My Intel DUO Core E6600 Specs - Journal – 2452 days old

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

So some of you may know from this thread http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/...ad.php?t=72619
I was deciding on building my Graduation gift of a high end Pc. I was torn between an AMD X2 5000 and the new Intel Duo Core E6600. After weeks of researching, I had chosen the Intel base on performance, price, and OC ability over the AMD 5000.

Specs:
Intel E6600 Duo Core System
Cost $$2,486.90
(Please note, the Vid Card was removed by NewEgg)
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...uo+Core+System

ASUS P5W DH Deluxe/WIFI MoBo
INTEL Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4 CPU
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink / Artic Silver 5
G.Skill 2GB RAM (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 PC 6400
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
(Qty 3) WD Raptor 74GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 (For RAID 0)
(Qyt 2) ViewSonic VG2021m Black 20" 8ms LCD Monitor
Antec Performance I P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel Case
ASUS EAX1900 CrossFire /2DH/512M Radeon X1900 CrossFire Edition 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card (Will get the second later for Crossfire)

Now, I will have everything assembled by late Thursday night. The FSB is slated at 1066 and CPU is at 2.4GHZ.
I see there are peeps out there who can easily overclock this CPU over 3GHZ. (3.5 Goal)

I will post my findings from day one and keep everyone brief on the results.

[Alakazam]

That is going to be a killer system for sure Nemesis, looking forward to some pics and such.

[Johnny Cool]

M.i.S. Nemesis, that will indeed "Rock The Casbah"!

[RacerX]

You gotta let me know if that P180 case is really silent, a friend is thinking of buying one.

3 Raptors....sweeeeet.

Johnb15

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Man, what a mission. I get my two monitors today and the case. Somehow as part shipment was lost. So I had to re-order the cpu, mem, vid card, etc.. So Newegg upgraded my shipment for this new order and I will get them on Friday. The ATI X1900 512mb Crossfire vid card is now out of stock, so I won't post any video benchmark until I this card for now. So I will have the entire weekend to build this PC and post my findings, then try to OC this badd azz!!
Hey JohnB, I will let you know about the case. I am so frigging excited!!!!!!

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ok, got my parts in and already have a problem during boot. First I wasn't getting any video, but now I can get video and all it shows is 7249.9.12.5.2.AS05. I think this has to do with the PCI Express video card, but having a hard time finding any technical help.

[RacerX]

Make sure the all cards are fully seated in their slots.

Make sure the PCIeXpress power cable is plugged into the vid card.

Try booting with only one SATA drive plugged in.

Can you get into the BIOS ?

Johnb15

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

I basically removed all connections, I left the vid card, one mem card, and trying only one SATA raptor. I think they maybe my problem too, I am not too positive which SATA connection to use. Those numbers (7249.9.12.5.2.AS05) do correlate to the video card, but ATI's tech support isn't much help. I re-seeded all chips too.
I can't even get to BIOS, only those numbers appear and sometime it take several boots just to get the numbers to appear.
I am learning on a Video card problem, when I turn off the pc and reboot sometimes I don't get a signal, after several tries without doing anything I get the screen with the infamous numbers again.

These are the writings on my BIOS chip:
WDHOA
0801
0559
F9 09

[RacerX]

Try reseting the CMOS on the mobo.

Put your vid card in the OTHER PCIexpress slot.

Make sure the jumpers on the drives are set correctly or try another setting.

Try putting your older IDE Drive in, if its one of the raptors this should at least get you into the BIOS. It's not going to boot with this drive but it will tell you if it is a HD conflict.

It shouldn't really matter which SATA connector you plug the drive into, i would atleast try and put it in number 1 SATA slot.

Johnb15

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Another thing I noticed is when the CD rom was installed, I didn't get a signal, I had to remove it. I tried the other PCIExpress slot too and I got the same results. I have been researching a lot and other people are having the same issue, but they had a really old BIOS version. My version is above the 600 series where a lot of people had this problem. Talk about frusrating, all that money and I am at a lost.

[RacerX]

Hey Nems

I'm not sure but the numbers AS05 i think are the BIOS version numbers, if thats right then i would think you have BIOS version 5xx, i think i saw on Asus's site version 0604 out, maybe see if you can flash the mobo.

Geeez this kinda stuff sucks

Maybe check if there are any jumpers out of place on the mobo, maybe the CMOS short jumper. Your powersupply i think is autoswitching for 110V/220V.
Your CPU fan is turning right ?

Hang in there it should get sorted out soon.

Johnb15

[RacerX]

I talked to my computer supplier this am and was informed that the BIOS will need to be flashed to get your CPU to recognize and the system to work. As you probably now Asus issued these boards with a BIOS that does not support your CPU which is just rediculous. I was told you could throw a older P4 with the same socket type in the mobo to flash the BIOS and then your current CPU will work.

Johnb15

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

I talked to my computer supplier this am and was informed that the BIOS will need to be flashed to get your CPU to recognize and the system to work. As you probably now Asus issued these boards with a BIOS that does not support your CPU which is just rediculous. I was told you could throw a older P4 with the same socket type in the mobo to flash the BIOS and then your current CPU will work.

Johnb15

My BIOS is currently 1101 and the CPU is being recognized. 026T told me to remove the board out the case and finally it booted into the BIOS. But it's still so unstable. I still get those crappy numbers. I feel like returning the entire DAMN order. I have no clue what the hell is the problem.

[RacerX]

It sounds like the motherboard is the issue but i can't say for sure. Everything is so new its hard to find spare parts around to test with.
I don't think i have ever seen a case that wouldn't ground itself properly, especially not a New Antec. I'm sure you could return the mobo and maybe get the same or a slightly different model to try but thats a bit hit and miss.

Would the store you bought it from take it back assembled and test it for you ?
If you got all the parts from one place i can't see why not, although that could take some time if your shipping it.

The choice to return it all is up to you. It may be the fastest route to getting a properly working system.

You could return the CPU, Mobo and the RAM and get the AMD AM2 5000+x2 and a ATI chipset mobo and new ram in place of and maybe a credit back also.

Is there a decent computer store local to you that you could get your parts from that may offer better service when you have issues ?

I not trying to make things worse, just looking at angles to get you a killer working system quickly.

I hope you get some resolution soon.

Johnb15

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ok, I got a new ATI X1900 512 Crossfire video card. And of course things started working but then I got different numbers, which now relate to the new card.

In speaking of spare parts, I have a double shipment. So I can more memeory, CPU, but not a MObo.

I got all th/e parts from NewEgg, so I am stuck there since the ETA for this board is 9/18/2006.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131025

I guess now with the MOBO still acting up, I can blame the mobo. Now I hope NewEgg will just give me a refund and I can buy the board elsewhere. Some other places have it in stock but do not accept returns only exchanges.

Wow, talk about a real bummer. I am super unhappy.

[serlv]

Nems, if you know it is the mobo then perhpas you can go the route I did.
Purchased an Asus P5B Dlx ( WiFi Ed. ) from atacom.com. The machine booted and I could get into the BIOS and navigate within. However, I could change nothing. I was not able to change a single value, even the time or date. After calling Asus's tech support, and him have me try a few things, I got an RMA #, then got the forms to fill out in an email and faxed them to Asus. That was either Thursday, or Friday. Used a CC to cross-ship with them, so I could get it quick ( they'll chargeback my card when they get the original board back from me ). They are quick! The board came in today ( Monday ). Jeez, I better disassemble the original and send it off.

At any rate, you don't have to deal with newegg, Asus will deal with yoiu straight up.

Hope that helps.

Scott

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ahh, that would be better. Thanks!

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ok, was on the phone with ASUS's Tech support and they think the issue is the video controller. So I bought another motherboard and going to send this one back to NewEgg. Well see on Friday if I can get this PC up yet!!!!
Thanks for everyones' advice.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

This must be the most unbelieveable bullshit I have ever encountered. I now have a new motherboard and I still have the same F#$%^ing issues as before. Hell I even opened my second Duo Core since I have changed every single part I have already. The system comtinues to display these wierd numbers and partly ever boots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I am going to send all of it back. What a complete waste of time and money.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ok, here is the latest! Called ASUS and got tech rep that actually owned the board!! So I explained what I have been going through. He suggested two things, either try a different type of Memory or change the Power supply. To my surprise, the original power supply was compatible with the board. OCZ 700 watt. SURE ENOUGH THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not one error and I was able to finally set my 3 Raptors in RAID 0.

So my frustration got the best of me. So I will soon start posting my findings and pictures. Thanks to everyone out that help!!!!!!! WOOHOOO

[TJM4FUN]

Whew! been watching this, glad you got it sorted out. I hate to see anyone defeated by a chunk of hardware. would have been horrible if you were forced back into the AMD world

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Haha - True!! I was sooo dissapointed all week and was hoping the new mobo would fix my problems. Well not I am a whole lot smarter.

So far the RAID setup was easy and I just created the RAID driver disk and Windows XP 64 is installing....!!! Super duper exited now.

Man talk about a mission. The install is going pretty fast. I noticed my Memory is not at the frequency is should be (6400). So I need to tweak the BIOS still. Can't wait to OC this bad boy. There are a ton of people with this board who are successfully OCing it with great results.

Will post back later!!!

[RacerX]

Great to see things going right now. Dead power supply, I wonder what OCZ would have to say about that

I just put a GamerXstream 600w in my system last week without a problem, completely different systems but it most likely just a screwed PS.

Your probably gonna finish your install before i can send this message

get ready to freak out, this thing should break warp soon, sheilds up

Johnb15

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

ACtually the PS that didn't work was an a eXtreme Power 600W. I previously bought the OCZ GameXStream 700Watt which if perfectly working.

Now trying to locate a Anti Virus for 64bit os.

[TJM4FUN]

I believe avast has a free 64 bit virus scanner.

anti-vir is working on one, but they seem to not want to even beta it with windows 64 being um "not a stable os yet".

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

I can't even find a Symantec one.

[Dark Angel]

Nah, they're not done boning all the 32bit o/s's yet.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

I believe avast has a free 64 bit virus scanner.

anti-vir is working on one, but they seem to not want to even beta it with windows 64 being um "not a stable os yet".

I installed the Avast.

OMG though, these three Raptors are FRIGGIN FAST!!!!! I can install software like nothing. I just ran the Half Life2 Lost Coast Video stress test and I pulled a whopping 120+fps.

[Dark Angel]

Mind where you leave that thing!

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Buaaahahaaaa

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

This is what $2500 gets ya!

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Oh what a feeling...

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

More pics inside the beast.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

When it's all said and done.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ok, let's start with the case. At first I was impressed, it seemed big enough, but when I installed all the parts, I really noticed that it was pretty tight when a PCI Express card is introduced. The bottom part where the Power supply is located, has a slide part where I can pull up the wires, it was pretty tight and I really don't like it.

Other than that, the case is ok. As for sound, the two 120mm fans (One on top and one in the back is what you hear. Not that loud, pretty much a nice humming noise.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Motherboard:
The mobo is really good, and especially for over clockers. ASUS really work hard in allowing the OCing of Duo Cores. The RAID setup was super easy. I attached my three raptors in a couple of minutes with no issues. The CD supplied allowed me to create the floppy disk for OS install. All went without a hitch.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

The BIOS config is relatively easy. I did OC the CPU to a whopping 3.5 stable sys. I reverted back to stock so I can research some more one a safe voltage settions. I was able to get a 180 FPS on Half Life 2 Lost Coase Video Stress test though. Stock is 120FPS.

And yes, I went to the 64Bit XP OS. lol

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

What can I say about this CPU. It now cost about $340 usd and can be over clock big time. Even the temps are in a acceptable range.

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

Ok, enough of the Yada Yada

[M.i.S. Nemesis]

141.97 FPS Stock