DFI LP NF3-250GB

[bluetooth]

The heatsink is exceptionally HOT!

[Brad]

Maybe it is because DFI have configured the board to supply the chipset with more voltage than normal, to force a higher fsb out of the board? Have you tried an aftermarket heatsink and fan setup?

[bluetooth]

Not sure. but I think an active heatsink would be better.

[AUDSCOTT]

Active cooling hs/f and application of AS3 are my first priority, after I confirm the board functions with my RAM. (Corsair PC3500 XMS)

[bluetooth]

Alternatively you can use a fan to blow at the heatsink.

[AUDSCOTT]

Another advantage of the Gigabyte Rocket 3D, the fan blows outward and down, with a shroud directing the air along the surface of the board....at least that's my take...I still like active cooling - I'll be on the look out for a good chipset cooler, maybe my Tiger1 will fit.

[bluetooth]

Yes that might help but it won't reach the chipset heatsink.

[AUDSCOTT]

Yes that might help but it won't reach the chipset heatsink.

You mean the Tiger chipset cooler? :D I think I'll be removing the shroud anyway. a couple of the reviews pointed out increased cooling without the added back pressure.

[AUDSCOTT]

Set-up the board last night. After I confirmed I indeed have a living breathing Momma, the chipset came off, with a fresh app of AS3. I had a few chipset hs/f laying around, but alas, most we too high to clear the video card (you have about and inch give or take). So I put a mini fan on the original heatsink. Self-attaching screws worked very nice. I used 2 X 256 Corsair PC3500 XMS (slots 1 & 2 are best for me - set at 5/6)divider), Shapphire 9800 pro Ultra (heatsink cooling), add on RAID card (2 IDE Maxtor 8 MB drives) and added a Gigabyte 3D rocket cooler. I played a little bit with a fresh install of XP SP2, but it seemed a little buggy. No real problems, but I can always update, so I went back to SP1. I set the HTT to 4, multiplier (Newcastle 3200) to
9, V-core at 1.55 plus 103%, V-mem 2.8, V-chip 1.7 and started cranking. It flaked out at 182, and refused to boot at 183, 181 to 176 we less than stable (Q3/3DM2001), but 175 is a winner! I haven't done a lot of benching...hell I haven't played a game in months (back to school), but, damn-it...I wanted a new toy.

Sisandra tops out at 3600 memory. Not the best scores, but far from the low end of the 3200 64 spectrum too.

Smartguardian reports temps are a bit hot, although the heatsink is cool to the touch. I've read the BIOS readings are off. I have plenty of care cooling, and the Northwest (Washington State) is a great place to overclock (usually cool).

I'm still tweaking, and time is tight, but this is something I enjoy....warts and all.

By t he way, my old system was a P4 4.2 @3.3, Abit IC7 board with Termaltake Vol 7+ hs/f and all the other goodies above in an Antex 1080 case. Can "see" the difference? Well, you know how it is. I want to, plus a fresh install of XP helps too. It's a nice toy, does a little work for school and job, but primarily a seldom accessed hobby.

[bluetooth]

So what multiplier x fsb did you use?