Need some help with a Tyan S2460

[mondobyte]

I recently had a 2460 fail. I did notice that the VRM1 and VRM2 temps were higher than I liked. (44C). Do these temps refer to the big chip that is under the large passive heatsink near the middle of the board. If not, what do they refer to and where is it on the mobo. I have a tall (2") 486 heatsink/fan that would fit nicely instead of the large current passive heatsink. In fact, the mounting bracket for the current passive heatsink would hold the 486 HSF in place without any modifications being required to heatsink or motherboard. Of course, I was also thinking of replacing the white goo with AS3 or Arctic Aluminium as well. It seems to me that the much higher profile of the 486 Heatsink would provide as much, if not more, passive cooling than the stock heatsink so even if the fan failed, it would not be catastrophic. Would such a "mod" be ill advised? Why?

Next, I have some PC2100 Registered ECC memory on it's way ... I sent it back to be RMA'd. (If I understand correctly, all Registered Memory is ECC so specifiying ECC is redundant). I've heard several anecdotes that the Tyan 2460 will run with memory that is NOT Registered. I have several 256mb sticks of PC2100. (2 Kingston and 1 noname). None seem to work in any of the memory slots. I have the bus jumpers set at 133 because I have Athlon MP 1.2 processors installed (133x9.5). Does anyone know what the "magic" formula is to get Non-Registered Non-ECC memory to post? Has anyone successfully used Non-Registered PC2100 memory with a 133x?? Processor? If so, I am interested in specific information about what memory worked (Brand, etc.) and any special jumper settings or BIOS settins?

Finally, will Thoroughbred processors run in this mobo (at least up to 1900)? Obviously Palomino MP cores run fine ... mine are Palominos I believe.

Deeply appreciate any help that anyone can provide.

[NDC]

I recently had a 2460 fail. I did notice that the VRM1 and VRM2 temps were higher than I liked. (44C).

44C isn't bad at all. I had mine run at like 55 many times on hot days...




Do these temps refer to the big chip that is under the large passive heatsink near the middle of the board. If not, what do they refer to and where is it on the mobo.



I believe the VRMs are the copper coils you see next to the processor sockets...


I wouldn't replace anything on it. I would just use the way it is. I'm sure Tyan tested this motherboard to a good extent where modifications would not be necessary. That's just my personal opinion...


As for your comment on memory, if I'm not mistaken,

S2460 can have a memory total of 3.5GB when registered ECC modules are used (not 4GB since PCI devices use portions of the memory) , with unbuffered non-ECC memory, 512 MB using DIMMs in a 2x16Mx8 configuration...