TPU's Nostalgic Hardware Club

[F-Zero]

Hey guys ! I have a question. I got myself a second HD 3870 and it should be here in a few days. I want to build a HD 3870 Crossfire system but not sure what combo of mobo & cpu to use, here are the options.

1: Intel i5-760 & Asus P7P55D-E & 16 Gb DDR3 1600 Mhz
2: Q9550 & DFI LanParty X38 & 8 Gb DDR2 800 Mhz

This will be mounted in a NZXT S340 Black

Keep in mind that the ASUS board second PCI-EX works only in X4 mode. Will there be any problems/bottlenecks with this combination if I choose to go with this board ?

 

[AugeK]

I would opt for the ASUS board.

 

[68Olds]

From a nostalgic stand point I would opt for the DFI board. I had a pair of HD 3870's (still have one of them) in an Abit AW9D-Max i975 (8x8 PCIe in XFire), which I moved to an Asus X38 16x16 PCIe. I then flashed the Asus X38 to X48. I had a lot of fun playing with & benching those systems.

 

[Mr.Scott]

It's 2 different machines, one Slot 1 and one Socket 370

Nice

Who could forget these infamous sticks!
View attachment 222023

Junk for overclocking.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Who could forget these infamous sticks!
View attachment 222023

Why infamous?

So is it 2x 1000's or 2x 600's........or are we talking 2 different machines?

Two different mobo's with CPU's. They were pictured earlier; here.

Went home for a few days, now going back to college and figured I should bring my ol' trusty dv6-2115eg with me.

View attachment 222038

Turion M520, Radeon 4650 1024MB, 2x2GB DDR2-800, 320GB 7200RPM HDD and all running Windows 7.

That system would run Windows 11 smoothly with a lean & clean install. If you'd like to try it head on over to the Windows 11 Discussion thread and I'll walk you through installation and configuration.

 

[MaxiPro800]

That system would run Windows 11 smoothly with a lean & clean install. If you'd like to try it head on over to the Windows 11 Discussion thread and I'll walk you through installation and configuration.

I know it can run 11, but for 10 and 11 I usually prefer using either 1066FSB C2Ds or 1st/2nd gen Core systems. That, and 7 runs way too well than expected on it, and it would be a shame replacing it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I know it can run 11, but for 10 and 11 I usually prefer using either 1066FSB C2Ds or 1st/2nd gen Core systems. That, and 7 runs way too well than expected on it, and it would be a shame replacing it.

Fair enough. Far be it for me to recommend anyone away from Windows 7..

 

[Ruru]

Hmm, would a Quadro M4000 be a good purchase for 179EUR? Specs are similar to GTX 970 but it has double the VRAM, also it has lower clocks than 970 but I'd OC that.

Would be a good upgrade for my 2nd rig.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Hmm, would a Quadro M4000 be a good purchase for 179EUR? Specs are similar to GTX 970 but it has double the VRAM, also it has lower clocks than 970 but I'd OC that.

Would be a good upgrade for my 2nd rig.

Not that price. The spec are similar to a GTX970, but the performance is 30% lower. If it were say, 110Eur, that would be fair.

 

[Trekkie4]

Alas, it wasn't a flea market & lucky find like the ones @Robert B usually scores ... and I had to pay considerable amount for some of these items, but regardless ... it /is/ nostalgic nevertheless

The latest (and from what it seems) last batch of BTC CD-ROM drives. I bought 3 of them, one BCD 40XH and two of those older ones, BCD 24X. Unfortunately, only one of the two 24X drives are actually working, the other one seems to have an issue with the laser pickup or the PVC pickup cable

BCD 40XH was the first one to be tested...


...followed by one of the two earlier 24X models (I'll talk more about this in a minute)


Nevertheless, this is my stack of spare (and fully working) BTC CD-ROM drives ... Justin Case things go south I'm also working on that additional BCD 36XH which may (or may not) work again ... IDK, we shall see, but it's not listed anywhere.


Speaking of south & Justin Case. I've decided to buy additional GF2 GTS Asus V7700 card. Because why not - the price was right (dirt cheap imho) and besides - you don't get to see GF2 GTS every day!


Some of you here may also recall that I mentioned Tualatin PIII ... right? Well, it's finally here ... and it'll make the world's fastest Slot 1, 440BX system possible. Period! I suppose I could even OC this thing up to 1.5 maybe even 1.6GHz which is well beyond (and into) Socket 478 Pentium 4 era, while still maintaining that retro Slot 1 charm & layout.


And I saved the best for last. It's Voodoo time! (I always wanted to say that )


Creative CT6670, aka Creative 3D Blaster Voodoo2 card

...12mb model, of course!


In the meantime, I took the liberty of taking apart BTC BCD 24X drive to see if I can patch it up. This is the problem right here - strictly speaking, part of the Philips loader (model number ROL 1318/2)


I remember seeing the same, identical mechanism layout (and drive) somewhere else, inside different (and non-BTC) drive but I can't seem to remember the name OR model/brand. So ... if you know something about ROL 1318 and/or where to find this please let me know - I would gladly just replace the whole thing & have a brand "new" drive on the inside, while preserving the history & nostalgia on the outside

 

[Ruru]

Not that price. The spec are similar to a GTX970, but the performance is 30% lower. If it were say, 110Eur, that would be fair.

Hm, there's just no supply for a reasonable priced cards anywhere, damn

 

[lexluthermiester]

Hm, there's just no supply for a reasonable priced cards anywhere, damn

Yup. It sucks. To be fair, if you're willing to pay it and it's the best deal you can find, it's a solid card.. It won't let you down.

 

[Ruru]

Yup. It sucks. To be fair, if you're willing to pay it and it's the best deal you can find, it's a solid card.. It won't let you down.

Found already a modified bios with higher clocks and info about modifying it

 

[lexluthermiester]

Found already a modified bios with higher clocks and info about modifying it

Grab it then and have fun!

 

[AlwaysHope]

Junk for overclocking.

They are pretty good over clockers, though depends on the board & cpu.

why infamous?

They were popular on the OC scene here in Australia back in the late 2000s, just before DDR3 intro.

 

[Trekkie4]

I remember seeing the same, identical mechanism layout (and drive) somewhere else, inside different (and non-BTC) drive but I can't seem to remember the name OR model/brand. So ... if you know something about ROL 1318 and/or where to find this please let me know - I would gladly just replace the whole thing & have a brand "new" drive on the inside, while preserving the history & nostalgia on the outside

Found it... Acer 636A-002. They are literally identical, except for digital sound volume output.

 

[Mr.Scott]

They are pretty good over clockers, though depends on the board & cpu.

They were popular on the OC scene here in Australia back in the late 2000s, just before DDR3 intro.

They are low voltage CL5 PSC chips. They suck for overclocking. Only DDR2 worth anything is Micron D9 based.
But hey, if you're happy with them that's all that matters. At least I'll know you are not a threat to any of my benching scores. lol

 

[Trekkie4]

Here's a question for you guys. The mobo is Chaintech 6ASV0 - one of those mATX type "got it all bundled together" type of boards. Slot 1, featuring FSB of 66 and 100MHz. Strictly speaking (and according to online database) it only supports Celeron & Pentium II of up to 450MHz.

However, I've tried putting a Katmai Pentium III, running at 550MHz and the system boots up fine, but reports Pentium II, running at 550MHz (CPUID 673, MicroCode ID:0000). Are there any obvious downsides of running a mismatched configuration like this, or should I downsize to PII 350 (Deschutes) & keep PIII for something else?

If you need or want more info on the board, here are some of the specs:

Supports up to 450MHz Pentium II & Celeron Processors with MMX technology
Supports 66/100MHz system clock speeds
Supports 75/83/103/112/124/133 MHz system clock speeds for OC possibility
BX Plus Chipset (VT82c692, VIA Apollo?)
On-Board Audio chip (ESS Maestro2 , which supports ALL games in A3D API)
On-Board 3D AGP VGA (ATI Rage Pro Turbo?)

 

[DR4G00N]

Here's a question for you guys. The mobo is Chaintech 6ASV0 - one of those mATX type "got it all bundled together" type of boards. Slot 1, featuring FSB of 66 and 100MHz. Strictly speaking (and according to online database) it only supports Celeron & Pentium II of up to 450MHz.

However, I've tried putting a Katmai Pentium III, running at 550MHz and the system boots up fine, but reports Pentium II, running at 550MHz (CPUID 673, MicroCode ID:0000). Are there any obvious downsides of running a mismatched configuration like this, or should I downsize to PII 350 (Deschutes) & keep PIII for something else?

If you need or want more info on the board, here are some of the specs:

Supports up to 450MHz Pentium II & Celeron Processors with MMX technology
Supports 66/100MHz system clock speeds
Supports 75/83/103/112/124/133 MHz system clock speeds for OC possibility
BX Plus Chipset (VT82c692, VIA Apollo?)
On-Board Audio chip (ESS Maestro2 , which supports ALL games in A3D API)
On-Board 3D AGP VGA (ATI Rage Pro Turbo?)

As long as it's running stable at the correct speed I don't see how it would be a problem. I'm pretty sure windows will see it as the correct cpu and not a PII.

 

[Trekkie4]

As long as it's running stable at the correct speed I don't see how it would be a problem. I'm pretty sure windows will see it as the correct cpu and not a PII.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. Also, I remember something about the instructions ... PII only had MMX but from what I understand PIII was the first one to feature SSE as well as MMX. Which raises a logical question - will the older-gen motherboard recognize & work with PIII even though SSE technology came much later?

 

[DR4G00N]

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. Also, I remember something about the instructions ... PII only had MMX but from what I understand PIII was the first one to feature SSE as well as MMX. Which raises a logical question - will the older-gen motherboard recognize & work with PIII even though SSE technology came much later?

I didn't think about that, it might not recognize that it has SSE. Worst case you'll just effectively have a "Pentium II" 550MHz which is still faster than any stock PII.

 

[lexluthermiester]

They are low voltage CL5 PSC chips. They suck for overclocking. Only DDR2 worth anything is Micron D9 based.
But hey, if you're happy with them that's all that matters. At least I'll know you are not a threat to any of my benching scores. lol

I had a set of 4-4-4-12 PC6400 1GB Micron based OCZ that OC'd to 933mhz no problems.

Are there any obvious downsides of running a mismatched configuration like this, or should I downsize to PII 350 (Deschutes) & keep PIII for something else?

No. If it posts, it passed all the bios boot-time checks and it will be stable. As always, boards were(and still are) often more capable than publicly declared at the time of manufacture as the companies didn't have the newer CPU to test with. They almost always worked. So the P3-550mhz is good to go.

Even though the board manual states a 5x mutli limit(found here), that board has the VIA VT82-BX chipset which is known to have a higher multi limit. So you could likely put in a P3 600, 650 or 700 and be just fine.

Also, ignore the 384MB limit. Each of those DIMM slots could handle upto 512MB DIMMs. Again, the chipset is the key factor with that board. So if you want to go with 512MB, 768MB or even 1.5GB of RAM you will be able too.

 

[Trekkie4]

I had a set of 4-4-4-12 PC6400 1GB Micron based OCZ that OC'd to 933mhz no problems.


No. If it posts, it passed all the bios boot-time checks and it will be stable. As always, boards were(and still are) often more cabable than publically declared as at the time of manufacture as the companies didn't have the newer CPU to test with. They almost always worked. So the P3-550mhz is good to go.

Even though the board manual states a 5x mutli limit(found here), that board has the VIA VT82-BX chipset which is known to have a higher multi limit. So you could likely put in a P3 600, 650 or 700 and be just fine.

Also, ignore the 384MB limit. Each of those DIMM slot could handle upto 512MB DIMMs. Again, the chipset is the key factor with that board. So if you want to go with 512MB or 768MB of RAM you will be able too.

Thanks!

 

[Robert B]

Far East Movement ft. The Cataracs, DEV - Like A G6 (Official Video)

This weekend was EPIC, again. I'm so used to this and it is better than any drug.

To get the idea of the amount of stuff that sometimes comes my way. Check the pics.

1. 401-386SX-09 motherboard - soldered Intel 386SX-16MHz- battery acid damage, needs trace repair. Manufactured in 1989!
2. FDD/HDD/Serial/Parallel ISA controller
3. Seagate ST-351A/X - 40 MB suitable for AT and XT systems - unfortunately it doesn't spin up. As a last resort I opened it up and the motor spins freely. Probably some IC was damaged on the PCB
4. Diamond 3dfx VooDoo 1 4MB PCI - needs 1 cap - no biggie.
5. Two Compaq Video Memory Expansion cards - 004829-001 *** 213859-001 / 002593-001 *** 141335-001 - no idea for what configs they are used but wth these look kind of exotic.
6. AV-8540 - Sk.3 motherboard UMC chipset - mint - a mosfet received a HS and it had its legs made longer.
7. MSI MS5169 VER:2.1 AL9 - SS7 motherboard - mint
8. Aquarius MB-4D33/50D Sk.3 motherboard - Opti & Samsung chipset with LOCAL BUS SLOT whatever that is?! - mint - even the eyelets where the barrel battery should've been installed are free of solder.
9. Guillemot COUGAR Video Edition PCI - nVIDIA RIVA TNT2 M64 32MB PCI - I already mounted a new heatsink. A really out of the ordinary card.
10. ASUS K7M Slot A + AMD K7500MTR51B C - CPU ok - motherboard not ok - some damage on the NB chipset from a screwdriver when they removed the HS. The motherboard starts but no RAM is detected. If I remove the RAM I get the no RAM error but other than that nothing. The NB chipset will be professionally reflowed at some point in the future. Otherwise the MB has minimal damage.I'm confident that it will work as the damage is just on the edge.
11. MSI MS8806 - nVIDIA Riva TNT2 PRO 32MB AGP

Another great weekend has ended!

What will I find next week?!?!

More later.

 

[Ruru]

1. 401-386SX-09 motherboard - soldered Intel 386SX-16MHz- battery acid damage, needs trace repair. Manufactured in 1989!

Oh noes, the infamous (usually Varta) barrel battery. Can't even imagine how many videos I've seen where that bastard has leaked and eaten traces away.

edit: typo