First time Overclocker...few questions...

[40Hands]

Ok so this is my first custom built system. I have never really done any overclocking before and I have a few questions. Here are my rig specs:

Shuttle AN35 Ultra
AMD Barton 2800+ w/ Thermaltake Volcano 11+ Xaser Edition
2x256 megs Corsair XMS PC2700 + 512 meg XMS PC3200 (was cheaper then buying the PC2700)
ATI Radeon 9600 XT 128 meg
NEC 2500A 8x DVD +/- RW
NEC/Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 930SB 19" CRT
Klipsch ProMedia 4.1 400 watt on SoundBlaster Live! Value (old)
Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse
Chenbro Xpider Black/Silver case
Thermaltake Active PFC Silent Purepower 480W
....maybe a little too much information but oh well

Using SiSoftware Sandra, it reports the processor temp at about 45 after leaving it on overnight only running a bit torrent client. After playing UT 2004 for a while temps usually get around mid 50 degrees. I was under the impression that this is a bit high for a non-overclocked system. (Although I know that this isnt the best way to read CPU temps) The FSB is 166 MHz with a Vcore at its auto setting (which I think is 1.65) and I have a locked multiplier. I have my memory and CPU settings in BIOS set as "Aggressive". Memory timings are 7-3-3-2. Will having the mixed memory adversely affect my attempts to overclock it?

My fan setup in the case consists of a 180mm Antech fan as a rear exhaust and an 80mm fan in the front as an intake. I also notice that the PSU is about 1 inch above the HSF but the PSU also has a second fan right there.

I hope this is clear enough for people to understand. I will be happy to clarify/provide more info if needed. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[40Hands]

bada BUMP!

 

[JeffCY]

Try using Motherboard Monitor 5 to monitor your temps. I think the temps are a bit high... Most people prefer to keep their temperatures below 50C under load. What are your case/ambient temperatures? You got that heatsink mounted right?

Haven't had any experience with overclocking with mixed RAM, but IIRC you will be limited by the slower RAM.

 

[Jeff7181]

The RAM will default to the slowest module you have... so PC2700 in this case. You can try setting it manually and see if your PC2700 can be overclocked to PC3200. Don't worry about the temp... 50C is fine.

 

[pelikan]

I agree that the temp is fine. Temp readings are not necessarily accurate anyways. As long as you can run prime95 then temps are fine.

 

[40Hands]

Im pretty sure i have the heatsink mounted right....im using Arctic Silver Ceramique. Hope i have enough (or not too much) beetween the core and HS. I did re-mount it. I was actually hoping to get a little more out of this system. Most of my attempts to OC it result in it randomly shutting down on me. I adjusted the voltage from 1.65 to 1.7 and it shutdown, i tried adjusting the memory timmings to 11-3-3-2 and it gave me various errors when playing memory intesive games like Far Cry and UT2004 so i changed the timings back. Any one recommend some timings for me?

 

[Jeff7181]

CAS 2.5 or 3 (the last number in the series you gave)

Also... it's almost impossible to put too little thermal compound on a CPU... with a heatsink lapped to a mirror smooth finish Arctic Silver says you'll only need a transparent haze.

 

[40Hands]

I think I may have too much thermal compound between my HS and CPU. Im going to take it off and whipe it down and then try to mount it perfectly the way Arctic Silver recommends. Hopefully that will give me better temps.

 

[Jeff7181]

Even this much is a lot... if you put more than that, then definately remove it and reapply it.

 

[40Hands]

Update...so today was rainy and it was cooler in my room which brought the temps down a bit. I re-applied the thermal paste and my temps went down even further. Now I bumped the FSB and am running at 2.29 Ghz...seems to be stable, i ran the mixed stress test in MBM5 for about 30 mins and the temp only made it to 47 deg. Tonight before I go out im going to run it for an over night test and see how she does....might be able to get a little more outa this puppy

 

[Jeff7181]

Loop 3DMark while running Prime 95 for a more complete stress test.

 

[40Hands]

Ok I took some pics of my rig for anyone whos interested.....

HSF and 120mm fan

Case glowing

Whole Desk

The Guts

I also have a movie of it bumpin to some music but dont have anywhere to host it...the LEDs on the inside react to vibrations.