Should I connect the L1 & L7 bridges before even booting up for the 1st time?

[Uconn411]

From the posts that I have read, in order to get the maximum O/C benefit from your chip, you should connect the L1 and L7 bridges. I am building a new system, with the ever popular MSI KT7 Pro2A board, and using a Duron 800. I don't know if I should just leave it alone at first and make sure everything works properly, or connect the bridges before I even do my 1st boot. If I remove the HSF (Taisol), will that ruin the thermal pad at the bottom? Also, if I connect the L7 bridge, can I still select voltages, or am I limited to 1.85V (really 1.9). Thanx.

 

[toph99]

i don't know about connecting the L7 bridges, but i always drop a new cpu in first to make sure it works, without doing anything else(like connecting the bridges) but thats me

 

[Theophilus]

Yes, make sure that the cpu works before you do anything to it. It only takes a few more seconds, but it will save you a lot of trouble. If it was a bad chip and you have connected all the bridges, you not only lost the warranty on it, you may think that you screwed it up when in fact it was a dudd cpu. So...make sure that it works, then mess with linking the L1. I hear that the L7, when connected will give you a default of 1.85 and then you can up it another .05. Good luck.

 

[DaddyG]

If you don't like messing around removing the heatsink its a good idea to connect the L1 bridges. The L7's only need to be connected for Durons, and then only with some mobos. It still doesn't hurt, the voltage can be lowered in the BIOS. Even if you have to RMA your cpu, pencil and defogger repair fluid can be removed easily.

 

[Uconn411]

It looks like I will leave everything alone for the initial bootup, and then modify it afterwards. I am still not sure if the thermal pad will be good after it has been on the Duron for a couple hours. Won't it have to be scraped off, and a new one applied? I don't think I can reuse it. If anyone knows better, please post.

 

[DaddyG]

Thermal-pads are pretty much one time use only. Consider modding your processor before attaching, it won't hurt anything. As I posted, if you have a TBIRD no changes are required to the L7's. If you have a Duron, certain mobos limit the max voltage and the L7s need to be connected. This will result in 1.85 volts at initial boot up but you can lower the voltage in your BIOS to the Default of 1.6v. At this time, even though the L1 bridges are connected, you will not be Ocing the cpu. Install all your PCI cards andyour OS and applications and when you feel you have a stable system start to increase the multiplyer and the voltage.