My new computer kicks ass! -READ HERE-

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Author Topic:   My new computer kicks ass! -READ HERE-

Zero_Gauss posted 08-02-99 11:21 AM ET
Just assembled a new system, with the following specs (and prices I paid b4 shipping):
$ 60 Celeron 366 PPGA OEM
$ 89 Abit BM6
$101 Micron 128 MB PC100 ~8ns SDRAM
$ 68 Elan Vital T10-A chassis, 235w PS
$ 29 Alpha PFH6035MFC s370 fan and heatsink
$199 Guillemot Xentor32 32 MB TNT2 Ultra
$ 50 SB Live! PCI Value OEM
$ 18 CNET 10/100 PCI NIC
$ 97 Kenwood 52x TRUE CD-ROM
$170 IBM 14.4 GB GXP DeskStar
I already had an IBM 8.4 GB DeskStar, a 19" monitor, and a set of Boston Acoustics BA-365 speakers w/subwoofer. Total came to ~$950, and I gave my old 233mmx to my wife (to do graphics work).
The processor spec is SL36C, week 24, Malaysia. I purchased it from www.accubyte.com for $60!! I got the alpha heatsink and fan from www.pcxchange.com for $29.
So far, the processor is rock-stable at 550 mhz, temperature running about 100-105 F. I believe this will drop by another five degrees once I get another exhaust fan (currently only one intake, one exhaust).
The processor will boot at 558, and at 583, but encounters lock-ups and registry errors (I think from heat). Upping the voltage adds more stability here.
The processor will POST at 606!! I got it to boot into DOS, but even cranking the voltage to 2.3 it gets registry errors in windows
Even still, the fps I'm getting out of this thing in Q3 is blowing my mind ... the TNT2 Ultra is an amazing chipset. I got around 10% better performance after ditching the anemic Guillemot drivers for the nvidia detonator 2.08. Also, the 52x Kenwood drive is DAMN FAST! I've never installed games so fast before, it only took me about 10 minutes to do a complete install of Baldur's Gate (~2.5 GB with expansion).
I was sitting there watching the progress meter for another install ... and it's going 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ... and I was like HOLY **** that's 40 MB in 10 seconds. Very impressive.
Questions are welcome.
-ZG-

sandworm posted 08-03-99 10:01 AM ET
You forgot the 30mm autocannon.
sandworm posted 08-03-99 10:03 AM ET
Cartman says it "kicks a**".
Zero_Gauss posted 08-03-99 10:35 AM ET

Why settle for an autocannon when I can have a gatling laser? For that matter, why wait for gatling when I can with with impact?
-ZG-
sandworm posted 08-03-99 05:09 PM ET
I've heard that the Celerons are usually underclocked, but are they usually underclocked?
sandworm posted 08-03-99 05:35 PM ET
I think I meant overclocked.
Wyarian Pryde posted 08-03-99 06:27 PM ET
Not bad, not bad...
How is the performance of the TNT 2?
- WVPryde -
Zero_Gauss posted 08-04-99 09:32 AM ET

The TNT2 Ultra is a damn fine chipset. The drivers are rock solid (the nvidia Detonator anyway), I've had no trouble in any of my games.
In Quake3, it is happilly playable at 800x600 with all graphics options turned on -although I stay at 640 because it's easier to aim. If you're looking at a TNT2, I suggest getting a retail creative (that way you get the unified drivers for Glide emu).
If you're looking at a TNT2 Ultra, the only choice in my mind was between the Guillemot Xentor32, and the Hercules Dynamite -these are the fastest TNT2 cards on the market PERIOD.
Voodoo3 is good at cranking out fillrate, but is missing SO many features -no 32-bit, no larger textures, no 4x AGP etc. etc.
-ZG-
sandworm posted 08-05-99 06:05 PM ET
Oh he**, I meant to ask if you could normally push a Celeron up to that speed, or was there something special about your system.
You couldn't tell that from what I posted though.
This thread is making me look like IDF.
Wraith posted 08-05-99 07:37 PM ET
--"I meant to ask if you could normally push a Celeron up to that speed, or was there something special about your system."
Celerons are quite overclockable, and I've seen reports of rather large numbers of them going over the 600 mark, although I don't think the 366s are the best for doing so. What it mostly takes is good cooling (ie. that alpha fan/heatsink).
Wraith
Amateur Time Lord
Zero_Gauss posted 08-05-99 07:50 PM ET

Au contraire, Wraith.
As it turns out, the latest batch of Celeron 366's are o'cing even better than the original 300a.
The trick is to make sure you can get the following:
SL36C S-Spec
+22 week manufacturing date
Made in Malaysia on the .25 micron fab
Chanes are at least %90 that you will hit 550 if you get one of these guys.
-ZG-
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Author	Topic: My new computer kicks ass! -READ HERE-
Zero_Gauss	posted 08-02-99 11:21 AM ET Just assembled a new system, with the following specs (and prices I paid b4 shipping): $ 60 Celeron 366 PPGA OEM $ 89 Abit BM6 $101 Micron 128 MB PC100 ~8ns SDRAM $ 68 Elan Vital T10-A chassis, 235w PS $ 29 Alpha PFH6035MFC s370 fan and heatsink $199 Guillemot Xentor32 32 MB TNT2 Ultra $ 50 SB Live! PCI Value OEM $ 18 CNET 10/100 PCI NIC $ 97 Kenwood 52x TRUE CD-ROM $170 IBM 14.4 GB GXP DeskStar I already had an IBM 8.4 GB DeskStar, a 19" monitor, and a set of Boston Acoustics BA-365 speakers w/subwoofer. Total came to ~$950, and I gave my old 233mmx to my wife (to do graphics work). The processor spec is SL36C, week 24, Malaysia. I purchased it from www.accubyte.com for $60!! I got the alpha heatsink and fan from www.pcxchange.com for $29. So far, the processor is rock-stable at 550 mhz, temperature running about 100-105 F. I believe this will drop by another five degrees once I get another exhaust fan (currently only one intake, one exhaust). The processor will boot at 558, and at 583, but encounters lock-ups and registry errors (I think from heat). Upping the voltage adds more stability here. The processor will POST at 606!! I got it to boot into DOS, but even cranking the voltage to 2.3 it gets registry errors in windows Even still, the fps I'm getting out of this thing in Q3 is blowing my mind ... the TNT2 Ultra is an amazing chipset. I got around 10% better performance after ditching the anemic Guillemot drivers for the nvidia detonator 2.08. Also, the 52x Kenwood drive is DAMN FAST! I've never installed games so fast before, it only took me about 10 minutes to do a complete install of Baldur's Gate (~2.5 GB with expansion). I was sitting there watching the progress meter for another install ... and it's going 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ... and I was like HOLY **** that's 40 MB in 10 seconds. Very impressive. Questions are welcome. -ZG-
sandworm	posted 08-03-99 10:01 AM ET You forgot the 30mm autocannon.
sandworm	posted 08-03-99 10:03 AM ET Cartman says it "kicks a**".
Zero_Gauss	posted 08-03-99 10:35 AM ET Why settle for an autocannon when I can have a gatling laser? For that matter, why wait for gatling when I can with with impact? -ZG-
sandworm	posted 08-03-99 05:09 PM ET I've heard that the Celerons are usually underclocked, but are they usually underclocked?
sandworm	posted 08-03-99 05:35 PM ET I think I meant overclocked.
Wyarian Pryde	posted 08-03-99 06:27 PM ET Not bad, not bad... How is the performance of the TNT 2? - WVPryde -
Zero_Gauss	posted 08-04-99 09:32 AM ET The TNT2 Ultra is a damn fine chipset. The drivers are rock solid (the nvidia Detonator anyway), I've had no trouble in any of my games. In Quake3, it is happilly playable at 800x600 with all graphics options turned on -although I stay at 640 because it's easier to aim. If you're looking at a TNT2, I suggest getting a retail creative (that way you get the unified drivers for Glide emu). If you're looking at a TNT2 Ultra, the only choice in my mind was between the Guillemot Xentor32, and the Hercules Dynamite -these are the fastest TNT2 cards on the market PERIOD. Voodoo3 is good at cranking out fillrate, but is missing SO many features -no 32-bit, no larger textures, no 4x AGP etc. etc. -ZG-
sandworm	posted 08-05-99 06:05 PM ET Oh he**, I meant to ask if you could normally push a Celeron up to that speed, or was there something special about your system. You couldn't tell that from what I posted though. This thread is making me look like IDF.
Wraith	posted 08-05-99 07:37 PM ET --"I meant to ask if you could normally push a Celeron up to that speed, or was there something special about your system." Celerons are quite overclockable, and I've seen reports of rather large numbers of them going over the 600 mark, although I don't think the 366s are the best for doing so. What it mostly takes is good cooling (ie. that alpha fan/heatsink). Wraith Amateur Time Lord
Zero_Gauss	posted 08-05-99 07:50 PM ET Au contraire, Wraith. As it turns out, the latest batch of Celeron 366's are o'cing even better than the original 300a. The trick is to make sure you can get the following: SL36C S-Spec +22 week manufacturing date Made in Malaysia on the .25 micron fab Chanes are at least %90 that you will hit 550 if you get one of these guys. -ZG-