Budget Mobo.

[Poppa_Meth]

Yeah, I usually go through the BIOS settings before I even load Windows so I'll definitely change that first thing. If it doesn't perform well I'll just get a cheap PCI-E card for it in the future. I can always set XP for performance as well. She's use to the Win2K look anyway. Thanks for all the help.

[budz]

Well Newegg got the board back in. Don't know why they dropped it off the site entirely for a day.

I was as well because I need to order that same mobo. I have another computer to build for a relative. It's back instock so I guess I better order it before it's out of stock again.

[Poppa_Meth]

Anyone know how long it takes SVC to ship? I placed an order with them last week and haven't even gotten a confirmation yet.

[budz]

Anyone know how long it takes SVC to ship? I placed an order with them last week and haven't even gotten a confirmation yet.

Call them if you haven't gotten a confirmation yet. I just ordered some stuff from them on Friday morning and got a email from them on that day as well informing me that my items were shipped out. What shipping option did you choose? I have always chosen USPS PRIORITY MAIL and I've gotten my stuff in 3-4 days.

[Poppa_Meth]

Just called them. It did process and ship. I don't know why I didn't get a confirmation. UPS seems to be taking as long as the mail though. I ordered it on the 18th and it won't be here until the 25th.

[budz]

Just called them. It did process and ship. I don't know why I didn't get a confirmation. UPS seems to be taking as long as the mail though. I ordered it on the 18th and it won't be here until the 25th.

That's odd you didn't get a confirmation from svc.com. Did you ask them why a confirmation wasn't sent to you? Did you choose UPS Ground shipping? I that UPS seems to be taking as long as mail.

[Poppa_Meth]

I didn't get into details with them since I was at work and trying to make it a short call. I had a confirmation when I got home though. Go figure. And yes, UPS ground.

[Poppa_Meth]

One more question. I'm downloading the most recent drivers I can find for the mobo. I had planned to use the nForce drivers right from nVidia instead of the ones from the manufacturer. Should I use the video drivers from nVidia as well? I haven't messed with integrated video before so I'm not sure it this is the best option.

[BJ_M]

i just picked up two HP/compaq refurbs at the local future shop (same as bestbuy) for 350$ CND each (300$ US~) -- they come w/ WD 200GB sata drives, 16x dvd writer, media ports for all types of media cards, an asus built MB, +64AMD3500 cpu and 1gb memory -- includes winxp media center and on one of them , office 2003 was loaded oddly enough --- plus a full warranty on them .. you just cant put one together that cheap w/ those parts ...

pcs at the low end of the scale are just throw away components now days ....

[Poppa_Meth]

I know what you mean. If I hadn't already had many of the parts for it I wouldn't have considered building one for her. Just wouldn't be cost effective.

[Soopafresh]

I'd use the drivers that came with the mobo first. You've got to go with stability before performance first. Make sure you don't have any unrecognized devices. Reduce the unknown variables, then look at performance in the weeks to come.

[Poppa_Meth]

I've got most of it put together and in good shape. Brief testing shows stable temps at about 24C. I wish Mobo and Case manufacturers would label the damn front panel connections a bit better though. It's the only thing that ever really gives me trouble. Well that and the difficulty involved in prying the stock heatsink into place with it's rather odd mounting system.

Looks like my video came preset to 64MB shared. I'm not sure exactly what to change in the BIOS anyway for this. The only thing I see that seems likely is the Frame Buffer setting. Anyone know where I can get a decent guide to the Award Bios? Biostar's guide only covers the overclocking features.

[budz]

I just put together a computer with the same mobo and cpu. I've never used Nvidia's drivers from their site. I just use the mobo cd. That stock AMD hsf is a bit awkward at first. I've gotten used to it since this is my 4th time in using the same mobo and cpu. Overclocking features on the mobo are nice although I've never used it because there was no need to since the pc wasn't being used for video or gaming.

[Soopafresh]

The can have a consortium on SATA cable standards, but they can't come up with a standard on the power/reset/speaker/led pins for mobos.

[Poppa_Meth]

I'd be happier if the case makers would just label the cables positive and negative. They put the name of the connection on it but then rely on tiny arrows on the clip to indicated polarity, and of course don't tell you which pole that arrow indicates.

I've but another AMD cooler on a rig before and had similar trouble. So I was at least expecting it this time. It just makes it difficult to get it perfectly level so the thermal compound spreads well.

[Poppa_Meth]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Looks like everything is up and running fine. I did end up using drivers straight from nVidia since I was having some USB problems and thought it might be driver related. Turns out Diskeeper was being more stupid than it usually is on this machine for some reason.

Running at a cool 25C after several hours of installation.