Custom AMD 64 System - More Advice Please

[Arthur Lipscomb]

Hello again. I am about ready to purchase and would like some more
feedback. I've decided to go with a socket 939 CPU/motherboard. I've
settled on the MSI K8T Neo2-F and an AMD Athlon 64 3000 Venice (probably
OEM). It is my understanding that I will experience a performance benefit
from running two sticks of DDR PC 3200 memory in synchronous (or is it dual
channel?) mode. Will the board detect that I have two sticks of the same
memory installed and give me the benefits automatically or do I have to
tweak something in the bios? I already purchased one stick of PNY 512 MB PC
3200 memory. I cannot find what the CAS latency or anything else is on this
memory. I'm worried when I buy the other stick they won't match up
properly. How finicky are systems when it comes to running synchronously?
Is 400 watts sufficient power? Can you please give me some advice regarding
heat sinks, thermals, and case cooling? Should I be concerned about
overheating or just go with the cheapest AMD approved product the vendor
has?



Any comments on these online vendors: 3B Tech, PC Infinity and United Micro?



Thanks!!!

 

[Ed Light]

Yes, you will need identical memory sticks to be sure to run in dual
channel, and even then, if the motherboard doesn't like them, it won't do
it.

If possible I'd return the PNY (a pretty bad company) and get a dual-channel
kit from Kingmax, Corsair, etc.


--
Ed Light

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MS Smiley :-\

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[Ed Light]

Many people report that the heat sink that comes with the retail version of
the A-64's and their Sempron derivatives works great.


--
Ed Light

Smiley :-/
MS Smiley :-\

Send spam to the FTC at
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[Bob Knowlden]

Arthur,

The mainboard detects the two DIMMs automatically. (The sockets are paired,
though.) The manual
(http://66.96.84.4/support/mnu_exe/mbd_mnu/E6702Ev1.2.zip) will give the
memory configurations.

It's possible to use unmatched memory - I'm doing it on the machine this is
typed on (using an Asus A8V Deluxe mainboard, with the same Via chipset as
the MSI). It is less risky to buy a matched pair, preferably from one of the
vendors approved by MSI (at www.msicomputer.com). It may also be possible to
use a single DIMM in single-channel mode; my Asus board supports that.

If you don't plan to overclock, the best cooling route may be heatsink/fan
included with the retail package. AMD provides an adequate cooler, and the
fan noise isn't bad. The CPU I bought nearly a year ago (Newcastle 3500+)
came with heat sink compound applied, much better than the polymer material
Intel provides.

Is a 400W PSU adequate? A good one may be. ("Good" would be defined as one
that can provide enough current on the +12V line.) This article may be of
interest:

http://www.bleedinedge.com/guides/psu_select/psu_select_01.html

I know nothing of the online vendors you mention.
http://www.resellerratings.com/ lists a couple of them. Monarch
(www.monarchcomputer.com) and Newegg (www.newegg.com) are highly rated. I've
done a small amount of business with Newegg, and I have no complaints.

HTH.

Bob Knowlden

Address may be scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Arthur Lipscomb]

PNY tech support confirmed their memory is pretty much useless so I took it
back to Frys. I'll buy two Samsung sticks and let the vendor install them
for me.

The system I'm going to buy has a 500 wt power supply so I think I'll be OK.

I'm eagerly looking forward to upgrading my Athlon 900 to an Athlon 3000.

Thanks everyone!