Question A (project) retro build for the old AMD hardware fan in you...
Question A (project) retro build for the old AMD hardware fan in you...
MSI A88X-G45 Gaming setup with A10-5800X installed
Deep Cool tower cooler featuring a red LED 120mm fan
Ripjaws 4x2GB DDR3 1600 w/ red heatsink
Crossfire R7770 Ghost Edition graphics cards (alternatively HD6950)
I possess a few older Corsair PSUs rated for high performance, suitable for running Crossfire and the power-hungry CPU. I’m uncertain about the appropriate power cables needed to support both cards. I have three 120mm red LED fans, a striking red LED strip, and a controller that connects to a PCI slot on the case, though not the motherboard.
I haven’t finalized the storage or case setup. I’m considering an NZXT white case and a Cooler Master black case. My plan is to assemble a basic build tomorrow to verify POST status. Once confirmed, I’ll test each 7770 individually before attempting Crossfire compatibility. If that fails, the HD6950 will be the backup option.
Regardless of the outcome, my performance expectations will likely sit slightly below an R3 1200 at base speeds, and the graphics card should aim for around a 750ti (per manufacturer specs). I completely understand there’s no need to crossfire or skip components anymore, but I have a lot of parts on hand—why not?
I’m also curious about whether it’s worth searching for a compatible W7 version for this project. I think it would likely work on W10 for ease.
Google Drive link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yx4S0Kf...sp=sharing
The only disappointment so far is not being able to locate the I/O shield.
IT LIVES!!!
It was quite unexpected that after plugging everything back in, it worked perfectly in Crossfire and loaded into BIOS without any problems. I'm currently installing W10P on it. There isn't a good image for W7 anymore, and since they closed that loophole, it wouldn't really matter.
I agree with that. It's always fun to learn about hardware that came out before I started using PCs.
I have everything set up and the operating system is functioning well. It didn’t cooperate with the WinRE resize, so I simply downloaded and installed the latest version of W10P. It has resolved many driver issues, though I haven’t yet inspected Device Manager for triangles. The system is currently mounted on a side desk and is running smoothly. What impresses me is that I decided to test operation before investing time or effort. The CPU was cleaned for identification, but the bottom of the cooler wasn’t cleaned. I secured it for a quick operational check, and the system runs very coolly even at 25°C. The fans are set to performance mode, which I haven’t adjusted yet.
I installed CPU-Z just to get an approximate idea of the CPU’s performance. It’s running on stock speed with no changes so far, matching the speed of a first-generation i5. Wow! I was hoping for more, but I’ll also check chipset and some low-level motherboard drivers from the manufacturer’s site. Adding paste might help as well. The system easily exceeds 4GHz, confirming the processor is working properly. I plan to enable Core Temp soon to monitor temperatures accurately and compare them with the LED display on the motherboard.
Once I finish these tasks, I’ll load some of my Steam library and see how older games like CoD or Warhammer perform. I might even try Fortnite just to check. Although I doubt it will run well on a 1080P monitor, my 900P screen doesn’t have the right connectors.
There’s still more to do, but this project is pretty cool and fun if you don’t mind. I can’t imagine it being very marketable, but maybe it could attract some old AMD enthusiasts.
I'm glad your project is progressing smoothly. I find working with my old parts more enjoyable than what you're doing now—it feels like an adult Lego set. It's an excellent way to test those wild ideas and when everything comes together, it's incredibly rewarding. Let us know how gaming turns out with crossfire. Have fun! 😀
This PC configuration would have been a bold choice back in 2013 when the motherboard was launched. Even after acknowledging the shortcomings of the AMD FM (socket) lineup at launch, it remains an impressive retro build. I shared the specifications previously, so I won’t repeat them unnecessarily—just to emphasize that the setup now resides inside an NZXT H230 "Silent" White model. Initially, I considered a glass panel version, but this one features a hinged front panel with padding. Running the system open and closed provides a noticeable quiet improvement. I’ve made some modifications, including installing four Corsair 120mm red fixed LED fans (one on the cooler) and an older TX650 power supply. I’ll share photos soon if possible.
I learned a few things about this A88 board. It includes an Overclock Genie setting. I assumed the fans were increasing speed, but it was actually enabling overclocking. When I turned it off, I quickly realized it needed to be reactivated. I removed the cooler, cleaned it, and repasted it, though the impact was minimal. The CPU consistently runs around 3900 under load, rarely exceeding 4200. The motherboard displays its own temperature, which aligns with the reported performance from the die. Idle temps are in the low 50s. Unfortunately, Core Temp can’t accurately reflect this older chip, and HWI seems to be handling it well—though I might need to double-check their methods since AMD’s reporting style could differ.
I found a legacy version of the Crossfire HD7770 driver support, which might have helped. AMD no longer provides a dedicated chipset driver for this CPU, though I didn’t search for older versions. CPU-Z indicates low single-core and multi-core performance—around 200 and 700 respectively. The CPU reports as 4C/4T, but there could be discrepancies typical of older generations. Running any active video at 1080p is challenging; it struggles with YouTube and even basic benchmarks. I haven’t started games yet, but playing Unigine Heaven at 720/60 frames per second is smooth, though performance drops significantly at high settings.
The case is somewhat restrictive in airflow but suitable for the build. Temperatures remain stable given the power draw from the Crossfire. The cards are currently running in the low 60s on Heaven during endless runs, peaking around the low 70s when the front panel is open. Closing it doesn’t drastically change performance except for noise and the loss of coolant fan illumination.
I have a 6950 chip that would likely outperform this build. I also have four other A-series CPUs to evaluate for compatibility and performance. When inspecting the socket, the pins looked worn, so I left them in place temporarily. Upcoming tests will include running Crossfire 7770 and the 6950 for comparison.
My overall impression is solid. I overlooked latency issues when working with such an old system—there’s a slight delay when interacting, making it feel a bit sluggish. Any updates soon, and thanks for your interest!