Layout of Soltek SL-75DRV2 SUCKS!!!

[LukFilm]

OK, there major gripes with this motherboard that make me return it back to Newegg and get a totally different motherboard:
1) WTF does it use a 16-pin USB connector instead of a standard 10-pin connector? Now my older USB cables are useless because some genius at Soltek wanted to be different than the rest :|
2) WTF are the IDE ports so close to the AGP port?!?! My cable are pushing against the card (I have rounded cables) and it's difficult to work with them unless I take the AGP card out. WTF?!?! :|
3) Biggest gripe - WTF is the goddamn transistor so freakin' close to the Socket A?!?!?! Not only does my Alpha 8045 not fit (that wouldn't be a big deal), but I went out to buy a regular 60mm HSF unit (Glaciator I) only to find out that the damn transistor is in the way, so I CANNOT put even a much smaller HSF onto my CPU. WTF?!?!? :|
And I'm not even talking about the crappy motherboard that I got that doesn't allow me to run my 1600+ at 1.4GHz, I have to run it at 1.05Ghz in order to boot! :| No more Soltek for me until they improve at least two of the three problems I've identified. And I was so excited to get it...

 

[j@cko]

Why didn't you do a research before you buy the board? WTF?

 

[whalen]

<< only to find out that the damn transistor is in the way >>



LMAO...transistor...

I have no problems w/ the IDE connector locations, modified my MC462A to fit (Almost fit on its own), and it runs my 1600+ perfectly.

 

[whalen]

Also, you may want to try switching the FSB to 133...

10.5*100 =1050MHz
10.5*133 =1400MHz

:disgust:

 

[LukFilm]

j@cko,
NO ONE mentioned any of the three problems, so I couldn't have known. Everyone was only singing praises, so I just want to warn people that all is not well in Soltek's motherboards.

whalen,
Don't worry. When I set it to 133MHz FSB, the system does not boot. It was identified as a problem with the motherboard.

 

[whalen]

Problem 1: Haven't seen anything on it...doesn't seem like that huge of a deal...

Problem 2: For your viewing pleasure

Problem 3: Discussed in this thread

My point is that if you just took a quick look at the layout, 2 of your 3 problems could have easily been seen. And if you did any additional research, you could have found out that your Alpha wouldnt fit on there w/o a mod.

 

[Killrose]

I agree with the IDE thing, it is too close to the AGP slot, and the Slot does'nt have a lock. And it never will have one unless they move that choke next to the end of it.

Which bios do you have? 3.5 or 4.0? I'm sure you are overlooking something as far as your CPU problem goes. Check the multiplier switch setting for that one, and check your bios settings for ram speed.

The bios is confusing, coupled with a very poor manual.

 

[LukFilm]

whalen,
Problem 2 - not too big of a deal, but something that could have been easily fixed
Problem 3 - I knew Alpha wouldn't fit, so I got a smaller HSF. And it STILL didn't fit. I don't intend on buying tools for such mod making it unnecessarily expensive.

Killrose,
I have the newest BIOS. I tried everything and even Red Storm overclocking tops out at around 115MHz FSB...

 

[Killrose]

I don't have an XP, but I did'nt have any problems initially leaving everything stock and booting-up for the first time with my 1.4gig. I beleive all the spec's: multiplier/bus/core voltage, for our cpu's are the same, so it seems odd you have problems. Might be a good time to get rid of it if you can.

 

[whalen]

Your lack of research doesn't make it suck. If you were so concerned about the IDE connector positions, you shouldn't have bought the board. I knew exactly where they were placed, and it didn't bother me and hasnt caused me any problems.

 

[j@cko]

in short, he doesn't know how to buy motherboards.
and I think he meant "CAPACITORS" not Transistor in the way... LOL

 

[LukFilm]

Bleh, capacitor, transistor, whatever
And I DO know how to buy motherboards, thank you very much. It's just this time all the problems mentioned caught me off guard. I'm not saying the performance of the board sucks (I don't know that considering I can't use it to its full capacity), but the layout could be MUCH better, especially considering it's a board made for overclockers, so they should make place for heatsinks such as Alpha or Glaciator without having to modify them to make them fit.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

<< in short, he doesn't know how to buy motherboards.
and I think he meant "CAPACITORS" not Trainsitor in the way... LOL >>

what is a "trainsitor" ?? something to do with railroading ? and as a far as the current selection of motherboards go only the iwill XP333 has really caught my attention even there I am leery (iwill and their BIOS release of the week operation....lol)

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Thanks for the Soltek update.....

 

[whalen]

<< the layout could be MUCH better, especially considering it's a board made for overclockers >>



Agreed Thanks for the title change

 

[KingofBladez]

Yeah, the layout could be better...
I had the same problem with it only booting at 100mhz fsb, apparently this was caused by me not plugging the cdrw power plug in, once I stuck it in I was allowed to boot at 133fsb. *shrugs* I doubt you overlooked something like that, perhaps you just got a bad board, it does happen.