Best cheap mobo/cpu combo!?

[littlalex]

Hello All - Just wanted to share with some of you looking for a cheap system to run GBPVR.

I've discovered the joy of using OCed Mobile Celeron's to build fast cheap PVR systems that also run cool and quiet.

These chips are OC'ng wonders. I currently have three systems running the combo of cheap (under $30) mobos running Mobicels (also under $30). The Mobicel runs natively with 100 MHz FSB, 256K cache (as opposed to equivalent Northwood Celly's 128K) and 1.3 Watts.

My systems are:

Albatron 845PEV Pro w/2.4 Mobicel a@ 3.36 GHz (140 MHz FSB) (40% OC)
QDI 845pe based mobo w/1.7 Mobicel @2.83 GHz (166 MHz FSB) (66% OC)
Asus SIS 661 based mobo w/1.6 Mobicel @3.2 GHz (100% OC) (200 MHz FSB)
This CPU cost me 8 bucks plus $3.00 shipping

All Parts courtesy Ebay.
To check it out at Anandtech there's an ongoing thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview....erthread=y

Peace,
Littlalex
Poor and Cheap

[gEd]

small correction: 1.3V not 1.3W !!

sounds like you have got yourself a bargin - nice one.

[littlalex]

Thanks, that's a small but "frying" correction!

8^)
Littlalex

[lonegeek]

Interobangs are ?! not !?

[lonegeek]

I was just reading that other message board.. You have bend the cpu pins off... Seems like an easy way to waste 20+ dollars

[littlalex]

Hi - the pin mod is only needed with some mobos. None of my three systems needed any pin mods. But even so...$20 CPU=2.8-3.00 GHz w/some risk
or 2.8 GHz P4 for $150+ A no brainer for me. Cutting a P4 pin is hardly in the realm of heavy hardware hacking.

Littlalex

[lonegeek]

Have you had any problems with the processors overheating or data loss?

[dneprrider]

Hi - the pin mod is only needed with some mobos. None of my three systems needed any pin mods. But even so...$20 CPU=2.8-3.00 GHz w/some risk
or 2.8 GHz P4 for $150+ A no brainer for me. Cutting a P4 pin is hardly in the realm of heavy hardware hacking.

Littlalex

Has ebay been the best place to pick up this hardware? I tried looking fon ebay for some of the mobos listed on the link and came up empty.

I'm game to try out new things especially when I have to do hardware mods.. I'm an electrical engineer and that stuff is fun.

And the price is right....

[lonegeek]

All the mobile celerons have fsb of like 400mhz

[littlalex]

Lonegeek - Hi, no problem with any data loss and no real problem with heat, except for tht fact that there is no
heat spreader on the CPU as there is for most socket 478 chips. Some third party fans don't make great contact but most do.
I've had perfect sucess with stock Intel HSFs.

dneprrider - I wouldn't worry to much about getting the exact boards listed on the forum. The Modis Operandi I use now (and
from now on) is to search Ebay for Intel 845 (preferably PE) or SIS 64*/65* mobos and then go to the manufacturers site and get the manual to see about OC functions. There is some adventure involved as I just got in an IBM (brand) 865G based board and I can't get the sucker to post (but I paid $12 with no warranty - so the boards may just be bad.)

I tend to off brands (I avoid the Asus boards reccommended on the forum as Asus almost always command a premium price)
my two favorite "sleeper" brands are Albatron and Foxconn.

Regards and good hunting,
Littlalex