help with BIOS DRAM settings and other optimizations

[fr4nkc45tl3]

Hi! I just put together a new pc (for the most part, same 2 hard drives and processor).
I do not know A LOT about computers, but enough to get by I suppose.

The chip is an intel core 2 duo e7200 @ 2.53 GHz

Here is a list of the new parts:

ocz stealthstream 700W power supply
4 sticks X 1GB of DDR2 1066 ocz memory (ocz2n1066sr2gk)
Gigabyte s-series mobo GA-EP35C-DS3R
Sapphire HD4870 with 512MB GDDR5

My case has a fan in front, in the back, and on the side.
I also purchased a Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX cooler for the cpu so I could easily be able to overclock it if i want/need to.

I am running windows XP pro 32-bit with sp3. I also have avast! anti-virus running.

I play games often and although my older system was much weaker it ran my games w/o crashing.

Since playing on my new system I have had some crashes.

I have also had a couple IE memory errors, and one blue screen of death when running pcpitstop.com, other times it completed w/o BSoD.

I am wondering if anyone could help me optimize my system. Any knowledge you can share would probably be helpful. I would like to know what voltage and timings I should have on my RAM as well as my cpu. Should i overclock my cpu? Any other BIOS settings I should mess with? Anything besides my BIOS?

Also would it benefit me to upgrade to Vista ultimate 64-bit?

I will be more than happy to supply you with any kind of other information you would need to know to help me out. Just let me know what (and how if it's not basic :X) and I'll get you the info.

Thanks in advance. Happy Holidays!!

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: fr4nkc45tl3

I am wondering if anyone could help me optimize my system.

Also would it benefit me to upgrade to Vista ultimate 64-bit?

Since you're running four sticks of memory, you should increase the memory voltage 0.1 - 0.2v above the manufacturer's recommended voltage.

As for upgrading, Vista x64 would be nice. Just make sure you can get all the drivers you'll need first.

Optimizing has different definitions to different people.
That's like asking "What cloths should I ware to the party?
If it's a pool party, a tux would be overkill, and of it's a formal dinner, trunks and sandals would be embarrassing. So, optimize....it depends.
Do you want to maximize stability?
Do you want to overclock. if so, how much, and are you willing to spend some money on better cooling?

 

[fr4nkc45tl3]

I am not willing to spend any more money on cooling. I am pretty sure i have more than sufficient cooling to overclock.

Different parts work better together with different settings then just the defaults so thats why I am wondering if there are any settings in general that will improve my system.

last time i checked in BIOS my system was at about 45 deg C and my cpu was at about 26 or so.

I would like close to max stability, but if i could get a good chunk of performance out of overclocking it a bit to a safe level I will be very happy with that.

 

[fr4nkc45tl3]

bump

 

[SJP0tato]

Originally posted by: fr4nkc45tl3
I am running windows XP pro 32-bit with sp3. I also have avast! anti-virus running.

I play games often and although my older system was much weaker it ran my games w/o crashing.

Since playing on my new system I have had some crashes.

I have also had a couple IE memory errors, and one blue screen of death when running pcpitstop.com, other times it completed w/o BSoD.

Did you do a full, clean install of XP? Or are you using the old install (repaired or as-is)? If you haven't yet, performing a full clean install of Xp after major hardware changes can help eliminate random crashes like you're encountering.

 

[fr4nkc45tl3]

You are right, I only did a repair. I will do a reinstall and see what happens.

Any other tips?

Anyone else on the BIOS settings and possibly an answer about overclocking?

 

[WoodButcher]

Read.