Service Pack 2

    Motherboard:
      CPU Type                                          AMD Athlon XP, 1800 MHz (6.75 x 267) 2200+
      Motherboard Name                                  MSI MS-6382E v2.0  (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 CNR, 2 DIMM, Audio)
      Motherboard Chipset                               VIA VT8367 Apollo KT333
      System Memory                                     512 MB  (PC2100 DDR SDRAM)
      BIOS Type                                         Award Modular (09/23/02)

    Display:
      Video Adapter                                     NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420  (64 MB)

    Multimedia:
      Audio Adapter                                     VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller

    Storage:
      Floppy Drive                                      Floppy disk drive
      Disk Drive                                        ST3120020A  (120 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
      Optical Drive                                     HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B
      Optical Drive                                     MSI CD-RW MS-8348  (48x CD-RW)

--------[ DMI ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  [ BIOS ]

    BIOS Properties:
      Vendor                                            Award Software International, Inc.
      Version                                           6.00 PG
      Release Date                                      09/23/2002
      Size                                              256 KB
      Boot Devices                                      Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
      Capabilities                                      Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD
      Supported Standards                               DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP
      Expansion Capabilities                            ISA, PCI, AGP, USB

  [ System ]

    System Properties:
      Manufacturer                                      TimeComputers
      Product                                           8366-8233
      Wake-Up Type                                      Power Switch

  [ Motherboard ]

    Motherboard Properties:
      Product                                           MS-6382

  [ Memory Controller ]

    Memory Controller Properties:
      Error Detection Method                            None
      Error Correction                                  Single-bit
      Supported Memory Interleave                       4-Way
      Current Memory Interleave                         4-Way
      Supported Memory Speeds                           70ns, 60ns
      Supported Memory Types                            DIMM, SDRAM
      Supported Memory Voltages                         3.3V
      Maximum Memory Module Size                        256 MB
      Memory Slots                                      2

  [ Processors / AMD Athlon(tm) XP ]

    Processor Properties:
      Manufacturer                                      AMD
      Version                                           AMD Athlon(tm) XP
      External Clock                                    133 MHz
      Maximum Clock                                     2000 MHz
      Current Clock                                     1800 MHz
      Type                                              Central Processor
      Voltage                                           3.3 V
      Status                                            Enabled
      Upgrade                                           ZIF
      Socket Designation                                Slot A

  [ Caches / Internal Cache ]

    Cache Properties:
      Type                                              Internal
      Status                                            Enabled
      Operational Mode                                  Write-Back
      Maximum Size                                      32 KB
      Installed Size                                    32 KB
      Supported SRAM Type                               Synchronous
      Current SRAM Type                                 Synchronous
      Socket Designation                                Internal Cache

  [ Caches / External Cache ]

    Cache Properties:
      Type                                              External
      Status                                            Enabled
      Operational Mode                                  Write-Back
      Maximum Size                                      2048 KB
      Installed Size                                    256 KB
      Supported SRAM Type                               Synchronous
      Current SRAM Type                                 Synchronous
      Socket Designation                                External Cache

  [ Memory Modules / A0 ]

    Memory Module Properties:
      Socket Designation                                A0
      Speed                                             60 ns
      Installed Size                                    512 MB
      Enabled Size                                      512 MB

  [ Memory Modules / A1 ]

    Memory Module Properties:
      Socket Designation                                A1
      Speed                                             60 ns
      Installed Size                                    Not Installed
      Enabled Size                                      Not Installed

  [ Memory Devices / A0 ]

    Memory Device Properties:
      Form Factor                                       DIMM
      Size                                              512 MB
      Device Locator                                    A0
      Bank Locator                                      Bank0/1

  [ Memory Devices / A1 ]

    Memory Device Properties:
      Form Factor                                       DIMM
      Device Locator                                    A1
      Bank Locator                                      Bank2/3

  [ System Slots / PCI ]

    System Slot Properties:
      Slot Designation                                  PCI
      Type                                              PCI
      Usage                                             In Use
      Data Bus Width                                    32-bit
      Length                                            Long

  [ System Slots / PCI ]

    System Slot Properties:
      Slot Designation                                  PCI
      Type                                              PCI
      Usage                                             In Use
      Data Bus Width                                    32-bit
      Length                                            Long

  [ System Slots / PCI ]

    System Slot Properties:
      Slot Designation                                  PCI
      Type                                              PCI
      Usage                                             In Use
      Data Bus Width                                    32-bit
      Length                                            Long

  [ System Slots / AGP ]

    System Slot Properties:
      Slot Designation                                  AGP
      Type                                              AGP
      Usage                                             In Use
      Data Bus Width                                    32-bit
      Length                                            Long

  [ Port Connectors / PRIMARY IDE ]

    Port Connector Properties:
      Internal Reference Designator                     PRIMARY IDE
      Internal Connector Type                           On-Board IDE
      External Connector Type                           None

  [ Port Connectors / SECONDARY IDE ]

    Port Connector Properties:
      Internal Reference Designator                     SECONDARY IDE
      Internal Connector Type                           On-Board IDE
      External Connector Type                           None

  [ Port Connectors / FDD ]

    Port Connector Properties:
      Port Type                                         8251 FIFO Compatible
      Internal Reference Designator                     FDD
      Internal Connector Type                           On-Board Floppy
      External Connector Type                           None

--------[ Motherboard ]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Motherboard Properties:
      Motherboard ID                                    09/23/2002-VT8366-8233-6A6LVM4AC-00
      Motherboard Name                                  MSI MS-6382E v2.0

    Front Side Bus Properties:
      Bus Type                                          DEC Alpha EV6
      Bus Width                                         64-bit
      Real Clock                                        133 MHz (DDR)
      Effective Clock                                   267 MHz
      Bandwidth                                         2133 MB/s

    Memory Bus Properties:
      Bus Type                                          DDR SDRAM
      Bus Width                                         64-bit
      Real Clock                                        133 MHz (DDR)
      Effective Clock                                   267 MHz
      Bandwidth                                         2133 MB/s

    Chipset Bus Properties:
      Bus Type                                          VIA V-Link
      Bus Width                                         8-bit
      Real Clock                                        67 MHz (QDR)
      Effective Clock                                   267 MHz
      Bandwidth                                         267 MB/s

    Motherboard Physical Info:
      CPU Sockets/Slots                                 1
      Expansion Slots                                   3 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 CNR
      RAM Slots                                         2 DIMM
      Integrated Devices                                Audio
      Form Factor                                       Micro ATX
      Motherboard Size                                  210 mm x 240 mm
      Motherboard Chipset                               KT266A

    Motherboard Manufacturer:
      Company Name                                      Micro-Star International
      Product Information                               http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_list.php
      BIOS Download                                     http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_list.php


--------[ Chipset ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Chipset Properties:
      Motherboard Chipset                               VIA VT8367 Apollo KT333
      In-Order Queue Depth                              4
      CAS Latency                                       2.5T
      RAS To CAS Delay                                  3T
      RAS Precharge                                     3T
      RAS Active Time                                   7T

    Memory Slots:
      DRAM Slot #1                                      512 MB (PC2100 DDR SDRAM)

    AGP Properties:
      AGP Version                                       2.00
      AGP Status                                        Enabled
      AGP Aperture Size                                 128 MB
      Supported AGP Speeds                              1x, 2x, 4x
      Current AGP Speed                                 4x
      Fast-Write                                        Not Supported
      Side Band Addressing                              Supported, Disabled

    Chipset Manufacturer:
      Company Name                                      VIA Technologies, Inc.
      Product Information                               http://www.via.com.tw/en/apollo/chipsetindex.jsp
      Driver Download                                   http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2


###<From Everest>###

--------[ Chipset ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  [ North Bridge: VIA VT8367 Apollo KT333 ]

    North Bridge Properties:
      North Bridge                                      VIA VT8367 Apollo KT333
      Revision                                          00
      Package Type                                      552 Pin BGA
      Package Size                                      3.5 cm x 3.5 cm
      Process Technology                                0.22 um
      Core Voltage                                      2.5 V
      In-Order Queue Depth                              4

    Memory Controller:
      Bank Interleave                                   4-way

    Memory Timings:
      CAS Latency (CL)                                  2.5T
      RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD)                           3T
      RAS Precharge (tRP)                               3T
      RAS Active Time (tRAS)                            7T
      Command Rate (CR)                                 2T
      Write Recovery Time (tWR)                         3T

    Memory Slots:
      DRAM Slot #1                                      512 MB  (PC2100 DDR SDRAM)

    AGP Controller:
      AGP Version                                       2.00
      AGP Status                                        Enabled
      AGP Device                                        nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
      AGP Aperture Size                                 128 MB
      Supported AGP Speeds                              1x, 2x, 4x
      Current AGP Speed                                 4x
      Fast-Write                                        Not Supported
      Side Band Addressing                              Supported, Disabled

    Chipset Manufacturer:
      Company Name                                      VIA Technologies, Inc.
      Product Information                               http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets
      Driver Download                                   http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2

  [ South Bridge: VIA VT8233/8235 ]

    South Bridge Properties:
      South Bridge                                      VIA VT8233/8235
      Revision                                          00
      Package Size                                      2.7 cm x 2.7 cm
      Process Technology                                0.22 um
      Core Voltage                                      2.5 V

    AC'97 Audio Controller:
      Audio Controller Type                             VIA 8233/8235/8237
      Codec Name                                        Avance Logic ALC650
      Codec ID                                          414C4720h
      S/PDIF Output                                     Supported

    Chipset Manufacturer:
      Company Name                                      VIA Technologies, Inc.
      Product Information                               http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets
      Driver Download                                   http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2


--------[ BIOS ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    BIOS Properties:
      BIOS Type                                         Award Modular
      Award BIOS Type                                   Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
      Award BIOS Message                                W6382VMS V3.2B1 092302 20:10:19
      System BIOS Date                                  09/23/02
      Video BIOS Date                                   09/18/02

    BIOS Manufacturer:
      Company Name                                      Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
      Product Information                               http://www.phoenix.com/en/products/default.htm

    Problems & Suggestions:
      Suggestion                                        System BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.
      Suggestion                                        Video BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.


--------[ Physical Devices ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PCI Devices:
      Bus 0, Device 7, Function 0                       Broadcom 802.11g Wireless NIC
      Bus 0, Device 6, Function 0                       Harmonics (Conexant) HSF 56k HSFi Modem
      Bus 1, Device 0, Function 0                       nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420 Video Adapter
      Bus 0, Device 5, Function 0                       Philips SAA7134 PCI AV Decoder
      Bus 0, Device 8, Function 0                       Realtek RTL8139 Fast Ethernet Adapter
      Bus 0, Device 17, Function 5                      VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
      Bus 0, Device 16, Function 3                      VIA USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
      Bus 0, Device 17, Function 0                      VIA VT8233A/VT8235 PCI-ISA Bridge
      Bus 0, Device 17, Function 1                      VIA VT82C571 IDE Controller
      Bus 0, Device 1, Function 0                       VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A Chipset - AGP Controller
      Bus 0, Device 0, Function 0                       VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A Chipset - System Controller
      Bus 0, Device 16, Function 0                      VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
      Bus 0, Device 16, Function 1                      VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
      Bus 0, Device 16, Function 2                      VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller

    PnP Devices:
      PNP0303                                           101/102-Key or MS Natural Keyboard
      PNP0501                                           16550A-compatible UART Serial Port
      PNP0501                                           16550A-compatible UART Serial Port
      PNP0C08                                           ACPI Driver/BIOS
      FIXEDBUTTON                                       ACPI Fixed Feature Button
      THERMALZONE                                       ACPI Thermal Zone
      PNP0200                                           DMA Controller
      PNP0401                                           ECP Parallel Port
      PNP0C0B                                           Fan
      PNP0700                                           Floppy Disk Controller
      PNPB02F                                           Game Port Joystick
      TUNMP                                             Microsoft Tun Miniport Adapter
      PNP0C02                                           Motherboard Resources
      PNPB006                                           MPU-401-compatible
      PNP0C04                                           Numeric Data Processor
      PNP0800                                           PC Speaker
      PNP0A03                                           PCI Bus
      PNP0C0C                                           Power Button
      PNP0000                                           Programmable Interrupt Controller
      PNP0B00                                           Real-Time Clock
      PNP0C0E                                           Sleep Button
      PNP0C01                                           System Board Extension
      PNP0100                                           System Timer

--------[ Debug - PCI ]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    B00 D00 F00:  VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A Chipset - System Controller
    B00 D01 F00:  VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A Chipset - AGP Controller
    B00 D05 F00:  Philips SAA7134 PCI AV Decoder
    B00 D06 F00:  Harmonics (Conexant) HSF 56k HSFi Modem
    B00 D07 F00:  Broadcom 802.11g Wireless NIC
    B00 D08 F00:  Realtek RTL8139 Fast Ethernet Adapter
    B00 D10 F00:  VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
    B00 D10 F01:  VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
    B00 D10 F03:  VIA USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
    B00 D11 F00:  VIA VT8233A/VT8235 PCI-ISA Bridge
    B00 D11 F01:  VIA VT82C571 IDE Controller
    B00 D11 F05:  VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
    B01 D00 F00:  nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420 Video Adapter

It says the mother boards name is: MSI MS-6382E v2.0, however on the board it has MS-6382E ver:3, could it be that the drivers for version 2.0 work with the motherboard version 3 and AIDA has just picked up on which driver is being used?

It also says the chipset of the motherboard is "VIA VT8367 Apollo KT333", but lower down it says "Motherboard Chipset: KT266A" and in the PCI devices section it has 2 entries of "VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A Chipset" one for system controller and one for agp controller. The FSB, memory bus and chipst bus all have an effective clock of "Effective Clock" which would make me think I have the KT266A chipset not the KT333 one. But in everest it says the north bridge is VIA VT8367 Apollo KT333, and the south bridge is VT8233/VT8235. The south bridge chip is the VT8235 not the other and I cant see the northbridge cos there is a heatsink covering it. On the VIA website it says the southbridge for the KT266A chipset is the VT8233, and the southbridge for the KT333 is the VT8235, the southbridge I have. Could I have the KT266A chipset but the southbridge replaced with a VT8235?

The motherboard ID says: "VT8366-8233" in it. and the product Id is 8366-8233. Would these have been set by Time Computers or would the motherboard one have been set by MSI? Is it possible that the motherboard has been designed for the KT266A chipset but the KT333 chipset has been fitted mistakenly? And the KT266A drivers being used for some stuff? Could that even work?

Oh and can i ask, i noticed on the VIA website for VT8325 south bridge it says "the VIA VT8235 when connected to a compatible codec can support 6-channel audio". However on my computer i only have a socket for stereo speakers which is coming from the integrated sound card. Does this mean that the sound card I have is part of the motherboard and not the chipset? The bios says somewhere VIA-3058, would that be the model number of the integrated sound card?

Sorry this is a very long post, im not too good at explaining stuff you can probably guess.

Thanks very much for any replies.

Hello again, i have found a copy of the motheboards manual of a driver CD and found that I have the KT333 chipset VT8367 Northbridge, with VT8235 southbridge. However according to EVEREST one or two of my devices are listed as VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A Chipset (the AGP controller and the System controller). Does this mean they are using the wrong drivers? A lot of the clock speeds of things appear in everest as 266mhz, would new drivers enable these to be 333mhz like the chipset supports?

Cheers for any help :-)

Sorry that we don't have any engineers hanging about at the moment, nor am I one, but I have looked around a bit on your questions.

I would guess that MSI chose to mix chips on this board. The KT333 appears to have just come out about the same time as the last BIOS was released.

MSI has a different BIOS from yours but they are almost synchronous. Here are some links:

http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/ch.../legacy/kt333/

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/suppor...&NAME=MS-6382E V2.0

http://www.freewebs.com/milt/MSI_MS-6382-V3_Intro.pdf


If you want an engineer's response I would suggest posting your questions in this Usenet group:

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.comp.hardware?hl=en


Also I am not sure what the overall goal is but that motherboard is on the old side as far as any upgrades are concerned.
If hardware upgrading is the goal the first upgrade should probably be the motherboard.

Hope this helps and sorry for not replying earlier.