Abit Fatal1ty F-I90HD Build Questions

SpinyNorman

SpinyNorman

SpinyNorman

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Joined
20 Feb 2003
Posts
88
Hi - I'm about to build an HTPC based on this board & have a couple of questions :

  • The manual says that it dosen't support x4 device width RAM, so should I go for "CAS 5-5-5-15" or "CAS 3-3-3-12" RAM? Performance isn't so much of an issue as I won't be overclocking. Value is my priority here.
  • As for a cooler I want to keep the noise down as much as possible, does anyone know if the Zalman CNPS7700 will fit OK? The case will be the Antec Fusion so I guess a fanless Scythe is out of the question as it will be too tall.

Thanks for any advice you can give! :)
 
If you want value RAM on this board I would go for
GeIL Value - overclocked on the board I can get CAS 4-4-4-12. I've four 1gb sticks and it's great value for money at under £85 for 2gb.

As for a CPU cooler I would go with a Akasa AK-955. I have one in my cube case and it low and works well, but just make sure you have the quite fan running in BIOS otherwise it is very loud!
 
The timings will depend on the rated RAM speed. I should check out the list of RAMs successfully tested with the ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 chipset published by ATi here:

http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonxpress1250dsk/memory.html

2GB Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5 (not C5D - optimised for n680i) looks like really good value 1066MHz RAM for about £175.

I would also check out this thread at AVS Forums in relation to an HCPC build:-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=835987&page=2&pp=30&highlight=FI90HD

I fancy putting a F-190HD HCPC system together myself with an E6600 and the 2GB Corsair above but there are BIOS issues with this board, it seems, and I'm waiting to see how it all pans out.

Do keep us advised of your progress and good luck with your build.
 
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I've had no issues with the BIOS. In fact I've had no issues with the board at all. I'm using the latest version of the BIOS (version 12) which offers a multiplier adjustment (down only).

Seems rock solid to me.
 
Checked out!

I took a guess and plumped for the crucial 3-3-3 (BL2KIT12864AA663). Ah - thanks for the ati link - it checks out on the RAM list.

Here's the build list. I'm impressed that there's Vista drivers for everything listed. I'll let you know how the build goes & if I run into any issues.

The only thing I'm anticipating is having to put the SATA drivers onto a USB key in order for the Vista install to see the HD. And I'll need a USB key to flash the latest BIOS as I refused to buy a floppy drive :)

Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T-500
Zalman CNPS7700-CU
Microsoft Remote Keyboard
Antec Fusion HTPC Case
Pioneer DVR-112DBK
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz
Abit Fatal1ty F-I90HD
AirPace Wifi PCI-E card
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Samsung SpinPoint T HD501LJ 500GB
Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre 2005 Remote
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium OEM
 
@ sithompson

Lucky you if there are no issues, but what speed is your system at? Is it o/c'd? if you're on GEIL Value @ 4-4-4-12, I guess not.

I'm looking for a stable 350MHz FSB (the board maxes @ about 378MHz, apparently). It gets flaky at the higher speeds according to what I've seen around other forums.

Have you tried HD-DVD or Blu-ray @ 1080P via HDMI yet?

@ SpinyNorman

Fingers crossed then.....
 
It's overclocked :)

I have validated the CPU-Z info

E6600 @ 3.3Ghz (368 x 9)
4gb GeIL PC5300 CAS4-4-4-12 (this RAM is fantastic - I think the proof is evident by the CPU-Z readings. This RAM seems to be ignored by a lot of folks)
Stock volts

Yes the board quits at 378, which means I cannot get the CPU to run at 3.4Ghz (ie 1Ghz overclocked) :(

I have not tried to on board video. I needed the board for a mobile gaming rig and the F-I90HD seem to offer the best o/c for a matx board - OK its poor but it's a mile ahead of all the matx boards I've tried.

HTH
 
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SpinyNorman said:
The only thing I'm anticipating is having to put the SATA drivers onto a USB key in order for the Vista install to see the HD. And I'll need a USB key to flash the latest BIOS as I refused to buy a floppy drive
Click to expand...
unless you are running RAID I would expect it to recognise the HDD without a driver.
As well as flashing from USB you should be able to flash in Windows using FlashMenu should you choose to.
 
Thanks for that, good to know.

I've also amended my order to swap the Zalman cooler with an Arctic 7, I don't think that there's any way the Zalman would have fitted with the northbridge heatsink so close to the cpu socket.
 
:eek: All I can say is "Wow!!". That RAM is unbelievable. What an overclock! I'm off to get some..............

Very impressive result, my friend! Time to build myself one of those systems.
 
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