New Build Pre Build Questions

[william19999]

Hi;

I just joined this forum. I am about to do my 6th system build. In the past I have always used Asus Motherboards.
This time I am going to try something a little different. My last two builds utilized AMD APU's. These builds worked out
well. However after OCing the build; I eliminated my need for a Graphics card. I also don't use any PCI slots.
So Most of the ATX spec board is wasted space and takes up space in my case.

This is what I plan to do this time; plus I have a a question.

MOBO: ASROCK FM2 A88X-ITX (which will fit my ATX Midi 8 Fan chassis (4 holes).

Memory: Patriot 8 DDR3 1866 Extreme Performance Viper 3 Series Kit (2 X 4GB).
Windows 7 32-bit.
I may have to go with low profile RAM because of cooler issues.

APU: AMD A10-7850K Black Box Edition.

For now, I am keeping my 5 Sata 500Gb each Drives. Two internal.

============================================


Question #1: After reading the only extended review of the ASROCK Motherboard
I could find it seems the designers made a few bad decisions during layout. I still
plan to go this way anyway. There is a gold capacitor on the board that interferes
with mounting most if not all coolers. If someone has found a workable
cooler solution please let me know. There are so few possible low profile coolers
available.

Issues
--------

The VRM's have no heat sinks so they will get real hot.
The RAM slots are real close to the CPU socket.

That's where I am right now. I really would appreciate any suggestions
especially from anyone who has dealt with this Motherboard.

Best - Bill

[Spyone1]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

One thing I noticed straight up.

You are using Windows 7 32 bit

Unless they have changed things recently, your Windows 7 will only recognize and address 4Gb of RAM (actually 3.3Gb or thereabouts)
Happy to be corrected here, but the 8Gb of RAM would be wasted.

[william19999]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions - Yup!

One thing I noticed straight up.

You are using Windows 7 32 bit

Unless they have changed things recently, your Windows 7 will only recognize and address 4Gb of RAM (actually 3.3Gb or thereabouts)
Happy to be corrected here, but the 8Gb of RAM would be wasted.

Hi and thank for commenting;

Its hard to find a supplier of 2X 2GB memory sticks these days. I don't really mind wasting some memory. So for a couple of extra
bucks; I'll just get the 2X4 GB sticks. I am aware that Windows 7 / 32-bit only supports
3+ Gb out of an installed 4GB.

Right now I am on a search for a low profile cooler that can fit without touching a single isolated Gold
capacitor on the mother board. One guy actually cut out a portion of a low profile heat sink to make it
fit. I am not at that point yet.

Regards - Bill

[william19999]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions - Problem Resolved

Thanks everybody for reading my post;

I found several cooling solutions:

Prolemitech Samuel 17 Cooler. Sidewinder Computer Systems $39.99

Thermalright AXP-100.


I found a complete review for the Samuel 17.

As for a fan solution: Akasa Apache 120mm@ 57cfm - Sidewinder computer Systems $12.99


Both of these were used by guys that built similar systems. e.g. same ASROCK MOBO!


Since My Existing ATX Midi Chassis can mount a Mini-ITX and already has 8 fans that
I optimized for cooling my existing rig I plan to use that.


Regrads to all - Bill

[- wardog -]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

Gary at Sidewinder is knowledgeable. Have you thought about passing it by him?

[william19999]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

Gary at Sidewinder is knowledgeable. Have you thought about passing it by him?

Hi WarDog;

Who is Gary? what is Sidewinder?

If Gary has built a system with this particular motherboard (ASROCK - FM2 A88X-ITX+) sure
I would like to ask him about his experience and answer any questions he might have. Thanks.

How do I contact him?

Note: However this will be my 7th system build at home. My job is I am a Principle Systems Engineer
and a consultant. My specialty right now is Neural-Network Applications. Over about 15 years I have
built many different industry related systems. I usually join a forum if I can't find a particular solution
for something and also if the people at the forum are friendly; Its also a chance to exchange info and
help others.

This build will be an experiment. For one thing all my other at home builds were ATX boards. As I explained
In my initial post.

Ever since AMD took the major step of integrating processors with a GPU I became interested.


So far In two of my Asus builds; I used an APU. As you know Asus is noted for its high quality
and high reliability Motherboards. I have been following Asrock for a few years and even Zotac to
see what they were up too. I may be taking a risk this time. I just don't see a lot of reviews for
Asrock boards. There are a few independent reviewers. Most of the comments are positive.
Hopefully someone at this forum has done a build with the Asrock motherboard I mentioned.
and will share their experience.


I was surprised at the layout issues that are being reported. The capacitor issue is not a really
big deal in my opinion but not putting a heat sink on the VRMs is questionable at best. "Silicon hates
heat".


Thanks for threading me Regards Bill

[profJim]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

Computer Liquid Cooling & Premium Air Products, Parts, Kits & Accessories | Sidewinder Computers

https://www.facebook.com/gary.sidewinder

Sidewinder Computer Systems, Inc. Reviews - sidewindercomputers.com Ratings at ResellerRatings

[- wardog -]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

Prolemitech Samuel 17 Cooler. Sidewinder Computer Systems $39.99

As for a fan solution: Akasa Apache 120mm@ 57cfm - Sidewinder computer Systems $12.99

Gary at Sidewinder is knowledgeable. Have you thought about passing it by him?

Hi WarDog;

Who is Gary? what is Sidewinder?

Computer Liquid Cooling & Premium Air Products, Parts, Kits & Accessories | Sidewinder Computers

https://www.facebook.com/gary.sidewinder

Sidewinder Computer Systems, Inc. Reviews - sidewindercomputers.com Ratings at ResellerRatings

Now that that's out of the way. ..................



6th build or 7th build, who's counting, right?



As you imply, if your intentions are to overclock this build, and admitting you're aware "Silicon hates heat" , why begin with a motherboard with no heatsinks over the VRM's? Is that not a recipe for disaster, even before the bell rings, the gate opens, and the race begins? Even accounting for the downdraft from the Samuel 17's fan and your case's 8 fans, you are correct in stating this build will be an experiment.

Another is don't be surprised at layout issues with Mini-ITX boards and high performance 3rd party HS/F's. Mini-ITX boards from many manufacturers, not just the FM2A88X-ITX+ in particular, have found it hard to accommodate and or account for the req'd circuitry and still provide a modicum of space for which users may mount aftermarket HS/F's. This board isn't the only board, Mini-ITX or otherwise, that has parts that interfere with 3rd party high performance HS mountings. IIRC it's Akasa's website in their respective product listing/details that lists many boards that this happens with. IE: their product isn't compatible due to interference/layout issues. Simply, the smaller a board gets the less wiggle room there is with which to work with.

[william19999]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

Now that that's out of the way. ..................



6th build or 7th build, who's counting, right?



As you imply, if your intentions are to overclock this build, and admitting you're aware "Silicon hates heat" , why begin with a motherboard with no heatsinks over the VRM's? Is that not a recipe for disaster, even before the bell rings, the gate opens, and the race begins? Even accounting for the downdraft from the Samuel 17's fan and your case's 8 fans, you are correct in stating this build will be an experiment.

Another is don't be surprised at layout issues with Mini-ITX boards and high performance 3rd party HS/F's. Mini-ITX boards from many manufacturers, not just the FM2A88X-ITX+ in particular, have found it hard to accommodate and or account for the req'd circuitry and still provide a modicum of space for which users may mount aftermarket HS/F's. This board isn't the only board, Mini-ITX or otherwise, that has parts that interfere with 3rd party high performance HS mountings. IIRC it's Akasa's website in their respective product listing/details that lists many boards that this happens with. IE: their product isn't compatible due to interference/layout issues. Simply, the smaller a board gets the less wiggle room there is with which to work with.

Ok! My mistake about how many builds I did. Sorry! I'm bullet proof!! But, I didn't come here to get into a war! I only wanted some
information and possibly feedback from someone who has dealt with that particular ASROCK Mini-ITX board.

As far as your comment about the VRM's. I plan to add a custom heat sink.

My comment about silicon was rhetorical. Many years ago I worked in the Semiconductor Division of
Texas Instruments. We always used to say that. Its just meant to be a humorous comment.

Bill

[- wardog -]

Re: New Build Pre Build Questions

War? Arguing? The beerchug I added there was humorous.

Have a good one there.