Need Chewy to look under my Hood !

[Chewy]

amd64 3500 + mobo for 100
amd64 3500 say 75$ ecs 25$
P4 2.4 say 50$ new at best, no big loss

good hsf on 3500? can you oc the ecs?
that via chipset has a good lock

[AlienX69]

Currently using the STOCK fan, i'll post some temps once I get the box online, I'm still juggling pci cards, had to use a real old vid card, Velocity 128, no driver support or XP. Need to buy a PCI x16 video card, thinking of getting this:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814122203

Don't need anything real high-end, for gaming I use game consoles ....

The mobo is not the best, for one it runs hot, guess it's the northbridge that's getting the board hot. Guess I will look for a small fan I can mount on it. I did run Everest on it this morning, from my memory it was about 42-45c (CPU) and 48-52c (mobo) ... this was during a burn .... and the case is still open, I bought a 120mm fan for the back of case, 2-80 front, 1-80 top, 1-80 side ... plus I have the FSP Blue Storm in it (no more low-end PSU's for me).

No OC options on this cheap mobo .... this was for my son's puter, no frills, and a backup system

Not sure I understand what you meant ?

that via chipset has a good lock

With regard to my ole Alien box, if Intel don't replace the P4 2.4, I will probably buy a P4 3.0 (cheapest I could find was $99 at newegg). Of couse that if it's the CPU (have no way to test), if it's the mobo thats flakey then I will be leaning towards this:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131028

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115004

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590

I will shop around for the best price, seen prices cheaper at other stores.

AX

[AlienX69]

Leadtek PX6600TD-256 Geforce 6600

Chewy which of these do you suggest - CLICK HERE

The two on the right seem to be the best choice ....

I need to order a card today....

[Chewy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814122203

[AlienX69]

Agree ..... that was where I was leaning ....

What did you mean buy the "good lock", see in red above

THX for advice !

[Chewy]

when you overclock you need the ability to lock the pci(pci/express) bus so that things like video cards and hard drives aren't overclocked with the cpu

[AlienX69]

Once I get the P4 (Alien box) back up and running I think I will try/learn overclocking its time since I got all those KEWL components in there now.

I first need to figure out if it's the CPU or the mobo thats BAD. Can't be anything else, before the crash I did a memtest and I running that Corsair XMS RAM in the new X-Infinity (AMD 3500+) box.

So Chewy what is the best way for me to diagnose if its the CPU or the mobo ?

What's kewl is they are both still under warranty, purchased 2/11/04.

BTW: I'm gonna try an mount that Scythe cooler on the new AMD box, really not sure what to do about getting the mobo temp down, probally won't have space to mount a fan on chipset when I install that NEW LeadTech vid card mentioned above and the Ninja cooler. That cooler is out of stock currently at newegg, that cooler is something else can't wait to see how well it drops the temps on the AMD (calling it the XI box)

THX ... AX

Edit: in red

[AlienX69]

Hey Chewy ..... looks like I'm getting a NEW 2.4 P4 from Intel, per an email I got from the Tech Center ..... should be here on Monday ......

So it was probably the CPU all along ...... THX for helping me tune up the box, I'll be ready to overclock dat baby .....

PS: They told me to put the Stock Cooler back on and not use the Ninja .... don't think so .... hehe ! Dat Ninja is the BEST cooler on the market IMHO !!! Unless you move to maybe Liquid Cooled ......

AX

[AlienX69]

Got the p4 2.4 in the mail, looks like a refurb box, the fan/heatsink look new .... but the p4 chip .... hummmmmm ...

Chewy, can they actually refurb processors ? Scars on the face .....

The reason I ask is it looks like these markings/scars on the chip face is like a hs was mounted on it already, like scratches on four sides ..... no big deal at least I got a new/refurb processor, apparently the other was bad ..... will install this weekend. prob Sunday.....

BTW, I bought another Scythe, it's not a ninja but very similar CLICK HERE (See if you find a familar name in the reviews). These things are worth every penny .....

AX

[Chewy]

be glad they honored the warranty and scratches on the cover don't matter,
most units like that have never even seen any use, just sent back because someone didn't know how to build a computer(bad mobo, vid card, ram etc).

[AlienX69]

Yeah I know scratches don't matter no big deal, I was just wondering if there was any such thing as a refurb on a processor (figured not) .... but now your explaination seems more likely ...... it got mounted and returned .....

Oh yeah, I feel like I'm almost getting a new machine ...... gonna prob rebuild the OS too while I'm at it .... don't think I'm gonna live with the slow start/shutdown I usta have ...... this AMD is pretty quick (in/out of OS)..... the ole P4 usta be that way ..... Sunday will tell ...

Edit: BTW: That Benq works like a dream, reads discs the NEC's (3550 & 3540) can't. Had a garrage sale special slight scratches on the outer edge. The NEC's I/O'd but the Benq sliced through like butter .....

[AlienX69]

Well dis sucks ..... the new P4 chip from Intel gives the same message .... they send me (or Open Item, diff packaging) a new chip, did they check the old ? ? ? dontno

Exact same error "System Failed CPU Test" (voice error), no video .... guess I contact Asus next ..... get a new (refurb) mobo .... I pulled the battery, hit the power with it unplugged, reinserted batt, same ... this is with everything disconnected except RAM and CPU/HS ......

And on the AMD (XI) box, the new Scythe doesn't make the diff as it did with the P4 (AlienX) box

Stock Cooler, Idle:
==============
Date 2006-09-06
Time 20:37


--------[ Sensor ]---------------

Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type ITE IT8712F, Fintek F75383S/384S (ISA 290h, SMBus 4Ch)

Temperatures:
Motherboard 46 °C (115 °F)
CPU 43 °C (109 °F)
Aux 36 °C (97 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 33 °C (91 °F)
WDC WD1600JD-00FYB0 46 °C (115 °F)

====== Same day differ time =============
Temperatures:
Motherboard 48 °C (118 °F)
CPU 45 °C (113 °F)
Aux 40 °C (104 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 37 °C (99 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 37 °C (99 °F)



******************************************
The following are with the Scythe (not impressed in the case of the AMD setup). Dat hot mobo ain't helping either
******************************************

Idle
============================

Running FixVTS
============================
Temperatures:
Motherboard 54 °C (129 °F)
CPU 42 °C (108 °F)
Aux 35 °C (95 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 37 °C (99 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 37 °C (99 °F)

Cooling Fans:
CPU 1223 RPM
Chassis 1004 RPM

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.39 V
+2.5 V 1.58 V
+3.3 V 2.67 V
+5 V 5.03 V
+12 V 10.56 V
+5 V Standby 4.97 V
VBAT Battery 3.25 V

Running Shrink (Max Smoothness)
============================

Temperatures:
Motherboard 56 °C (133 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)
Aux 35 °C (95 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 36 °C (97 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 36 °C (97 °F)

Cooling Fans:
CPU 1223 RPM
Chassis 1004 RPM

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.39 V
+2.5 V 1.58 V
+3.3 V 2.67 V
+5 V 5.03 V
+12 V 8.13 V
+5 V Standby 4.95 V

Not sure if the Scythe is worth it in the case of the AMD/ECS setup !!!

Might return .... not quite the change as with the P4 .....

[AlienX69]

OK .... sent the mobo back to Asus ..... been awhile .... the latest is an email from Asus .....

************************************************** *****
Dear Valued Customer, Oct. 16, 2006

We are currently out of stock on your model P4S800D-E and would like to upgrade you to the next available model at no additional cost to you: P4P800-E with full set of accessories. To take advantage of this upgrade offer, please respond back to this email. If you do not wish to take advantage of the upgrade offer, we can attempt to repair your product, but it may take longer than our normal turn around time, which is approximately 10 Business Days.

If we do not hear back from you within 2 BUSINESS days, we will automatically upgrade your product for you, UNLESS we receive stock of your original model.

For specifications/compatibility questions/concerns on the ASUS product that we are offering you, please visit our website at http://usa.asus.com to see if this product will accommodate your needs or you may contact Technical Support at 502-995-0883.
************************************************** **

I replied and said send away !!!!!

Edit:
Good thing I built a backup, taking a Loooonnnngggg time !

It's almost like I got a whole new box .....

Guess I'll have to reinstall the OS, I was planning on it anyway !!!!

Looks like a pretty good mobo, they never said what was wrong with the old one !!!! Need to write back and see if I can find that out !!

AX

[AlienX69]

Chewy,

Do you know where on the web I can get the FELT washers for the mobo standoff screws ..... still have issues with the new mobo and the tech says I have a short due to no felt washers.

Tried local stores ..... one comp store here in LV wants 18.95 for a bag of 12 ... can't find in hardware stores (tried a couple)

Amazing how hard to find something so simple.

Thought about using elec. tape or punching my own (3-hole punch, about the right diameter) with some thick cardboard and drilling the center hole ....

[Chewy]

just use a good neopreme rubber O ring
but newer mobos have a ground around the screw hole and I just use the screw with small head