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View Full Version : Just got my Xeon Board & Processors today!


NDC
09-02-2003, 9:36 PM
I just got my goodies today for my next build for my graphic workstation. Now I'm just waiting for the PSU to arrive and I should be set to go...

NDC
09-02-2003, 9:36 PM
Tyan S2668AN

Mntsnow
09-02-2003, 9:37 PM
Very Cool! and I'm so green with envy!

NDC
09-02-2003, 9:39 PM
But knowing you, Mike.. You won't envy me long cuz I know you'll be building yourself one real soon! I know you! LOL

PresterJohn
09-02-2003, 9:51 PM
dual xeons...boy, do i envy you!

i currently run dual coppermines (1ghz) on a tyan tiger.

hint: that would make a killer FAD cruncher! :bunny:

ps. anybody know any good 'Envy' smilies???

NDC
09-02-2003, 10:24 PM
Thanks! :)

Well, as soon as I get this system up, I will probably throw my Dual MP2000+ in the FaD club...

PresterJohn
09-02-2003, 10:27 PM
>Well, as soon as I get this system up, I will probably throw my Dual MP2000+ in the FaD club...

i'm gonna hold you to it :cool:

NDC
09-02-2003, 11:41 PM
I believe the Dual AMD MP2000+ will whoop the Dual Intel Xeon 2.4Ghz as far as DC goes if I'm not mistaken?

PresterJohn
09-03-2003, 12:07 AM
Originally posted by NDC
I believe the Dual AMD MP2000+ will whoop the Dual Intel Xeon 2.4Ghz as far as DC goes if I'm not mistaken?

that is correct...for many DC clients, the amd will outperform the intel due to the former's superior fpu. a secondary reason is due to the type of instruction calls the clients run don't favor the pipeline architecture of the p4.

[canny nod] which is exactly why there was not one complaint from my corner when you made the [amd] offer! :D

mondobyte
09-03-2003, 12:25 AM
Very Cool NDC. I have about 7 smp machines myself - not quite as up to date as yours ... my fastest ones are a dual PIII XEON@875 and a dual Athlon MP1.2 (Tyan mobo too)

One of these days, I'll upgrade the Athlon processors when I can find a set cheap enough.

I've always liked smp machines because they seem so much more responsive than uniprocesor machines.

I've also have 4 Pentium 200 SMP machines and 1 Pentium MMX 233 machine.

I think I'd swap out those fans though ... HS look fine ...

NDC
09-03-2003, 1:06 AM
Well, these are just stock heatsinks and fans. I'm gonna try to get the system up and rolling tomorrow and if the fan doesn't do such a good job, I will probably get some new ones... anything but deltas! I'm just tired of loud fan noises... LOL

NDC
09-04-2003, 12:43 AM
Ok, finally got the Antec True550 EPS12V PSU this morning and got my system up and running after trial and error. First time I got the system put together, it wouldn't post. I pulled it our of the case and BAM! Posted with no problems. I just threw on some non-mettalic washers on the maniboard mounts and problem solved.

I've been using this system for less than a day and already I'm in love with it. That HT feature really gives some performance boost in Photoshop and multi-tasking BIG TIME! Heck, I even got a boost in 3Dmark of over 2000 points! LOL At first I thought I wouldn't see THAT much of a difference since MP2000+ processors are wicked fast. However, in Photoshop, it makes that processor seem real slow. It must be the HT and 512Kb L2 cache that's contributing to the PS performance. And the processor temps are crusing along at 44C max with no AC running in the room. Surely beats 56C! :)

One bad news though.... I get a "Missing microcode update for installed CPU(s)" error message. I contected Tyan and they said the next BIOS which is to be released shortly wiill have the microcode update...

Socal
09-04-2003, 11:44 AM
Nice, NDC. Let's see some comparison benches to the old AMD system now ;-)

And I think you're trying to make me jealous :p

NDC
09-04-2003, 12:03 PM
Stayed tuned.. I have a review coming up.. :)

NDC
09-04-2003, 1:05 PM
One bad news though.... I get a "Missing microcode update for installed CPU(s)" error message. I contected Tyan and they said the next BIOS which is to be released shortly wiill have the microcode update...


BIOS V. 1.01 Beta

Updated memory display
* Fixed IDE DMA transfer speeds
* Fixed PCI Latency timings
* Update Micro coding
* Fixed L3 Cache Enable/Disable Option
* Add spread spectrum Enable/Disable option



I got the Beta BIOS version 1.01h with the microcode update...

Sammy V
09-04-2003, 2:01 PM
OMG amazing system
how much ram/what vid card are u running

have fun, have alottttt of fun with that badboy

NDC
09-04-2003, 2:23 PM
Thx...

Here is the full system spec: [here] (http://www.xtremepccentral.com/gallery//showphoto.php?photo=602&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1)

Stan
09-04-2003, 3:34 PM
Nice one NDC!
Welcome to the "Xeon" club! I see that you did not have any problems setting up all the components!
How did it go with the HS/fans?

You got to love the task manager when HT is enabled...

http://www.stanythibaut.com/temp/taskmgr.jpg

Stan

Mntsnow
09-04-2003, 3:35 PM
Stan...We got to talk about getting you to run one of the XPC DC projects...seeing that cpu at 1% is just killing me ;)

Stan
09-04-2003, 4:00 PM
Mntsnow, I'm listening...

fshanda
09-04-2003, 4:50 PM
Aww man thats what my wife would realy like for her photo editing.

Must resist temptation.

Nice rig NDC :cool:

Mortis
09-04-2003, 5:31 PM
Nice Build! I too am green with Envy! I am looking forward to the review.

NDC
09-04-2003, 6:47 PM
Originally posted by Stan
Nice one NDC!
Welcome to the "Xeon" club! I see that you did not have any problems setting up all the components!
How did it go with the HS/fans?

You got to love the task manager when HT is enabled...

http://www.stanythibaut.com/temp/taskmgr.jpg

Stan



Stan:

Getting the heatsink on was very easy. I think the method of installing the heatsink varies on what type of retension you use. The Intel heatsinks were easier getting on then most FC-PGA chip based heatsinks. I didn't need any tools getting it on. I just used my thumb and "snap", the heatsink was on. I would've like to use the Tyan retension mounts which were ZIF socket style. However, these Tyan rentension mounts would not work with the stock Intel heatsinks. I think these were made for aftermarket heatsinks....


Fshanda:

Yeah, I really took some serious thinking for me to make the purchase on this setup. Just the board, 2 x processors, and PSU costed me just under $1,000. I've never spent so much for so little hardware.. LOL


Mortis:

The review should be up for viewing soon. Just need to do a little more evaluation and page format.. :)



Here's what the Tyan Retension Mounts look like, Stan..

NDC
09-04-2003, 6:55 PM
It's kinda neat how programs see 2 processors as 4 processors due to the HyperThreading feature on the Intel processors. As you can see in the image below, you see 4 crunchers although there are only 2 processors....

NDC
09-16-2003, 2:46 AM
Ok, my system is 99.9% complete... :D

I just got my Swiftech MCX603 R2s and these thing not only look sweet, these thing are much quieter and do a better job of cooling by far vs. the Intel Windtunnels... Those Windtunnels with the Sanyo Denki 60mm 5000rpm are screamers.

Now I'm running Vantec 80mm Spectrums at 2,900rpm with much better results.. :)

Stan
09-16-2003, 3:42 AM
These are 80mm fans? biiiig!!!
They do look really good...
I was also thinking of replacing the fans on my H/S. They are 70mm (15mm thick) akasa 680 (http://www.akasa.com.tw/akasa/coolers/ak680cu/ak680cu.htm) and I have a feeling they are the noisy ones in my case. The problem is to find another 70mm fan but 25mm thick (instead of 15mm).
And I do not think that an 80mm fan would fit...

NDC, I am really impressed/surprised that your PSU (which happens to be the same as mine :) ) can hold with all the devices/fans/leds/cathodes you have!!!
I "only" have 3 HD (7200 rpm), 1 DVD, 1 CDRW, sound card, RAID5 ctrlr, AGP, 5x 80mm fans and I am scared to add just a single cathode in my case!!!!
This Antec 550w is really good!!!

NDC
09-16-2003, 4:05 AM
Yeah, but those 80mm LED UV fans take very little power. Lot less that you wuld think. Each of these fans draw 3W vs. 2.6W for thesame speed fan without LED which isn't too bad... I think the True550 will hold up fine.

I tried running Dnet to max the watt on the CPUs and ran hard disk copies which uses the same rail as the fans and no problem so far.


70mm is a real odd ball size. These MCX603s can use 70mm and 80mm which is kinda nice too... If your heatsink could take 60mm, you could probably get a couple of 60 to 80mm adapters and run 80s which would give sufficient CFM and run quieter as well.

It's the High-pitch noise I couldn't stand on the 60mm high-speed fans. Remember I told you I ordered some 60mm Delta 6800rpms? Although these fans were able to output 40CFM, the noise was horrible with the Windtunnels. I used those for a day and a day was all it took to yank them off and look for a new solution.

Because it's my new toy and all, I'm trying all these different methods to get my temps lower even though the temps were just fine with Delta 4200rpm and the Windtunnels. I wasn't so much into cathodes either. I know this is just a phase I will probably get bored of in a month or so.. I seem to go through this "purchase fever" each time I build a new system... LOL

These 80mm 2900rpm puts out 36CFM and sounds very quiet vs. 60mm fans. These heatsinks really do a great job as well. Now I know why Xeon users use these heatsinks. I read they're the best Xeon heatsinks (not that there is a good selection of them or anything ) and I can truely agree they are now that I've tried them for myself.

NDC
09-16-2003, 4:37 AM
Here is what I get for power status. I don't see much difference in voltage...

Idle Vs. Max

NDC
09-16-2003, 4:38 AM
And here is what I get according to APC Monitor...

NDC
09-16-2003, 4:40 AM
Im not too familiar with electrical... I just don't see how this makes sense though... Idle shows 258W being used currently and 354W for max currently being used. Is the the same way we could calculate PSU max watt? If it is, 354W is far from 530W which is the max output of the True550 EPS12V, no?

Can anyone explain this?

BTW - I know the numbers are off on the 3.3, 5,12 volt rails. But after doing some research with other Xeon owners using this same PSU, this is quite normal...

Stan
09-16-2003, 4:44 AM
Yes, I am curious too...
I am not sure how to make sense of this...

Stan
09-16-2003, 4:46 AM
- Pre-installed retention mechanism: the heatsink spring retention mechanism is pre-installed, and attached to the heatsink with nylon retaining washers.
- 70 & 80mm fan compatibility: removable fan brackets allow installation of either 70 or 80mm fans, for the widest possible range of applications, from only 15 mm to as much as 50 mm in thickness.

I like this... and I am now very tempted!!!
I still can't find any of those MCX603 in UK though. I'll keep looking!

NDC
09-16-2003, 4:58 AM
Go to Swiftech and click on the "where to buy" and then "International Reseller". Scroll down and you will see a list of U.K. dealers... They don't show the MCX603 though.. I'm sure they can get it for you though....

Stan
09-16-2003, 5:03 AM
I've sent an email to my "regular" hardware supplier. He has a couple of Swiftech HS but only for AMD or P4.
Fingers crossed, he should be able to find me the MCX603!

NDC
09-16-2003, 5:10 AM
:)

If it comes to the worst, you can also use the MCX462-U (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx462.asp) which is for socket 423.. same thing as socket 603/604... Only difference from mine is that you would mount the heatsink the same way as you would with the MCX603 R1. The R2 uses the stock Intel retension clips vs. using the 4-mount bolts...

Stan
09-16-2003, 2:28 PM
So far, it does not look too good. I've had an email back saying that they do not stock the MCX603.
I will keep on looking!

NDC
09-23-2003, 12:34 AM
Any luck finding them yet?

Stan
09-23-2003, 3:03 AM
Nope... So far, all UK retailers I've contacted do not stock the MCX603.
I have found a US site that will deliver to UK (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com). But I might wait till the MCX603 is available here in UK.

It's not a cheap HS either!!! (and obviously, I need 2 of those ;) )
How much did you pay for yours?

Stan

NDC
09-23-2003, 11:06 AM
I paid 44.95 each from Sidewinder Computers...

Stan
11-22-2003, 5:00 AM
I managed to find new/better 70mm fans (the akasa 70x70x15mm were not good enough).
I had to order them from the US as I could not find any 70x70x25mm fans here in the UK.
I've also replaced the two 80x80x25mm exhaust fans.
The difference in temp is amazing! Looks at this:
http://www.stanythibaut.com/temp/temp.jpg

NDC
11-22-2003, 9:46 AM
Boy have your temps dropped! :)

Proot
01-11-2004, 3:44 PM
Originally posted by Stan
Nope... So far, all UK retailers I've contacted do not stock the MCX603.
I have found a US site that will deliver to UK (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com). But I might wait till the MCX603 is available here in UK.

It's not a cheap HS either!!! (and obviously, I need 2 of those ;) )
How much did you pay for yours?

Stan


They are availiable in the uk now, from www.overclock.co.uk for £33.98 ex.VAT £39.93 inc.VAT but ordered on request, so 3-4 day wait.

www.chillblast.com said that they would have some of the hs in stock in by dec last year, but they still don't have them.

NDC: You didn't say what temps you get with the new hs.

At the moment i am have an ASUS PC-DL Delux with 2* 2.4GHZ HT funning at 141FSB (2.5GHz) with a system temps of 52 deg(always at full load with 4 seti processes (http://setiathome2.ssl.berkeley.edu/fcgi-bin/fcgi?email=monty%40proot.co.uk&cmd=user_stats_new)), 2*512 DDR333. Origionally i had two CNPS5100-CU coolers, but the temps were about 15 deg higher. I too found the stock intel fans to be too loud, so i am now using the 60mm fans from the zalmans, much quieter at 4500rpm.

Proot

NDC
01-11-2004, 9:17 PM
Welcome to XPC, Proot! :)

About 36~38c idle and 43~46c max...