Question for a Precision 690 Quad-core owner...

I didnt do my research ahead of time - didnt know that there are 3 different motherboard versions at time of ordering a 690 Barebone. Now its time to experiment. I have played around with many computers in the past and I thinck worst case I will spend some money on a custom BIOS. There are companies out there that customize BIOSes for $50...$100 which is much cheaper than buying the 5400X platform.

If you've already ordered a 5410 it looks like you're going to answer your own compatibility question ;)

Look at Pricegrabber youll see for yourself

I have a 5410 on order - not all places have all items in stock since the penryn has just started shipping in December.

I'm pretty sure you won't be able to make a 5000x chipset into a 5400x just with a custom BIOS, you might get some features approaching it (at the cost of stability) but that's an entirely different thing.

I think I finally can to understand the differences between a board capatble of running 53xx 54xx and 51xxx series.

Intel has introduced a function called "load line" and is used to automatically ajust the voltage on the VRM module based on load.

Each processor family has a different load line (5100 has a 80mV compensation for every 50A of processor current up to 90A and 54XX has the same slope but up to 150A and 53XX up to 125A).  This difference should mean nothing for the 80W versions of the 54XX compared to the 51XX. So I should be on the safe side with the power supply.

 

 

I was under the impression that the VRM did that regardless of the load line function, if someone was bored enough they could compare the VRM stages of the 690 boards, might explain a lot.

 

Back on topic, I (like many others I suspect) await your findings on the 54xx CPU with great interest :)

Tried everything out including graphics card drives DVD and cpu. Guess its dead. Sometimes I get 4 but as soon as a press the power button it goes to 1/3 flashing with amber power button flashing. So cant test the processor.

 

Didnt try the extenstion to the CPU but tried to unplug it. I also saw an amber led on the mother board - dont know what thats for or if it should be amber?

Its a 750W power supply. The automatic rangeing kicks in as I hear the click in the power suply and some thing is working as the diagnostic gets its power but thats it. Too bad cause I wanted to play around with the penryn

As you have probably noticed, the 690 uses extension leads on both the motherboard connectors, personally I discard the extension lead that goes to the CPUs, it seems as though its only purpose is to keep the motherboard clear for any full-length expansion cards - which are almost unheard of these days.

 

Failing that I'd disconnect all drives and peripherals, and then try powering it up, just to see if that makes any difference.

Hi - I need some help troubleshooting. The 690 I got is not powering up at all. Its showing blinking 1 and 3 and amber light on power botton. Per dells troubleshooting guide - something is wrong with the power supply (just what i need   :( . Can someone tell me if I am right thinking the supply is bad ?

That does not sound good at all, unlucky :(

 

Is it a 750 or 1000 watt supply?

The extention leads were pinched and shorted to the chassis . Now I got power to the unit but get light 3/4 and green on power button all fans spinning at full speed. I get no video and no beeps. The Battery trick did not work But the VRM is giving a proper voltage of 1.12V to the processor.

 

Guess Quads dont work on this one even with the battery trick.

Anyone have any sugestions? should I get something more? BIOS screen ?

Does the machine work ok with a normal CPU in it now that you've sorted the power problem?

Dont have a normal Dual core so cant say. Got a barebone unit and a seperate cpu. I will order a normal cpu as well to test the board. And see what version of the BIOS is on it - it an ODT version so maybe A01 will do the trick

Good luck! In my experience I've found that power supplies don't like being shorted out, and can sustain damage as a result - so don't give up on your 54xx CPU just yet :)