AMD Sempron Processor 3100+ & ECS NFORCE3-A Motherboard for $80 at Outpost.com

[ice2882]

Originally posted by: deadken
I should mention that CPU-Z lists my CPU as x86-64 at the end of the string of info (that has the SSE1, etc...). I assume that this means that I do have a 64-bit CPU but it would be nice if someone who actually has a 64-bit O/S running on this combo could list what his CPU-Z reports his CPU as being.

-Thanks Ken

I have Suse 64bit running on there perfectly. More details are in my post a few pages back.

Edit: For any of you that are wondering everything I have tried so far, the built-in sound, etc. has all worked flawlessly in linux, with full support in the latest kernels. So this is a great setup for linux.

 

[Zap]

deadken, another possibility is that the CPU you have just won't overclock any higher.

 

[furballi]

This processor has an overclock range of 2.3 to 2.5GHz. You may have a marginal CPU. A good CPU should be able to hit 270FSB at +3.4% Vcore.

ECS uses thermal tape between the heat sink and the NF3 250 chip. I lapped the heat sink and put a light coat of thermal grease on both surfaces. The heatsink is warm, but that's probably because a have a low speed Panaflo 120 x 38 mm at the front of the Antec SLK3000 case to cool the HDDs, NF3 chip, and GPU.

I have the Zalman 7700Cu blowing on the power section of the MB (940 rpm). The rear 120 x 38 mm Panaflo and the Enermax's 90 mm PSU fan are used to extract heat from this region of the MB. The MB's PSU capacitors will get HOT at +270MHz FSB and 100% CPU load. Note that the output devices on this board are capable of very high overclock speed. However, they are not equipped with large heatsinks (low price). You need to make sure there is adequate air flow to this region (between the back panel and CPU) if you intend to push this board above 2GHz.

 

[SkylinGTR26]

hold on hold on a second guys.....

Okay as ive been skimming through all 41 pages of this thread im reading stuff about like fsbs over 250mhz. i dont get this at all.
I went to Frys (the one in Duluth GA) I picked up a combo similar to this except instead of a 3100+ i got a 2800+, really no difference other than 200mhz drop.
I can overclock the chip only to 2ghz max becuase the ECS is holdin me back. Ive read this thread and i dont see any mention of you guys using other motherboards...

What gives are your chips unlocked?

 

[CuriousMike]

Sky - look at everyone talking about "clockgen" -- it's the key to getting above 250fsb

 

[furballi]

The ECS BIOS tops out at 250MHz FSB. You can download Clockgen version CG-NVNF3 to overclock in Windows. This version will support a batch file, which will automatically overclock the CPU once the PC boots to windows.

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: SkylinGTR26
hold on hold on a second guys....
.....
I went to Frys (the one in Duluth GA) I picked up a combo similar to this except instead of a 3100+ i got a 2800+, really no difference other than 200mhz drop.....

Well, that 200 Mhz drop comes from the 8X Max. multiplier, whereas the 3100+ has a 9x. As others have mentioned throughout the thread, there is a program called Clockgen, I linked to a site that has it a few posts back (maybe previous page). Download it, install it and run it. The program will allow you to get past the 250Mhz FSB limitation of the BIOS on this board.

Post back with your results, I'd be glad to hear them.

-Ken

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: furballi......I have the Zalman 7700Cu blowing on the power section of the MB (940 rpm)..... Note that the output devices on this board are capable of very high overclock speed. However, they are not equipped with large heatsinks (low price). You need to make sure there is adequate air flow to this region (between the back panel and CPU) if you intend to push this board above 2GHz.

While the Zalman might seem an expensive cooler to put on this budget board, some may find THIS more reasonable. I don't care for its all Aluminum design, but it sure looks like it provides good cooling to the surrounding components.

BTW: Isn't it nice to find the same cooler I bought from Outpost.com for $13 for $8 at SVC.com? It was worth it for me just to order it with the combo (it wasn't on sale at SVC when I ordered the combo, and S+H would have wiped out any savings). But, since I am now placing an order @ SVC (fans, cables, etc...), it seems ironic.

Tomorrow when I am done with the P95 @ 2250, I will switch out the PSU and try for 2300 again (2350 @ + %3.4 Vcore, would be ideal for me).

-Ken

 

[Zap]

LOL @ GlobalWin HSF, that thing looks like something I might have rigged up in the past. Great price too. Wonder how well it works...

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: furballi
The ECS BIOS tops out at 250MHz FSB. You can download Clockgen version CG-NVNF3 to overclock in Windows. This version will support a batch file, which will automatically overclock the CPU once the PC boots to windows.

Could you help me find a download link for this version? Thanks.

 

[rvr2k3]

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: furballi
The ECS BIOS tops out at 250MHz FSB. You can download Clockgen version CG-NVNF3 to overclock in Windows. This version will support a batch file, which will automatically overclock the CPU once the PC boots to windows.

Could you help me find a download link for this version? Thanks.

Try --> Link

I just googled it.

 

[furballi]

http://www.cpu-central.com/download/

CG-NVNF3

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: furballi
The ECS BIOS tops out at 250MHz FSB. You can download Clockgen version CG-NVNF3 to overclock in Windows. This version will support a batch file, which will automatically overclock the CPU once the PC boots to windows.

Could you help me find a download link for this version? Thanks.

I used one from HERE.

 

[deadken]

Here's an update:

I truly think that perhaps the 300W is just not enough. I kinda figured it wouldn't be right from the start, but since it was in the case already, I just ran with it. I am swapping out the PSU for a 350W (non-Antec for now), and will move to an Antec sooner or later (I am trying to buy a Antec 380W 2.0 right now).

I ran P95 for 20.5hours before I stopped it (zero errors), and that was with: 300W Antec PSU, 9x250, 3xHT, +1.7% Vcore, 166 Ram Divider (204mhz), 2,2,2,5 1T Ram timings. So, in the end I am very pleased with how it handles. If that is 'all' I get, then I will leave it like that and still be VERY happy with the price/performance of the bugdget combo.

After I stopped the P95 (after 20.5hrs) I took a screenshot and saved it. I then tried running ClockGen @ 254FSB. I restarted P95 and only got 5mins. So, I think that either 250 is pretty much my threshold with the way it was or I am having a problem with ClockGen.

I just finished removing the SouthBridge HS and lapping it with 600 then 1500 to finish. I decided against going with 2000 because I really think that I have overkilled it already. The thermal tape that was holding the SB HS on was REALLY thick! I can't imagine much heat getting through that tape, perhaps that is why it was only slightly warm.

I would like to get as high as I can with only using +3.4% Vcore. I'd rather not use more then +3.4Vcore, I know that the combo will probably handle it just fine... I just want to keep it as low as possible without giving up much performance.

Let's see what happens now that I lapped the SB and am changing out the 300W PS.

 

[furballi]

The issue is probably RAM or Vcore. +3.4% should bring the FSB to at least 260MHz with a decent chip.

 

[deadken]

I have lapped the SB, replaced the PSU (way too high on the 5V now, over 5.5V) and I had added Vcore to %3.4, still no good even at 254FSB.

So, I dropped the memory timings and tried again, still no good.

So, I downloaded the latest ClockGen and still no good.

Now, I have resorted to adding %5.4 to the Vcore and set the latest version of ClockGen for 256FSB (9x256=2304), I ran P95 and it crapped out after 9 minutes.

So.... I guess I got a bum chip or that the PSU rails are too high (5@5.5 and 12@12.29). I am done toying with this until I get that new Antec 380 PSU. When that comes, I will most likely use it in my rig (getting ready for S939 and SATA) and take my Antec True 480W and use it in my Sons rig... Then it will be time to start trying to get to 2.3Ghz all over again!

I am still very happy with the performance (@ 2250Mhz) and I will of course keep this combo. I am going to sell off the old Mobo/CPU/HS+fan to a guy at work.

Thanks for all of the help and resources guys. I truly appreciate it. This has taken more effort and time then getting my A64 S754 3000+ to 2.4Ghz, but I have to admit that I enjoyed the challenge.

-Ken

 

[freshspace]

Well, there you go, folks. I think the combo is finally sold-out at Outpost.com. Thanks to everyone, my combo is working great.

 

[Topplayer]

i just got 2 of them....works great so far no problem thanks op

 

[soccerballtux]

I think if you call them they still have them. Give them that number.

 

[deadken]

It might be a 'day-late-and-a-dollar-short', but here is a Genuine AMD Athlon 64 X2 754 939 940 Heatsink/Fan NEW for $18 shipped from Ebay. I just bought one and there are 19 available for now.

I like the Coolermaster one that I bought from Outpost with the combo, but I think that this one should perform better and hopefully even be a bit quieter. Even if it isn't, I hope that it is more efficient and that I will be able to add a quieter fan without loosing any performance compared to the one that is on there now.

-Ken

 

[BigSpenderNOT]

Hi everyone,

I purchased this combo based on this discussion (and also joined the forum!) and everything is going fairly well except that I get a BSOD error when trying to install the NVIDIA drivers that Furballi suggests (not installing the NVIDIA sound and IDE drivers). It definitely installs something when I run it because after the machine reboots the onboard network works! I'm just worried about the BSOD even though things seem to be working fine because I cannot uninstall the NVIDIA drivers from the add/remove programs screen after this happens. I've tried it twice now with a clean install of WinXP Pro both times. The first time, I thought it was because I didn't have DirectX 9 installed (even though it warned me that I should), but the second time, I installed DirectX 9 first. Should I try it again and use the drivers on the disc that came with the Motherboard (rather than the ones Furballi mentions)? I also am not getting any sound after installing the sound drivers that Furballi recommends, but I haven't looked into that too much yet. Thanks in advance for any input, guys (and gals!).

 

[deadken]

First things first... Welcome to the AT.com Forums. There are alot of GREAT people here and many are VERY helpful.

IIRC, Furballi recommends that you install the Audio from ECS first and then install the NF3 with the Audio or IDE boxes UN-checked. If you are having an 'no sound' issue, then the time to diagnose/fix it is BEFORE you complicate things with other driver installs.

Not meaning to confuse the issue, but I should add that since I used this combo as an upgrade, I re-used my previous WinXP install (NF2) by un-installing some system components in Windows, and then turning off the PC (not a restart, like Windows wants to do). Since I had the NF IDE drivers installed before, I did install the NF3 IDE drivers (against Furballi's advice). My understanding is that he is suggesting not to install the IDE not because of a stability issue, but only because some software conflicts (I know that when you try and record a TV program with ATI software, it complains that DMA isn't enabled).

So, what does your device manager show for your 'sound controllers'?

 

[BigSpenderNOT]

Thanks for getting back to me Ken, but unfortunately, I am not near that computer at the moment. You are absolutely right though, I should have troubleshot the sound issue first. I am putting together my first HTPC so sound is a pretty big issue. This is also the first time I am using a television as my video output. I did do the sound drivers first and then the Nvidia drivers. I think I will do another fresh install of WinXP Pro and then report back with my sound controllers info from device manager (tonight when I get home). Do you think I should load my video-card drivers before anything else after installing Windows?

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: furballi
Read over this thread for installation tips. Very stable board with decent overclock capability (2.25GHz) once you've properly loaded the onboard sound and LAN. DO NOT install the IDE and firewall drivers!

My friend who I built a computer for with this setup is having issues now with one of the DVD drives (two are installed). I don't remember specifically, but I likely installed the Nvidia IDE Drivers.

What is the best way to remove them and go back to the windows drivers? Anything besides a rollback? And just to confirm, which specific device in the device manager do I need to do this on? Thanks so much!!

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: BigSpenderNOT
Thanks for getting back to me Ken, but unfortunately, I am not near that computer at the moment. You are absolutely right though, I should have troubleshot the sound issue first. I am putting together my first HTPC so sound is a pretty big issue. This is also the first time I am using a television as my video output. I did do the sound drivers first and then the Nvidia drivers. I think I will do another fresh install of WinXP Pro and then report back with my sound controllers info from device manager (tonight when I get home). Do you think I should load my video-card drivers before anything else after installing Windows?

If I were you, I would do a fresh XP install and see how everything works... Then I would just load the latest drivers from the ECS website. Those are most certainly the best for you, and I would use them also if I was building a HTPC and wasn't going to want to 'tinker' with the machine. And since you were having issues upon loading the NVidia driver package, hopefully this will eliminate those problems.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: furballi
Read over this thread for installation tips. Very stable board with decent overclock capability (2.25GHz) once you've properly loaded the onboard sound and LAN. DO NOT install the IDE and firewall drivers!

My friend who I built a computer for with this setup is having issues now with one of the DVD drives (two are installed). I don't remember specifically, but I likely installed the Nvidia IDE Drivers.

What is the best way to remove them and go back to the windows drivers? Anything besides a rollback? And just to confirm, which specific device in the device manager do I need to do this on? Thanks so much!!

Inside Device Manager look for IDE controllers and then choose IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and then choose each of the NVIDIA nForce3 250 PATA (and then SATA) controllers. When inside each one, choose the driver tab and then choose to 'roll back driver'.