Arcmanov's rig evolves...

[W1nTry]

That CPU has a BESSS cost... at 129USD on newegg last I checked... expect it to fall and OH btw, it has no HSF so buy something good so yuh doh run into arc problem.

[Saxito Pau]

That CPU has a BESSS cost... at 129USD on newegg last I checked... expect it to fall and OH btw, it has no HSF so buy something good so yuh doh run into arc problem.

"buy something good" 

What is that supposed to mean??? I have same HSF as Arc...

The lapping project was worth the trouble (and I do hope that Thermalright corrects this flaw soon)... Note carefully that only 2 or 3 other air coolers can match our HSF for sheer cooling power.

[Spazosaurus]

Well, it STILL cost (about $10us) more than my E4300 did two months ago and doesnt overclock as well either. Step in the right direction, yes, but still not Intel worthy.

[Crixx_Creww]

O.o *blink blink* non intel chip???

.. for why??

[Arcmanov]

lol...not everyone has an Intel system Crixx.  Fortunately I have both platforms, so I can demonstrate
the merits of particular AM2 CPUs.  Not the fastest, but certainly a viable alternative.  Coupled with
an 8800 series card we can plainly see that the performance is quite acceptable from a general
gameplay standpoint.  Sure it won't win any benchmark contests (which is basically an e-penis game)
but for regular gaming, get dat s#!t.

[Crixx_Creww]

e peepeee all the way mengzz!!

[Arcmanov]

Of course, having 2 of the same video-cards meant that I had to try out SLI for myself.
The results are less than exciting.  I came away very disappointed
Maybe it was something I did wrong, I don't think so but...

SLI disabled (single GPU)        SLI enabled
               


Playing a GPU-intensive game (which is ANY current game) caused the system to crash...hard...every single time.
I'm guessing that even a 600 Watt PSU is not enough for these cards.

These results certainly do not justify the extra costs involved, as I would have to get a 'bigger' PSU now to
support the power draw of both cards.

I'm sorry Nvidia, but SLI, in any form, can suck my shweaty ballz.  It aint worth the trouble.

[Spazosaurus]

Well they ARE both 65nm cards so I would think a 600W should be able to carry them both, well, as long as it has sufficient 12v rails and amperage on each etc. Could it be some configuration setting because back when I had my amd system, I used to get just a slightly lower score on specs that were way weaker. Pay particular attention to the CPU score. A 3Ghz core should yield a higher result. Also, keep in mind the second pci-e x16 slot runs at only 8x electrically in SLI mode. But then again, the hdr/sm3.0 score looks to be on the money when comparing sli to non sli. I trust you got ll the usual patches etc installed, esp amd dual core patch. Short of that, i'd say that CPU is SERIOUSLY limiting factor in the SLI equation.

[Arcmanov]

Hmmm.....dual-core patch eh?  I didn't remember that.  I'll have another go once I determine if that patch is installed or not.

The setup will complete a benchmark run, but when a game makes serious demands on the cards is when it crashes.
The system doesn't even reboot...it just powers off abruptly whenever a GPU intensive scene is being rendered. 
With 2 SATA drives, 5 120mm fans, cold cathode light, and optical drive, I think 600W may be slightly behind the
power curve for this system.

[W1nTry]

Arc boy, sounds like you might have a 8800GT for sale soon if so I call 1st dibs on it!!! XD

[Arcmanov]

Actually, I have a 8800 GTS for sale.  Interested?

[W1nTry]

Nope who would want that outdated thing XD

[Arcmanov]

I observed an interesting phenomenon...

It seems that CPU performance is actually better without the AMD processor driver.
Check this $#!t out:

Result without driver



Result with driver installed



Very interesting indeed.
Still not sure why the results are so low, even with the CPU OC'ed to 3 GHz.
I'm guessing it might be the RAM timings.  I'll have to do some experimentation with that.

[Arcmanov]

...and so, the LAN rig has evolved again.  This time, making the jump to Intel.

MTB: Gigabyte P31-S3G
CHP: Intel 'Bearlake' P31  (yes you read that right)
CPU: Intel E2180 OC'ed to 2.3 Ghz
GPU: eVGA GeForce 8800 GT SC 512 MB @ stock
RAM: 2 x 1 GB DDR2-1066 Crucial Ballistix Tracer



Turns out that the P31 chipset is almost as capable as its P35 bigger brother, in terms of OCing.  This CPU hums along quite happily at
2.3 GHz with nary a rise in idle/load temp, and no voltage tweaks necessary.  Its 800 MHz FSB speed means that you can take this CPU
pretty far with the right motherboard/RAM/HSF combo.  Just imagine the OC results when this CPU is coupled with a P35 motherboard.

While this system is not as powerful overall as the AMD system that preceded it,
the goal here was 'future proofing' of sorts, as this chipset is also 45 nm capable.

[Spazosaurus]

Nice! But you're pretty lax with the overclocking. You didnt OC to like 3ghz and run 3dmark?

[Arcmanov]

Who said I was done OC'ing this?  I'm taking baby steps with this motherboard.  Its tweaking options are not that robust.
While I'm pretty sure the CPU can do 3 GHz, I'm not so sure that the motherboard is up to it.

Wouldn't want to fry a brand new motherboard 'just cuz' now, would we?

[W1nTry]

I've been watching these low end E-series (allendale) question... are you so certain it'll hit 3GHz? that's a 1200MHz FSB based on a 2.5 multiplier which @ 2Ghz Stock with an 800MHz FSB translates to... I was looking at it, and I figured it'd be a better bet to get the 2.2 at least that way a 1066 FSB would carry you safely to the 3GHz mark. I know conroe can hit 1066 fairly easily, seeing as allendale is a scalled down conroe (as opposed to Penryn?? I could be wrong) are you certain to hit the 1200 or even 1333 mark? also what kind of heat are we talking about at this point and do you know how much that shortens the lifespan of the CPU by? (In case ppl didn't realise OCing ALWAYS shortens the life expectancy of a CPU BAR NONE).

[Arcmanov]

Well, Tom's Hardware already showed that the E2160 could attain speeds of 3.2 GHz, but that was using a P35 board.
The limitations of this P31 chipset may not allow that...even with this CPU's base speed of 2 GHz.

The temps are currently 32C idle and 40C load.  Even at 2.3 GHz.  The next step is to try for 2.7 GHz.

[Spazosaurus]

Wouldn't want to fry a brand new motherboard 'just cuz' now, would we?

Remember 800mhz is just the stock performance of the chip. It will be able to overclock and attain as much as double the default fsb. My CPU the e4300 is an 800mhz cpu and you done know how much that overclock.

Also, Arc was money so tight that that was the best board you could have gotten? For just $20US more you could have gotten one of these boards which would have ensured a much higher overclock.

Just as  side note, since the beginning of October i've been running in an overclocked state (default 1.8, oc 3.4 ghz) @ 1.515v from 1.325 all the while folding CONSTANTLY 24/7  (read 100% cpu usage except only when gaming/encoding with core temps around 75celcius. I know of no one else on this forum brave man enough to do this. I could also bet that it will remain operational up until I upgrade. Anyone want piece of that action?

[W1nTry]

core temps around 75celcius. I know of no one else on this forum brave man enough to do this. I could also bet that it will remain operational up until I upgrade. Anyone want piece of that action?

There is a fine line between brave and STUPID my dear friend     i've not seen a CPU with temps that high since the AthlonXP and PrescHOTt days... and the point then was it ran TOO DAMN HOT. You may be content with it as is but my suggestion to ANYONE ELSE wanting to follow suite is NOT TO. THat's just too much meng... I give your CPU 2 years TOPS before dielectric breakdown.