The 90nm SOI Sempron s754 processor

[Avalon]

Well, here it is. I'm a bit later than I expected, but I am fully up and running, so I'm pleased.
This is a continuation of: this thread.

Previous setup:

AMD Athlon Mobile XP Barton 35w 2400+ @ 216x10.5 = ~2.28ghz
Epox 8RDA3i nf2 400 ultra motherboard
Geil 2x512MB Golden Dragon PC3200 @ 216FSB 1:1 CAS 2-3-3-8
Enermax Whisper II 460w FMA 1.3 PSU (33A 12v rail)
eVGA 128MB 6800NU and a reference 256MB 6800GT
Lite-On 48x CD-R/DVD/CD
NEC 16x DL DVD-/+R/48x CD-R/DVD/CD
IBM 60GB Deskstar 7200RPM 8MB cache PATA
Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM 8MB cache PATA
Generic steel case
80mm blowhole, 80mm rear exhaust
Thermaltake Volcano 7+ HSF

New Setup:

**AMD s754 Sempron 2800+ 90nm SOI @ 325 x 8 = 2.6ghz**
**DFI Lanparty UT nf3-250GB motherboard**
Geil 2x512MB Golden Dragon PC3200 @ 216FSB 133mhz divider CAS 2-3-3-7
Enermax Whisper II 460w FMA 1.3 PSU (33A 12v rail)
eVGA 128MB 6800NU and a reference 256MB 6800GT
Lite-On 48x CD-R/DVD/CD
NEC 16x DL DVD-/+R/48x CD-R/DVD/CD
IBM 60GB Deskstar 7200RPM 8MB cache PATA
Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM 8MB cache PATA
Generic steel case
80mm blowhole, 80mm rear exhaust
**Zalman CNPS 7000-AlCu HSF**

Subjective notes

So far, I've just been observing
how my new setup is doing. The system feels quite responsive for a 1.6ghz CPU. I'm
very impressed by the new Zalman HSF. Actually, when I first saw it, I couldn't believe
that it was that big. It looked so much smaller in the pictures. Installation was a breeze, though. It's so quiet compared to my old Tt HSF.

I'm enjoying the stability and speed of this DFI board, now that I've got it working. However, I do have to complain about the board layout. It causes severe cramping of your IDE/ATX cables in a small metal case such as mine where there is no room. I'm also having issues using DIMM slot #3. I am enjoying the BIOS, though. It's very full featured.

This sempron is handling very well. It feels very snappy, and it runs quite cool. Even overclocked up to 2.4ghz, it idles under 40C. I can't wait to push it to the limits with this DFI board.

Benchmarks

All tests run using the latest 71.81 WHQL Forcewares.
All non-bolded scores are from the XP-M @ 2.3ghz.
All bolded scores are from the new Sempron setup running at denoted speeds.

eVGA 6800NU @ 350/850mhz 16p/6v

HL2 - Maximum settings, Trilinear filtering and no AA in game, 4x/8x AA/AF forced in control panel, vsync disabled.

6800NU XP-M @2.3/Sempron @ 2.6

d1_canals_08 - 10x7: 58.6fps/66.0fps 12x9: 50.6fps/46.5fps 16x12: 26.8fps/23.3fps
d2_coast_05 - 10x7: 74.2fps/92.0fps 12x9: 70.0fps/85.4fps 16x12: 51.8fps/47.6fps
d2_coast_12 - 10x7: 76.5fps/92.8fps 12x9: 68.8fps/71.4fps 16x12: 38.7fps/35.3fps
d2_prison_05 - 10x7: 80.6fps/93.6fps 12x9: 66.7fps/66.3fps 16x12: 33.8fps/28.6fps
d3_c17_12 - 10x7: 47.1fps/61.2fps 12x9: 46.5fps/51.9fps 16x12: 23.1fps/27.7fps

Buh...seems as if something isn't entirely stable. Will need to get back to these benchmarks.

Doom - High Quality, all advanced graphics settings enabled, minus disabled vsync and no AA in game, 4x/8x AA/AF forced in control panel

6800NU XP-M @2.3/Sempron @ 2.6

10x7: 55.4fps/63.5fps
12x10: 41.6fps/45.4fps
16x12: 26.0fps/29.1fps

FarCry v1.3 - Maximum Quality w/no AA/AF, but 4x/8x forced in control panel

6800NU XP-M @2.3/Sempron @ 2.6

10x7: 45.1fps/46.9fps
12x9: 33.0fps/31.0fps
16x12: 18.0fps/18.1fps

Counter-Strike Source Video Stress Test - Maximum settings, Trilinear filtering and no AA in game, 4x/8x AA/AF forced in control panel, vsync disabled.

6800NU XP-M @2.3/Sempron @ 2.6

10x7: 99.0fps/111.3fps
12x9: 88.5fps/91.4fps
16x12: 49.0fps/38.7fps

3dmark05 - 4170

SuperPi - 36s

Sandra

Int Buffered - 3177 MB/s
Float Buffered - 3176 MB/s
Drystone ALU - 11988 MIPS
Whetstone FPU/iSSE2 - 4099/5259 MFLOPS

My cpu ALU/FPU scores are higher than an Opteron 2.6, lol.

Overclocking

My Epox board went up to 300HTT, which was quite a surprise. I had to back down to 295HTT to be completely prime stable overnight. Still, 2.38ghz is pretty good at 1.475v, and I'm sure I could have used less CPU voltage if the board allowed any undervolting. Time to test with the DFI.

When I got my DFI board, I jumped from 200HTT straight to 250HTT for my first go. From there, I went to 275, 295, and 300. I hit a wall at 300HTT, but changing my TRAS from 8 to 7 allowed me to reach 305, and now 310HTT. I'm using 1.45v for my cpu, and so far no problems. I'm sitting pretty at 2.5ghz, which is nice.

315HTT, no issues.

320HTT I dropped my LDT multiplier down to 2x. After boot screen, it would take me to the Nvidia IDE array screen, saying it was waiting to detect my array, and then would promptly reboot after about 5 seconds. I was wondering if I had pushed the chipset too far, so I dropped my HTT down to 290, but it did the same thing. I dropped my LDT down to 1.5x and the problem was solved. I guess 2x is quirky on my board.

325HTT, no problems. Temp is starting to get a bit warm. The DFI board reports 58C under prime load through speedfan. Now, initially the board was telling me I was idling at 45C at 1.6ghz, so I have a fair ammount of reason to suspect this board reports temps 5C higher than they really are, in the least. Well, as long as I can maintain such a low voltage with stability, I should be fine.

330HTT - no problems.

335HTT - dropped mymem ratio to 120. Still going. I'm getting scared. Hold me.

340HTT - I jinxed myself. Had to boost the voltage to 1.5v, which is still actually very good and within a 10% boost, which I will NEVER go over.

I think I'm done. I'm going to back down for prime stability now. Just out of curiosity, I ran a 1M superpi test and got 37s. I don't know how good that is, especially since I had prime running earlier.

 

[nick1985]

you seem CPU limited in many of those tests. good luck with the overclocking

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: nick1985
you seem CPU limited in many of those tests. good luck with the overclocking

Yep. A 2.3ghz barton just doesn't cut it these days.
I'll probably delete the 6800GT benches and replace them with my OC'd sempy scores on my 6800NU as I get the results in. Sitting at 210x8 now 1.5v, and pushing slowly.

 

[CheesePoofs]

Ugh. I missed and clicked the wrong thing.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
Ugh. I missed and clicked the wrong thing.

What were you aiming for?

 

[Avalon]

I'm confused as to what the "System Performance" option in my Power BIOS options actually does. It has a setting of normal or fastest. They don't appear to do anything differently from what I've noticed. Also, I can't seem to find the CPU multiplier. Does this board not have it? That's horrible. Stuck at 260FSB...

 

[blckgrffn]

Ah hah!

Looks good, man!

Why do you have two video cards, by the way...and why are you using the NU? A very good choice I might add, my leadtek has been treating me well, and really got some balls in the source engine with the newest 75.90 drivers.

Good Luck!
Nat

 

[blckgrffn]

I don't think that you would be able to adjust the multiplier up, only down. That is why I went with my 3400+ NC 754 after a disapointing 3000+ winnie... I hope that you are at least pleased with the performance to some degree.

Nat

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
I don't think that you would be able to adjust the multiplier up, only down. That is why I went with my 3400+ NC 754 after a disapointing 3000+ winnie... I hope that you are at least pleased with the performance to some degree.

Nat

I know I can't adjust up, but I would have liked to be able to adjust down so I could see if I could crank the FSB up any further. As it turns out, this CPU has a load of room left in it. This motherboard just happens to stink. Overall, I'm not pleased, but I'm not surprised. I figured I wouldn't be able to hit a high FSB. This processor at 2ghz is slightly faster than my 2.3ghz barton, but I'm not going to notice the difference. I'm wondering if I should sell this board and purchase the DFI, or just keep things the way they are. I wasn't looking to upgrade so much as I was to explore the capabilities of this chip.

*Edit*
Think a DFI Lanparty would likely hit 300HTT?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Do you mean you cannot lower these semperon multipliers? Or that the board isn't allowing it?

Think a DFI Lanparty would likely hit 300HTT?

My nF4 Lanparty does it without blinking, the question is if you're thinking 1:1 memory ratio. Anandtech got theirs to hit 308 x 8 with 1 DIMM 1:1...although with a divider I'm sure you could keep the HTT high (and stable) and your ram in its own stable range.

 

[Avalon]

I looked throughout the BIOS and could not find the CPU multiplier option.
How high a FSB can a DFI board get to?

I'm certainly not aiming for 1:1 with my memory. It can only do ~220FSB at CAS 2. I'd rather use a divider and keep my timings low. I just need a high FSB.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Avalon
I looked throughout the BIOS and could not find the CPU multiplier option.
How high a FSB can a DFI board get to?

I hear that dfi board can do 300-325. that's what i hear.

 

[Avalon]

Would have gotten the DFI initially if Monarch hadn't advertised these CPUs as having a 333mhz FSB. I'll have to sell the Epox and lose a bit of money, plus pony up the extra for the DFI. Durp. Actually, it's not the money so much as the fact that I'm going to have to take out this motherboard, put in a new motherboard, and re-install windows all over again...heh.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: Avalon
I looked throughout the BIOS and could not find the CPU multiplier option.

Look for something along the lines of "CPU/FSB Frequency Ratio", considering it isn't exactly a "multiplier" like with other CPUs.

How high a FSB can a DFI board get to?

like Budman said, over 300, especially with dividers (the DFIs "allow" for over 400 but I think its safe to say most users will never get anywhere near such heights )

 

[Budman]

I actualy got my Chaintech VNF3-250 to boot at 300 mhz fsb with a 6X multiplier.

Was amazed it ran fine at 300 tried 325 but no boot. lol

 

[Zebo]

That sucks arse the board is holding you back:| Even so at 2.0 you'd whoop your barton 2.3 in every test. Need DFI -- 365 HTT capable.

Try some things. LDT x 2 , multi at 7, 1.55 vcore and 100 memsetting

Start with 265 HTT and increase in 5's until hard lock????

 

[Zebo]

also:

Disable cool and quiet
Disable High perfoprmance mode
Disable spread spectrum, all
Disable Dynamic overclcoking
Disable any BS you dont use..sound, SATA, MIDI, whatever

 

[jpeyton]

Are you increasing the FSB in Windows (using A64Tweaker, CrystalCPUID)? If not, you should try.

EDIT: BTW, that board sucks. Had one, promptly sold it.

 

[blckgrffn]

I love my DFI UT - that Epox board is good for normal running though, right? All the USB works fine, it reboots fine, etc? If so, I might need a socket 754 board sometime soon....



Nat

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: Zebo
That sucks arse the board is holding you back:| Even so at 2.0 you'd whoop your barton 2.3 in every test. Need DFI -- 365 HTT capable.

Try some things. LDT x 2 , multi at 7, 1.55 vcore and 100 memsetting

Start with 265 HTT and increase in 5's until hard lock????

Yeah, I was sitting at LDT x 2, 133 mem divide at one point. I'm going to look again for the cpu ratios. It was 1 in the morning when I was looking, so I may have been tired and didn't see it, but I know CPU ratios when I see them.

I'm going to have to agree, Jpeyton. This board kind of sucks. I haven't tried windows based overclocking, though. While 265HTT isn't bad for something like a 3000+ or better, this board won't do any justice to a 2800+ A64 or 3100+ or lower sempy. The lack of 12v monitoring is also weird, to say the least, and the overclocking options are limited. Also, the vcore fluctuates a bit and undervolts. My old Epox was a great board with my mobile slapped in there. I could get my mobile to 2.6 easy. Boo.

Ok, I was right. This board has no CPU ratio options.
Doesn't have sh!t for options. Ordering a DFI. Now.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
I love my DFI UT - that Epox board is good for normal running though, right? All the USB works fine, it reboots fine, etc? If so, I might need a socket 754 board sometime soon....



Nat

For normal running, yes. It has no stability issues, it just doesn't seem like it wants to cater to the overclocker like Epox usually does. USB all works fine, no reboot issues...but undervolting, vcore flux, no 12v monitoring...sucks for overclocking. If you plan on running stock, or running a 3200+ newcastle or higher, I can recommend this board, but not otherwise.

Ordered a DFI. I pray I can break 300HTT.

 

[blckgrffn]

Sounds like you are going to be really pleased with the DFI. Going from my nf7s rev 2 to the DFI, I still did a double take when I saw all the options. Even coming from that seemingly fabled MSI K8N Neo Platinum2 or whatever S939 board, the DFI is still much more feature rich.

I too used many nforce2 Epox boards without any major issues (they hate having the power go out!) but when I tried their nforce3 ultra S939 board, it was horrible, and started me on a horrible 2 month RMA process with newegg.

Let us know how it goes! And could you maybe post some benches of how that is performing @ 2.1?

Thanks!
Nat

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Its strange too, I remember when Epox boards used to be favorites for overclockers until the nForce 2... Keep looking for the CPU multiplier, it could be something called "CPU/FSB Frequency Ratio" or similar to that.

The DFI should be night and day different. My stance is its ok to spend money on a motherboard because they can save you money on your CPU

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
Its strange too, I remember when Epox boards used to be favorites for overclockers until the nForce 2... Keep looking for the CPU multiplier, it could be something called "CPU/FSB Frequency Ratio" or similar to that.

The DFI should be night and day different. My stance is its ok to spend money on a motherboard because they can save you money on your CPU

Turst me, it's not there. The only options I have for adjusting are in my advanced chipset menu and my power bios menu. My power bios menu houses my voltage adjustments, my agp frequency, and my HTT frequency. My advanced chipset menu houses my LDT multiplier (HTT frequency, as they call it) and my memory configuration. That's ALL I get. It's piss poor. I even have the latest BIOS (01/05). Hopefully I can sell this board for relatively little loss. It's not a bad board if you're not overclocking much.

Blckgrffn, I'll install HL2 back onto my computer and run a couple benchmarks, and see how things stack up. I've actually got the processor running at 2.1 right now.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Damn, I'm just excited to see whether or not these budget chips are the new real budget OCer chips. They should replace the Mobile Bartons for good if they can consistently get 2.4GHz...

good luck on selling off the mobo, and good luck once your new DFI arives, although I doubt you'll need luck with the DFI let's just hope you didn't get a dud chip, even if it hits 2.4 if its a dud then we wouldn't know normal ones could hit somehting like 2.6 or 2.8, although 2.4 would definately be nice as thats what the 3100+ Semps are supposed to hit, but with 90nm and SOI It'd be great if we can get higher.