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

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just got mine today and as soon as its set up ill be selling all my socket a gear .

also ordered another one for a client.
 
Thanks you guys! I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Refurb Biostar at NewEgg and will decide latter today on the CPU.

As I do not live close to Fry's (220 miles away) and will not be in that area until next weekend - and lately it seems that they only run the more expensive deals on the weekends with these type of deals during the week when I am not there. And since the 2800 is not at Outpost, I am limited to the one's that are...

I also started the RMA process last night for the EP-8RDA+, as it does seem to be an issue with the capacitor towers...

With regard to the ABIT boards, I will withhold judgement until I have the time to take it apart and see what has happened.

Now, I just have to figure out how to sell the ATHLON XP CPU's, aftermarket Heatsinks, and the like - some new and never used. I bought all that when I "thought" I had money! 😉
 
HINT: If you're quick you can get this REFURBISHED Biostar 6100 for $37 shipped!!!
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I wouldn't get the m7 version of the board, or spend the extra on a 3100+.

This board and this cpu are $139.73 shipped.

There are lots of good 754 combo's and deals out there, but I'm amazed with the price/performance of these parts @ 2.5ghz. If you read the reviews at Newegg, you'll see lots of people are getting great OC's. Plus, it's like your getting a video card free 🙂.
 
Looking at those Biostar boards, it seems like there are several different versions of the 6100 (like the m7 you mentioned). What's the difference? And assuming a refurbished version is in stock, should I be willing to buy that, or is refurbished too much of a risk?

Thanks jjmIII (and Zap). My gaming future is looking brighter thanks to you guys.

One advantage of that 6100 board is that I wouldn't have to immediately buy a video card, because I'm currently between games. The prices might not change much in the next few weeks, but it couldn't hurt to have the option of waiting.

Then again, if I know I'm going to buy a vid card, is there an equivalent mobo without the onboard video that will save me $10-$15?
 
I got in on this deal-- its actually sitting in a box while I wait for more parts to come in the mail. I'm looking into investing in my first -REAL- power supply. I'm tired of having no-name power supplies die on me, and I dont have a huge budget. I figure I can probably spend 60-80$. I was looking into fsp group power supplies. basically I'm willing to invest now, so i never need to buy another power supply for this computer.
on a side note- I have a number of parts- processors- etc. which I'm going to sell off. Where is a good place to get packaging materials- for a cpu for example?
 
Compare the two here.

The boards are near identical. The m7 doesn't have as good a bios (oc features) as the t-force version. A reviewer at Newegg did say you can flash the t-force bios to the m7 though. That is up to you.

As far as a cheaper version (with no onboard):
I'm not sure you can get much cheaper. The onboard is basicly free.

unisprise: good power supply deal
 
Originally posted by: dholmes97
Looking at those Biostar boards, it seems like there are several different versions of the 6100 (like the m7 you mentioned). What's the difference? And assuming a refurbished version is in stock, should I be willing to buy that, or is refurbished too much of a risk?

Then again, if I know I'm going to buy a vid card, is there an equivalent mobo without the onboard video that will save me $10-$15?
Click to expand...

These boards are the cheapest with overclocking and PCIe. There's a cheaper board using the VIA K8T890 chipset but it probably isn't overclockable.

Refurb or not... tough question. I, as well as others, have purchased a number of refurbished boards BITD (myself, probably over 20, but hard to keep track). Some have been basically brand new. Some were definately used and/or were missing parts (such as ATX back plate). Some were glitchy, faulty or plain DOA. Of course I've had new boards like that :disgust: but at least you're guaranteed of all the parts/accessories. Newegg does have a 14 day return period so if you go for refurb (knowing it can be missing parts) then you MUST test out the board as completely as possible right after you get it.

The two Biostar boards... looks like they share similar PCB but with different color and different capacitors which may last longer and may be better quality. I've "heard" that the BIOS is nearly identical. I've never owned one (yet 😉 ) so don't take my word as gospel.

Originally posted by: unisprise
I'm looking into investing in my first -REAL- power supply. I'm tired of having no-name power supplies die on me, and I dont have a huge budget. I figure I can probably spend 60-80$. I was looking into fsp group power supplies. basically I'm willing to invest now, so i never need to buy another power supply for this computer.
Click to expand...

If you want a Fortron I can personally recommend the FSP400-60GLN.

SilentPCReview's review

Newegg $69

eWiz $47

eWiz is in stock this morning, but they tend to go in/out of stock often on this item. Newegg shipping is a fixed $7, eWiz is variable but should be between $6-10 depending on where you live. At roughly $55 shipped it is a great value. My personal take is that it works great and is reasonably quiet, plus has all the proper connectors including 6 pin PCIe (which a lot of cheaper PSUs are missing).

For even cheaper PSUs, keep an eye on my budget PSU thread. I listed four PSUs ranging from $20-24 ($7 shipping, researched at Newegg) that have decent specs and am trying to solicit opinions/experience regarding those budget units. I choose them based on their +12v rail strength and having a 24pin ATX plug.
 
Originally posted by: pacoweaz
Hey I just bit on this great deal. But any suggestions for a heatsink and fan? Thanks!
Click to expand...

This HSF for $15 shipped can't be beat. Other than that, just go for anything cheap. Not worth spending big bucks on a HSF for these cheap CPUs unless you want to run passive.
 
Hmmm.
Zap, thats a pretty nice HSF compared to the OEM that came with my 2800+. Considering a purchase (damn you!).
 
Originally posted by: Zap
HINT: If you're quick you can get this REFURBISHED Biostar 6100 for $37 shipped!!!
Click to expand...

I snoozed, so I lose. Had one but didn't check out, now OOS but they have the Tforce version for $5 more. 🙁

Originally posted by: jjmIII
Zap, thats a pretty nice HSF compared to the OEM that came with my 2800+. Considering a purchase (damn you!).
Click to expand...

Don't sweat it, I already damned myself - twice!!! Each additional HSF adds only $5 shipping so I got two for $25. IIRC this guy shipped mine same day or next morning, forgot when but basically I got it after two business days Priority Mail. Now I have these sitting here doing nothing. WTF... why did I order them?!?!? Dang Hot Deals. Well, actually first saw this in Cases and Cooling, so dang them, dang them to heck!

BTW, if you want to see some pics comparing this unit to the one that came with my dual core 3800+, here ya go.
 
Can someone please help me out here with a definitive answer on which drivers (or combination of drivers) to use with this motherboard? I have this combo and am about to begin assembly, but I've read so much about various problems with this motherboard here and on other forums.

Many people claim to have had problems with the on-board USB 2.0 ports after installing certain drivers. Others claim the on-board Ethernet port is useless after certain drivers are installed. Some people say not to install nvidia's firewall component. Some say do not install nvidia's IDE drivers. Some say don't install any of the drivers from the CD included with the motherboard. Some are downloading and installing only the latest drivers from nvidia's site. Others other downloading and installing only the latest drivers from ECS's site.

I can't seem to get a straightforward answer on what to install, and which driver versions to use. I could sure appreciate some straight feedback on this matter. Thanks in advance!
 
Originally posted by: thetxstang
Can someone please help me out here with a definitive answer on which drivers (or combination of drivers) to use with this motherboard?... Some say do not... Some say don't install...Some are
Click to expand...
The reason you aren't getting one answer is that there is no one answer, plus the answer is a moving target. The thing is that whether you use the drivers off the CD or from ECS site or from Nvidia site, underneath it all is the driver made by Nvidia, so essentially they're all the same thing. Typically unless there was a reason not to, you'd just want the latest version from Nvidia's site unless ECS made mods to their board that needs modified drivers, which is unlikely. Still, for the most part you won't notice much difference no matter which driver version you use - as long as drivers get installed to begin with.

As for the drivers, I'd say just install the standard package and "opt out" of the IDE and firewall, the reason being that if anyone has any problems with the driver at all chances are it is because of one of those two portions. USB is an iffy proposition since I don't think it is a driver issue (IIRC uses default Windows drivers) but is more of a chipset issue (most reports are from owners of Nforce4).
Originally posted by: zettler
Are these the same motherboards???
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No, the 755-A2 uses the SiS 755 chipset while the NFORCE3-A uses, what else, the Nforce3 chipset. Both are roughly comparible. I've heard (though never used one) that the 755-A2 is good to 255MHz while the NFORCE3-A (which I've used) is "only" good up until 250MHz HTT. I know the NF3 has voltages in BIOS, don't know about the 755. The NF3 can "override" the BIOS limitation through software (Clockgen) while the 755 does not have that ability AFAIK. I do know that the NF3 as a chipset is more popular, and has proven overclockability. That's all I have because I'm just not familiar enough with the 755-A2 (and likely won't ever be).

The Fry's ad is for a retail box CPU while Outpost doesn't specify. If considering the Outpost 2800+ deal, perhaps call and talk to a CSR to find out.
 
man outpost is really rockin the good deals on cpu/mobo combos. it is getting amazingly cheap to build a good box.
 
Originally posted by: TheShiz
man outpost is really rockin the good deals on cpu/mobo combos. it is getting amazingly cheap to build a good box.
Click to expand...

o yeah upgrade for me 😀 might even make money on the deal selling my old equipment
 
I got this combo delivered on Wed. I also ordered the heatsink/fan from the ebay link above. The postage for the HS was printed on MONDAY, but I just found out that it didn't ship until THURSDAY. I'm really irritated, since obviously I can't run this board until the HS arrives :|
 
Originally posted by: hiperco
I got this combo delivered on Wed. I also ordered the heatsink/fan from the ebay link above. The postage for the HS was printed on MONDAY, but I just found out that it didn't ship until THURSDAY. I'm really irritated, since obviously I can't run this board until the HS arrives :|
Click to expand...


I'm in the same boat. I know how you feel. Got everything hooked up but that.

JDJr
 
Originally posted by: JDJr
Originally posted by: hiperco
I got this combo delivered on Wed. I also ordered the heatsink/fan from the ebay link above. The postage for the HS was printed on MONDAY, but I just found out that it didn't ship until THURSDAY. I'm really irritated, since obviously I can't run this board until the HS arrives :|
Click to expand...


I'm in the same boat. I know how you feel. Got everything hooked up but that.

JDJr
Click to expand...


same here and the funny part is in the dudes feedback most people say he ships fast

not to me he dident. Still waiting.
 
great. Now I have case- mobo/cpu, hsf on the way, ram on the way, and power supply on the way. hmmm. maybe I'll look into deals on sata drives/ a new video card. Never owned a sata drive.. is the performance boost very noticeable? I know about raid possibilities etc....
wd 160 49.99 ar

Honestly.. I don't have a terabyte of porn I need to back up... only 8mb buffer- a good choice for first sata drive?
 
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