Building a S754. Opinions?

Emission

Emission

Supreme [H]ardness
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Dec 6, 2005
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System Specs, just the general and picky stuff:

- GIGABYTE GA-K8NS Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce3 250 ATX AMD Motherboard
- AMD Mobile Athlon 64 3000+ (DTR) ClawHammer 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model AMA3000BEX5AR - OEM
- KVR 2x 512MB DDR400 (Owned)
- XFX GF6800 GT AGP 8x (Owned) (Highly OC'Able)

I might change the memory sooner or later.

Anywho, Im looking at building a system exactly like this, mainly for the prices. I know I know, theres AGP, but I feel that AGP is an awesome architecture and want to keep it for as long as ultimately possible. I heard lots of good things about this processor, mainly that its quite a nice overclocker (2.8 with decent cooling, stock 1.8 I believe) . I know theres all this new technology out but I feel that its really not worth the price im paying for it. SO, in general, I want to know what you all think about it. Do you think it will last me some years until I have enough money to build a REALLY nice system? It seems really promising, and EXACTLY what im looking for at this point. Opinions?
 
*Bump* I really need an opinion over whether or not this is gonna be worth it, or I should save for something better.
 
I'd really go with the DFI Lanparty if you can fit it in your budget. It is bar none, the best 754 NF3 board. Otherwise, for a really good budget board, go with the Chaintech.

As far as your CPU goes, check out the 3000+ Venice (yes, they make them for 754 too) for another option. You'll get the improved memory controller in addition to a excellent overclocker.


Definately head on over to the "Love Your Socket 754" thread on the AMD Processors subforum.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=911035
 
I'm all about s754 for a budget PC with enthusiast level performance.

One thing to note is the HS/Fan combo will have to be different because the s754 DTR's lack the integrated heat spreader on top of the core. You cannot use the stock hs/fan that fits a normal k8 proccie.

Nothing wrong with AGP either, but I'd only go s754/AGP if and only if you already have a vid-card.
 
Well for one, I heard good things about the gigabyte board and figured it would be a great overclocker. Im not sure about chaintech but if it overclocks great and is $50-60 then its something ill look into. Im getting the DTR because one, its a mobile chip, using less power to get the job done just as well as desktop processors. For the HSF, Im using a Zalman CNPS7000u (I believe, 92mm full copper hsf), and I believe it has screws to tighten down the fit, so I dont think that will be a problem. Im also getting the DTR because its $116 and is within my budget ($185). Any suggestions on the board? Im gonna look into chaintech, if it seems promising then its a surefire choice (Supposedly). Good to know that S754's are cool too :D

Update: Well I took a look at the Chaintech board, but, one problem....No SATA. Guess its not a choice :( . But anywho I feel confident that the Gigabyte will serve me well. And yes, as I showed in the first post, I have an AGP card that im very confident in, so im gonna keep it for as long as possible.
 
You may want to search the vcard forum for NForce3 & 6XXX series issues. I vaguely recall reading that there are a number of people experiencing problems with the combo.
 
s754 isn't really trendy anymore, but hell, it gets the job done for $100's less.


As for the nf3/6xxx weirdness.....
I've never had that issue. Its a definite YMMV thing.
 
the GA-K8NS is a solid board if you put the latest bios on it. It is up to F18. Anything before F13 or F14 had some compatibility issues.

It is decent for overclocking if that is your thing. Mine can run around 330HTT, but YMMV...

I do not know if it can run those DTR chips, but I think I would almost go with one of those new S754 venice chips instead of the old clawhammer. I don't know if it can run those venice chips either, as it hasn't had a bios update since they came out.
 
Ehh dosnt matter what I want now lol, I ordered a S754 3000 + Venice with that DFI someone first reccomended. Its gonna be overclockage fun :D
 
I not familar with the Gigabyte board. The DFI is obviously the best. I have heard nothing but good things with the Chaintech and its right around the price of the Gigabyte. If the Gigabyte has all the good overclcoking options and supports mobile/dtrs then go for it. I wish I either saved for the DFI or went with the Chaintech. This Epox is ok, but has poor voltage regulation, doesn't have a wide selection of memory dividers and it doesn't support mobiles. I'd sure like to hit 3ghz or better with a Newark core mobile 4000+.

The biggest advantage with going with the Venice is the improved memory controller, although you do only get half the cache. Either should clock pretty high.

The 6800/NF3 combo is hit or miss. I don't have any problems with it.






/Edit

LOL. Serves me right to leave my machine in the middle of writing a reply. Have fun.
 
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