Carl Lowenstein wrote: > On Jan 19, 2008 2:22 AM, James G. Sack (jim) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> David Looney wrote: >> >>> I bought two of the ECS athlon boards in the past due to the very >>> attractive price for the cpu/mb combo. I didn't have one fail to start >>> but none lasted more than 6 months without failing. Then it didn't seem >>> so inexpensive. >> Well, I may have the same experience, 'cause I took a gamble today. >> >> Today (Friday) through Tuesday, Jan 22 Frys has: >> >> - E2180 (cpu, boxed) + ECS 945GCT-M/1333 .. $79.99 >> they ring it up as $49.19 + $29.80 >> so I figure I've only gambled the 29.80 >> >> - OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC6400 .. $24.99 (after $30 rebate) >> >> - Antec NSK1300 (w/ 300W PS) uATX Cube Case .. $29.99 (after $35 rebate) >> >> So I got a set. $135. The disks, etc maybe can come from my junkpile. >> >> I put it together and it runs (hey!). Running memtest now. >> The ECS _looks_ decent to me .. for whatever that counts. >> The Antec, I would rate as a very nice package. >> The memory seems like a good brand and has a lifetime warranty, seems >> to have good latency and CAS specs (I believe) and even has heat spreaders. > > How is the system for fan noise? Tolerable in: the bedroom, the > study, the living room?
The main cooling from PS and CPU is "not too bad", but noticable, maybe more than wanted in a bedroom. BUT, that's with the covers off. I'll update later with covers. > Are there special provisions for CPU cooling, or just hope that the > airflow will be sufficient around a standard heatsink-fan assembly? No special heat pipes, or anything like that. The main PS exhaust is large -- about 4.5 inches. It also has an extra fan that mounts in a blank slot, labeled "lows speed cyclone blower". I haven't hooked it up yet. This is my first experience with a small form factor. It's not as small as the Shuttle or (which I think I'm thankful for). There's no floppy cutout (who cares, anymore). I like the case, it looks well designed and manufactured. And reasonable to work in. The drive cage flops out. The uATX assembled without difficulty. The huge Intel heatsink fan was cause for worry at first, but it ends up with about 3-4 mm of clearance withe about 1/3 of the fan nestling underneath an L-shape outline of the PS. |--------- | | | | | |----- | | |---------| | | |---------| | | |--hs/fan-| | | |---------| | | |_________| | | |---cpu---| | | |---------| ______________________________________ > > Today (Saturday) the Fry's ad shows another ECS motherboard of > approximately the same specs, but with Athlon X2 BE-2300 for $68.99. > Wonder whether to choose AMD over Intel or not. My take is that Intel currently has the lead in bang for the Watt, and a performance lead too. The Intel-compatible boards seem to gravitate toward the GMA950 video chip. AMD seem to have Nvidia (I think). ..other opinions? Regards, ..jim -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
