HOT! Boxed AMD Duron @950mhz. Final cost $70 shipped

[RobsTV]

Man, this thing is awesome.
KT7 from Microbarn for $135. Using Stock heatsink and fan.
Components include, Computer show $112 128meg PC133, Voodoo3 3000 AGP, SB Live! value, PCI NIC, Avermedia TV98, USR Sportster 56k voice ISA, Western Digital 20.? gig UDMA/66. IRQ's easily configured with this board.

Out of box, at 1.6v
600mhz (6x100)
default optimized bios settings.
Norton SI = 176
HD Tach 50.1 burst
Sandra: CPU Dhry: 2001 MIPS, CPU Whet: 825 MFLOPS, CPU Mem: 207, FPU mem: 199

Tweaked Bios, and increase mem speed to Clk+PCI, or 133mhz
Norton SI: 212, Sandra CPU Mem: 281, FPU mem: 273

3 jumps later with tests, and now I am using this PC at:
1.7v, 896mhz (112x8), memory at 149mhz (112+37.3), Stock HSF.
Norton SI: 273
HD Tach: 57.1 burst
Sandra: 2949 MIPS, 1234 MFLOPS, CPU Mem 344, FPU Mem 316

edit Above is using Sandra 99. Sandra 2000 ALU 520, FPU 612

 

[tigger80]

wow nice results, but you should have went with a geforce mx for some 3D 32bit goodness

 

[Bohemian]

Tedtalker1:

I had a successful flash the first time. Oddly enough, the instability at 950MHz didn't start until after I flashed. I'm at 900MHz now and happy. Did you flash from a bootable floppy? For those who have never flashed a BIOS...

1. Make a bootable floopy (format a: /s in DOS).
2. Copy the the flash program to the disk (awdflash.exe).
3. Copy the flash file to the disk (KT7_ul.bin).
4. Boot to the floppy.
5. Type awdflash.exe. When it asks you for the file name give it the file from step three. Say yes to backup and name it something like "KT7_old.bin." Then say yes to write the bios.

That's it!

 

[gplracer]

try the TextThey have the kt7 for $135 and I think shipping is $8. They shipped mine promptly

 

[Heifetz]

For whoever uses the KT7, which sensor is which? Theres three sensors. I'm pretty sure sensor 3 is the cpu? But what are sensor 1 and sensor 2? Just different places on the Mobo? I'm using MBM btw.


Heifetz

Btw, when I got the KT7, the cpu sensor was standing straight UP! That means that in order for me to install the cpu, I had to bend the sensor. Is this normal? Anyone else had to do this too?

 

[Tedtalker1]

Bohemian,thanks for the reply.In the cd-rom that came with my KT7,under flash utility in the readme PDF file,it says to also copy ABITFAE.BAT as well and type ABITFAE***_***.bin and press enter.I read that this is easier but I may do it like you did.Still nervous but will attempt to flash tonight after work.Bohemian,keep playing with those FSB settings and voltage and you may get her running stable at 950 again.Also the memory settings.Good luck and thanks again for keeping us all informed.

 

[SuperRob]

OK, so it's Sunday morning, and after spending Saturday night rearranging cards and installing software, I'm now running 900MHZ at 1.85v. We'll see how long this runs stable.

 

[WilsonCat]

For those considering the KT7 or the KT7-RAID, spend the extra $20 and get the RAID version. The KT7 does not have ATA-100 only the KT7-RAID does.

WilsonCat

 

[VH2000]

Heifetz

I haven't received my board yet, but from what I have read about the KT7, you do have to bend the sensor over - this is normal!!

 

[Bohemian]

Yes. I had to bend mine also.

 

[RobsTV]

There are good points and bad points to the KT7 Raid, compared to non-Raid.
Very slightly good is ATA/100, as most users do not have ATA/100 drives yet, and this is max ideal burst speed only, not throughput. ATA/66 will provide 90% of this max burst, and yield similar throughput. Also the Raid benefit is Nil if you don't have 2 ATA/66 or ATA/100 drives.

Bad is the Raid's IRQ use. If you have many cards in your system, configuration problems seem to be much more prevelent with the Raid, compared to the non-Raid board. If other boards have caused you IRQ trouble, then this Raid one will too, while the non-Raid will cure them.

Both boards overclock the same. If you want the easiest, most problem free setup, get the non-Raid version. If you don't mind spending time troubleshooting IRQ's, or having to remove cards to make the system work, AND have the need for RAID, and own or plan on owning an ATA/100 drives, then you may see a tiny performance boost by going with the Raid version.

 

[Bohemian]

I agree with Rob. The only reason I got the RAID was because I needed a mirror solution for my business. This was alot cheaper than a dedicated server at two separate locations. I think a pair of Mobos, HDDs, and CPUs was under $600 and both of my sites have complete mirroring on the main PC now.

 

[SuperRob]

Well, I've been running Win2k on this 900MHz setup all day ... not a single problem yet. I'd say that simply freeing up that 5th PCI slot did the trick! (RTFM folks.) I put the USB bracket in it's place, so it wasn't a complete loss.

Color me thrilled. Not bad for about $200 bones.

 

[ProUser]

I got a question. I've been considering getting in on this deal for a while, but am not sure if I will see THAT great of benefits. Here is what I currently have:

Pentium 3 450
256 Megs PC 100
Viper 770 Ultra 32meg
SCSI 7200 rpm drives

Lets say I overclock the Duron to 900 mhz. Do you guys think it will be that noticiable of a performance increase over what I currently have?

Thanks

 

[Tedtalker1]

ProUser,I noticed a big difference when I bumped my Duron 600 from 700mhz to 900mhz.The answer,at least in my case is YES,YES,YES !! !! SPEED ! SPEED! I NEED MORE SPEEEEEEEEEEEED ! I am not exagerating.The speed is very addictive after U experience 900mhz.

 

[sprog123]

Hey all,

I was wondering if we could have an update for any of us that jumped in late on the deal. My order shipped Friday, Sept 8 from Anaheim, CA. Has everyone still been getting unlockable chips so far? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm not too late. UPS tracking says I should expect my Duron 600s on Thursday, Sept. 14. I'll keep you posted on whether I get unlockable ones or not. Also, I most likely will be getting rid of my second CPU for those of you that are interested. I'll ask some local friends first, but I'll welcome any offers .

 

[ElectricLegs]

ProUser, does your board support a Celeron 566 or 600 in an Iwill slocket? They will run at 850-900 easy and simple. Allstarshop.com can get you a "retail chip" and slocket for about $115. You will see a big increase in speed either way you go.

 

[midnightrat]

Hopefully it's not too late...anyone got still have a duron they need to unload? Let me know and I'd be more than happy to take it off you hands.

Seems everyone is picking up the Abit KT7...anyone have any experience with Asus's K7V?

 

[Bohemian]

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!
1 GHz Baby!!!!! Smokin'!!!!!
I pumped the voltage up to 1.85 and it's stable for now.
53 degrees, so I need to get better cooling...
Oh man. This baby flies!!!!!

 

[Askalon]

Okay, I got My Duron, The Abit KT7 is comming in this week. All I need now is a great cooling solution. What is the best HS/Fan and where do I get it at?

 

[SleepyRaTT]

If you need to get rid of an unlocked duron.... e-mail me!!!!!!! PLEASE =)


Thanks in advance!!!

 

[AceOfempire]

OK, i got my duron, waiting for the KT7 ...thanx for the dealz...
i heard alpha is doing a good job , but i will go for the retail h/s unless it can't reach 900....plz don...

 

[Braxus]

Well Buy.com is offering free shipping now to Wednesday... deal is even hotter!

 

[Tedtalker1]

Bohemian,Nice going.I guess the new BIOS was good afterall huh? Now what cooler are you going to get?

 

[Bohemian]

Well, I can operate at 1GHz with the hsf that came with the processor, but I think I might go for the Golden Orb to reduce my temp a few degrees unless someone has a better suggestion. At 900 MHz the temp was 46 degrees. It is now 51. I think I may go for another fan in my case too...