ASUS/DFI X2/Opteron dual core question

clone38

clone38

New member
Ok i may have a mach II in a few days so i`ll be looking for a new motherboard and cpu to under the unit.

Now my first choice would be ASUS as ive had them for a while now and will go for DFI if need be,will the ASUS A8N32-SLI or A8N-SLI premium be ok to use?

As for DFI i have no idea what these boards are like.

Now cpu,im after a dual core cpu x2 or opteron any reason i should get one over the other.

Thanks for looking :)

 
DFI all the way mate, they offer the best options for overclocking and seem the most stable. LanParty SLI-DR is the best out there atm from the looks of it. NOT THE EXPERT!!!!!

As for the CPU, I'd go X2 all the way. Mainly due to the fact that the Opterons mostly have cold bugs and less cache and also you can't buy them individually anymore.

Boardy
 
boardy said:
DFI all the way mate, they offer the best options for overclocking and seem the most stable. LanParty SLI-DR is the best out there atm from the looks of it. NOT THE EXPERT!!!!!

As for the CPU, I'd go X2 all the way. Mainly due to the fact that the Opterons mostly have cold bugs and less cache and also you can't buy them individually anymore.

Boardy
Click to expand...

Why the no no on the dfi expert board? imo opinion its better than the non expert board.
 
name='Geomon' said:
Why the no no on the dfi expert board? imo opinion its better than the non expert board.
Click to expand...

The EXPERT is very flakey and in some cases blows up. I've been talking to mav as he has the MSI board on order about whether I can get his EXPERT off him aswell as the SLI-DR and he pretty much says no to me for the reason that the X2 just doesn't seem to like it much at all.

I'm not sure for single core CPU's. May see if I can sweet talk him into it but for all the benchies I've seen on DFI boards, the best comes from the SLI-DR not the EXPERT.

It also has memory issues in 2 slots when under phase cooling I've read and been told.
 
I have to disagree the Boardy mate. 19k has just been done on 3dmark05 by Kingpin on and expert board, I have both and can say that while it hasn't let me overclock any more than my old non expert, it is far better with bios option and userbillity. I find that the cold boot issue is gone, also it hasn't killed any of my high voltage ram like the old sli-dr did.

And cmos reloaded works properly. And to top it all you get a decent manual with it:D. O yah, and no more silly jumpers for sli & 4volts on ram:wink:
 
The Opteron dual-cores all have 2x1MB cache, but seem to get hit by the coldbug badly- i`d go for X2 for phase peace of mind :)

After Mavs bad experiences, and from what I read I`d go SLI-DR over the expert :)
 
The EXPERT is a totally unsuitable board in comparison to the DFI SLI-DR, nowhere near as stable and for dual core CPU's it's a royal pain. A new BIOS could sort all that out, but don't hold ur breath, it took em 6 months to sort the non expert board out properly - 2cents from the best in the UK backed up with countless testimonials worldwide. It's great for benching but does mot like max overclock 24/7 (the non-expert SLI-DR does).

I am trialling the SLI32 MSI board right now which has all the overclocking DFI features (memroy options and volts galore in DIMMS and CPU) but more stability (will confirm later).

ASUS current SLI32 board requires volt mods to be competitive, expecially with dual core which is limited to 1.58v when u need 1.65v using Phase cooling to get the best overclock. Some stability issues also.

The ASUS SLI Premium is ur safest bet - the SLI-DR is better overclockers board though.

On the point fo the EXPERT - you cannot use the yellow slots at all (tried all BIOS with TCCD, TCC5, Generic and BH5 RAM) - in fact with the exception of satisfying marketings' tick box (saying yes to four DIMM slots) they serve no useful purpose at all and I have had 3 EXPERT mobos in the space of 5 weeks.

IMHO of course

Mav
 
I say yes to dielectric but then, I am a big wuss.

For application- I use it on the mobo around the same area as the mach hold-down kit and a little way beyond to make sure the area is covered. I also cover the SMC on the back of the CPU area. Should also be applied around the CPU when its in the socket to seal it, as well as the socket itself. I think you`ll get away without using it over the pins on the CPU- there isnt really enough space for moisture in there and the seal around the CPU should keep it all good.

:)

K
 
With a standard Mach unit it really isnt needed. With our modded units then yes it's a good idea.

Just make sure the seal is good with the mounting kit and you should be set to go. Kenny will tell you different tho, but we don't take any notice to those pelt boys :D (j/k kenny ;))
 
Pelt boys ey... (reminds me to stick an update pic up in the Stacker thread)

I'd recommend the use of dielectric grease, unless you are willing to risk your expensive hardware :O

Although, this silicon sealant I'm currently experimenting with appears to be quite effective :B
 
Dam i dont know what to do after reading a bit about phase cooling it`s sort of putting me of as what can go wrong i.e taking motherboards/cpus down and the like :/
 
name='clone38' said:
Dam i dont know what to do after reading a bit about phase cooling it`s sort of putting me of as what can go wrong i.e taking motherboards/cpus down and the like :/
Click to expand...

Seriously mate, it seems really daunting I know cos I was in 2 minds about it when I first did it (god that sounds like sex!!). Just take your time over setting the unit up on the mobo, check and check the seals again. Chances are you will get em right first time and no worries!!

I've had 3 Phase units and about 5 systems in those and the ONLY system that I EVER killed on Phase was my IC7-MAX3 P4EE system and even then it was only the mobo that died, which is a known problem with that mobo.

Just take your time and love the benefit of it!!
 
Here's a pic of the black silicon in action:

silicon.jpg


It actually looks a lot nicer than that, it's just the flash picking up on the dust and edges I think. I think this stuff could be used as a type of potting compound for making peltier based capsules. I'm not sure about phase as it's specific operating temps may not go down to that level...

My peltier's at -4 by MBM today :)
 
Ok last question for me then my mind will be made up,will the opteron 170 be ok under phase or will it have the coldbug issue? reason im looking at this cpu is they tend to clock far better than the x2 range.
 
To be honest mate, as with all AMD CPU's atm, getting the coldbug is completely random. You either get it or you dont unfortunately.

I don't know of anyone who has a 170 so couldn't say whether they definately suffer or not but it's all random.
 
Dam lost out on the mach 2 gt so im back on the hunt again :/

Think im going to go with the DFI EXPERT motherboard,as for the cpu im after a duel core so it looks like a x2 4800 or the 170 opteron for me.

Just got to get this lot past my wife:whistle:
 
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