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

[CuriousMike]

Using Everest to get some temps, I idle at 29' with CnQ working.
UnRARing a DVD, I get up to 44'C

Running Prime and SuperPi and Unraring a DVD simultaneously gets up to 49'.

 

[shearo]

Freshspace, the vcore was the problem, added 1%(whatever the minimum is) and Sandra started working... I think Furballi may have mentioned that I couldn't increase the clock to 250 without increasing the vcore... I guess he's right again!

Thank you both!

 

[rpf717]

Hi, I'm also concerned, about the temp sensors.

Here's what I got from the Everest report

Field Value
CPU 35 °C (95 °F)
Aux 77 °C (171 °F)
WDC WD2000JB-00GVA0 39 °C (102 °F)


What is the Aux?! Is this a real temp?

Thanks

 

[deadken]

My Combo was just delivered. I hope to have it up and running tonight.

I don't care for how DHL tracks its packages, especially over the weekend. Also, it would be nice if Outpost would link you to your tracking info especially since they list it as being shipped with Airborne Express, and not everyone knows that they are partners with DHL and you track through the DHL website.

I will post back after I have it running.

 

[freshspace]

Shearo, I'm glad things worked out for you. Furballi and Zap have been tremendous resources to this set-up. Just be careful with giving tooooo much juice to OC. It will lead to premature bulging/leaking of the capacitors on your motherboard. Take care.

 

[deadken]

I assume that everyone else is getting the same core?

SDA3100AIP3AX is what I got. I haven't gotten it installed yet, but from what I see, the 'AX' at the end of the code indicates that it is a 32-bit CPU. As soon as I am up and running, I will check it with CPU-Z. Does anyone have this CPU running a 64-bit OS? (I mean with the AX suffix).

From what I read if the CPU had a 'BX' suffix, then it would be a 64-bit CPU. HERE is the article I was reading. I am aware that it is dated Sept. 05, and I hope that makes all the difference. I bought this combo with the understanding that many people were getting 64-bit CPU's. I am not sure if CPU-Z is what people were using to determine if it is a 64-bit or if they are running a 64-bit O/S. Any help you guys can give to clear this up would be greatly appreciated.

-Thanks, Ken

 

[CuriousMike]

dk,
That's the exact code on my CPU, and it's definitely 64-bit.

BTW, I'm up to 2460 stable.

 

[deadken]

Whew.... I wouldn't have gotten this unless I had a good chance at it being a 64-bit.

Might I ask how you are sure that it is a 64-bit? I know that the article was old, but browsing over at Newegg.com I see plenty of 32-bit Sempron CPU's (one is even on sale this week $83 for a box 32bit Semp 3100+). Are you going by CPU-Z or are you using a 64-bit O/S.


BTW: What settings are you using for you O/C? What program are you using to get past the 250Mhz HTT? Or are you using a BIOS flash?

 

[imported_garbageman]

Hey guys,

I'm at my wits end trying to figur out what is wrong with my setup. I bought this combo a couple weeks back but just moved so didn't have time to put it together until now and can't get all the way through my Windows xp (enterprise edition) install!

The other components are:
550W TTGI PSU (both power connectors hooked up to mobo)
9800pro 256mb video card (AGP port)
1 stick Geil 512mb ram (left slot)
160MB SATA WD HDD (SATA1 port)
NEC DVD ROM drive. (IDE1)

After putting together all the components everything appears to be fine as the windows disc gets recognized and goes into the blue-screen mode for install. I did a full reformat of the drive to install Windows and it reboots and goes into the 'windows-looking' install mode and gives me the countdown until Windows is completely installed.

This is where I think the problem occurs because after the one minute mark is up the computer reboots. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought it asked to set up additional information at this point.

Anyway, after it reboots itself it tries to go into windows but automatically self-reboots again. Then when it tries loading windows it goes into the prompt asking if i want to load windows normally or in safe mode (and other options). None of the options work as the computer self-reboots just after making a selection. The screen doesn't even get to the 'windows-loading screen'.

Things I've tried:
Changing HTT to 3x and upped VCORE voltage.
Swapped out RAM for RAM that I tested in my other system
Swapped out the video card for the 8500AIW in my other system
Reinstalled Windows.

All bios settings I tried at normal other than trying to change HTT and VCORE. It seems like some sort of hardware issue. Could it be my windows disc is messed up? MOBO?

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

 

[CuriousMike]

dk,
I've used CPU-Z and Sandra and Everest; I have NOT run a 64bit OS.

From the CPU-Z site, you can find the latest "clockgen" to overclock it.

Search the web for CG-NVNF3, and be sure to get the version from 12-6-2004; with it, you can set the FSB at boot time via a batch file. The newer CLOCKGEN does not have that feature.

 

[CuriousMike]

garbage,
Sounds like you've tried all the regular stuf.

For sure, try installing with your minimum components: mobo, CPU, 1 stick of ram, CD drive and 1 HDD.

Double-dog verify you've got a good contact between HSF and CPU.

For grins-and-giggles, maybe find an old IDE drive you have laying around and try installing on it (leave SATA out of the equation for once.)

 

[russw]

Didn't someone mention a cheap (refurb) AGP video card (mayber a Radeon) that could work with these mobo's? I recall them going for less than $20 shipped. Or was that in a different thread?

 

[deadken]

I have the combo running at the standard max. BIOS allows for now. I benched my Sons old Gigabyte NF2/Barton 2500+@ 11x200 and then benched this Sempron 3100+/ECS mobo at stock (9x200), 1900 (9x211) and now am benching at 2250 (9x250).

As soon as this round of 3DM05 is done, I will download and install the "Clockgen" program. I have been unable to find the version from 12-6-2004 yet, but I will look some more later.

If anyone has a link to a download site that has that version, I would greatly appreciate if they could post it here or PM it to me.

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

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: deadken
I will check it with CPU-Z. Does anyone have this CPU running a 64-bit OS?

If you need a second opinion in addition to CPU-Z, how about downloading a 64 bit Linux "live CD" and booting off it? Are those available? If so then that would be 100% confirmation.

Originally posted by: russw
Didn't someone mention a cheap (refurb) AGP video card (mayber a Radeon) that could work with these mobo's? I recall them going for less than $20 shipped. Or was that in a different thread?

Don't know, but Mwave had cheap refurb AGP Radeons. IIRC they had a 9200SE 64MB AGP or something like that for $12 plus shipping, now OOS. Last I checked they still had some 9000 64MB AGP for around $16 plus shipping.

garbageman, besides trying an EIDE HDD, you can also try a different optical drive and a different install disc. A friend of mine had a setup that would always lock during install - different disc solved it.

 

[CuriousMike]

dk - you can use the latest CLOCKGEN on the same website CPU-Z comes from... it works great. It's just you can't auto-boot to it.
For whatever reason, I had a 1-2004 version of CG-NVNF3, and it would never come up with the middle button.
Somehow I found a 12-2004 version, and it worked.

Try googling CG-NVNF3.RAR or .ZIP; if you still need it, PM me and when I'm at home I'll hook you up.

 

[deadken]

Good point ZAP. Perhaps I will get to try that 'Linux' out after all. I don't think that I have ever even seen it yet. Are you saying that I can download the image and burn it to a CD, then boot from CD and run the 64-bit O/S that way? I downloaded knopix that way, but I never took the time to burn/run it. Having a 64-bit O/S like that would be kinda neat. It would give me the chance to play around before deciding if I liked it enough to do a full HD install.

Ohh yeah, Garbageman: I meant to tell you that I have a little 3GB HD that I keep a Copy of Win98SE or WinME on. I always use that to check out computer hardware when I am not sure there is a hardware or softeware problem. I plug it in, reboot, let it go through its autodetect, reboot and then I can stress test and diagnose what is up. Perhaps tossing in an old drive and doing a quick 'simple' O/S install will help you with your diagnosis. Perhaps even running an O/S like knopix from the CD-Rom would help you diagnose where your problem lies. OF course, that means having another computer to D/Load/burn the O/S on, but most of us have access to more then one PC.

Originally posted by: CuriousMike
dk - you can use the latest CLOCKGEN on the same website CPU-Z comes from... it works great. It's just you can't auto-boot to it.
For whatever reason, I had a 1-2004 version of CG-NVNF3, and it would never come up with the middle button.
Somehow I found a 12-2004 version, and it worked.

Try googling CG-NVNF3.RAR or .ZIP; if you still need it, PM me and when I'm at home I'll hook you up.

Thanks for the info. Now that I finished benching 9x250, I was gonna do that. I came here looking for the date you listed, and got sidetracked (the story of my life since I began visiting AT.com). Thanks for the offer, if I can't locate it myself, I will PM you. I don't want the version that doesn't auto-boot since this will be my Sons PC and I never know when he will restart (I have four rigs in my house folding (well... four at the moment, it varies from time to time)).

I am hoping that one on THIS page will do it.

 

[CuriousMike]

dk - i just downloaded that version @ work, and it "looks" right.
When you run it, it will "pause" for a second immediately after boot. (Like it's waiting for something final to initialize.)
If the machine has been on for awhile and then you try to run it, it runs immediately.

Your son is going to have a great rig...

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: deadken
Are you saying that I can download the image and burn it to a CD, then boot from CD and run the 64-bit O/S that way?

Yup, just checked and you can DL an Ubuntu 64 bit "live" CD.

 

[furballi]

Zero the HDD and reload WXP. At the countdown screen, remove the CD and let WXP reboot. At the prompt, reload the WXP CD. If this fails, then you should retest with the MB OUTSIDE of the case.

DO NOT connect any device to the MB except for the mouse, keyboard, one HDD, and on optical drive. Put the optical drive as MASTER on the second IDE channel.

You'll need to push Vcore up to +5% to run at 2.5GHz. This appear to be the upper limit of this CPU. The power section on the MB will be HOT at this speed, so make sure you have excellent cooling (Zalman 7700Cu or 120mm equivalent fan blowing into the board). Without excellent cooling, I'd run at 2.4GHz max (probably more stable at +3.4% Vcore).

At 2.45GHz, I was able to get WXP to blue screen with certain combo of applications running simultaneously.

Also make sure the WXP CD is defect-free.

 

[psykohog]

I tried to load Win XP on a sata drive but
had trouble also. I used an IDE drive first
like everybody is recommending.

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: CuriousMike
dk - i just downloaded that version @ work, and it "looks" right.
.......

Your son is going to have a great rig...

Ugh.... I am having problems getting above the 2250 allowed by BIOS. I doubt that it would be the ClockGen utility since no one else is having a problem with it. But I am hoping that it is somehow a 'bad' version and that I can download it from somewhere else and have more success. I say that because I was having issues even when just messing around and dropping the FSB from 250, so who knows.

I have 2x512mb Patriot Ram that is rated for 400Mhz 2,2,2,5 and 533Mhz 3,4,4,8. I had dropped the ram to 133 (I had it at 166w/2,2,2,5), loosened the timings and even maxed the Vdimm (2.9 IIRC). I also had Vcore at max (+%5.1) to try and remove all other limiting factors. Even with those 'tweaks' I was having issues and though I got to 2350 once I didn't stay there and bench, I pushed it and it locked up or rebooted. I realize that my PS is an Antec 300W and could be the source of my problems. After I know that 2250 is P95 Stable, and I see how far I can get stable, I will put an Antec 350W or that other 350W I mentioned earlier.

Right now I am running Prime 95 back at 9x250, +%1.7 Vcore + 204Mhz 2,2,2,5. When I am sure that I have that rock solid, I will try for 2300 then 2350, etc... Then I will swap out the Antec 300 for the 350W. Man, I hope Outpost has that Antec 350 sale again. If not, I will get a 380 or 400 from the forums.

I was hoping for some 'Quick and Dirty' settings that you guys have used and tested for stability.

I should mention that when I upgraded my rig from a M-2400 @ 2.3 to my Gigabyte NF3 + A64 S754 3000+, I had to revalidate my Windows over the phone, when I upgraded my Sons rig, I didn't have to revalidate. Kinda odd...

I also would like to ask what everyone is using for a temperature monitor? Speed fan? I have to dig through the driver CD and see if ECS offers a Utility for this board.

Lastly, I try to keep my 13yr. old Daughter and my 10yr. old Sons PCs as powerful as possible. That is because they get the parts that I take out of my rig when I upgrade. I love 'Trickle down upgrades', because I always get a new part befire they do!

EDIT: I just saw my 12V rail drop to 11.78V. Although P95 is still running fine (about an hour now), I will change out the 300W PS right away. That is just too low for me to keep playing around with.

 

[CuriousMike]

HT 3x

Everest is what peeps told me to use to monitor temps - in an earlier mesg, i submitted my temps.

 

[deadken]

Good point. I forgot to mention that I dropped HT to 3x. (This is my second S754 build, so I knew that, I just forgot to mention it).

Thanks for the info. I will google 'everest' when I get the chance and install it. Then I'll check my results against what has already been posted in this thread.

I have MBM5 on the HD from his last NF2 Mobo and it seems that I have gotten CPU temp readings of up to 48C when under %100 load from P95 for about 2 hours now. Please note that I have not installed the side of the case yet. I think that sensor is on the right track since as soon as I let the CPU idle, it drops nice and evenly. I didn't pay attention to what the idle temp was since it wouldn't be 'normal' with the side of the case still open.

I would like to add some heatsinks to the motherboard chips/etc, before I put the cover back on. It has been mentioned earlier in the thread that these are the parts that need good cooling for stable overclocks and longevity while overclocking. Since my PCs don't get turned off, I like the idea of adding heat sinks to the components before I consider this build to be 'finished'.

Did anyone take off the Southbridge Heatsink (I assume that it is still called that (even when there is no northbridge), and see what kind of thernal transfer goop was there? Perhaps I will pull the board, lap the SB heatsink and apply some AS5 if someone tells me it is worth it.

BTW: If I get a slightly higher O/C out of it, then that is an added bonus. I just don't really expect to get gains from the added cooling, mostly longevity.

 

[CuriousMike]

On my last rig I had ( MSI K8 NF2 ), i put one of those Zalman NB Heatsinks on it and the nb heat went down about 10' C.. it was remarkable. HOWEVER, the small HS MSI had on the NB had a pin-drop of paste... i don't think the HS was really mating to the northbridge surface.

I haven't bothered seeing how how the rest of the mobo is; right now, temps have still been very mild in my house - i imagine when the temps go up 25'F over the summer, the case is going to get warm.

I have an Antec SLK3000 case, and it has nice vents on the side that lead to the GPU and the CPU.

 

[Melectricus]

DeadKen,
This may seem silly, but for giggles did you try memory voltage level lower than 2.9v before trying to get above 2250. The reason I ask is that when I raised my mem voltage on this board - just playing around - it got unstable, when the memory in another computer at higher voltages was fine. FYI I am at 2250 but am not currently trying to go higher. My board required no voltage bumps all around at this level. When I get antsy I'll mess with clockgen, maybe some boards are fickle, FWIW