Newb! Critique Me Please!

[H2290]

Okay, I just put together a budget system and here it is:

 

P4 3.0E

Corsair XMS PC 3200

ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe

WD 250GB ATA HD

ATI AIW 9800 Pro

 

 

So I started out by going 2-2-2-5 with my RAM timings running at 2.75V

Now I am running at 213.51 FSB 1:1 with VCore at 1.3875V and haven't had any problems.

Idle CPU Temp is 44C but I don't think my AS5 has broken in yet.

Ran Prime95 for 1 hour and MAX CPU Temp was 60C.

Case temp has been about 32C the whole time.

 

 

So my question is where do I go from here? I would really like to have a decent overclock, but with as much reliability as possible. Should I run Prime95 for 24 hours and see if it passes and then go from there? And how is my voltage situation? Look good or does something need to be changed?

 

 

I really appreciate as much help as you guys can give me as I'm fairly new at this and actually haven't ever built a computer before yesterday evening. Thanks again.

 

 

[neddamttocs]

i know that the proc runs hot because it a prescott core ... i never had a prescott so i dont know much ...

 

yes you should run prime95 for 24 hrs (i think so at least)

 

my .02 cents

[spazmire11]

60c sounds alitlle hot for a load but its not horrible

what hsf do you have on your proc?

i would recomend you replace it before going much further

[Guest Silenc3]

Stock Heatsink I take it?

If so Get a new one, xp90c or 120.

Then you'll be able to get much further, but good start.

[H2290]

Gotcha, I am running stock HSF. If I were to replace that would it be best to remove the processor to clean off the AS5 from it and the heatsink or could I leave it on? Also, what would be best to clean the AS5 off with? Thanks for the help.

[Guest Raven65]

I think you'll need better cooling. Those temps sound hot if your at 60 C.

[IUMaestro]

60C is within spec for a prescott but yea like everybody said what's holding you back now is most likely cooling, so you don't fry your CPU.

 

that's a decent job for a newbie

[H2290]

Thanks for the help. I just ordered a Thermalright XP90 Heatsink and Panaflo fan. I also got a front case fan seeing as I only had one side intake fan. Thanks again and I'll repost with new temps for comparison in case anybody is thinking of going with this setup.

[GlimmerMan]

I suggest you put an exhaust fan in as well to draw away all the heat from your mobo, even if the side panel fan is an exhaust and not intake, it will help.

[CoolMaster]

60c is a lil hot but not abnormal (i have a 3.2 prescott) and at load it can get up to 60, on a hot day, but strap on an xp-120 and it'll stay cool

 

or 90-c for best resultsw/ tornado

[H2290]

Okay, fan setup is planned to be as follows once all parts arrive:

 

Two front 80mm intake fans.

One side 80mm intake fan.

Two 80mm rear exhaust fans.

PSU exhaust fan.

Thermalright XP90 HS and Panaflo 92mm fan.

 

I'll let you guys know temps when it's all installed, I'm hoping to keep the temp under full load at 3.2 below 60 degrees.

[Guest Jeremy]

Gotcha, I am running stock HSF.  If I were to replace that would it be best to remove the processor to clean off the AS5 from it and the heatsink or could I leave it on?  Also, what would be best to clean the AS5 off with?  Thanks for the help.

523793[/snapback]

You should take out the processor when cleaning it. As far as cleaning it, use high-purity isopropyl alcohol and q-tips (or cotton balls or whatever) to gently rub it off.

More info here: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_...ctions_big2.htm