First Time Builder: Allocate IRQ to PCI?

OK,

I'm a first time builder and I'm working my way through the K7S5A BIOS setup pages.

I just reached the following question:

"Allocate IRQ to PCI VGA?" (Y/N)

Should I answer yes? What are the pros and cons of doing this?

I have a PCI Voodoo3 2000 installed in PCI slot #1. I also expect to install my SoundBlaster Live in PCI slot #3.

Thanks,

Bob

yes, you should answer yes, the pros well pci cards will get an irq, sometimes there problems when two devices share and irq resource... an example would be a sound card, emitting only the first second of sound and looping endlessly...something like that, video cards and network cards tend to make hang the system, especially when you're into games

You will most likely have sound problems using a PCI video card with the on board or stand-alone PCI sound card on the KT7S5A board.This is a known problem that ECS have not addressed.Some people have posted success with earlier BIOS revisions if you encounter this.The simple solution is to update the video card to an AGP card.
HTH [img]redface.gif[/img]

Thanks for the advice and explanation. That's what I did. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Bob

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by iceman:
yes, you should answer yes, the pros well pci cards will get an irq, sometimes there problems when two devices share and irq resource... an example would be a sound card, emitting only the first second of sound and looping endlessly...something like that, video cards and network cards tend to make hang the system, especially when you're into games<hr></blockquote>

Shep,

Yes, based on what I've been reading on the various forums, I do expect the crackling sound problem. I wish I knew that when I picked up my PCI based Voodoo3 card. I'm really trying to limit my system costs but an AGP Voodoo3 card would have cost me about what I paid for the PCI version ($20 shipped). Oh well. :(

I'll try yhe BIOs fix if I get the problem.

Bob

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Shep:
You will most likely have sound problems using a PCI video card with the on board or stand-alone PCI sound card on the KT7S5A board.This is a known problem that ECS have not addressed.Some people have posted success with earlier BIOS revisions if you encounter this.The simple solution is to update the video card to an AGP card.
HTH [img]redface.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

Someone should be able to make a PCI latency patch like the one for Via Chip sets.I don't have the knowledge or I would have a go :/
http://www.networking.tzo.com/net/software/
that or SIS/ECS should get their BIOS fixed!!