COLD PLEASE READ for both Fry's and Outpost (was: Sempron 3100+ with motherboard $90 plus shipping)

[Zap]

UPDATE: I just got back from Fry's with my combo and am very disappointed. The CPU is OEM, which is fine with me (same as online) but it is the original 130nm core, not the newer 90nm core. My stepping is CG and AMD part number is SDA3100AIP3AX. Gonna have to go back to Fry's and return it. It is still a decent deal for non-overclockers, but the only other CG 3100+ I had was a terrible overclocker, barely hitting just over 2GHz (while my Newcastle A64 still hit 2.5+GHz). I know other people have had better luck with this CPU, but it isn't nearly as good as any of the 90nm cores. This deal is IMO cold for the overclocker.

Text
Enjoy

socket 754 Sempron 3100+ (unknown if 64 bit) retail box
ECS NFORCE3-A motherboard

This is a hot deal for everyone who wants to get one of these combo deals but don't live near a Fry's.

They don't specify which CPU it is or if it has 64 bit. Most likely it is 90nm because the older 130nm is not being made anymore AFAIK. The motherboard is an ECS NFORCE3-A, read the review linked below for more details. This is a budget and easily overclocked combo. It is the same deal as the Fry's "Day After Christmas" sale.

The Sempron 3100+ socket 754 CPU is 1.8GHz (9x multiplier) and has 256k cache. With the ECS board it can be easily overclocked to 2.25GHz, and on better boards has a shot at 2.5-2.7GHz.

The same CPU currently runs $100 shipped from Newegg (they do specify 64 bit). For me, the combo runs just under $98 shipped.

Zap's mini review of the motherboard

 

[daveybrat]

OOS

 

[Zap]

Even before I could make my own purchase. Was in stock when I posted.

 

[amdhunter]

dammit, oos

 

[Warzero]

I just bought one 5 minutes ago, it cant be oos already can it?

 

[BurningDog]

It'll still let you check out even if its backordered. Are you sure it said it was in stock on the page?

 

[Warzero]

it saids call for availibity. I guess its not in stock... DAmn how do I cancel it ;(

 

[BurningDog]

"If you choose to order this product on the web, it will usually ship in 5 - 7 business days (Monday through Friday). Outpost ships on a first come, first service basis."

You might want to hang on to your order to see if it'll ship within a week. If not, it looks like you have to wait a month.

" You will be notified by email if the product is on backorder. On day 28, you will receive a second notification if the item is still on backorder. In this email, you will be asked to respond within 30 days that you wish the order to remain active and you agree to an indefinite ship date. If you do not instruct us to keep the order active, it will be cancelled after 30 days with no further notification. Call for updated estimated delivery dates."

 

[Hersh]

Yea, I called in yesterday to ask if this was in stock and it's definitely not in stock. Anyone ordered something that was backordered from Outpost before?

Was gonna jump on this deal, I need to upgrade my P3 500MHz box

 

[GregANDTCH]

Good Buy,
TOO bad

 

[BurningDog]

Do they charge your credit card when you order or when it ships? If they don't charge your CC, it can't hurt to backorder one.

 

[vaylon]

If it says backordered or call for availabilty you are SOL.

Outpost is really bad about advertising great deals and then not having stock.

 

[paulsaz]

This combo is part of Fry's 1 day sale on Monday. Was in Sundays AZ Republic.

 

[kamranziadar]

Looks like in stock again

 

[Hersh]

Originally posted by: kamranziadar
Looks like in stock again

Why you say that?

Anyone call and ask today?

 

[Zap]

UPDATE: I just got back from Fry's with my combo and am very disappointed. The CPU is OEM, which is fine with me (same as online) but it is the original 130nm core, not the newer 90nm core. My stepping is CG and AMD part number is SDA3100AIP3AX. Gonna have to go back to Fry's and return it. It is still a decent deal for non-overclockers, but the only other CG 3100+ I had was a terrible overclocker, barely hitting just over 2GHz (while my Newcastle A64 still hit 2.5+GHz). I know other people have had better luck with this CPU, but it isn't nearly as good as any of the 90nm cores. This deal is IMO cold for the overclocker.

 

[StudioAudience]

Thanks for the update Zap. I'm glad I decided to check the forums before driving out to Fry's.

 

[mindwreck]

Originally posted by: StudioAudience
Thanks for the update Zap. I'm glad I decided to check the forums before driving out to Fry's.

yeah me too, taking 1 for the team. Thanks Zap

 

[Losty]

so...is it not the 754 chip? aren't they all going to oc at least 400mhz? still a very good deal for the nonhardcore oc'ers ... who want to squeeze a lil 200-300 mhz no? what can you expect for $90?

-losty

 

[John P]

Thanks, OP. I called and cancelled my order, I didn't even have to wait for a CSR!! Pretty impressive customer service for the day after Christmas.

Looking at pricewatch this wasn't that HOT of deal for me anyway, I was only saving about $30 or so after tax and shipping.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: Zap
UPDATE: I just got back from Fry's with my combo and am very disappointed. The CPU is OEM, which is fine with me (same as online) but it is the original 130nm core, not the newer 90nm core. My stepping is CG and AMD part number is SDA3100AIP3AX. Gonna have to go back to Fry's and return it. It is still a decent deal for non-overclockers, but the only other CG 3100+ I had was a terrible overclocker, barely hitting just over 2GHz (while my Newcastle A64 still hit 2.5+GHz). I know other people have had better luck with this CPU, but it isn't nearly as good as any of the 90nm cores. This deal is IMO cold for the overclocker.

Yeap, went to Chicago Fry's and sure enough, got an OEM CG stepping as well with the AX part number. Returned it onsite and went home with nothing.

 

[AdamsJabbar]

Originally posted by: Zap
UPDATE: I just got back from Fry's with my combo and am very disappointed. The CPU is OEM, which is fine with me (same as online) but it is the original 130nm core, not the newer 90nm core. My stepping is CG and AMD part number is SDA3100AIP3AX. Gonna have to go back to Fry's and return it. It is still a decent deal for non-overclockers, but the only other CG 3100+ I had was a terrible overclocker, barely hitting just over 2GHz (while my Newcastle A64 still hit 2.5+GHz). I know other people have had better luck with this CPU, but it isn't nearly as good as any of the 90nm cores. This deal is IMO cold for the overclocker.

All of you complaining about getting a poor overclocker need to dry up. You are not being ripped off when you buy this combo. You are getting exactly what was advertised in the ad. Furthermore, if you really do want to complain about overclocking, why the hell are you buying an ECS motherboard anyway?

This deal is still a very hot one. Just because you don't get something for nothing doesn't make this a COLD deal.

 

[Cygni]

The real cold part of this deal is that the chip is the 32bit verson of the 3100+. Fry's DOES put the 64bit chips in their adds BUT DOES NOT SPECIFY if its the 32bit (cold deal) or the 64bit (hot). The people at the store normally have no idea either. Meaning the only way to know is to buy the freaking thing and return it. Ive done it 3 times at frys (a 2800 deal, a 3000 deal, and a 3100 deal) and gotten 1 sempie 64, and 2 32's.

Its kinda a scam, and it really pisses me off. If they would SPECIFY or be able to TELL YOU what kind it is, it would be fine. Its actually a pretty darn good deal for a 32bit CPU. But with the ambiguity, its a whole lot of typical fry's BS.

And the ECS boards (755 A2 and the Nforce3 250) are both pretty damn good boards, both giving up to 250+ fsb ratios no prob. They do tend to have a few smaller issues with RAM compat, but in general, they are solid... despite what some people would have you believe.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: AdamsJabbar

Originally posted by: Zap
This deal is IMO cold for the overclocker.

You are not being ripped off when you buy this combo. You are getting exactly what was advertised in the ad. Furthermore, if you really do want to complain about overclocking, why the hell are you buying an ECS motherboard anyway?

I did specify the deal was "cold for the overclocker." Yes, it is exactly as advertised (indeed they didn't specify 32 or 64 bit in the ad). I have reviewed two ECS boards recently, the NFORCE3-A (this board) and the NFORCE4-A939, and both were decent overclockers with bus speed and voltage adjustments. Their CPU return policy (different from regular policy) does state that they'll take back the CPU within 14 days, so that's exactly what I did. When CSR asked the reason for return, I stated "item not as expected." They actually have a choice in their computers for that reason. I didn't pretend it was broken nor did I misrepresent the reason I was returning it.

I've played with one CG core Sempron and that one was barely able to get 300MHz more one a board that was able to get 700MHz more on a Newcastle A64 2800+. Some people have gotten better overclocks than I on this Sempron, but I think the 90nm version is overwhelmingly better in that department.

For people expecting to run this combo at stock speeds or with a couple hundred MHz mild overclock, this is still a warm deal.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: AdamsJabbar

Originally posted by: Zap
UPDATE: I just got back from Fry's with my combo and am very disappointed. The CPU is OEM, which is fine with me (same as online) but it is the original 130nm core, not the newer 90nm core. My stepping is CG and AMD part number is SDA3100AIP3AX. Gonna have to go back to Fry's and return it. It is still a decent deal for non-overclockers, but the only other CG 3100+ I had was a terrible overclocker, barely hitting just over 2GHz (while my Newcastle A64 still hit 2.5+GHz). I know other people have had better luck with this CPU, but it isn't nearly as good as any of the 90nm cores. This deal is IMO cold for the overclocker.

All of you complaining about getting a poor overclocker need to dry up. You are not being ripped off when you buy this combo. You are getting exactly what was advertised in the ad. Furthermore, if you really do want to complain about overclocking, why the hell are you buying an ECS motherboard anyway?

This deal is still a very hot one. Just because you don't get something for nothing doesn't make this a COLD deal.

It's not just about getting a poor overclocker, it's about 1, Fry's not mentioning the oem chip which doesn't include Heatsink/Fan, and has much less warranty, and 2 Fry's selling a core revision that's 4 generation old.

The AX revision is the oldest of existing Sempron 754 cpu, there's been BA, BO and BX revision already since the AX revision. I would not have said anything if the chip was anyone of the B'something revision. For some people, all they need to know is if the chip is P4 3.0Ghz or AMD 3200+, but for the rest of us, it's important to know if the chip is a Northwood, a Prescott, a Newcastle or a Venic ... etc. Yes some chip overclocks better than the other, but that's not the entire story. The newer 90nm chip for the AMD (AX is the 130nm vs. the 90 nm B'something stepping for the Sempron) runs cooler and have a few updates such as the SSE3 instruction.

I don't know about you, but if I go to Best Buy and get a TV that's one sale, I would be pretty upset if they didn't say in the ad that the sale is for last year's model, even if it's the same 36" TV. Oh and I'd even be more upset if the TV doesn't come in a box and the warranty is only for 60 days. Why should CPU be any different.