Preordered an Opteron 146

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=422863

Hello everyone. I've made a few posts around here lately asking for help with my upgrade. Thanks to all of the feedback, I decided to go with:
Either
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16261&promoid=1046
Or
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15842&promoid=1046
And
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13825&promoid=1046

My father will be getting my old MSI K8n Neo2 Platinum and Asus 9800XT, but he will also need a new CPU. I decided to give him mine and buy an Opteron 146. It is currently preordered from www.ncix.com. It is cheaper than the 144 for some reason, that's why I went with it. Anyways, I left a message with the NCIX team NOT to send me a CBBGE stepping chip, hopefully they adhere to it? My question is:

Was this a good decision? The motherboard and video card seem to be a good decision, but the processor. Keep in mind I have an XP-90 and a vantec tornado case fan mounted on it. I want to achieve around 2.8GHz if possible, my Winchester made 2600MHz, but I keep it to 2.5 just for safety. All feedback is highly appreciated! Thanks a lot guys. Also, when my order comes in, I'll make a new thread and push that puppy to the max like I did with my Winnie, should be exciting.

Forgot to mention, my memory is OCZ Dual Channel Platinum Rev.2 2x512MB TCCD
Power supply is OCZ Powerstream 520W

Here is a link to the Opteron:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16788&vpn=OSA146BNBOX&manufacture=AMD

Thanks again guys!

if you bought retail than you wont know what chip you have till you open the box so your stuck with that.

Don't know if you know this or not...but since you're in Ontario like me, you can also get the 146 from:

a) PCcanada.com

b) Infonec.com

COurse they have preorder also...but might increase your chances on getting the right stepping if try looking what they say about stepping info.... I think i also just read your posts on NCIX - the last one saying you just pre-ordered it...

I didn't post on ncix

I did order it retail, so there's no way for them to check the stepping before it's shipped?

Was this a good selection for a processor?

They could check the stepping. The top of the IHS is visible through the retail box. Doubtful that they would do so though.

J.

jEevion said:

I didn't post on ncix

I did order it retail, so there's no way for them to check the stepping before it's shipped?

Was this a good selection for a processor?

Click to expand...

Well, hopefully they will. I sent both a support ticket and made a note in the order processing that I don't want any CABGE steppings. I told them if they don't adhere to my request I don't want the chip .

most stores dont go thru the hassle, the do a Iny Miny Miny Mo and pick whichever they chooose. lol

I just got a reply from my support ticket"

Hi, Jonathan. As we do not have these yet, we are not actually able to confirm a specific stepping for you. If you have not yet sent payment, and would like to wait until our stock arrives, we might be able to check this for you. If you have already sent payment, then once our new stock arrives, this would be sent out automatically for you. Your order has been put on hold for you, as we await your reply. Thanks for your patience, and for choosing NCIX.com!

Seems rather promising, good support. I didn't send the payment yet, so that's good. But they will most likely only be able to fulfill backorders before they have some readily available.

Wow! They'd check the stepping for you?? Maybe i should do what you did... How do you avoid paying right away? DOn't you have to pay right away for pre-orders or is that only an option?

I used the electronic bill payment method. Therefore, it is at your discretion when you pay. The order will be received by them, but they will not process it until they receive payment. This particular processor states:

This item is not yet available but you can pre-order this now. We will ship this product as soon as it's available. The final price is subject to change. You will be charged for this item once the ETA is confirmed by the manufacturer.

So they won't charge you until the ETA is confirmed by the manufacturer. Remember, they didn't say they can check it for sure, but NCIX has always observed my special requests in the past, they are really a great company.