AMD Sempron Processor 3100+ & ECS NFORCE3-A Motherboard for $80 at Outpost.com

[mawg]

Zap, any wisdom for me on the issue noted a couple posts above?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: mawg
Zap, any wisdom for me on the issue noted a couple posts above?

You're using SATA RAID? Unfortunately I haven't done that with this board (or any Nforce board) so not sure... only thought is that the IDE driver is somehow doing most of the misdeeds, but IIRC it is needed for SATA RAID... wait, when you installed Windows you had to do the "hit F6" to install the RAID drivers using a floppy disk, right? Well then, you should still NOT install the IDE drivers in the Nforce setup from Windows.

 

[mawg]

Zap,

Thanks for taking time to reply, I appreciate it.

Although I have extensive experience with RAID in a SCSI/server environment this is my first attempt at IDE/SATA type RAID. I believe the windows driver issue is actually a downstream of the root issue since it started happening during the original install, right before where it asks for the CD key. Dang.

Hard to believe that nobody else has run across, considering how many have bought this deal.

I would still have to load some sort of IDE drivers to be able to see the CDs and any plain ATA IDE drives installed, right? Actually, I could see the CD drive all along, even before installing the drivers included with the mobo. I *think* the thing XP is complainig about is some kind of logical level deal, I found some stuff about hardware classes, like the mouclass stuff we used to run into from time to time.

 

[furballi]

I have the NF3 Sempron 2800 combo. The CPU core is SDA2800AI03BA (Winchester 90nm with 256 cache). This CPU is better than the 2600. However, the best I could do is 2.1GHz (263MHz FSB). The RAM is running at 266 speed/3-4-4-8-2T with Vcore maxed out (1.58V or +5.1%). I'm not sure if higher Vcore will be able to get this CPU past 2.4GHz.

This same MB and RAM will hit 280MHz FSB (2.51GHz core speed) with the Sempron 3100 Paris at 333/2.5-3-3-6-1T. It appears that the Paris has a much better memory controller. The 9x multiplier is also a big plus.

Fry's has an A64 3000 754 for $120. I believe this is a 10x multiplier CPU with Venice core...perhaps 2.6GHz with a good chip. Still a lot of $ for a modest bump in performance.


Also did a Super Pi 1M digits run with a Gateway A64 3500 939 PC. The time is 41.3 sec. This is on par with the 3100 Sempron running at 2.25GHz. I would expect the A64 3500 to be 2 seconds faster. I suppose all those applications running in the background can result in a significant drag in the test time.

SP 1M digits for Sempron 3100 Paris at DDR333, 2.5-3-3-6-1T (1GB RAM)
-2.43GHz...38.1 seconds
-2.52GHz...36.8 seconds

 

[BigSpenderNOT]

Hi again everyone, I hope someone here has experience with the SpeedFan program. I am using it for the first time with this build (since it is an HTPC and sound is now an issue) and just would like to know how to set up the voltage tab. I only have two fans in my case at the moment. The CPU fan plugged in to the mobo in the fan1 position and a 120mm rear case fan plugged into the mobo in the fan2 position. Which voltage on the tab goes for which fan? I'm assuming that is a very necessary tab to set up in order for SpeedFan to control the fan speeds! The included "help" is very vague. Thanks to any of you SpeedFan gurus who have a second or two to reply!

 

[homestarmy]

Could someone please help me locate the correct Cool n Quiet driver that I should install to use with this motherboard? Thank you!

 

[homestarmy]

Also, another odd thing is that I can get my RAM to pass memtest at 2.5-3-3-8 (I think it was at 1T), but then after ten minutes, it will fail Prime 95. I had to bring it back to 240 FSB to keep the 200MHz rating on the RAM and also put it to 3-4-4-8 2T to get it to work properly... what gives? Any advice on that?

This is only being used as an HTPC with Media Center 2005. I will be recording/watching HDTV mainly. Are these memory settings really going to impact performance in my case?

Also, with Clockgen (I downloaded the specific NF3 one by searching for the file name stated earlier in this thread) I don't have a way to change the FSB. There was a button that was greyed out. Is there something that I am doing wrong? Do I have the wrong file?

 

[ElFenix]

prime 95's small FFT torture test seems to be ridiculously hard on components. i've experienced similar where it will go overnight on memtest but fail prime 95 with no apparent instability.

 

[SeniorCorrespondent]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
prime 95's small FFT torture test seems to be ridiculously hard on components. i've experienced similar where it will go overnight on memtest but fail prime 95 with no apparent instability.

Prime 95 is primarily a processor test. If you are failing prime 95, you are not stable. If your temps are not too high, you can try raising your vcore.

Originally posted by: homestarmy
Also, another odd thing is that I can get my RAM to pass memtest at 2.5-3-3-8 (I think it was at 1T), but then after ten minutes, it will fail Prime 95. I had to bring it back to 240 FSB to keep the 200MHz rating on the RAM and also put it to 3-4-4-8 2T to get it to work properly... what gives? Any advice on that?

Memtest is a memory test, if you are passing memtest, then the problem is likely not with your memory timmings, but instead with your processor being overclocked too high.

 

[homestarmy]

You are correct, but I pass Prime95 for hours unless the memory settings are changed, then I recieve an error after ten minutes. I don't see how that can be blamed on anything else than the variable that changed - the memory.

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
prime 95's small FFT torture test seems to be ridiculously hard on components. i've experienced similar where it will go overnight on memtest but fail prime 95 with no apparent instability.

In the real world, only using XP Media Center 2005 for viewing movies and TV, etc, my memory would never be put through that kind of stress, so I assume if it passes Memtest, I'll be fine, no?

Also, this was without tweaking voltage for the RAM. I haven't had to up voltage, what is safe (no heatspreader, basic patriot memory).

 

[BadThad]

Just to save some of you guys time....I saw people install WinXP, then SP1, then SP2....there's no need to do that. You only need to install SP2! And better yet, make yourself a slipstreamed SP2 XP installation disk using THIS program and save even more time.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: furballi
I have the NF3 Sempron 2800 combo. The CPU core is SDA2800AI03BA (Winchester 90nm with 256 cache). This CPU is better than the 2600. However, the best I could do is 2.1GHz (263MHz FSB). The RAM is running at 266 speed/3-4-4-8-2T with Vcore maxed out (1.58V or +5.1%). I'm not sure if higher Vcore will be able to get this CPU past 2.4GHz.

Fry's has an A64 3000 754 for $120. I believe this is a 10x multiplier CPU with Venice core...perhaps 2.6GHz with a good chip.

That 3000+ may be an easy 2.5GHz with BIOS settings.

My 2600+ had varying overclocks depending on the motherboard. On my Chaintech VNF3 board, could barely hit around 2.1-2.2GHz. On my Epox board could hit 2.4GHz. On my Biostar Tforce, 2.52GHz.

Originally posted by: BadThad
Just to save some of you guys time....I saw people install WinXP, then SP1, then SP2....there's no need to do that. You only need to install SP2! And better yet, make yourself a slipstreamed SP2 XP installation disk

Been there, done that, but it can be valuable info for others. Besides a slipstreamed disc for myself, I just keep a copy of the whole SP2 file, IIRC called "network install" or something like that, kind of like DirectX "redistributable." I use that on machines that already have Windows XP, or that use a factory restore CD without SP2.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: mawg
Hard to believe that nobody else has run across, considering how many have bought this deal.

Most people get a cheap deal to use in a cheap computer - no RAID.

Windows does not need IDE drivers to work with the Nforce chipset. To do RAID you will need the floppy disk drivers during Windows install. After that I don't think you need the IDE drivers from the Nforce driver pack, but am not sure. Anyone around that knows? Perhaps ask in the Motherboards category?

 

[xSeongminx]

When are they going to come out with a bios which enables overclocking the fsb to 300 🙁.

 

[furballi]

Overclocking an 8x CPU has always been challenging.

I think there may be a technical glitch with the Sempron 2800 Winchester. I've read a few 2800 Newcastles above 2.3GHz with this MB.

 

[saabman]

Bought an LC17 and Seasonic S12-330 from pcalchemy in my quest to build my first htpc.

Having a problem getting my Fry's combo deal (ECS NF3 +3100+) to power up with my Seasonic S12-330 PSU.

I only have the CPU (w/zalman 7000 hsf), memory (one crucial 512 DDR400 stick), and 20 pin + 4 pin PSU cables connected to the MB.

With only the + and - power switch jumper connected to the MB, I plug the PSU power cable in, switch PSU rocker switch to on, and the case power button does nothing (switching + and - power switch jumpers doesn't matter).

It almost seems like the PSU is dead, except it does power on with an older 20 pin Tyan MB as soon as I turn on the PSU rocker switch, but the MB jumpered case power switch doesn't seem to work.

I've also tested the ECS MB with an older PSU and it powers up the CPU fan correctly with the jumpered MB case power switch.

Any ideas what is going on?

 

[furballi]

If it works with another PSU, then the Seasonic may not provide sufficient juice to boot.

 

[saabman]

It was simple, I goofed.

I separated the 24 pin main cable into a 20 pin (breakoff 4 pin) and mistankingly plugged that breakoff 4 pin into the other 4 pin receptacle on the MB (wrong!!). That breakoff 4 pin was actually for PCI express, but I didn't realize it. Thanks to another poster on another forum for that info.

I didn't realize there was another 4 pin cable from the PSU that should plug in there. Haven't bought a PSU since they went to the 24 pin PSUs, so guess I was kinda confused. Got it figured out now, and working.

 

[mawg]

This board doesn't have any PCI Express, doubt if that is what the 4-pin socket on the board is. My older Enermax 431W PSU has a 20 pin connector, also has a sepate 4-pin with black and yellow wires, I have it plugged into the 4 pin socket on the MOBO. My manual idents it as JATXWR2 : ATX 12 volt power connector.

 

[TekDemon]

Originally posted by: mawg
This board doesn't have any PCI Express, doubt if that is what the 4-pin socket on the board is. My older Enermax 431W PSU has a 20 pin connector, also has a sepate 4-pin with black and yellow wires, I have it plugged into the 4 pin socket on the MOBO. My manual idents it as JATXWR2 : ATX 12 volt power connector.

What he meant was that the 4 pin plug he had been plugging into the board was a PCI express plug, and that he didn't realize it.

 

[homestarmy]

Whew! Good thing you didn't fry your board. People say doing that can fry your board, no? Was it that the Seasonic was "smart" enough to not kill it or...?

Also, could anyone address my last posts? Thanks guys 🙂.

 

[saabman]

Tek,

Yes, that's correct. I just didn't see the correct 4 pin plug that mawg was talking about. Instead I just assumed the breakoff 4 pin was supposed to also be plugged into the MB. All because I hadn't seen a 24 pin PSU in person yet, this was my first one.

Yea, I haven't built a new PC from scratch since 1998 and Win98SE, so I have a little catching up to do.

mawg, I'm a bit past a middle aged white guy, but not over the hill yet.

 

[saabman]

homestarmy,

Actually you would probably be OK using the stock CPU speed for an MCE based HTPC (CPU =2800 and up), especially if you're using a hardware encoder for the TiVO like recording (like hauppauge 150, 250,500) and an Nvidia display card with TV out .

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: TekDemon
What he meant was that the 4 pin plug he had been plugging into the board was a PCI express plug, and that he didn't realize it.

To clarify, generally speaking PCI-E motherboards need the 24 pins** because the extra 4 pins are to help power the PCI-E 16x slot. There are some mid-range cards in AGP and PCI-E flavors that exhibit this power difference by requiring a molex for power on the AGP version and no additional power on the PCI-E version.

The completely separate 4 pin +12v wire is for powering the CPU. This became common starting with the Pentium 4, though some boards appear to work fine without it while others won't POST without it. Also, some boards don't have it at all (example: Low end VIA chipset P4 boards from ECS).

There is a separate 6 pin PCI-E plug that some really high-powered PCI-E video cards need (basically instead of a molex). Most of the "lower end" power supplies with 24 pin do not have it while "higher end" power supplies with 24 pin do have it (or two for "SLI Certified"). I use "lower" and "higher" loosely because there's a lot of overlap.

** Some do not require it or have it at all. Examples: My Biostar Tforce6100-939 is currently being powered by an older Enermax SFX PSU with only the 20 pin, leaving the extra 4 pins empty. Also, some boards such as the popular ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 (or whatever the model number, the one with ULi chipset and both AGP and PCI-E) only has a 20 pin plug.