Thinking about this MB/Processor combo - comments?

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (More info?)

Be careful with Tiger Direct rebates. They are notoriously slow and need
hounding.
This is what I have heard when mentioning them in various forums. YMMV.

"Top Secret" <top@secret.com> wrote in message
news:YpcPd.1583442$B07.235548@news.easynews.com...
> http://tinyurl.com/4emra
>
> Present system is AMD Athlon 2100+, 1GB 233 Ram, ATI 9800 Pro video card.
>
> Keep in mind these are Canadian Prices. (I'm in Eastern Canada).
>
> Thanks.
>
> RRT
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (More info?)

"Top Secret" <top@secret.com> wrote in message
news:YpcPd.1583442$B07.235548@news.easynews.com...
> http://tinyurl.com/4emra
>
> Present system is AMD Athlon 2100+, 1GB 233 Ram, ATI 9800 Pro video card.
>
> Keep in mind these are Canadian Prices. (I'm in Eastern Canada).
>
> Thanks.

I would go for the Athlon 64 3200+ and the same m/b for a rebate free price
of $415 from NCIX. Never had a bad experience with them. Can't say the same
for Tigerdirect. ATIC does not seem to be dealing in Socket 939 A64's, and
their payment policy is just plain stupid. No cc or Paypal.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (More info?)

"Top Secret" <top@secret.com> wrote in message
news:YpcPd.1583442$B07.235548@news.easynews.com...
> http://tinyurl.com/4emra
>
> Present system is AMD Athlon 2100+, 1GB 233 Ram, ATI 9800 Pro video card.
>
> Keep in mind these are Canadian Prices. (I'm in Eastern Canada).
>
> Thanks.
>
> RRT
>
Be very careful of this offer, and of Tiger Direct in general. There have
been numerous complaints about this combination, as (according to reports)
the processor requires a BIOS revision not on the motherboard as delivered.
You end up with a chicken-egg scenario where you can't boot with that CPU
until you flash to a later BIOS version, but you can't flash unless you can
boot.
AFAIK, only Tiger Direct sold this combination. Other vendors, such as
Newegg, refused to sell the 3400+ 939 unless with *certain* motherboards
(because, I suspect, they knew of the problem) and don't even carry the
3400+ (939) now.
You also might want to try to find this OEM CPU for sale on the web. I don't
think you will, as the 3500+ (2.2 GHz Socket 939) is the readily available
CPU that does not have the issues of the 3400+.
Here's a sample post from a dissatisfied customer:
<quote>
TigerDirect sold
2300 of the A8V boards bundled w/the 3400 in the last 10 days. MOST of
them are coming back. So go try a Gigabyte, or Abit or something. I'm
currently looking for a 939 gaming board, and this time I'm not going
to play a cheap ass - I'll pay the xtra $$ and get a known working MB.

The net is full of angry posters over this issue. And it's going to
get a whole lot worse. If you've got one - then I suggest you just
send it back and get something else. If you've got one and it works,
then you'll be getting other voice messages like "overclocking is
illegal - system failed tests".
</quote>

and a response:
<quote>
IIRC, this may be an issue with that particular processor. Interestingly, I
cannot find a Socket 939 3400+ for sale today, after searching NewEgg,
MWave, ZipZoomFly and throughout Pricewatch.
I seem to recall that CPU being listed by NewEgg previously with the caveat
that it *must be purchased* with certain motherboards. I can only conclude
that NewEgg was aware of compatibility issues with that specific OEM CPU.
Sounds to me like TigerDirect (interesting reputation on resellerratings,
BTW), got a "deal" on this CPU, ignored warnings and testing and sold
problematic combinations.
My A8V has been great from first power on with a 3200+ Winchester running at
2.4 GHz. I'm there are tens of thousands of happy A8V owners with similar
results.
So, how is this an Asus problem? Sounds like (yet another) TigerDirect
problem.
</quote>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (More info?)

"Top Secret" <top@secret.com> wrote in message
news:YpcPd.1583442$B07.235548@news.easynews.com...
> http://tinyurl.com/4emra
>
> Present system is AMD Athlon 2100+, 1GB 233 Ram, ATI 9800 Pro video card.

This is the same deal from Tigerdirect USA.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/ite...

Except in the US it goes for $279.99USD with rebate. From Tigerdirect.ca
it's $413Cdn with rebate. $279.99USD is $345.83Cdn at todays exchange rate.
Now one would expect a $5-10 agreement with this at their Cdn outlet. Yet we
find Tigerdirect.ca is charging an additional $70 over current exchange
rate.
Given their track record with rebates, and the questionable stability or
usability of this CPU with this motherboard, I would not do it.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (More info?)

"zephyris" <zephyris@telus.net> wrote in message
news:MurPd.48500$L_3.23848@clgrps13...
>
> "Top Secret" <top@secret.com> wrote in message
> news:YpcPd.1583442$B07.235548@news.easynews.com...
>> http://tinyurl.com/4emra
>>
>> Present system is AMD Athlon 2100+, 1GB 233 Ram, ATI 9800 Pro video card.

You also might want to read the second comment down on this page about that
particular m/b and CPU combo from tigerdirect.ca. It's worthwhile reading
the other comments about their business practices and customer service.
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller5616.html

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (More info?)

Top Secret wrote:
> http://tinyurl.com/4emra
>
> Present system is AMD Athlon 2100+, 1GB 233 Ram, ATI 9800 Pro video
> card.
> Keep in mind these are Canadian Prices. (I'm in Eastern Canada).
>
> Thanks.
>
> RRT

Thanks all! It's always a treat to post here.