Bones

We're in here somewhere - Maybe.

Nice run!

A7M on standby....

I see the point you're making here. As for longer bench runs, again we have two comps already running the 32M Super PI bench and the 1024M WPrime is a suggestion for a longer run. Here's a thought - A real challenge for this socket would be MaxxMem since 754 doesn't support dual channel RAM. If you can get a good score there, you've really done something.

Don't forget NF4 chipped 754 boards have PCI-E slots for cards.

I agree with the above - Cards based on both GPU types can be ran on Socket 754 along with standard PCI cards too. I'd also like to see something else besides GPU benching done for variety, maybe 1024M WPrime runs too? We're currently running some PI benchies in a contest or two and this would be something different but not ruling either of those out. Since many AGP cards don't like or even in a few cases run some of the newer 3D benchies, I'd suggest something compatable for all.

Awww.... That's too bad guys, maybe we'll have something with 754 later...

Now why would I think otherwise? Thanks for taking care of that.

Unless I've missed something, when I tried to do an entry in 32M Super PI, the page was asking for a videocard and we know there is no slot to enter that info since it's Super PI, not a 3D bench - Yet the page says my entry isn't complete for that reason. Bug - Or does each person need an entry in both to complete things?

Now yer cooking Travy!

I would like to have this card model added please. All other 9200's shown are listed as being AGP slot cards but this one is not. I've included a GPU-Z reading shot of the card in question and thanks!

Nice work NY!

I'd have to agree with that. This individual could cause problems for your team and that's not good. You did voluntarily bring it up and that works in your favor so no prob there. I would however address it directly with the individual FIRST just to be fair about things. Let them know what you've been seeing and ask them to explain it and let them know the consequences involved if it's not corrected on their part. This way if it happens to be an honest goof on their part, they have a chance to correct things BUT don't forget to look after your team's good standing as well. If he's still hurting things after you address it directly with them, boot 'em and be done with it.

All things considered, not bad at all! Hope you get it sorted out soon and really show us what it can do.

I'd love to have that board - Nice one indeed!

Congrats to team OCX for the win and to H.O.T. for a strong showing at the end - It's too bad only one could win since every team that competed was deserving but that's how it goes. I too would like to see more of these comps done - Had fun doing it and looking foward to competing in the next one.

Indeed.

Thanks for the reply. Since this seemed to fit the rules at the time, wanted to be sure before I did anything. Believe I can manage that one well enough.

I have a question. I'm guessing it may not be allowed but I'll ask it anyway. I have a dual CPU Socket A board and of course a pair of CPU's for it, both being native single core chips. Since there would be no unlocking involved or use of a chip with more than a single core, could this be considered legal? I know even this may not do so well but still, it would be fun to see how it stacks up anyway. Just one of those "For the hell of it" attempts if allowed.

Please understand these are my thoughts and mine alone. This is a really complicated issue and frankly the posts in this thread have been all over the place on the topic but with good reason. All I'm doing is trying to make some sense of it within myself and expesssing that. Every member here stands to be impacted by what goes on in some way and yes, I'm included in that too so I'm saying what's on my mind about it all. The recent deal about hardware sharing is a real issue and I have to agree this isn't good for the sport. Cheating to be the best doesn't prove anything since those who do cheat either do it because dishonesty is in their nature or they've already tried and failed so they must resort to cheating = lack of skill. Overall this amounts to ego and some do have such a thing going on unfortunately. However if one were to use this issue as a vehicle to justify changes, we know it's fraught with the temptation to twist the issue to the point of achieving a different, more agenda-like outcome. History is full of examples of such a thing happening and it always results in the same thing - Disaster. We've also heard the deal about sponsorships. With what I'm seeing, here is my honest thoughts on it. Please note I honestly believe the hardware sharing issue is part of what's being used to justify the changes the way they are being done for the following reasons. The big boys can post results that makes the new hardware look good and that's fine for making sales of the new stuff. It's called "Marketing" and along with great results, they also write reviews for the sponsors. I have to agree with Massman on one thing - Maintaining a busy site like that is expensive but that's where the corporate $$'s come in to make up the difference. You can bet if there is an investment made from sponsors, they'll be expecting something in return for it. If they should get little or nothing back, the plug will be pulled and that's it. I've seen references to the financial status of the bot posted and with that as an issue, it's no suprise to me we're seeing these changes being made and believe this is why and believe it's not voluntary on the staff's part. In short, the sponsors have "Bought" a site to showcase their latest hardware and folks like us will only serve to mess things up to the point of the occasional embarasment of said hardware. If you guys will recall, Myself with another HWbot member (Placid) made some of the later MB's with better chipsets look bad with our older Socket 754 boards in terms of MHz achived. The reference clock list shows the two of us ahead of several newer chipset entries with varied namebrands shown for these and many are actually DDR2 setups. I've nothing but respect for Placid, he got the job done with skill and was respectful to myself and all involved. Just so happens he got lucky enough to get a validation file where I coudn't with that MHz, so there you go. He's ranked for good reason and proves it everyday as the rest of us strive to do. On this note: Some of us are actually dangerous to the marketing goals of the sponsors involved. I can promise you if I had access to this kind of hardware, I'd be embarrasing alot of those big boys and yes, I have beaten more than one with lesser cooling methods to boot. Kick out those who could be a threat to your business goals and lock the ones you want in - That's the name of the game. As to why I don't do more than I do already, it's called "Making a living" and I don't have the time to dedicate to OC'ing as many others do but that could change one day. If I had the same deal these guys have, I could also get some great results too and have the time to do it with, no prob. Also remember established names in the OC'ing world will sell hardware since it is considered a sport. Look at the DICE pots Kingpin is selling as an example. Many want these because it's a kingpin pot and the name of a known high profile OC'er in itself will help sell the product. You associate a well known name with a product, post some great results and you get $$'s is how it works. Not saying Kingpin doesn't know his stuff (He obviously does and deserves his reputation), I'm saying with a known name associated with a given product, it's the name recognition linking it to performance. Everyone wants to be the next Jimmy Johnson in racing or Michael Jordan in basketball so why not add their name to a product line or at least associate the name in some way? It will sell stuff and the marketing guys know this, otherwise they woudn't do it in the first place and have been doing that for years now so it must work. Now, the rest of us aren't known on the stage of OC'ing as being tops so it looks we're to be disposed of. Rev 3 was a step in this direction and since we along with many others didn't get out, now it's on to step 4 and I believe this is being mandated by the big $$ behind the scenes, the bot's staff fighting it of course but in the end, we know who'll win out when the chips are down. Like it or not that's how it's looking to me. These sponsors also know most teams cannot do an OC'ing session and the big boys that's established themselves are the names to rely on and I'd be willing to bet many are already on corporate sponsored under-the-table payrolls. They don't need to worry about a 9 to 5 since OC'ing IS their job. Call them reviewers or what you'd like. Just another way to eliminate us that could be trouble to their marketing goals. Sorry dudes, but it is about money in the end - Maybe not so much for the site and folks involved with the site itself but definitely for the site's sponsors. I've been on both sides of the corporate world, having seen things everyday within my own place of work, talked and seen things from the sales guys, spoken with the actual CEO's and whatnot, it all adds up to the same basic pattern. I blame the names of the corporations shown on the bot's frontpage for this, not the bot's staff. In fact I know it can't be fun for them either. That's my personal take on it guys.

You go Rom! That's how it's done!

A: Yes we did make the choice of what to bench with. B: No, heavily rewarding unpopular hardware isn't a good idea since as you've pointed out, less competition there normally means it's easier to get a good score and points to go with it. Have to agree with you for the most part on that. C: I don't care what company caters to what, I'm going to do what I can with what I have to do it with. As to comps with older hardware, check out some of the HWbot monthly comps that's been held this year - That's right.... At least two I can name did just that with Socket A and Socket 754 and I did participate in those. As to the statement about points not being a motivator or you'd be in the more/most popular categories, it's not always as cut and dried as that for everyone. BTW, I COULD invest more $$ than I do in it (Lots more in fact) but I don't and that's my choice. My priorities are my own and I have my reasons for them being as such. As for the rest... Some of us simply cannot afford the newest "Toy" to bench with on a regular basis and this applies to alot of folks starting out here, making do with what they can get, plus availability of parts based on where you live plays a part. This is where the "Skill" part comes in, esp in lesser/unpopular categories and proves one's ability to tweak things. True, luck also plays a part in the pieces you have could be really good or just a crappy one like a fantastic clocking 555BE vs another like it that tops out early with lots of voltage. Also for some, the sheer enjoyment of competing is the thing and I can say on my part, I find it to be relaxing after a tough day of work and that's my motivation. Turn it on and let 'er rip is how I unwind. Also note I have posted some runs with AM3 stuff so no, I don't post exclusively with older stuff. I'm game to bench anything I get and run it till it goes or blows up.

Will get it and see if it will work on my particular board. EDIT: Nope, even Everest didn't do the trick BUT I did note within the comparisons when doing benchmarks, EDO RAM didn't have any specs for it's speed in MHz shown. All it had was a board or two with dual EDO RAM and after that, it was blank. I haven't tried to do a report with the program yet but I doubt it would show anything if I did. For the record here, the MB I have is a Premio 219H Socket 7 - A real odd-ball and the BIOS string ID shows it being a MSI board. Unless MSI actually manufactured it for Premio, I doubt it really is a MSI build.

Have a SDRAM board I should be able to get a reading from and also got some EDO RAM for my Socket 7 but doubt I can get a reading from it. Already tried PC Wizard to see but nada so far. Perhaps something like SiSandra can show it. If I can get something, I'll post up. I'll also see if CPU-Z can get something the way Antinomy suggested.

I also say make it happen. True, there is no good way to classify one as either as a Pro or otherwise but this is clearly a step in the right direction. Making it voluntary to join the Pro league is a good thing and would entice those with the ability to score alot of points to join up with such a league. Guys who can score big points should get big rewards for their efforts since alot of them also paid the price to prove themselves as competent enough for sponsors to take notice in the first place. Those that aren't sponsored but still get the points should have an opportunity to prove themselves too and this is one way of doing it. You wanna dance with the big boys? Step up to the plate, go for it and good luck. As for those of us forced to be grinders due to whatever circumstances they may be in, why make the hill so steep, they'll never truly climb it? That's one way to discourage newbies from even trying to compete and spoils the sport since it obviously needs new blood to continue and frankly, you gotta start somewhere right? Have to say most of these new guys will indeed be grinders at first so we need to encourage them to keep grinding away - Better things will follow in time if they don't quit. We need to make this so most anyone who tries can have a sense of having a snowball's chance in Hell of accomplishing something in the first place, giving them incentive to keep trying. These newbies to the sport is where the future pros will come from and we need to encourage them to continue and not slam the door closed in their face or sites like this one will indeed die over time. Guess you could call it an investment in the future of our sport...