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

[CuriousMike]

FWIW, I'm running my system on the cheapest 350W Enermax PS I could find -- about $40.
I'm running 2 HD, DVD, and a 7800GS without issue. I have the cpu running at 1.5v as well.

 

[AdamsJabbar]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Any thoughts on this for power efficiency? Would running this setup 24/7 using the Cool 'n Quiet be a reasonable option instead of the EPIA board?

...snip...

I even used 3Com PCI network cards to try offloading the CPU, but my transfer rates in Windows would not go over 50% and usually was about 35-40%.

...snip

Since I've been working in a high performance computing environment (clusters) for the last 14 months, I've learned quite a bit about NICs. One of them is that just because it sits on a PCI card rather than integrated into the motherboard does NOT mean it will utilize any less CPU resources. If you think about, it makes sense. The NICs that are integrated sit on the same PCI or PCI Express bus as an expansion card but it just doesn't take a slot.

Now, that being said, there ARE cards that are designed to off-load the work from the CPU to the NIC itself. Unfortunately, these are generally quite a bit more expensive. To get the absolute best throughput, you need a gigabit (or faster) NIC in a PCI Express slot that supports TCP offload. You're obviously going to pay more for this performance, but as they say, TANSTAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing As a Free Lunch).

Hope that helps.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: AdamsJabbar

Originally posted by: Zap
I even used 3Com PCI network cards to try offloading the CPU, but my transfer rates in Windows would not go over 50% and usually was about 35-40%.

just because it sits on a PCI card rather than integrated into the motherboard does NOT mean it will utilize any less CPU resources.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clearer. The last board I was using with a Tualatin CPU was an Asus TUV4X or something (VIA 133T chipset socket 370). It did not have onboard sound or network at all. Instead of using a cheap Realtek PCI NIC, I went for a 3Com 3C905 or something, one of those "parallel tasking" ones. I didn't mention PCI NIC versus onboard, because there was nothing onboard.

 

[JayBlay77]

Sorry if this is a repeat. I have an Athlon XP 2800+ running at 2.083 on a NF7-S v2.0 MB. Is it worth the upgrade?

Other components:
6800nu unlocked
2 gigs geil ram (i know, but it was cheap)
Sata HDD's, opticals, etc

Also would I notice any difference in gaming...ie Oblivion and such?

Thanks

 

[themorningbells]

Originally posted by: JayBlay77
Sorry if this is a repeat. I have an Athlon XP 2800+ running at 2.083 on a NF7-S v2.0 MB. Is it worth the upgrade?

Other components:
6800nu unlocked
2 gigs geil ram (i know, but it was cheap)
Sata HDD's, opticals, etc

Also would I notice any difference in gaming...ie Oblivion and such?

Thanks

Again to quote the benchmarks I did:

Both setups running: WinXP Pro SP2, 6800 GT 84.21 drivers, 2x512 Kingston HyperX

Athlon XP 3000+ @ 2264mhz (181x12.5) in NF7-S v2.0
3dmark01 - 17514
3dmark03 - 10985
3dmark05 - 5074
super pi 1m - 47s
lost coast stress (1024x768, 6xAA, 16xAA) - 58.79fps
cs:s stress (1024x768, 6xAA, 16xAA) - 107.40fps
sisoft - arithmetic: 9132/3517, multimedia: 21143/22468, memory: 2520/2431

Sempron 3100+ @ 2250mhz (250x9)
3dmark01 - 21151
3dmark03 - 11591
3dmark05 - 5114
super pi 1m - 41s
lost coast stress (1024x768, 6xAA, 16xAA) - 72.39fps
cs:s stress (1024x768, 6xAA, 16xAA) - 124.92fps
sisoft - arithmetic: 9516/3558, multimedia: 21483/23124, memory: 3101/3100

For me it was a great upgrade to make, which when I get around to selling my old hardware, I will actually profit off of.

 

[furballi]

OK...my Parlermo 2600 is JUNK! No more than 2040MHz @ 1.580Vcore. My worst 3100 Paris has no problem hitting 2.32GHz on the same rig.

Now for NIC. It's going to be the same story as hardware modem vs software/win modem. I also have a wireless PCI network card. This thing will increase my Super Pi 1M digits time by almost 1 second when it is active. All is well if I disable the device. Note that the CPU load does not increase with the wireless card ENABLED.

BTW, Fry's/Outpost has Corsair VS RAM for this board for only $50 AR (2 x 512). This pair will only do 233MHz 2.5-3-3-6-1T @ stock voltage. Sale ends tonight! Still in stock as of 22:20 pm EST.

http://www.outpost.com/product/3746086

 

[ice2882]

Just a little update: Just installed Suse 10.0 OSS 64-bit version with this board, and everything is running great. Much snappier than my 1.33GHz Socket A Thunderbird

Running with:
1GB of Kingston Value Ram
eVGA Geforce 6200
etc. etc.

Have yet to fully configure everything and do my overclock, but this should make a nice update to my HTPC.

 

[furballi]

See...64 bit computing.

Now I also noticed that my Super Pi time goes down when I went from one 512 to two 512s. We know that SP is not a RAM hog (still have a lot of physical memory with one stick). This thing SHOULD NOT be able to do DUAL CHANNEL. However, the numbers don't lie.

May have to retest using SP with my 939 rig (1 stick vs two sticks). Perhaps someone could run a quick 1M digits SP test on a 939 rig and post your results. Please use Super Pi version 1.4 or 1.5.

 

[RaiderJ]

Anyone purchase this setup, doesn't like it, and want to sell it to me?

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Anyone purchase this setup, doesn't like it, and want to sell it to me?

What's not to like?

I would 'pull-the-trigger' and buy a combo/hs+fan tonight if I could also get the memory with the $20 rebate. But, since I am in NY and it's already 04/07 here, I would most certainly be denied.

Ohh welll... I will just wait and watch some more...

 

[DarkTXKnight]

Ok so I pulled the trigger and bought it to replace my AXP2500 rig....
time to see what this box will do!!

I have a question on drivers. I read through some parts of the threa to not load IDE or network drivers. Is this still the case?? o I need to install a different NIC altogether? I have a 3C905 sitting around not doing anything.

Any advice would be appreciated... don't suppose ther are recommended settings lying around for overclocking are there?

 

[furballi]

Don't load the NF IDE driver because it can conflict with some drives and burn applications. The NIC driver for the NF3 chipset (@ NVIDIA website) should work well. I'd load the AUDIO driver found at the ECS website first, then reboot PC. Now run the NVIDIA NF3 installation application from the NVIDIA website. DO NOT install (uncheck) the IDE, SOUND, and FIREWALL drivers in this suite.

RAM settings...166 speed, 1T (2T for Kingston Value RAM)
250MHz FSB
HT multiplier of 3x
CPU voltage...+1.7% or +3.4%
RAM voltage...default or 2.7V

 

[deadken]

Alright!!! I did it! Now are you guys happy?!?! Jeez, I couldn't take it anymore. All this talk of how well these run was making me crazy. I just dove in and bought a combo and a Coolermaster HS/Fan for another 11.99. Total cost 101.08 Shipped. Oh well... Maybe I have to stop browsing the hot deals section.... I thought I was strong enough to resist, but I guess not.

Now I need some cheap memory to complete this 'budget box'. I have a $20 CrapUSA case, with a free w/MIR 350W PS, and a $10 w/MIR 80GB HD. Add a $100 CPU/Mobo/HSF combo, and I am right around $150 (providing I get my rebates back). I have an old 64mb AGP TNT2 and black CD-Rom. Just add memory and O/S and I should be good to go.

I am very interested in seeing how this MasterPower 350Watt ATX Power Supply does. The box states that it has (2) 12Volt rails, one rated for 6A and one for 12A. 18A on the 12V line sounds too good to be true, but I will have to wait and see. I run Antec PSU's in all four of my personal rigs, but this is a 'budget box' and will have to prove itself. If it passes P95 for over 12 hours, I will be confident that I can sell it with no worries.

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: deadken
Alright!!! I did it! Now are you guys happy?!?! Jeez, I couldn't take it anymore. All this talk of how well these run was making me crazy. I just dove in and bought a combo and a Coolermaster HS/Fan for another 11.99. Total cost 101.08 Shipped. Oh well... Maybe I have to stop browsing the hot deals section.... I thought I was strong enough to resist, but I guess not.

Now I need some cheap memory to complete this 'budget box'. I have a $20 CrapUSA case, with a free w/MIR 350W PS, and a $10 w/MIR 80GB HD. Add a $100 CPU/Mobo/HSF combo, and I am right around $150 (providing I get my rebates back). I have an old 64mb AGP TNT2 and black CD-Rom. Just add memory and O/S and I should be good to go.

I am very interested in seeing how this MasterPower 350Watt ATX Power Supply does. The box states that it has (2) 12Volt rails, one rated for 6A and one for 12A. 18A on the 12V line sounds too good to be true, but I will have to wait and see. I run Antec PSU's in all four of my personal rigs, but this is a 'budget box' and will have to prove itself. If it passes P95 for over 12 hours, I will be confident that I can sell it with no worries.

I picked up the combo too along with that same HSF - shipping to AK was $20, but I'm used to that by now.

Budget box or not, I always recommend getting a quality PSU - of which Antec used to be, but I've heard rumors that isn't the case now.

 

[Gilby]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
I picked up the combo too along with that same HSF - shipping to AK was $20, but I'm used to that by now.

Budget box or not, I always recommend getting a quality PSU - of which Antec used to be, but I've heard rumors that isn't the case now.

The Masterpower is reportedly made by Channelwell. If so, expect the ratings to be accurate and the power quality to be right on. It might be a cheaper design with a loud fan and whatnot, but it'll be a good power supply.

I'd note that 18A total on the 12V rail is only OK. Don't expect to pack too much into the system.

 

[shearo]

Tried to download Cool n Quiet from the AMD web site for Sempron. The only one out ther is for OS's other than XP... However they have an AMD Power Monitor which allows you to choose various power settings including Max Battery which changed my vcore from 1.4 to 1.1. furballi is this what you are using when you say you got Cool n Quiet working/running?

 

[furballi]

Nope...I use an older version of C n Q downloaded last year.

 

[rpf717]

Shearo,

I am having the same problem trying to find the Cool n Quiet for the Sempron, for XP or MCE.

Anyone know where we can get this?

Thanks in advance

 

[shearo]

rpf717

AMD Power Monitor works fine for reducing your vcore and as far as a I read back through the thread it does exactly what C n Q does so that's what I'll use.

Ok, I have upped my bus to 250 and changed my memory to 2T(Kingston Value from CC) - no other changes and everything is fine after CPUBurn ran for 8 hours, got up to 44C which was my idle temp for the Celeron 2.4 it replaced (idle now 32C). 43 seconds on Super Pi 1M... However SandraSoft is hanging/locking up when it does any test with the filesystem so I'm guessing the stinking nVidia drivers are installed.

Q. How do I tell if the Nvidia IDE drivers are installed and can I just uninstall the driver for it specifically. I'm guessing they got installed when I installed off the ECS Motherboard install CD...
Q Why is Device Manager complaining about a Microsoft Kernal DLS Synthesizer?

 

[shearo]

According to Everest and Sandra Motherboard sensors say motherboard 78 the CPU 36...
Where is the motherboard sensor and is it saying the correct temp... I'm concerned...

 

[furballi]

MB thermal sensor is funky. Always 80C.

If you have the NF IDE drivers, then you will see an option in Device Manager to test the speed of the HDD.

 

[to0w1r3d]

worth getting the AMD A64 3000+ for an extra $40?

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4811530

 

[furballi]

Probably not. The A64 with 2x cache isn't going to be that much faster unless you can overclock it above 2.6GHz. For that price, I'd get the ECS A-480 and A64 3200 for $160.

 

[RaiderJ]

I agree - if you go A64 for another $40, you might as well go for a 939 setup where you can at least drop in a dual core down the road.

 

[freshspace]

Actually that would be $50 more. $30 more, you can get another set-up. I agree that for more money 939 is the way to go. With the new AMD socket around the corner, I think it is called AM2, even 939 is not the latest socket anymore.

Shearo, if Sandrasoft is locking up, it is probably because you don't have enough juice. You may need to bump both DDR and Vcore up.

Just like someone mentioned before, I, too, am getting the high pitch noise from time to time. It is annoying.

By the way, I am using 5.10 Nvidia platform drivers for "all" the stuff, including IDE driver, with the Realtek driver, and everything seems fine. Even the ethernet is working fine.