I stated originally that I had problem with SATA setup; then, I broke the SATA connection. I finally RMA'ed the "Hitachi" a.k.a. IBM drive two weeks ago.

As it turned out the drive was bad. An upgraded replacement drive arrived from Thailand in a record time (total turn around time was 2 weeks).

May be I have four "blue envelopes" (litigation from IBM drives) requesting plaintiff information that the new owner Hitachi is fast in replacing bad drives :)

nice servive :)

I like to share with you some of the updates since I acquired the system back in May.

Summary:
1) The SATA drive having problem with Windows install was due to a bad drive and no fault to the installer;) nor the board. The drive was RMA'ed and a new drive came without any problem.
2) GSkill memory was also RMA'ed recently; the replacement sticks come with heatspreader. They performs as advertised this time and better.
3) I acquired additional two pairs of GSkill 4x512 at a basement price.

Other than the 2x256; the others 4x512 are of the same SKU, the 1GB LE. While one pair performs better than other. I am sure you know not all memory modules are created equal :)



Of course, hardcores and gamers know how not so well heatspreader performs. A closer look at the contact area covering 1/4th the size of the memory can't be effective in heat dissipation



- 2x256 LC replacement reaches 300HTT 1T 2.8V 2.5-4-3-8
- 2x512 LE(1) reaches 300HTT 1T 2.8V 2.5-3-3-6
- 2x512 LE(2) reaches 300HTT 1T 2.8V 2.5-4-3-8

As for DFI NF4 board using 2x512MB double sided modules, I ran SuperPi and played a game of BF2.

In order to boot the system using 4x512, 2T setting must be done first otherwise I don't even see the boot screen.

There is hardly any noticeable performance hit using divider and 2T; less than half a second.



BF2 - I was unable to use High settings in Texture and Lighting (all others are at high) when 1GB was used, while using 2GB everything runs smoothly at high setting.

Doom3 has no effect on the amount(size) of memory used, nor does it care for 1T/2T setting.

Bottom line-

1) 2GB 2T 4x512mb do not give up much if any performance hit, when HTT/FSB runs high enough.
2) 2GB is good if BF2 is the only game you play.
3) Buy only from reputable resellers with excellent customer service support; and don't count on the manufacturer support at times. Large resellers will have the "purchasing power" to "collect" from the manufacturers.
4) As more people are rushing into the 2GB, 1GB pair would be more abundant in the used market for a good price.

I also have "pencil in" the SLI bridge on the NF4 chipset making it SLI ready. As advised, there is no gain in price/performance ratio using two cards.

If 4x512 will generate more heat, here is my solution.

Using the 4 heatpipes AMD stock cooler
Antec Sonata II with med exhaust fan setting
CPU fan maxed out ~2,800 rpm (auto mode) and CV fan at about the same.
Room temp ~21°C



Sound level 42.5 dBA from 70 cm front.

good temps; although the noise level might be too high for some

Perhaps by spending $10 on insulating material will reduce the noise ;)

sorry for the unsteady hand in taking the picture this morning:D

39 dBA from about 6 inches away, rear exhaust set to low. How can I complain when white noise is 37 dBA? This is when I was running DVD movie titled "Over There".

- DVD ran from HD and volume off -