E8500 (build #2)

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I've overclocked to 3.6 GHz and the core temperatures are around 45C when I run Prime95 (another great utility for creating CPU load). I just used EasyTune since I have no idea what I'm doing 😛

Should I see if I can overclock a bit more? Is EasyTune okay at higher settings?
 
Yeah, I see that I'd need to get better ram to crank the FSB up (I understand that much, but not much more). I was thinking of returning my RAM anyway.

Would the G.Skill you initially recommended still be the best choice, or should I try to find some DDR2 1066 memory if I want to try overclocking a bit higher?

For my first attempt at overclocking, I tried increasing the bus speed beyond 400 and I couldn't boot. You mentioned the key factors for RAM being voltage then latency. How do these play in to overclocking?

Thanks very much for the help and insight! :)

-Fred
 
Oh, the audio balance problem turned out to be device driver related. I re-installed the drivers and the problem went away. Very odd, but glad it's no longer a problem.

I think I tried my RAM at one of the higher settings and it didn't work (BIOS reverted back to previous settings after a few failed attempts to boot). I'll have to look into the faster ram, thanks for the pointer! :)
 
Ooops, I apologize, I was completely wrong. The balance on my headphones reverted back to the left side. I tried out my earbuds on the headphone jack and these do not have the balance problem, so it's all in the headphones. I was thinking about getting a new pair anyway (and not going as cheap as I generally do). Sorry for the misinfo.
 


I got this RAM, and it works great. OC'ing now to 4GHz with my system (I found a post over at TweakTown that really made it simple to get the settings right). Here's my current rig (I got a good deal on an GTX285). My core temps are 53C running Prime95 (~30C idle) so I think things are good. If it passes a bit more testing I might have to try for over 4. Here's the link with OCing info if you want to have a look: Gigabyte EP45-UD3P + E8400 Overclocking


MBD: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
CPU: Intel E8400
HSF: Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283
MEM: G.Skill 2x2GB PC2 8800 (F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI)
PSU: PC Power & Cooling 750 Quad
HDD: Western Digital Caviar WD4000KS 400GB
GPU: BFG GeForce GTX285 OCE
MON: Acer X203Wbd 20" LCD
CAS: Lian Li V COOL PC-V1200B
O/S: Vista-64
DVD: Plextor PX-760A DVD+/-R
CDR: Plextor PX-230A CDR/CDRW
FDD: SONY Floppy Drive
 


Hi Proximon,

On another discussion thread over at the TweakTown/Gigabyte forum, Crucial is being given high marks. I was curious to know what gives you a bad impression? I'm only curious, I don't have enough experience with any of these companies to form an opinion :)

-Fred
 
Personal observation first. Let's start with the newegg list for DDR2 800, 4GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000170147%2050001455%201052108080%20105243128%201052416064%20105233070%201052315794&name=4GB%20(2%20x%202GB)

Have a look at the voltages. 2.0V for 800Mhz, even at CAS 4 is high.

Secondly, I have spoken to several builders that will no longer use them. This started about 18 months ago. Too many bad sticks and too much trouble with those voltages... that was the main complaint.

Finally, one of the industry insiders that write columns for CPU magazine, last year some time, stated clearly that he no longer trusted Crucial memory.

That's all I know, and I'm a loong way from infallible. I just make the calls with what little info I get 😉
 
Well, just got my gtx-285 (for a good price, $256 using dell discount coupons) and ran 3dmark on it: 17587

MBD: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
CPU: Intel E8400 (O/C 4.0GHz)
HSF: Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283
MEM: G.Skill 2x2GB PC2 8800 (F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI)
PSU: PC Power & Cooling 750 Quad
GPU: BFG GeForce GTX285 OCE
MON: Acer X203Wbd 20" LCD
CAS: Lian Li V COOL PC-V1200B
O/S: Vista-64
 
Hey Proximon, the Dell deals are the way to go. I think once a month they have up to %35 off peripherals, and I think we'll see the GTX-285 prices start to crack pretty soon (but I'm not sure).

When I O/C'd to 4GHz I noticed my temps start to go up under load. I think in the high 50's but I'm not sure. I'll have to try this again.
 
Hey Proximon,

Now I can give you some real data. My hitting some high temps. I ran IntelBurn, maximum stress for 5 iterations. The tests passed which is great, but my maximum temperature according to Real Temp was 72C which seems quite high! My idle temperature is 37C. Should I be worried about this? I'm not running a compute farm, but I'd like to play it safe as possible.

Thanks again for any insight!

-Fred
 
I'm using OCZ Freeze. It get's pretty good reviews, and it's very easy to use (non-conductive, not set-in time). I may want to re-apply it though. I shifted the heat sink around a lot when I first applied it (I had the fan pointed the wrong way and had to move things around).

BTW: is the Xigmatek fan supposed to pull air off of or push air onto the heat sink?
 
:) Thanks Prox! I think I have it pushing, but this seemed odd to me.

Is it possible that Intel Burn is just a very extreme test? When I run Prime95 my temps are maxing at about 55C.

Still, I guess extreme loads are what you want to be able to handle and Intel Burn is much better at generating those. I'll have to see if I can knock my temps down to 65C somehow. It could be that my O/C settings need some work (I've posted over at TweakTown to see if I can get some feedback, I really don't understand most of the details with O/C-ing).
 
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