AM2 X2 3800 [Build Log]

[Super Nade]

AM2 X2 3800 [Build Log 56K Warning!]

Folks,

Lucky people like me get to build computers for University research. This is a budget build for internet surfing and light computational tasks

Components:

• 
  [*]ASUS M2N-E NF 570-ULTRA
  [*]AMD64 AM2 X2 3800
  [*]RADEON X850XT
  [*]OCZ POWERSTREAM 520W
  [*]LITE-ON 16X DVD-RW
  [*]PQI TURBO DDR2 533 (MAB42GUOE-X2) 512 X 2 Mb
  [*]SEAGATE 160 Gb SATA-II
  [*]SONY FDD
  [*]THERMALTAKE MAMBO CASE

Its been a while since I posted here, so please let me know if somebody host the tons of build pics? For now, I'll be using imageshack.

Without further delay, lets look at the components first.

Motherboard (ASUS M2N-E):

This is a rather light-weight board! It is smaller in size than the DFI-NF4 series I've owned and a bit smaller than the ASUS P5W-DH 975X. It measures 12 x 9.5 inches. This board requires an EPS 12V capable PSU!

The layout:

Cap Report:
The little ones say "TK" which means they are manufactured by Tosin Electronics Co, Japan. Relatively unknown and not a good company according to a few electronics threads I came across. For example, THIS is one such thread.
LINK TO DATASHEET (pdf)

The big boys you see below are made by Panasonic, a very well known and reputed brand with a low failure rate and low ESR. Note that in this and the previous pictures, ASUS have skimped out a bit on adding a few more caps. Clearly, those empty slot next to the Panasonic is for another cap. I bet you will not see this with the SLI/Premium/Deluxe version of the board. If this were my personal build, I would add the correct cap immediately.

This is how the socket layout looks. I'm not very happy about the proximity of the capacitors to the big heatpipe cooler. However, those caps are all Panasonic, so I think we should be o.k here. Again, if it were my personal build, I'd slap a fan on the heatsink. This rig will be overclocked only for testing purposes, but it will run completely at stock otherwise.

Now, lets take a look at some of the Aluminum-electrolytics being used. Actually, that's the only one I could find on the board. I'm not sure who makes them, so I'll update this part when I find out. Again, notice the vacant spots where the caps ought to have been. Cheap ********..lol! The 975X has zero empty capacitor slots. Well, this is clearly a cost cutting measure. Can't blame ASUS for it.

Don't go away! More to come!

S-N

 

[Super Nade]

PSU, OCZ Powerstream:
Looks like OCZ have added a few things to their package. Particularly useful was the zet of velcro-ties and zip-ties. Also, there seems to be an extra set of 12V connectors for server motherboards (in Blue). I got this for about $100 AR. An excellent value for money. This unit is made by Topower, as most Powerstreams are. All newer OCZ models are made by Fortron/FSP/Sparkle.

Assembled outside the case for POST test. Successful! (Is there anybody listening?---> Gotta love Queensryche!)

Everything goes into the case now. A few words are in order about this case. Don't buy it. The only reason I got it was because it was cheap and I had to cut corners to afford the LCD and X2 3800. Flimsy Aluminum, cheap plastic, completely goes agaist the current "screwless" design philosophy. Shaky front panel. I could go on and on. Just not good enough for an enthusiast. However, it would serve its purpose in a non OC'ed, immovable scenario.

To be continued tomorrow, when I begin benching. This little pictoral write-up should prove helpful to first time system builders and overclockers.

 

[Sir. BOBSONATOR]

Kool, so your college funded it?

Lucky goat.

 

[Super Nade]

CPU:

The CPU code is: ADA3800001AA5CU LDB4F 0620XPMW Q619242E60180
The CPU package is a lot smaller than the A64 version. Gone are the nice green paper holder, which was made out of recycled material. It has been replaced by cardboard cut-outs.

The stock HSF has not changed. Time to take off the stock crap TIM and replace it with a smidgen of AS-5.

Well, it looks like I'm not sure how to get the stock HSF in with zero effort. Maybe because I have never used any stock HSF, ever? Oh my goodness, looks like the stock HSF was designed by idiots. I had to be careful with that flimsy piece of garbage. The turning knob almost came off! Quite a horrible design actually.

Align the CPU's golden triangle with the marking on the mainboard and drop it in! This is a ZIF(Zero insertion force) socket, so its really simple.

Next, lets apply a bit of Arctic-Silver 5. [Humming--> Wish you were here. Gotta love Pink Floyd!]

Next comes the stock crap HSF. When in doubt--->RTFM! It's interesting to note that the manual contains info on how to mount Socket F HSF's, which AFAIK have not been released yet. Last row of instructions.

Well, I live in a very cramped apartment and its shared with a couple of mates, so this is where I assemble stuff. Gotta love poor college students. PS* If any of you are thinking about inviting me for a meal, please feel free to say so!

RAM:
Nothing spectacular. Just your garden variety DDR2. I had to work under a budget!

Presently burning in the CPU. Unfortunately, the BIOS is not behaving well. On stock voltage, I was able to push the CPU by a mere 200 MHz. I'll hunt for a decent BIOS and report on how things are progressing.

 

[Super Nade]

Kool, so your college funded it?

Lucky goat.

In the works is a "mini-cluster" of 20+ systems. That should get under-way for after a month or so. The nice thing is, I have complete leeway to choose any components in budget. So, yea biatch, I'm the Bruce L33t of my department.