Checking my newest build (overclocking and benchmarking it)

[crowley26]

Lately I've been evaluating my build, and trying to make sure everything is running WELL/properly. I built it almost 2 months ago, and I hadn't done any testing on it, or checks since I built it and assumed everything was working how it should and @ default speeds. This was my first full computer build. I want to keep this really straightforward, I have a few questions and would like to get em all answered:

1) I want to ensure my memory is running correctly.
I have this memory: http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820227178

It is advertised @ 1066, but mine is only running @ 666. This is set to default by my mobo. Reading the reviews it states that I need to set the memory speed and timings myself via bios. I need a little more clarification on EXACTLY what I'm going to be changing to set my memory to 1066 on the board directly below (I know how to get into my bios).

2) I want to make sure my mobo is running properly and update my bios.
I have this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813130097

I want to ensure I have it running @ the proper FSB speed, and have the latest/most stable bios installed. I know bios v1.3 was terribly plagued by bugs that could only be solved by installing cheap memory to reset. The current bios version is 1.5 and I haven't heard much. I'm still sitting @ what the board came w/ in 1.1 and I think I'm missing out: http://global.msi.com.tw/index...ncat_no=1&prod_no=1212

3) What programs/software should I be using to benchmark/test my system?

Should I be looking for tools like GPUZ, CPUZ, and 3dmark? What should I use to test my memory? Tell me what each tool is used for, please (what it's testing), and what a "good" test would result in.

My current system:
Intel C2Q6600 @ 2.40ghz (stock) G0 stepping
MSI P35 Platinum
OCZ Platinum 2Gigs DDR2 Dual Channel @ 1066
XFX 8800GT 512mb
WD Raptor 150gb HD 10,000RPM

Once I am sure everything is running @ advertised/desired numbers, I would like to start dabbling in OC'ing

 

[Roguestar]

Memtest for memory http://www.memtest.org/
Orthos for burn-in stability testing http://sp2004.fre3.com/beta/beta2.htm
CPU-Z for CPU info and such http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
Intel TAT for CPU temperatures http://www.overclock.net/downl.../138139-intel-tat.html
nTune for video card stuff http://www.nvidia.com/object/sysutility.html
SpeedFan for GPU and motherboard temps http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
3Dmark for GPU benchmark http://www.futuremark.com/

And had you perhaps searched or browsed the forums before joining and posting, you'd have noticed the sticky in the CPU forum with pretty much all this info and more. :roll:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1901991&enterthread=y

In fact, just browse and read and search the CPU/motherboard forums in general. Then post a thread there about help with overclocking if you're sure it isn't already covered.

 

[crowley26]

Thanks for the links, I posted this here instead of the CPU forum b/c it dealt with the overall performance of my entire computer.

Any suggestions on what to do w/ the bios? Update or not?

 

[crowley26]

Okay, wow. This is what i've gone through since I last posted.

I decided to adjust my timings like you said Buddy.

1. I set the timings to 5-5-5-15 and the TRFC to 25.
2. I restarted, and my memory on CPUZ read @ 333, and in the POST screens @ 666.
3. I went back into my bios, the only way I could get the "adjusted memory frequency" to 1066 and not @ 666, was by adjusting the "FSB/DRAM ratio." The default is "AUTO", which sets the adjusted DRAM freq. to 666. I had to change this to "1:2" for 1066.
4. At this point, I restarted (I had to do a couple of hard restarts w/ the power button today because of a few software issues). When windows started, it reported my C: drive as corrupt.
5. I restarted once again, and b4 windows booted it proceeded to check my disk integrity (I've never heard of/seen this before). It did a CHKDSK, and in the middle of it, it blue screened.
6. I restarted and reset the FSB/DRAM ration back to AUTO, and the computer completed the CHKDSK operation deleting a bunch of corrupt files. However, I couldn't get the start menu in windows to load, nor could I access the internet, or even perfrom copy/paste operations. EXPLORER.exe as a whole was fairly limited.
7. At this point I was pretty frustrated, thinking I needed to reformat everything. And I couldn't even get my old files onto my external b/c I had no copy/paste function.
8. I inserted my windows disk on a restart, and instead of just doing a fresh install- I repaired, pretttty sure it WASN'T going to work. However, after getting off to a slow start, it went through everything and windows loads, all my files are still here (so i can get them onto my external if needed), and my memory is still only set to 666mhz. I will most likely stick with this currently until I hear from someone on the best way to proceed.

The question, what went wrong do you think? Will I be able to successfully adjust my memory? Should I get my files off and do a fresh install (basically, will my computer be better off if I do that~)?

 

[Psymon]

Originally posted by: crowley26
Okay, wow. This is what i've gone through since I last posted.

I decided to adjust my timings like you said Buddy.

1. I set the timings to 5-5-5-15 and the TRFC to 25.
2. I restarted, and my memory on CPUZ read @ 333, and in the POST screens @ 666.
3. I went back into my bios, the only way I could get the "adjusted memory frequency" to 1066 and not @ 666, was by adjusting the "FSB/DRAM ratio." The default is "AUTO", which sets the adjusted DRAM freq. to 666. I had to change this to "1:2" for 1066.
4. At this point, I restarted (I had to do a couple of hard restarts w/ the power button today because of a few software issues). When windows started, it reported my C: drive as corrupt.
5. I restarted once again, and b4 windows booted it proceeded to check my disk integrity (I've never heard of/seen this before). It did a CHKDSK, and in the middle of it, it blue screened.
6. I restarted and reset the FSB/DRAM ration back to AUTO, and the computer completed the CHKDSK operation deleting a bunch of corrupt files. However, I couldn't get the start menu in windows to load, nor could I access the internet, or even perfrom copy/paste operations. EXPLORER.exe as a whole was fairly limited.
7. At this point I was pretty frustrated, thinking I needed to reformat everything. And I couldn't even get my old files onto my external b/c I had no copy/paste function.
8. I inserted my windows disk on a restart, and instead of just doing a fresh install- I repaired, pretttty sure it WASN'T going to work. However, after getting off to a slow start, it went through everything and windows loads, all my files are still here (so i can get them onto my external if needed), and my memory is still only set to 666mhz. I will most likely stick with this currently until I hear from someone on the best way to proceed.

The question, what went wrong do you think? Will I be able to successfully adjust my memory? Should I get my files off and do a fresh install (basically, will my computer be better off if I do that~)?

What is the FSB rating of your processor? Unless it's 533 you will never utilize 1066mhz on your Memory anyways. In fact, you'll get better performance by keeping a 1:1 ratio. If you're running at 666mhz (333 halved) then your FSB should be 333mhz for ideal performance.

On a Q6600 for example, 333mhz FSB with a multiplier of 9 gives around 3.2ghz and ideal memory speed is 666-675 for this setup.

 

[crowley26]

right now my FSB is @ less then stock, due to my mobo limiting it for the initial install. This is what I need to change I believe.

this is my mobo: http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813130097
this is my proc: http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115017

Processor FSB is listed @ 1066
Mobo lists FSB @ 1333/1066, and the memory standard @ 1066 ddr2.

 

[crowley26]

So essentially, to get my memory up to the correct standard~ I need keep my ratio @ 1:1, and increase the dram frequency by upping the FSB on my processor from 266 (stock) to 333? Instead of doing it the way I tried, which was keeping the proc FSB @ 266, and adjusting the ratio so that the memory ran @ 533 (1066).

 

[Roguestar]

Just leave it the way it is. Don't increase the FSB unless you want to overclock it :thumbsup:

Your processor is already running at 4x266 (1066) as it has a quad-pumped FSB, so your RAM will run at 2x266 as is normal for DDR2 (533).

Basically, unless you're overclocking it'll run at the proper synchronous speed already, and it looks like you're having difficulties changing this, so just leave it, it's running fine.

Edit: spelling.