Just Built my new 2.53GHz P4...Got some Questions

[davidkay]

Hi,

Yesterday I assembled my brand new Pentium 4 2.53GHz, 512Mb DDR333 RAM etc.

Firstly, I'm pretty sure I've got the correct chip and DDR333 RAM. Is there any way to check my RAM is running at DDR333?

Is there any way I can make sure my CPU is actually running at 533MHz FSB?

When I checked SiSoft Sandra is said my FSB was 4x135MHz (540MHz), is this normal? My BIOS "IS" set up correctly!

My CPU temp idles between 41C-45C and the Case Idles at 36C. Is this running too hot? Like my old PC i'm limited on space so my PC is on the floor pretty much squashed in between my wardbrobe, PC desk and the back wall. However, air can escape as the PC desk is metal and not blocked.

My CPU Fan RPM is at 2300-2500, but increases to 3000 when the CPU is running hot. Is this normal for the CPU fan speed. I think its an Intel Heatsink/Fan.

I've got a PCI exaust fan I'm planning to put in. Is there any other methods I can cool the case/cpu down more? Will a dual fan PSU do much?

Here's my specs if you need em: Pentium 4 2.53Ghz, ASUS P4S8X (Gold Version), Samsung DDR333MHz RAM, Western Digital 8mb Cache 120gb HD.

Thanks so much in advance. I do a lot of rendering and encoding, so i dont want to fry the chip or anything....it rules so much!

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: davidkay
Hi,


Firstly, I'm pretty sure I've got the correct chip and DDR333 RAM. Is there any way to check my RAM is running at DDR333?

Is there any way I can make sure my CPU is actually running at 533MHz FSB?

When I checked SiSoft Sandra is said my FSB was 4x135MHz (540MHz), is this normal? My BIOS "IS" set up correctly!

Use cpu-Z to check your FSB and RAM speed. Sandra is reporting "135FSB" which is correct for an Asus board set at 133FSB (533 in Intel's "Quad-pumped" terminology). Asus boards run a *tad* fast, that's why it says 135. For your RAM to be running at DDR333 you would have had to set a 4:5 divider on the board (I think, I don't know this board, or if it supports PC2700 RAM. Sometimes you need to do some tricks in the BIOS to get the correct dividers set). cpu-Z will show you where your RAM is, then you can go from there.

My CPU temp idles between 41C-45C and the Case Idles at 36C. Is this running too hot? Like my old PC i'm limited on space so my PC is on the floor pretty much squashed in between my wardbrobe, PC desk and the back wall. However, air can escape as the PC desk is metal and not blocked.

Those temps are a *little* high for a P4 but you certianly don't need to worry about it. What are the load temps (while you're running Prime95 or something like it)? That's more important than the idle temps.

My CPU Fan RPM is at 2300-2500, but increases to 3000 when the CPU is running hot. Is this normal for the CPU fan speed. I think its an Intel Heatsink/Fan.

Perfectly normal for the retail fan. It's temp-controlled and 40C is where it starts ramping up.

I've got a PCI exaust fan I'm planning to put in. Is there any other methods I can cool the case/cpu down more? Will a dual fan PSU do much?

I wouldn't think the PCI fan would help too much. The dual-fan PSU may help a little but I'd just make sure you case's airflow is as good as possible. A fan or two in the back/top exhausting the hot air and a fan in the front/bottom pulling in cool air. Some cable-management to keep the airflow moving. What kind of case is it?

 

[davidkay]

Thanks for answering, helped so much. Thanks

My Case is a TreeTek Aluminum Case, Designed for P4. It came with a 400W PSU. Its got quite a bit of room in there, but my airflow is poor due to SCSI, IDE and other cables running everywhere. I'm thinking of putting the case on the other side of the desk so it can get aired more from the back.

Thanks again!

Btw, more comments appreciated!

 

[davidkay]

Hmm, I still can't get any soft's to detect my RAM speed :'(

 

[oldfart]

Run a SiSoft memory bench and post the results here.

 

[davidkay]

Good Point....I've got 2500 on RAM benchmark. If i put it to Cas 2-2-2-6 I get 2590, but i'm affraid to put it at that as I only have Samsung RAM.

What ya think?

 

[OverVolt]

i have samsung ddr333 in my p4 system and i run it in cas-2 all the time. i have a diff board the asus p4S533 but i set the fsb/ram ratio via jumper check your instruction manual if u can do that

 

[oldfart]

A Sisoft mem score of ~ 2500 is what you should get with DDR333.

 

[Rankor]

Do a search for WCPUID on the web and download it. Excellent CPU/HW id prog. It will tell you the memory speeds, also.