i wouldn't be too bummed. i mean, i know the feeling, i was bummed because budget limitations force me
to go for the Corsair value select instead of the Patriot 3-2-2-8 when i bumped my memory.
anyway, 3 GHz it is !
since you said that the system craps out when the temperature gets to a certain point ...
i suggest reducing the temperature of your input air. for example, buy a dehumidifier
and put the air intake for your computer next to the output of the dehumidifier. this
will lower your input air temperature.
otherwise, if you're keeping your input air fixed at "room temp.", whatever that is,
i'd say get a box & use the Zalman 9500, which has a thermal resistance of .12, line
up the fans so that you have 68 F air blasting through the Zalman.
if the CPU is putting out 200 watts, the base of the Zalma will be about 24 degrees
c above 68 f. 68 f is 20 c. the base of the zalman will be about 44 c.
given that that's right next to the top of the CPU, it shouldn't be too hard to
reduce the temp. differential from the bottom of the zalman to the top of the
CPU to less than 12 c.
jeez, nice computer man. OCZ low latency memory & the asus A8n32.
couldn't do better than that. i have an asus P5GD and a P4C800 that i use
the most.