TPU's Nostalgic Hardware Club

[MaxiPro800]

Actually there are 2 rampage formulas, it's just a different sticker on the south bridge (the second one)?
@stinger608 @MachineLearning @MaxiPro800 thanks for the info, I'll keep that in mind (and buy a few as soon as i can).

Could be a rebranded P5E - I remember there was a craze where P5E were crossflashed to Rampage Formula, and ASUS even sold binned Rampage Formulas as standard P5E mobos.

Kinda like how the P5B Plus is nothing else than a P5B-E w/ a black PCB.

Nowadays it's not much different - look at how I flashed my GB 880GM-UD2H and ASRock 890GX Extreme4 to support FX chips - both are the similar to their pre-FX era counterparts (well, the 890GX only had the USB3 chipset changed from NEC to EtronTech, but that's not an issue since they run as BIOS-independent devices) except for bigger BIOS chips to acommodate the AGESA module.

I presume the older boards from 775 era aren't far off.

 

[Veseleil]

Could be a rebranded P5E - I remember there was a craze where P5E were crossflashed to Rampage Formula, and ASUS even sold binned Rampage Formulas as standard P5E mobos.

Kinda like how the P5B Plus is nothing else than a P5B-E w/ a black PCB.

Nowadays it's not much different - look at how I flashed my GB 880GM-UD2H and ASRock 890GX Extreme4 to support FX chips - both are the similar to their pre-FX era counterparts (well, the 890GX only had the USB3 chipset changed from NEC to EtronTech, but that's not an issue since they run as BIOS-independent devices) except for bigger BIOS chips to acommodate the AGESA module.

I presume the older boards from 775 era aren't far off.

Did some quick research, and the second one is called maximus formula:

ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA LGA 775 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

Further, bumped on a thread which mention maximus to rampage conversion, so it confirms what you said earlier:

The Maximus Formula Thread - Help/OCing/Guide/Rampage conversion

This thread is intended to be a knowledge base and save people from hours of searching through the original thread on the Maximus Formula! Thank you to L.oco for starting the thread, I only hope that in time this one can be as informative and helpful! Board Revisions There are 2 known...

www.xtremesystems.org

 

[68Olds]

Yup, I have an ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA SE X38 too. I bought it from a bencher & it has had a pretty hard life (still works though). It's board only, no I/O or soundcard, but the NB cooler can either be water or air cooled. I flashed it to the X48 Rampage Formula BIOS using that thread at XS, Veseleil, before I found my actual X48 board.

 

[Veseleil]

Arranged a deal for a Rampage Formula. Few hours from a purchase. Update when it's done.

 

[İsmailTPC_Hastanesi]

I will run CrystalDiskMark on all three boards so we can see how they do.

Something else important, is if the AGR slot & PCIe x16 slot may be used in tandem. I don't have any PCIe x1 graphics-cards, but I can try a PCI one. Otherwise, I run out of slots on the Neo3-F.

Both files are ready.
2023_ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe-1406-NVME_M.2_SSD_BIOS_MOD
This bios has been changed to Date 02/29/2023 (Until Feb 28 this year, 29 never.)
The boot logo has been rearranged to 1024x768. (I don't know if it will work. It will probably give access to the Bios. No problem.)
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5763
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A804
these two NVMe SSD modules have been added.

The MSI K8N Neo3 bios is AWARD and quite old.Year 2006.
Older AWARD bios can sometimes cause problems. I know this from previous experience.
Likewise this bios
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5763
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A804
Added these two NVMe SSD modules.
This motherboard doesn't have boot logo in stock bios.. But I can add more if you want. It can be tested like this for now..
These bios files are untested. They are experimental.
It is the user's responsibility to install the bios files.
I wish you success in advance.
MSI K8N Neo3_NVME_M.2_SSD_BIOS_MOD

Finally, to avoid an error, stock bios official bios pages:

A8N32-SLI Deluxe - Support

www.asus.com

MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation

As a world leading gaming brand, MSI is the most trusted name in gaming and eSports. We stand by our principles of breakthroughs in design, and roll out the amazing gaming gear like motherboards, graphics cards, laptops and desktops.

www.msi.com

 

[Trekkie4]

I suppose the next couple of shots are going to be slightly off-topic but still relevant enough to post them in here (I guess?)

Pentium II 400 with Gigabyte GA-686BX mobo running 3dfx Voodoo Banshee & Windows 98SE


...and even performing a benchmark:


The only "problem" is that none of these components actually exist in real world ... what you're seeing is emulation inside PCem virtual machine setup...

 

[68Olds]

I suppose the next couple of shots are going to be slightly off-topic but still relevant enough to post them in here (I guess?)

Pentium II 400 with Gigabyte GA-686BX mobo running 3dfx Voodoo Banshee & Windows 98SE


...and even performing a benchmark:


The only "problem" is that none of these components actually exist in real world ... what you're seeing is emulation inside PCem virtual machine setup...

Well, that's really interesting!

 

[Trekkie4]

Well, that's really interesting!

Indeed, and kinda scary actually. Makes you wonder if all those Matrix movies were up to something & we exist within our own emulation/simulation and nothing around us is (or was, for that matter) real.

As for the actual "hardware", it seems to be working just fine. Except I'm having unusual issue with Shut Down command (which doesn't seem to do anything, other than restarting) and random audio/video lags. I wonder if any of those are related to my real hardware & OS, i5 760, GTX760 & Windows 7 SP1?

 

[68Olds]

I have an mITX, Sandy Bridge, iGPU, & Win 10 that hasn't shut down for ages, just restarts. I tried a few things from online searches, but never had any luck.

 

[MaxiPro800]

Phenom II X6 up and running. I finally went ahead and moved the 412R from my i7 860 rig to the X6, and installed a ID-Cooling cooler on the i7 instead.

GPU is a MSI Twinfrozr IV R9 280X Gamimg 3GB GDDR5.

Up next...

Indeed, a Gigabyte EX58-UD5 and i7 920. For GPU, I've settled on a VTX3D R9 280 (HD 7950 this time, a 7970/280x would be too much for my PSU to take atm.) For PSU, I'll probably go for a Corsair GS700. Yeah, I know, RGB, but I'd guess that's an good thing since I can at least pick my favourite colour (judging by the presentation material.). And it shall be enough to tame a 130W beast of a platform - I shudder in fear to think of the TDP of a 1366 chip w/ overclock.

 

[Trekkie4]

I have an mITX, Sandy Bridge, iGPU, & Win 10 that hasn't shut down for ages, just restarts. I tried a few things from online searches, but never had any luck.

Huh... I would go crazy with something like that on a regular & daily basis!

 

[Bokinator]

I suppose the next couple of shots are going to be slightly off-topic but still relevant enough to post them in here (I guess?)

Pentium II 400 with Gigabyte GA-686BX mobo running 3dfx Voodoo Banshee & Windows 98SE


...and even performing a benchmark:


The only "problem" is that none of these components actually exist in real world ... what you're seeing is emulation inside PCem virtual machine setup...

Nice man I been using pcem to emulate my first build which was a similar spec. I also use pcem to emulate my windows 95 and windows 3.1 PCs from the 90s. I have networking setup and routing through theoldnet proxy so internet explorer can pull up retro websites by default

 

[Trekkie4]

Nice man I been using pcem to emulate my first build which was a similar spec. I also use pcem to emulate my windows 95 and windows 3.1 PCs from the 90s. I have networking setup and routing through theoldnet proxy so internet explorer can pull up retro websites by default

Thanks! I still got some issues to work out, primarily Shut Down command which doesn't work & lags which seem to be related to my actual system, host rather than a guest. But in the long run, I could see these replacing the real, authentic hardware over the next 10-20 years.

I mean, with the prices going crazy & Slot 1 becoming extremely rare & difficult to find, more & more people will be looking for alternative solutions such as this.

 

[Veseleil]

Here it is, a beauty:



TBH, I never had a motherboard of this quality, and those copper fins are something else.


Came with some nice extras:



It's a 95W, E0 stepping beast of its time.

And not so nice extras:



A word "Silence" made me laugh. I can't seem to control this fan from the BIOS at all, it's on full throttle, w/e I set.

 

[MachineLearning]

Here it is, a beauty:

View attachment 278492View attachment 278493

TBH, I never had a motherboard of this quality, and those copper fins are something else.


Came with some nice extras:

View attachment 278491

It's a 95W, E0 stepping beast of its time.

And not so nice extras:

View attachment 278495View attachment 278494

A word "Silence" made me laugh. I can't seem to control this fan from the BIOS at all, it's on full throttle, w/e I set.

Board is in great condition too. Happy overclocking

 

[Veseleil]

Board is in great condition too. Happy overclocking

Thanks, but I lack some key components atm. PSU, storage, higher quality RAM, better cooler. It'll be done eventually. I hope sooner than later.

Edit: Yes, the previous owner used it only for testing the working condition of some components (mostly GPU), and quite rarely. Also a tech freak, but more of an audio and video gear enthusiast. The CPU IHS is flat as can be, but i really like copper.

@Makaveli is this your review?

 

[68Olds]

Did yours come with all the accessories - sound card, VRM cooler, I/O plate, etc?

 

[Veseleil]

Did yours come with all the accessories - sound card, VRM cooler, I/O plate, etc?

Not a single one whatsoever.

 

[Bokinator]

My 2005-2006 mega champ! Played games like Quake 4, FEAR, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, and Oblivion

 

[Greenslade]

Mr retro I like this guy he likes he likes Asus motherboards too. He gets a lot of stuff from CEX .

 

[Audioave10]

RETRO Hardware has found some crazy stuff too.

 

[İsmailTPC_Hastanesi]

I don't know but could this motherboard be classic series?
However, I know very well that it was the only overclocking dual-processor motherboard that was not a problem in its class at that time:
"EVGA Classified SR-2 (270-WS-W555"
X58/1366 Socket
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The motherboard you see in the pictures was gifted to me by a friend from China.
Currently this motherboard is around $1000 on the second hand market.
How so?
My Chinese Friend's Name is "Ma Jinze"
I don't know if it hangs here.
I gifted it software and he gifted me this motherboard.
Wow!!!
I wanted to share this information with you.
I'm currently doing some detailed investigations.
I added NVMe SSD support in the bios
CPU-Z Information

2022/EVGA Classified SR-2 (270-WS-W555) NVMe SSD BIOS MOD​

 

[Veseleil]

There was one in our second hand market, 5-6 years ago, covered in waterblocks, and with a pair of X5670. Older version, but it could be nice investment, not quite cheap, but not even close to $1000 neither.

 

[MaxiPro800]

Hmm....

The EX58-UD5 and i7 920 from earlier, put to work.

 

[Veseleil]

Is X79 considered old enough to be nostalgic? I have another gem coming in day or two.