conroe motherboard / ram rant

[Mellman]

I've been building computers for years. I never remember having compatibility issues like I've had with conroe setups.

Granted, I've only built two (working on my 3rd) but seriously...I find it a very frustrating dealing with all of the (in)compatibility issues!

Granted, these can't be entirely blamed on motherboard manufacturers, but some problems i've had, or read about.

Big heat syncs not fitting on the board because of capacitors sitting right next to the CPU slot (some P5B users couldn't mount the Ninja, some could though?)

My DS3 I had some serious issues, from not playing nice with my X-Fi sound card, to not playing at all with my OCZ memory. I realize its an OCZ issue for using crappy chips that require higher volts, but what about the X-Fi issue?

A DFI Infinity board, also would not work with *some* OCZ ram.

Granted a lot of my problems stem from using OCZ ram, but my point is that OTHER motherboards work without issue on OCZ ram, so whats the big deal?

I never remember having issues like this building out a new rig. Before I could go buy any ram, cpu/mobo of the same socket, and plug it in and go. But now...it seems like there are lots of "my system won't boot with x ram and x mobo"

Maybe its just me and my poor choice of boards/memory, but never before have I, or my friends had this much trouble building a rig!

 

[deathwalker]

Im with you on this topic. I have been wanting to do a CD2 upgrade in my MicoFly SFF case but I just have seen way too many issues with motherboard and memory compatibility to make me pull the trigger on an upgrade.

 

[Mellman]

Well i dunno bout microatx boards...but i know that my issues are pretty much stemmed from OCZ ram...if you stay away from it you should be OK. But...i got it cheap, and theres no way i'm paying nearly $260 for 2GB of DDR2!

 

[snes tor]

My last build i had problems with.the first mobo i bought didn't support my prescott core, so i had to get another one. Then the 20pin power connector was right next to my processor so any after market heatsink that fans outward just a little but, and i wouldn't have been able to plug in my power connector. I really hated that system. I just dropped $300 in ram for my C2D build. had to find good stuff that ran at 1.8 for the DS3, i think i'll be alright in this build though.

 

[xbassman]

Originally posted by: Mellman
Well i dunno bout microatx boards...but i know that my issues are pretty much stemmed from OCZ ram...if you stay away from it you should be OK. But...i got it cheap, and theres no way i'm paying nearly $260 for 2GB of DDR2!

Keep you eye on Hot Deals......

I picked up some Corsair Twin2X-C4 1.9v. (4-4-4-12) (5400) 2gig for $159 AR. ($199-$40MIR)

I will probably drop it on an Asus P5B-VM (G965 Matx) w/ E6400.

 

[deathwalker]

Originally posted by: xbassman

Originally posted by: Mellman
Well i dunno bout microatx boards...but i know that my issues are pretty much stemmed from OCZ ram...if you stay away from it you should be OK. But...i got it cheap, and theres no way i'm paying nearly $260 for 2GB of DDR2!

Keep you eye on Hot Deals......

I picked up some Corsair Twin2X-C4 1.9v. (4-4-4-12) (5400) 2gig for $159 AR. ($199-$40MIR)

I will probably drop it on an Asus P5B-VM (G965 Matx) w/ E6400.

Thats the mobo I have been thinking about for my SFF case..its on my short list..with some affordable but decent 1.8 vlt memory.

 

[n7]

I see no reason to be complaining.

Solution #1:
Don't get the DS3 bugfest mobo

Solution #2:
Don't get cheap crappy OCZ RAM (or cheap Corsair btw, as it seems to result in zillions of issues threads)

IOW, do a little research, & spend a bit more money & you won't be having these issues.

/sorry to be harsh, but i really do believe that one gets what they pay for in a lot of cases.

 

[soydios]

My Asus P5W-DH plays just fine with my OCZ Platinum DDR2-800 2GB(2x1GB), at 1.8V and up from there.

 

[deathwalker]

Originally posted by: n7
I see no reason to be complaining.

Solution #1:
Don't get the DS3 bugfest mobo

Solution #2:
Don't get cheap crappy OCZ RAM (or cheap Corsair btw, as it seems to result in zillions of issues threads)

IOW, do a little research, & spend a bit more money & you won't be having these issues.

/sorry to be harsh, but i really do believe that one gets what they pay for in a lot of cases.

Also one does not always know what anothers requirements are!! I need a MicroAtx board...and it is obvious to nearly all that the options in that category are not nearly as good as standard ATX borads. They are feature limited and with almost all requiring 1.8 vlt memory they are more sensitive to the memory selected regardless of quality. I have researched memory and have id'd memory that works well on most of these boards. Im just a tad irritated over the limited features being offered on the Micro boards. I have made a commitment to a SFF case configuration and I do realise this commitment comes with drawbacks. My beef also is that the AT reviews seems to leave those that need MicroAtx boards a little more less informed since they don't do many reviews in that area. I am not ignorant...I am a desktop support tech. and have been doing this stuff for a long time. I am perfectly capable of building up CD2 system in my SFF case with currently available hardware...its just that ...well...I will be left a little bit wanting I suppose..but..I can live with it.

 

[Skott]

I'm no expert on the SFF PCs but I would assume the micro mobos are basically the same as their bigger brothers. Look for PC6400 RAM (800) for best results. Corsair, Crucial, OCZ (stay away from Gold Series), Geil, and GSkill all make them. I'd stay way from the 8500 RAM as well unless you have read where people are using it with whatever particular mobo you are using. Check around the net for the SFF sites and see what they are using.