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Biostar GeForce 6100 M-7

M

MCATsavvy

Junior Member
I built my computer several years ago, and i built my uncle's computer a couple months ago, and now my friend wants me to build him a stable 'WP' PC. My first thought was to find a board that has integrated video, and i stumbled across the GeForce 6100 M-7. (Anandtech's buyer's guide recommended it). Thing is, I have not a single clue how this board performs,( i haven't seen a review out for it, besides it's brother, the TForce, in it's 939 state) and I'm trying to stick with the 754 sempron 2600, just cuz I don't think my friend is gonna need anything that graphically intense, for a while, and i know i can upgrade it for him via the PCI x16. Nevertheless, my question is this: does anyone know how this board is? And, any suggestions or recommendations?

btw, my config for my friend is:
GeForce 6100 M-7
2600+ Sempron (64 bit enabled)
Corsair Value Select, 512 MB RAM DDR
Samsung SpinPoint SP0411N (40 Gig, 2mb cache, 7200 rpm)
350W Rosewill PS with generic case (PS comes with the case) (is 350W enough?)
one optical drive, prolly an NEC dvd burner.

sooo..any ideas? anything would be appreciated. thanks.
 
I have a budget build coming up where I will be using the S754 T-Force version. It appears that Biostar has released four boards--two being the T-Force at either S939 or S754, and the non T-Force (M) versions that appear to be more conventional in design and have lesser bundles. The S754 and S939 T-Force boards are using aluminum polymer caps for the VRM and have three phase power.

The M7 S754 board has TWO PHASE power as opposed to THREE PHASE. THAT IS A BIG REASON NOT TO BUY THE M7. Get the T-Force variation.

The M9 and T-Force S939 versions both have three phase power, but the M9 still has the lesser bundle and uses conventional caps.

I will post a full report in a couple of weeks when I get a chance to build the machine. I will be using a Sempron64 2800+ CPU and TwinMOS RAM.
 
Well, I looked up the TForce 6100 754 version, and it seems like there hardly is any difference between the two, and biostar hasn't even released any literature or support for that board. in fact, it's not even on the website...sad, aint it? Nevertheless, ChiPCGuy, what is the difference between the three phase and two phase power? Does it play a crucial role for WordProcessing, Music, and internet? It's only because i'm trying to make this a budget computer, but i'm afraid to step into 939 chipsets because the proc's are all 100+, capping out my budget. Right now, i got my config to 320. btw, will 350W ps work?
 
Originally posted by: MCATsavvy
Well, I looked up the TForce 6100 754 version, and it seems like there hardly is any difference between the two, and biostar hasn't even released any literature or support for that board. in fact, it's not even on the website...sad, aint it? Nevertheless, ChiPCGuy, what is the difference between the three phase and two phase power? Does it play a crucial role for WordProcessing, Music, and internet? It's only because i'm trying to make this a budget computer, but i'm afraid to step into 939 chipsets because the proc's are all 100+, capping out my budget. Right now, i got my config to 320. btw, will 350W ps work?
Click to expand...


Generally speaking, 2 phase power if properly implemented and if you are using a high quality PSU is OK, but just barely OK. Two phase power is MINIMUM for S754 processors and older. Three phase power is absolutely required for S939 boards. Three phase power is technically better because the PSU does not have to be quite as high quality (no, this does not mean you can buy a Deer brand PSU, a POS is a POS). Additionally, three phase power is directly related to how well the board regulates power going to the CPU--three phase confers more stability in a design that is otherwise up to par in other respects. Yes, a reasonable quality 350W PSU is fine. Any Sparkle, Antec, or Fortron Source PSU will do nicely--be cognizant of the fact all of these boards are 24pin ATX. FWIW, the Antec 3700BQE now ships with a ATX 2.01 24pin PSU that carries 350W and dual rails (10A on 12V1 and 15A on 12V2--sufficient for your needs and negates the need to buy the PSU and case seperately).

You are correct in that stepping into a S939 board will cost quite a bit more. The primary reason for which you have already seized upon--the lowest cost Venice 3000+ CPU is in excess of $140. A decent Sempron64 can be had for less than $80. The other reason is RAM--a S939 processor would be seriously hobbled in performance with only one DIMM, and therefore should be used in dual channel mode. This obviously requires the use of two DIMMS, but this has the trade-off of requiring an additional DIMM slot and if you want to keep in budget, that might mean buying 2x256 Meg sticks for the realistic minimum of 512Megs of RAM (especially if you are using on-board video). Down the road, those 256Meg sticks may have to get chucked for 2x512Meg sticks for 1 Gig, even though the Venice is supposed to be compatible with different densities of RAM in seperate channels you may still run into problems because the mobo may cause issues -- not all BIOS's are created the same.

Edited to say: You might want to wait a week or so and see what Foxconn brings to the table. They are releasing two boards that use the 6150 MCP and 430 Southbridge with on-board HD Azalia audio. The cost might be the same as the Biostar T-Force S754 version, but who knows.

Edited again to say: You are stressing over $7.25??? That is the difference in cost between the two. I would say consider spending $7.25 less elsewhere if it will make or break the build you have mind.
 
I love mine.

Great OC'er, scored 4000 3dmarks on 3dmark03 with onboard video....tahts pretty damn good for onboard.

Good board all around.
 
Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy
Originally posted by: MCATsavvy
Well, I looked up the TForce 6100 754 version, and it seems like there hardly is any difference between the two, and biostar hasn't even released any literature or support for that board. in fact, it's not even on the website...sad, aint it? Nevertheless, ChiPCGuy, what is the difference between the three phase and two phase power? Does it play a crucial role for WordProcessing, Music, and internet? It's only because i'm trying to make this a budget computer, but i'm afraid to step into 939 chipsets because the proc's are all 100+, capping out my budget. Right now, i got my config to 320. btw, will 350W ps work?
Click to expand...


Generally speaking, 2 phase power if properly implemented and if you are using a high quality PSU is OK, but just barely OK. Two phase power is MINIMUM for S754 processors and older. Three phase power is absolutely required for S939 boards. Three phase power is technically better because the PSU does not have to be quite as high quality (no, this does not mean you can buy a Deer brand PSU, a POS is a POS). Additionally, three phase power is directly related to how well the board regulates power going to the CPU--three phase confers more stability in a design that is otherwise up to par in other respects. Yes, a reasonable quality 350W PSU is fine. Any Sparkle, Antec, or Fortron Source PSU will do nicely--be cognizant of the fact all of these boards are 24pin ATX. FWIW, the Antec 3700BQE now ships with a ATX 2.01 24pin PSU that carries 350W and dual rails (10A on 12V1 and 15A on 12V2--sufficient for your needs and negates the need to buy the PSU and case seperately).

You are correct in that stepping into a S939 board will cost quite a bit more. The primary reason for which you have already seized upon--the lowest cost Venice 3000+ CPU is in excess of $140. A decent Sempron64 can be had for less than $80. The other reason is RAM--a S939 processor would be seriously hobbled in performance with only one DIMM, and therefore should be used in dual channel mode. This obviously requires the use of two DIMMS, but this has the trade-off of requiring an additional DIMM slot and if you want to keep in budget, that might mean buying 2x256 Meg sticks for the realistic minimum of 512Megs of RAM (especially if you are using on-board video). Down the road, those 256Meg sticks may have to get chucked for 2x512Meg sticks for 1 Gig, even though the Venice is supposed to be compatible with different densities of RAM in seperate channels you may still run into problems because the mobo may cause issues -- not all BIOS's are created the same.

Edited to say: You might want to wait a week or so and see what Foxconn brings to the table. They are releasing two boards that use the 6150 MCP and 430 Southbridge with on-board HD Azalia audio. The cost might be the same as the Biostar T-Force S754 version, but who knows.

Edited again to say: You are stressing over $7.25??? That is the difference in cost between the two. I would say consider spending $7.25 less elsewhere if it will make or break the build you have mind.
Click to expand...


He's right, I built my system for 300 bucks and I can keep up with a a64 3200
 
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