Intel D975XBX (Bad Axe)

[TQ]

All my parts are now sitting behind me here in the Daywalker Studio packed in their various boxes. I actually had to run over the UPS Customer Service office last night to retrieve the Antec case and the Mushkin RAM because - for some unknown reason - the UPS guy decided for the first time ever that he needed a signature and Mrs. TQ (who works from home and is here 99% of the time) had a doctor's appointment at the same time UPS tried to deliver. I got home around 4 yesterday afternoon thinking I'd be home in plenty of time to accept UPS's hand off and was surprised to see an "attempt to deliver" notice on my front door.
They have never asked for a signature and have always left the various packages over the years on our porch. Further, they have always come after 6pm, instead of the 2pm time they came by yesterday. Don't know why the change but it doesn't really matter, although it's something to note for the future.
While I was out I dropped by Fry's to pick up a Plextor 760A DVD burner to top off the system. Now, everything's here.

Interesting that Plextor's are now significantly less expensive than they used to be. I paid $120 (excluding tax) for the 760A and that's less than I am accustomed to paying for Plextor drives. They used to be twenty or so bucks higher for brand new models as I recall.
My only regret was that I couldn't get a SATA version but I reckon the 760A is so new that they haven't gotten the SATA version to market yet.

[TQ]

Man...the PPC&C 610 was a beast to install. Mrs. TQ finally finagled it while I held on to the case to prevent movement. Tight fit. So far, that's been the only real challenge to get in.
Core Duo is much easier than Socket 478's to install...

[TQ]

Gawd..eVGA's 7900GTX may just be the most awesome computer component we've ever seen.
It was also the easiest fitting video card we've ever installed. *snicker-snack*....done.

We're done for the night and will finish over the weekend.

By the way, lately I've been feeling like this thread has gone into hibernation. Anyone else out there?

[JimTram]

I'm here... just watching. Nothing brilliant to say. I am anxiously awaiting your "after action" report. My turn after BAII and DX10.

Originally Posted by TQ

Gawd..eVGA's 7900GTX may just be the most awesome computer component we've ever seen.
It was also the easiest fitting video card we've ever installed. *snicker-snack*....done.

We're done for the night and will finish over the weekend.

By the way, lately I've been feeling like this thread has gone into hibernation. Anyone else out there?

[TQ]

Originally Posted by JimTram

I'm here... just watching.

We'll get back to the install tomorrow after the Texas/OU game. I should have something to report Sunday, after I get the system's software configured.

[Pentium4]

Hi TQ Am here as well, when not on hands and knees pulling my new system apart for the hundredth time Decided to put my new gear into a new case (Antec NSK4400) but it turns out it is smaller inside than my previous one However after lots of juggling seem to have found the perfect combination, and surprisingly the wires/cables are even neater inside this case Am just fine tuning the cooling while also keeping it dead silent. Have also noticed how quiet it is here, they must all be running around trying to find a revision 306 board

[SpeedDMN]

Originally Posted by Pentium4

Have also noticed how quiet it is here, they must all be running around trying to find a revision 306 board

Either that or sitting on our hands waiting for the badaxe2 with a core 2 quadro. Isn't the .306 already out?

[Pentium4]

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

Isn't the .306 already out?

Err... yes, have been using it for a couple of weeks now, hence my little dig

[SpeedDMN]

Originally Posted by Pentium4

Err... yes, have been using it for a couple of weeks now, hence my little dig

Cool any noticable differences over the .305?

[Pentium4]

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

Cool any noticable differences over the .305?

Yes ... Intel engineers have been busy adding major performance enhancing tweaks to this new version. As posted earlier, the improvements were:

1) Updated Bios (1351)
2) Updated Audio Codec
3) Updated Serial No. (The extra digits add atleast a 10% performance gain)

However have just read the review over at vr-zone on BX2, and it looks quite nice (great comparison pics) Surprisingly the performance between BX1 and BX2 were the same, but that was probably because they were using the older 304 version BX1 without the updated serial number

The addition of the power switch for bench testing would be a help for those that need it, and no more percentages for overclocking, plus vdimm upto an amazing 2.80V Depending on what Asus brings out shortly, may swap this board over for the newer BX2, and try it out for myself

[SpeedDMN]

Sorry didn't mean to make you repeat yourself. Hard for me to keep track of everything must be my altzheimers acting up Pretty good review on the BX2 here http://www.legitreviews.com/article/395/1/

[switch_abx]

Pentium4, can you elaborate on this? How can the Serial No. be updated?

Originally Posted by Pentium4

Yes ... Intel engineers have been busy adding major performance enhancing tweaks to this new version. As posted earlier, the improvements were:

3) Updated Serial No. (The extra digits add atleast a 10% performance gain)

[TQ]

Whew...nice to see all you guys are still here. I was getting kind of worried that I'd be digging the word "HELP" in the sand and hoping to be spotted by a passing jet liner.

I'm still in awe of the eVGA 7900GTX. It's beautiful in the way a good handgun is. Lovely lines and a purposeful look. I still can't believe someone built a video card that looks this good.

The Antec P-180 case is pretty impressive. The only struggle was getting the PPC&C PSU to fit. I was worried for a moment that we weren't going to be able to do it without removing the bottom fan, but finally we were successful.
It may present a challenge with getting the X-Fi installed, as much of the cabling covers up one of the PCI slots, but we'll see.

[Pentium4]

Originally Posted by switch

Pentium4, can you elaborate on this? How can the Serial No. be updated?

Easy....Intel simply wanted to update their product number. To assist you, here is a blatant copy from the PCN:-

"Serial Number Changes: Product Serial numbers will begin transitioning from a numerical only 5-digit value to a base 34 alpha-numeric value. This new serial number will include numerical values and alphabet characters from A-Z, except for I and O. This change is a soft conversion, and will occur when the supply of older serial number labels has been depleted".

As you can see, quite a meaningful and long thought out update Hope this helps as am unable to assist further...who knows what Intel is thinking these days Would have preferred they update the memory to support 1066MHz

[Pentium4]

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

Sorry didn't mean to make you repeat yourself. Hard for me to keep track of everything must be my altzheimers acting up Pretty good review on the BX2 here http://www.legitreviews.com/article/395/1/

That's ok SpeedDMN no harm done As for keeping track, I can't even remember how to make a clickable link anymore which is why I couldn't link the vr-zone article for you guys to see Thanks for linking the legit one though