Misc: Welcome FanBoyz to the Year 2007

Welcome to the Year 2007, the start of a new beginning. It's been a year since I started this blog, with the purpose of ranting and serving as my own repository of information. As you can see below, my web hits has climbed up steadily. I doubt I'll ever reach this high again for this year since the excitement for Conroe has subsided. You can click on the image to view the larger version.


For an annual hit of 38k, my average monthly hit would be ~3.1k. This isn't huge, but like I said, I don't expect this year to be any bigger. I'd be happy if I can maintain a fraction of readership, since Conroe excitement has already reached its peak. Last year's peak was during Q2-Q3 when very few Conroe numbers are starting to hit the underground forum. So since this new uA has matured already, there are already many web sites that can cater to the FanBoyz and new comers. However, while I may not be as persistent in posting news items, I'll try to post new bits of information from time to time. Mini previews (not reviews) will be posted, and as usual, I can't share any information outside of what the public knows already. It is because I am under NDA.

But because of this, I am thinking of making a private blog, within this blog. Sort of protected by passwords, where the FanBoyz can view early benchmarks. Blogger has enabled this feature already and all I need to do is figure out how it's done. After that, I'll would-be member-only area will be protected by NDA and I'll probably allow a max of three(3) to view that area. That's just a plan, nothing is concrete yet.

Anyway, for the FanBoyz who keeps visiting the site, my thanks to you, you enable me to push forward. For the AMDroids who keeps sending me hatemails and even tried posting comments, the feeling is mutual and I hate you too.

Happy New Year to All!

Brag: One Hundred Percent Plus Overclock (100% +++) with Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4300 (Anniversary Special Post)

This day marks my First Year anniversary. While there's no cakes, balloons, or fireworks to celebrate it, I decided to remember this day and make it memorable by hitting a certain goal: 100% overclock of Chipzilla CPU. I have always been busy, always putting this Blog site to neglect, that I even forget posting some items. So to make up for it, I'll be spending time, and this time, I'll be spending my time playing with toyz and doing what I love most: tweaking hardware. And the victim is, the unreleased, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4300.


And so, I finally got some quality time for the yet-to-be-released processor(Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4300) and got intimate with it. I have been easy-goin' with this baby till today but since this is my First Year Anniversary, I decided to put the CPU for some OCing goodness and I won't be soft this time.

After ensuring I have the latest beta BIOS (thanx NicoOCZ) on my Abit AW9D-MAX board working flawlessly (some reported a borked board after the flash), I put this board for some warm up. I put my Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6400 and started pushing it till 400FSB and the system is very stable. I recorded all the settings, for both the RAM and motherboard, and ran stability testing software. I used the new multithreading Prime95 software (thanx eva2000) since I don't really like Orthos. So at a mere stock voltage on CPU, lowly 1.6v in vMCH, and 2.3v on RAM, it's perfectly stable and I can even complete any bencmark software I throw at it.

The result is very promising, and looking good in preparation for the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4300 overclocking spree. The last time I overclock it, I hit 95% overclock. But aside from lacking inspiration and the will to overclock, I gave up after not making it able to boot up past 395MHz.

But today is a different day than during the first time I overclock this bad boy. First, I have all the time in the world, without worrying if I have completed all my obligations before doing what I love most: playing with hardware. Second, I am such a fan of this kind of powerful yet low cost processor and I'd like to see how far it'll go. Third, it's Christmas season and I'd like to give myself a self-gratification of reaching 100% overclock on stock cooler, on an unmodded board! And last but not the least, it's my freakin' First Year Anniversary post. Anyway, if you clicked on the image, you'll see that I hit 100% OC on FSB already but this isn't truly 100% since I lowered the multi from the default of 9x to 8x, giving a hefty 3.2GHz clock frequency. However, the vMCH must be set to 1.7v!

So I tweaked the board, while still making sure that I am within my sanity's limit. At 1.7v on the vMCH, and 2.3v on RAM, I changed the multi to it's default of x9. Unfortunately, the system with reboot upon reaching Windows screen. It won't stabilize. This time, I am already pumping 1.5v from 1.425v that I used to ran at 3.2GHz. It will still not boot up, so I figure, either I change the cooler or pump the vCore even more. However, I am a lazy bum and I don't like to replace the stock cooler since it's much easier to pump the vCore than replace the cooler. Besides, I am not in the mood to change the cooler, and re-apply all the thermal goo and all that.

So, I just pumped 1.6v and be done with it, and woooolah, I hit the magical number. I don't know how stable it is, I could care less. I am not after stability, just clockage. If I wanted stability, I would have used a better RAM that runs at stock of DDR2-800 and aftermarket cooler. I reached 100% overclock, and I figure, why not go further? Not being satistifed with 100%, I decided just to push it a litte more, just something for Christmas and Anniversary spirit.

So mustering all my strength and the will to carry on, I brought up the FSB to 402MHz, but it's a no go. But 401MHz is just fine, so I inch a little to 403, and it's good to go. Hmmm, interesting, I went up further and shoved 404MHz and it works. At this time, I am just getting tired and lazy of all the reboots and save, so I pushed to 410MHz, and it's no go. After a few more misses, I settled for 406MHz final FSB on stock cooler, on air. Here's the final overclock of 103%! You may click on the image for the CPU-Z validation.



That is all FanBoyz, and have a Happy Holidays!

Misc: My web host seems to be down :( and my 11th Month Anniversary

My web host seems unreachable and been giving out a time out. I can't host any images yet and homegrown reviews aren't going to work out right. So stay tune (and yes, this is a cheat post, made on 28th of November. But hey, my host is down so...

In any case, this is the 11th month that this blog has stayed on. And for the most part, I am nearing my completion date, that is, closure date of the Blog by next month.

I have never intended for this Blog to live longer than six months, more like a couple of months after January'06, but things get a bit rough and I feel obliged to push on forward.

While my web hits continue to average 3k/month, I will be trending to slow down posting after my 1year anniversary. Till next Blog.

Source:

Brag: FanBoyReview's 10th Month Anniversary is Special!

Wohoo, I got some really nice stuff from TPC main man himself, ReB. It is just too bad that I am currently in the phonecon, I didn't know it'll be a special visit. Had I known, I would have declined the meeting instead.

Anyway, the least I can say is extend my thanks for the special gift. It's such a cool item from TPC community. There are to items, a bag and a shirt. I really loved them both, really really nice. I am thankful that the shirts doesn't have A* logo anymore, I can really wear them proud wherever I got.

The bag goes to wifey, she'll be sporting and parading with the cool bag. The color is very very nice, formal black, and the logo stands out.

Many thanks to TPC, and this makes my 10th month anniversary even more special :).

Here are more pictures of the items (warning: big images)
Shirt Front
Shirt Front Logo
Shirt Back
Shirt Back Print
Bag Front
Bag Back
Bag Pockets
Bag Shoulder Strap

Brag: Woot, reached a decade, err, 10months (and some AMD* bits to post too)

So, it's that day of the month again where I post about how I reached a certain month of anniversary or so. I will not play like a smart ass and try to post something witty, or act like I know everything so I will not really elaborate much on this posting. If there's one thing I'd like to elaborate, or shall I say, "emphasize" (yes, it's more fitting than "elaborate") is that: I hit ten (10) months of existence, I have never accomplished such a long time kind of web posting, so yep, this is a milestone for me.

On another note, with my FanBoyism kicking, a friend sent me an email about AMD* and ATi* touting Chipzilla's platform as the "Winner: "Best Gaming PC" 2006*… Computer Shopper". Grantedm it's Computer Shopper that pronounced that claim, but still, they put it up on their website. Note the "url" carefully when you click and directed to the link. Expand for more if you would like to check out the URL...

Overdrive PC™ built an ATI X1K series based gaming computer that appeals to the uber gamer. A dream machine that has exactly what high-end gamers are looking for today —speed, stability and ultimate visual quality!

This gaming PC achieves benchmark and performance standards above and beyond anything thought possible by the average gamer. Featuring two HyperClocked ™ Radeon® X 1900 XTX graphic cards, Overdrive PC™ provides one of the fastest solutions in the industry.

Source:Winner: "Best Gaming PC" 2006*… Computer Shopper

I know, I know, that ATi* is the one promoting it, and it's their feature of the month. I guess, either they tout their Video Cards and ignore their affiliation with A* or, I don't know, I can't really say much aside from that ;) (hey, I'm a FanBoy, whatdaya expect!)

Brag: Omigosh, Birthday Time, 9months Anniversary today

It's that time of the month again where I brag about my ability to survive the long ordeal of posting FanBoyism stuff at this site which serves nothing but as my ego-boosting site, yay. So, if you have stayed with me thru the ups and downs, thank you very much. If you are one of the AMDroids who keeps posting crap comments, you suck. If you just happen to drop by, welcome to my site. In any case, I survive and that's what matters to me the most right now.

It was never an easy task. I know, I can always let it go, but my Blog site has served me a different purpose other than a FanBoy site. This lets me capture all the important details of technology that I care or cared about. This serves me as a quick reference, faster than how I can find info on Google.

I can quickly scan the features of the new Chipzilla uA. I can back track some old information. I can cross reference different news. So, even if I feel tired updating the site sometimes (umm, make that a lot of times), I still want to keep this going. I always liked technology, but sometimes, they are just getting into my nerves lately. Whatever free time I have, I spend with my kids so that takes away time for myself I guess.

In any case, thanks for visiting the site and I wish I can reach my first year birthday before I close shop.

And oh, the obligatory hits = 32,326 to date. Assuming 31days/month for 9mos, that's 115.86hits per day. Not bad :). So long and till next time.

Brag: My anniversary, 8months and still rolling!

Well, what do you know, I made it thru in my eight month anniversary! Looking back, I might as well continue doing this even if AMDroids continue to plague my comment section with dumb ass reply not even having a clue that I control publishing them. So yes, keep it up AMDroids, whatever suits you, go ahead and post crap, they won't go public. Again, happy 8th month anniversary to me, and let's all meet at the Mall today and chat about our favorite product. See you there..

Source:

Brag: My 7th month anniversary

Bah, I woke up early today, around 3:30am due to a bad case of colds. Since I can't sleep anymore, I decided to check my Blog to make this anniversary post.
This simple site is getting more hits than what I intended this for, more than what I hoped for. I ended up with 25k to date, still making small splashes.

Till next, and thanks for visiting my site.

Brag: Six Months Anniversary

Ok, this is a cheat posting, made on June 26 (Monday). But hey, I took a break from all the working and what nots and spent my day resting, looking at the sky, visiting farms, playing with my kids, talking with my wife, you know, life. Anyway, I am editing this post so I don't miss the 25th of June, the Sixth Month Anniversary of the site. So what's the news?
Well, it looks like my site is getting more and more hits, more than what I hoped for. I ended up with 22k to date, and for a FanSite with a far less audience, I'd say, I'm making some small splashes.

I'll post the graph for the hits later today, but for now, I am off to celebrate the sixth month existence of the site. Till next, and thanks for visiting my site.

Brag: FanBoyReview reached 16,584 hits!

Woohoo! Yeehaw. Well, it's not that many, but man, a privately owned and single handledly operated website getting this number of hits is reallye exciting for me. The bulk of hits came from external forums, interestingly, not from TPC! I also got some hits coming from Google and MSN search.

But what the hey, I could care less where the hits are coming from as long as it's not my own IP bwahahahahahahaha. Anyway, I just want to say many thanks to the FanBoyz and AMDroids who are visiting this site. I have received a few hate mails, and some praises. Some are requesting to open up the comment space to make it easy to comment on.

I am thinking of indeed opening up the comment space, to make it easier to comment, but I am afraid spammers (no, not AMDroids, I mean, SPAMMERS) will post their ads or links or whatnots, that it may become a pain in the behind to clean it up. I'd rather have zero(0) comments than spending my time deleting spams.

I also received some suggestions on how to improve the site, but do note, I am just a single guy doing all these stuff! So if I can't make any changes, my apologies in advance. But rest assure that as long as I get hits like this, I'll be rolling out some info.

Thanks again, loyal visitors and haters. Without you, 16k hits would have been just a dream.

Here's hoping I'll still be up and running till next month anniversary!

Brag: Fourth Month FanBoy TechWeb Anniversary

Yay for me! It's my 4th month anniversary, and going limp...well, I guess still limping :)...In any case, April is my highest hitting month, close to 5000 hits to date for this month. For the past four months, my hits increased slowly, with visitors coming from the websites I frequent, to Google hit matches, and even to other forums linking to my site.

Anyway, today, I celebrate my fourth month anniversary without any loud bang, just a whimper in this vast space of digital community we call Internet. My total hit since I started this website is ***drum roll*** 12,000!!! Now, that's a lot for me, with visitors coming from many countries and sources. I guess, I can make this keep going and going, till, well, I get tired of it.

In any case, thanks to all who have given this site a hit, one way or another. For those who were leaving hate comments, I just delete them, so the last laugh is still on me!

Till next anniversary :)

Brag: FanBoyReview's 3rd Month Anniversary = 6,274 hits

Yep, I got 6,274 hits on this FanBoy website. It's not really much, but hey, it's still something. I am not sure if I can still continue to do this, but I try to post an update at least once a day. The site is still very much a personal blog, as such, so much of my opnion is spread all through-out this Blog. But really, as much as possible, the posting should not be easily found on known enthusiast sites, hey, what's the use if I just posted something everyday that comes from AMDTech or THG or [H] when FanBoys visit them everyday as well.

To top it off is the addition of the FanBoy's very own reviews and articles. I have tons of items to be reviews, but time and effort is what I lack. Sometimes, I even lack the enthusiasm to do all the necessary stuff. This is why you may find the same wordings from one review to another. But try to look beyond that, besides, while it may look the same, I actually read and re-read it at least once just to check if something isn't applicable anymore.

To remedy the "lack of time", I also devised a way to re-use one set-up with another. For example, using the same components from one test bench to another. I still have to describe them in my write up though to spice things up, and relate them on the item being tested. This actually has a drawback: people tend to read past it since it's the same thing anyway. But being only one guy to run the site, it can not be helped. Like I mentioned already, I still actually read them again and check if I did some changes on the next test batch compared to the previous and make the necessary ammendments.

In any way, I guess the long and short of this post actually boils down to one thing: Thank You, yes You, for visiting the site and keeping me on my heels to ensure I have some content up and running for the site. Just one, yes, even a specle of hit, just one hit and I scramble to check if I have an article posted for you, yes, you.

So to close this short 3rd Month Anniversary Posting, I am again extending my gratitude to you. Thank you very much fellow FanBoyz, we rock!

Brag: First Month Anniversary

Wohooo! I can't believe I can make it thru the first month. I know and actually planned to make this Blog to last only two weeks. But things changed, I can't believe I really have time to post Blog regularly, not necessarily everyday, but at least frequently.
The last time I've been busy with updating website is during the time when cellphone logos are hard to find, ridiculously priced, and virtually out of the scene where I live (that was circa '97-'99) and I was sending logos across the world almost everyday for free.

Anyway, so I started posting in the web again, and while there are so many typos and grammatical errors, I really could care less now. I usually just re-read and correct them when I see any mistake. I can't help to make mistakes as I usually just make my Blog entry at the Blogger site and too lazy to spell check.

In celebration of my pimping spree for a month, I decided to treat myself for a celebration and a gift. Well, the celebration is this posting, and the gift is *drum rolls*, a new 88x31 icon. Anyone who wants to link to my site can use that icon. It's not spiffy, it's not even pretty, but the best part is that I made it myself, a true FanBoy act if I may call it in its truest form. And if you haven't noticed where the icon is, crap, it's in the first paragraph above and you should be seeing it anywhere on the right side (I still am not sure where to place it). Anyone and everyone is free to link to my site, and use the icon. But don't edit it please, just use it as is.

And before I forgot, thanks everyone, for giving me a 2000+ hits within a month's operation! That's not much compared to what known websites are getting, but 2k hits for me is a big achievement already.

Brag: First Month Anniversary is Nigh

Well, I can't believe I am going to make it to my first month. I never really planned to post at this Blog beyond the first week of January 2006. My purpose was to post updates regarding new product launches that will come from our FanBoy source. The first week of my posting was not only hectic, I need to be accurate and at the same time, not to spill too much info, I still need to maintain confidentiality.

And when the first of January 2006 has come and gone, I decided not to update the site as much as I did during the first week. But I got a few PMs (to be honest, just five(5)) to continue posting news bits and related information. I figure, I'll add a ShoutBox and enable comments so I can just basically get in touch with readers via these means (which, unfortunately, very few used). Well, not to be discouraged, the site is still getting hits, and this is what I really would like to brag about. But, I'll spill the info once I reach my first month anniversary two days from now!