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DFI or ECS?

Forum Motherboards & Memory : General Motherboard - DFI or ECS?

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darkspreader   11-18-2006 at 01:29:28 AM

DFI came out with their newest Infinity CFX3200 motherboards. However, I've been looking into getting the ECS KA3 motherboard. They're both fine motherboards, but I've heard that DFI is the best. Does anyone have any suggestions on which one to get?

DFI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136017

ECS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813135024

Also, I've heard that Opteron processors can fit in Athlon 64 X2 sockets. Is this true?

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TommyP   11-18-2006 at 02:26:22 AM
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I'd go with the DFI, just cuz i have better exp with DFI then ECS in general.. :wink:

Reply to TommyP
jaguarskx   11-18-2006 at 04:54:51 PM
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DFI has a reputation of making very good enthusiast mobos and have a good track record.

ECS mobos are basically geared towards the budget segment.

Reply to jaguarskx
rwaritsdario   11-18-2006 at 05:42:51 PM
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Its not a LANParty board o_o but its still a DFI :wink:
It was actually on stock about a month ago for a few hours, under the LANParty series.
If youre planning on doing even minor OCing go for it.

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-23-2006 at 08:06:45 PM
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Damn it! Well, I guess I can't get it then; I'll have to get an Athlon X2... :(

Athlon X2s are still pretty good though, aren't they? Or should I get the Athlon FX? Also, I've noticed that Newegg took off almost all their 2 x 1mb L2 cache Athlon X2s. Does anyone know why?

Edit: Aha, I found one with it, but it's expensive as crap. Is the 2mb L2 cache even worth it?

Reply to darkspreader
MadHacker   11-23-2006 at 08:39:02 PM
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why amd?
how bout core2duo...

Reply to MadHacker
rwaritsdario   11-23-2006 at 10:59:20 PM
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Twice the catch gives you only minumun performance increase (about 5%). And generally its easier to overclock with just half the cache.
If you are really into overclocking you might be happier with a Opty 1.8Ghz for around $160, these CPU are as good as X2s but far more overclockable as they take more voltages and are better binned.

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-24-2006 at 02:50:17 AM
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Well, I more than likely cannot get an Opty if they won't fit on AM2 Athlon X2 sockets. And I can't find any desktop mobos that support Opty AM2 socket without going into server mobos. And sadly I don't have an extended ATX case (Tt Shark Tower, I still love it :lol: ). So it looks like I'm stuck with either Athlon X2 or Athlon FX.

Anyways, so you think I should get a processor that only has a 2 x 512mb L2 cache? Maybe you could find one for me on Newegg, lol. :lol:
i'm looking to get something around the 4600+ - 4800+ range. Something that I can overclock to around 2.8 - 3.0ghz. This was the original CPU I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103750

Thanks.

Reply to darkspreader
rwaritsdario   11-24-2006 at 03:15:21 AM
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Every Santa Ana model can be used on a AM2 desktop motherboard. Since im not very aware of the individual binning on each processor I would advice to pick up the one that suits your budget the best.

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-24-2006 at 04:42:06 AM
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Ok, that's cool.

Well I put together a wishlist of everything I'm getting; the only problem is that the Big Typhoon supposedly won't fit on AM2 sockets, despite that Thermaltake's website says that they do.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio [...] er=4566848

Do you think it's good? lol and I know I have a lot of useless stuff in it, but hey, money is money, got to spend it one way or another. 8)

Reply to darkspreader
rwaritsdario   11-24-2006 at 04:52:38 AM
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Quote :

money is money, got to spend it one way or another.


But its better spent in some ways than others.

I believe that BT is not compatible with AM2, the VX revision however, might be.

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-24-2006 at 07:16:48 AM
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Too bad Newegg doesnt have the VX series...

Reply to darkspreader
rwaritsdario   11-25-2006 at 01:46:36 AM
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But eWIZ does at a more than reasonable price.

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-25-2006 at 11:30:52 PM
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Awesome!

I'll make an account there and buy it! I'll put it on my P4 Prescott 2.8ghz temporarily too. :D

Now, it will fit on Opteron, right? Since that Opteron and Athlon X2 sockets are the same? Also, do you think that the fan on it is swappable? I might put an LED fan on it (A2018). But if the fan that comes already on it is better, I'll leave it the way it is.

Thanks again!

Reply to darkspreader
rwaritsdario   11-26-2006 at 01:00:47 AM
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It is swapable but already featuring a whopping 86CFM, You could replace it with the XtremeTurbine but since that fan is 89CFM youll be paying ~$12 simply for the LEDs.
Yeah, itll fit an opty. GL :D

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-26-2006 at 01:30:33 AM
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Yeah, you're right. I could put an A2018 on it, (93cfm at full blast) but it's very loud, lol (46dBA). And I don't think 7cfm would make that big of a difference. Maybe if I put a gel pad between it and the heatsink, lol. Either way, the BTVX is a very good cooler. I'm trying to get everything in my computer from Thermaltake so it'll look cool, lol. (Even my cold cathode lights are from Tt. :wink: )

Edit: Do you think I could just take the rotors and the casing off of an LED fan and put the motor from the CPU fan in it? It would still be the same fan, but with the LED rotors and casing. :lol:

Reply to darkspreader
rwaritsdario   11-26-2006 at 06:04:13 AM
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TT makes decent products, just make sure they dont have water running through them.
If you consider yourself to have such modding skills, then go ahead!

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-26-2006 at 08:50:42 AM
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I actually have no modding skills whatsoever...
not yet... :twisted:

And I kinda knew that Tt's water cooling systems suck, seeing all the reviews about them. :P

Reply to darkspreader
rwaritsdario   11-26-2006 at 12:09:48 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

I actually have no modding skills whatsoever...
not yet...


Hehe :twisted:
That's the spirit!

EDIT: 2K :D

Reply to rwaritsdario
darkspreader   11-27-2006 at 07:32:02 PM
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Meh, I tried taking apart an extra fan I had, but it was like stuck to the motor or something; I didnt want to break it, lol.

I'm sure I'll get it apart one way or another... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Reply to darkspreader
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