Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (
More info?)
My favorite feature of the BX133 was the ability to have as many as eight
IDE drives. I usually had two HD's and two CD's, all set as masters.
Thanks for all the advice.
Ken
"JM" <none_given@none.com> wrote in message
news:c50l2k$2mfu51$1@ID-178410.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Ken_B" <@> wrote in message news:10753gup66eflb5@corp.supernews.com...
> > When I first go the board I bought a Spire BFA07B2 MicroFlow II at a
local
> > computer store. It has only about a 1/4-inch clearance from the power
> > supply, which is a dual-fan design.
> >
> > According to the Abit Hardware Doctor the CPU ran around 54-55 degrees C
> > after being on a while, which I thought was a little high.
>
> Yeah that's a little on the high side but after using my CPU and fan
> combinations on two other boards I suspect the Abit VA-10 is reading a
> little on the high side by about 4C . Anyway it's nothing to be concerned
> about.
>
> >
> > Figuring cooler=better, I bought a Silent Boost cooler, which has copper
> > fins....but it wouldn't fit - bumped right against the PS fan grill.
> >
> > I was not aware this type board required a different type of case. As
far
> as
> > mounting screws, etc. if fits perfectly in my old case, after installing
> the
> > I/O plate (whatever the hell it's called) that came with the m-board on
> the
> > back of the case.
>
> It's not so much that it 'requires' a different case but that being a mATX
> board there is specific cases built to suit them. With a desktop mATX case
> the power supply would usually be situated slightly differently in
relation
> to the CPU as it does in a tower case. Also the power supplies are often
> physically smaller. As you've found out mATX boards do fit in towers fine
> with all the Hex stand offs matching mounting holes but because of the
> limitation of mATX board size the CPU socket is often very close to top
edge
> of board. If you have a look at all the different branded socket A mATX
> boards you'll find the CPU socket doesn't vary it's position much amongst
> them, although there is one or two brands that orientated the socket so
the
> retaining clip fasten side to side of board rather than top and bottom as
> the ABIT does.
> >
> > I've been thinking of getting a new case, so I'll look at an mATX, as
you
> > suggest.
>
> There is some nice mATX cases but they are gennerally more expensive to
buy
> than towers so look at the designs and quality very carefully before you
> part with money.
>
> >
> > This is my first board of this type (Was running a BX133), so it's a
> > learning experience.
>
> I've run a few over the years and I've developed a bit of a soft spot for
> them. They're very good value especially if you're not a game player and
the
> onboard graphics suffice for your needs.
>
>
> >
> > "JM" <none_given@none.com> wrote in message
> > news:c4sldf$2k5eq4$1@ID-178410.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > >
> > > "Ken_B" <@> wrote in message
news:1071oucq2qinn01@corp.supernews.com...
> > > > I would like to advise anyone considering this board (or any, for
that
> > > > matter) to examine the position of the CPU socket in relation to the
> > edges
> > > > of the board.
> > > >
> > > > The CPU socket in my VA-10 is near the edge of the board next the
> power
> > > > supply. I had difficulty installing the CPU cooler, because there
was
> > only
> > > > about 1/2-inch clearance between the socket and the power supply.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Later, I felt my CPU temperature was a little high, so I bought
> another
> > > with
> > > > copper fins, which was little larger.
> > > >
> > > > The clearance between the fan and the power supply turned out to be
> > > > zero, and I had to remove the power supply to install the cooler.
> Then,
> > > > since there wasn't room between the cooler and the top of my
mid-tower
> > > case
> > > > to re-install the power supply, I had to remove the top of the case,
> > which
> > > > isn't that easy.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, to make a long story short, I feel it is a stupid design
error
> > for
> > > > any motherboard manufacturer to put a CPU socket close to the edge
of
> > the
> > > > board.
> > > >
> > > > PS: Can someone explain to me why on page 1-1 in the "Features and
> > > > Specifications" the VA-10 manual says "Supports AMD Athlon XP Socket
A
> > > > Processors with 333/266 Front Side Bus" (not mentioning Pentium),
then
> > on
> > > > page 2-3 it shows how to install a Pentium 4 CPU???? Is a Pentium 4
> > > > equivalent to an Athlon?
> > > >
> > >
> > > I have this board also. You have to realise this board is a micro ATX
> > board
> > > and as such is best suited and designed for a mATX case in which
> situation
> > > and design the power supply would be orientated slightly differently
in
> > > relation to the CPU socket and not sit tightly against the top of it
as
> it
> > > does when you use the board in a tower case. I however do use the
board
> in
> > a
> > > very cramped tower case and though it's a pain to fit *any* cooler
while
> > the
> > > power supply is fitted, the space is still sufficient IMO to not be of
> > major
> > > concern once fitted. The major annoyance is being able to get a screw
> > driver
> > > on the clip and provide the right angle to be able to fasten it which
is
> > > easier to do without the power supply in place.
> > >
> > > You don't say exactly what HSF combination you are using? I have used
> both
> > > the standard AMD supplied HSF with 2500+ Barton which is not exactly
> > small,
> > > and I currently use a Spire Whisper Rock IV which is quite a large
> > heatsink
> > > with an 80mm fan. It sound like you are a making very poor choices
when
> it
> > > comes to the HSF you're using. Buying something best suited to
> > overclocking
> > > is overkill for this board since it has no overclocking features and
> > buying
> > > a HSF merely based on the fact it's large and has copper fins is no
> > > guarantee it's going to be a good design and efficient at cooling.
> > >
> > > I would rethink what HSF you use and perhaps try A Spire Whisper Rock
> IV,
> > > it's a good design that cools a bit better than the standard AMD HSF
and
> > is
> > > substantially quieter. If the cooling is not sufficient then you could
> > > always put a higher powered (noisier fan) on it.
> > >
> > > It's a good board IMO but I wish ABIT would have provided a few more
> > > tweaking features in the bios.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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