AMD X2 4800, Corsair 3200C2Pro 4GIG, 7800 GTX X2

[LGalchenko]

Well.. This is my first custom build... The system started up and ran fine from the start; on default settings... I did run into some quirks here and there but its running ok now.

Here are all my specs and settings:

Case: Thermaltake Kandalf Full Tower Aluminum w/ side window
Power Supply: Thermaltake Pure Power 680W
Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
CPU: AMD 64 X2 4800
RAM: Corsair XMS 3200 C2 Pro 1024MB X4 Sticks
Video Cards: ASUS EN7800 GTX Extreme X2 Cards
*Running in SLI Mode
Hard Drives: Western Digital 250GB SATA2 7200rpm 16MB Buffer X2 Drives
*Windows XP Professional and other programs on one Drive; Games are on the other Drive.

Total System Cost (so far): $3250.16


Here are some general settings currently being used:

CPU: Running at 2.4GHz (standard) with V-Core set at 1.425 (actual is 1.470)
External Frequency is at 200.00 and Multiplier is at X12.0 (Default Settings)
Useing standard CPU fan that came w/ Processor. I do have a Zalman 9500 and its Massive!!! I was scared to put it on.
RAM: Running at 333MHz with voltage set at 2.80
*This is a problem; I should be running at 400MHz... But system becomes totally unstable when I change to 400MHz.
*Also the timing is at 2T; I tried running on 1T and system faild memtest at startup. Had to clear RTC RAM to boot back up.
Video Cards: Running at 430MHz (standard setting; no clocking done). Also in SLI Mode (8x and 8x speed).

Here is a description of the general enviorment the system is in and some test scores:

The computer is in my basement where I have a wood stove constantly burning; now that it is cold outside. Its about 82F or 27.8C room temperature!!! Needless to say my CPU and Case fans are all screaming... The highest I've seen my CPU Temp rise was 55C to 60C. The highest my GPU (video cards) Temp has gone was about 82C. Are those Temps real High??? I was running 3DMark 05 at 1600x1200 resolution at the time... I got a 10,280 score. Then I ran 3DMark 05 at same conditions with resolution of 1024x768 and got 11,500+ score. Are these ok scores??? I've basically not done anything to this system except set V-Core higher and RAM voltage higher... Again, I'm very new to this stuff and learning a lot... So, what do you guys think??? Any good and safe ideas out there that I could work on? I would like to have my RAM run at speeds that it was designed for... Could there be a problem with my motherboard or the RAM itself??? What about my CPU Settings?? I know that I should be able to run it much faster and still maintain stability.. Any ideas here???

Thanks to everyone for your help on these forums.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Welcome to the Forum!

Why did you up your vcore? 1.425/1.47 is way too high, if you're just running things at stock, you can leave the cpu voltage at Auto. Also, slap on that 9500, the stock heatsink isn't that special.

Memory wise can you run 400mhz 1T w/ just two sticks of ram?

 

[jdogg707]

First off, put that Zalman HSF on your processor, it won't break it! Be careful when applying, follow the directions, and lay down a nice thin layer of Arctic Silver 5, according the directions on the Arctic Silver website, and you will see a dramtic decrease in temperatures. Also, make sure your comp is as far away from the wood stove as possible, because your computer doesn't need anymore heat than what it puts off itself. Older Athlon 64 processors have had a problem running 4 DIMMs at DDR400 and 1T, and would default them to DDR333 and 2T. Your processor on the other hand should be capable of running the memory at DDR400 2T. Have you updated the latest BIOS on the motherboard? This may be a factor in your inability to run the memory correctly. Make sure to set your V-Core on Auto if you are not overclocking, as it seems you are over-volting a little bit. Your memory should work fine at around 2.7V as well, especially at DDR333. 3DMark scores look pretty good for stock GTX chips, make sure you are using the latest nVidia drivers from their homepage and the latest drivers from their homepage. Also make sure you install the AMD processor driver that can be found on AMD's website.

Good luck with the system!

 

[LGalchenko]

I turned vcore up to see if I could get better performance back when I was trying to run at 2.6 GHz... I just never turned them down... But I'll do that now.... And Yes, I can run at 1T with two sticks and at 400mhz on RAM... But if I remember correctly, I had a very hard time running Need For Speed Most Wanted Demo... Infact it would crash all the time or run totally jumpy... Right now I'm running that same Game Demo on the highest resolution and detail without a flicker....