Need help with building an E8400 system. Upgrading after a year.

[LookatmeABC123]

I already have 2 x 1GB of 667 RAM. If I get the gigabyte P35 mobo, can I still get 4 ghz and just run the RAM at a lower clock speed (async)? I rather just not go through the hassle of selling my RAM, buying more RAM, probably waiting on rebate, etc...

And does this apply to all CPU's for the OC including lower multi ones? I ask because I am not sure if I am going ultra cheap (e2160), middle (e4400) or high end (q series or e8400)

 

[Apocalypse23]

Finally got my setup, can't wait to set it all up .

The following are my goodies:

Coolermaster Elite RC-330 ATX Blk Case 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS 1X120MM Rear Fan Front I/O Panel
In Stock 20935 $47.73

Coolermaster Extreme Power 650W ATX 12V V2.01 Silent Power Supply 20/24PIN 120MM Fan
In Stock 27027 $77.95

Logitech Value 100 Black PS/2 Keyboard OEM
In Stock 26720 $7.97

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-12 EPP Dual Channel Memory Kit
In Stock 26701 $129.99


ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP ATX LGA775 P35 DDR2 1333FSB 2PCI-E16 3PCI 2PCI-E1 SATA2 Sound WLAN Motherboard
In Stock 25851 $155.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64BIT DVD OEM
In Stock 22438 $115.99

Western Digital SE16 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Cache 8.9MS NCQ Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty
In Stock 23266 $102.99

OCZ Vendetta CPU Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 LGA775 S939 S940 S754 92MM 1200-2800RPM
In Stock 26567 $39.99

NOD32 Antivirus Ver 3.0 1 Year Subscription OEM English Edition Antivirus Antiroot Kit with motherboard (DISCOUNT)
In Stock 27025 $11.99

EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS Crysis Edition 670MHZ 512MB 1.94GHZ DDR3 PCI-E DVI-I HDTV Out Video *IR-$10*
In Stock 27470 $349.99

2 Cooler Master Neon Blue LED 120MM Case Fan 3PIN 22DBA 1220RPM 42.734CFM 3PINS
$6.21 x 2

Total:$1052.98 + $219(for E8400) + $28.90(for LG Dvd Drive) = CAD $1300 + Tax

Love just looking at the cool boxes and admiring the components Waiting for my bro to come home so we can start work on the goodies Thanks a lot everyone for your suggestions, I'll do my best to tweak this baby up and post some results and pics perhaps!

 

[Sylvanas]

Great, nice setup there- keep us posted!

 

[Apocalypse23]

Alrite, been awake since 7 almost in the morning PST, going to bed now, set this beast up and i'm using the default bios and stock clock settings with my ocz vandetta. Installed all the 64bit Vista updates and it's working like a charm so far, PC PROBE II is reporting CPU idle temps at 13C to 14C, MB temp is at 31C , have 2 case fans at this point, seems smoooth to me!! I'll do further testing later.

 

[Mango1970]

Heh you got the same Mobo and same RAM as I did. That Asus board is something else -- I could not believe how easy it was to set up and how ROCK freaking stable it is. I am only running a Q6600 G0 right now and with 2 X x1950XTX in crossfire. The system is silky smooth and quiet. Good luck with your build.

Might I ask you Apocalyspse23, are you actually using that Sharp Aquos 46" as your monitor or is that your HTPC? Reason I ask is that I have the same TV. I have my "older" AMD x2-4800+ running as my HTPC connected to that TV. All I use it for is to play HD/BR movies etc. No way I could ever read or actually use the resolution of that TV (I watch movies at 1080p) for anything other than that. Are you using yours as an actual computer monitor??

 

[Apocalypse23]

Originally posted by: Mango1970
Heh you got the same Mobo and same RAM as I did. That Asus board is something else -- I could not believe how easy it was to set up and how ROCK freaking stable it is. I am only running a Q6600 G0 right now and with 2 X x1950XTX in crossfire. The system is silky smooth and quiet. Good luck with your build.

Might I ask you Apocalyspse23, are you actually using that Sharp Aquos 46" as your monitor or is that your HTPC? Reason I ask is that I have the same TV. I have my "older" AMD x2-4800+ running as my HTPC connected to that TV. All I use it for is to play HD/BR movies etc. No way I could ever read or actually use the resolution of that TV (I watch movies at 1080p) for anything other than that. Are you using yours as an actual computer monitor??

Yes, on my old rig (in my sig) I use the sharp for gaming such as WOW and UT 3, at 1920x1080 it is playable, I use a HDMI to DVI cable to connect the screen and get 1080p sweetness. Playing games on that level is truly something else and I suggest anyone to try something like it, I also use the sharp to watch BDs on my PS3

 

[Apocalypse23]

So far I have my system, mostly on AUTO settings but I managed to so far get 3800mhz with 422 FSB stable, I only disabled a few settings like c1E and Intel StepSpeed, I'm using 9 as a multiplier, only changed the FSB however. Pushed higher to 433 and the sytem was unstable, tried changing the voltage manually with no luck and only the system setting itself to stock. I may have to configure with Ram settings manually, but do you think my rig is alright with everything at auto if I am getting stable at 422 x 9 ? My voltage in windows reads as 1.22V and 1.216V in CPU Z. My idle temp is 17C and load was around 40 max.

Thanks

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23
So far I have my system, mostly on AUTO settings but I managed to so far get 3800mhz with 422 FSB stable, I only disabled a few settings like c1E and Intel StepSpeed, I'm using 9 as a multiplier, only changed the FSB however. Pushed higher to 433 and the sytem was unstable, tried changing the voltage manually with no luck and only the system setting itself to stock. I may have to configure with Ram settings manually, but do you think my rig is alright with everything at auto if I am getting stable at 422 x 9 ? My voltage in windows reads as 1.22V and 1.216V in CPU Z. My idle temp is 17C and load was around 40 max.

Thanks

Yeah, your already overclocking your ram to DDR2-844. You will need to change your timings to like 5-5-5-18 and maybe even bump the ddr volts to go any higher. I'm not familiar with the overclockability of that ram, but 2gb sticks aren't generally great overclockers. With looser timings and a volt bump you can probably do DDR2-900/ 450FSB

Drop your CPU multi and use memtest and prime95 blend to test stability as you increase your FSB/(ramspeed), this will show you your rams limits

 

[Apocalypse23]

Spent hours figuring out how to overclock my rig, finally setup some good settings.

Vcore - 1.375V (from BIOS) CPU-Z and windows temp applications are reading this vcore as 1.26V (off by .10) think this could be a asus board issue or a e8400 voltage sensor issue
Ram timings relaxed automatically to 5-5-5-12 and set dram voltage at 1.8V
Set mem command to 2T or 2N
Ratio fsb to dram is @ 1:1
multiplyer: 9
cpu fsb: 445
reinstalled heatsink properly and my core temperatures are reading at 43-45C idle and 60C max load and not more. CPU TEMP reads as 22C idle and 50ish load
Prime ran fine, didn't finish the test but ran it for an hour, tested other applications and benches, system was stable.
I think i can push it further now that i solved my heatsink issue, but my benches and temps are corresponding with the benches and reviews of this chip which means im on the right track. Further testing to be done later.

my question is, when looking at temperatures, what is the max limit for CORE TEMPS and CPU temps, as these are two different temp readings. My guess is the core is at the heart of the cpu chip and the cpu temp is the temp at the base of the cpu chip case (metal thing). What are the benches temps reporting, the core voltage or the cpu voltage?


any further suggestions on lowering or fiddling with other voltages would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Apocalypse23]

So I tried pushing the chip further, went to 4200mhz stable (didn't check prime long enough) , @ 9 x 467 = 4203Mhz , ram was @ 5-5-5-12 @ 1.9V or so , got it stable @ 1.400 cpu Volts however. Temperatures went up for core loads to 64-67C, idle cores were at 51 - 49C , CPU temp was 31C idle and 52C load. Then tried hitting 489 x 9 @ 5-5-5-12, cpu voltage @ 1.46 V and dram @ 2.2V almost went to load windows when it froze, so I probably need to loosen my timings to 5-5-5-15 perhaps? anyways i tried to hit 489x9 but all thise extra chip voltage requirement makes this whole process pointless to me as a few extra mhz aren't worth it with all that hassle, so i am sticking happily to my 4 ghz 9x445 and 5-5-5-12 ram timings.

PS - I reached 4350 MHz but it was very unstable, prime failed as soon as i started it. I think i may have reached my chip's limit, around 4350 - 4400 mhz so i am reverting back to 4000.

PS - got stable to 4200mhz.

pics: (motherboard or e8400 voltage reporting issue, windows vcore applications report temps off by .10C, actual vcore are in the bios as reported, ignore cpu-z vcore reading)

4.2ghz stable:9x467 @ 1.4 V CPU
http://aycu13.webshots.com/ima...805687325129611_rs.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/im...99/42ghzidlefl8.th.jpg

http://aycu36.webshots.com/ima...954825847913440_rs.jpg

4.35 ghz unstable:9x483 @1.45 - 1.46V

http://aycu22.webshots.com/ima...959240284082017_rs.jpg

http://aycu15.webshots.com/ima...938696604145036_rs.jpg

http://aycu05.webshots.com/ima...935912256598990_rs.jpg



Any suggestions on how to get it stable at 4350 ish and above would be appreciated. Also, does anyone know why my readings for vcore are off by .10C in windows and the actual reading in the bios settings are different.

 

[aussiestilgar]

The voltage drop is normal, its called Vdroop. Nothing to worry about, its actually a protection feature of the CPU.

 

[imported_wired247]

you failed at copy pasting links

right click -> copy shortcut

 

[Apocalypse23]

Well i updated the BIOS to 1004 from Asus, it's fixed the vdroop issue, well now my readings are off by only .01C-.02C or so which is fine. I'm testing my system at 445x9 @ 1.3250V from the BIOS and CPU-Z is reading the voltage as 1.30.

 

[Apocalypse23]

Originally posted by: wired247
you failed at copy pasting links

right click -> copy shortcut

fixed

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23
bump! okay so this is what i will be buying for certain:


Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-12 EPP Dual Channel Memory Kit - $149 - $119 after rebate
EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS Crysis Edition 670MHZ 512MB 1.94GHZ DDR3 PCI-E DVI-I HDTV Out Video *IR-$20* -$339 - $319 after rebate
Scythe Infinity 5 Heatpipe CPU Cooler LGA775 S478 AM2 S754 S939 S940 120MM 1200RPM 23.5DBA 46.5CFM - $49.99
E8400 core 2 duo - $219

Need a motherboard (pci e express 2.0 SLI would be nice but crossfire is okay too...has to be gr8 overclocker under $200 and a case/PSU for cheap

I would reccommend pc2-8500 ram. If you're spending 150 bucks on patriot. spend 150 on any brand of 1066mhz ram, you'll need it for the OC

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23


OCZ Vendetta CPU Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 LGA775 S939 S940 S754 92MM 1200-2800RPM
In Stock 26567 $39.99

Look at the temps on the Vendetta with a high fan speed:
http://frostytech.com/articlev...?articleid=2234&page=4

i would recommend a diff cooler as well

 

[Tempered81]

other than those two, your rig is awesome, even those 2 are great, just may have hard time running at 5-5-5-15 @ 500mhz & staying under 75C with 1.4v+ on the Vcore during priming.

 

[Apocalypse23]

Thanks for the input, i'm trying this new bios still and shooting for 4203 at the moment and tweaking, my concern is this, the core temps under prime are 68- 70C, when should i be worried abuot core temps when overclocking and how much temp can the cores take?

Thanks

 

[krnmastersgt]

Most people try not to go over 70C but there isn't any immediate problem with going that high, depends on how much you want to push it, personally I'm going to stop wherever 65C gets me to.

 

[Apocalypse23]

UPDATED: okay using 5-5-5-12timings on 2.2V , i ran prime for abuot 7tests, my temps were 71-73 mark Maximum. 467x9 @1.4125V CPU. Seemed stable but the temps are harsh. Not sure if i should go higher?

http://aycu05.webshots.com/ima...893411339769216_rs.jpg

http://aycu08.webshots.com/ima...861848665647965_rs.jpg

 

[Tempered81]

did you check out the cooler comparison i linked in that post earlier? its possible to change coolers and run ~5C cooler, or lap the one you have and possibly drop temps again anywhere from 1C to 8C. People would call me crazy but i would run it priming at anything below 85C (and i don't recommend this). Just that Prochot would kick in and shut the cpu off at 105C or possibly 90C before you could even come close to damaging it by heat. I would worry more about volts. I wouldnt want it ilding with anything above 1.45v 24/7. Of course vcore will drop when cpu load kicks in... so i check the idle vcore and keep it below 1.45 in cpuz. You will more likely be limited heatwise before you can get to that idle 1.45 vcore limitation.

so my opinion is for two limitations, whichever comes first (assuming you have sub 50C idle temps):
1. 1.45volts Idle Vcore in cpu-z
2. <85C 2hour+ Prime95 load temps

With a good motherboard & ram, I could bench at 4500mhz and stay below that. my VID was .09735

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23


http://aycu05.webshots.com/ima...893411339769216_rs.jpg

http://aycu08.webshots.com/ima...861848665647965_rs.jpg

Nice to see you pushing the limits & priming beyond 4200mhz on air. I don't think 72C is a prob. In fact that is identical temps to what mine would run at after priming for a bit. mine was more like 70-71C. Plenty will disagree with me, but i would run up to 84C

edit: if this was crunching machine or something similar where you were running 100% load on all cores full-time, I would say stay at or around the 72.4C spec.

btw, what was your vcore in cpu-z idle @ 4350mhz? and what were load temps at 4350?

 

[Apocalypse23]

Originally posted by: jaredpace

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23


http://aycu05.webshots.com/ima...893411339769216_rs.jpg

http://aycu08.webshots.com/ima...861848665647965_rs.jpg

Nice to see you pushing the limits & priming beyond 4200mhz on air. I don't think 72C is a prob. In fact that is identical temps to what mine would run at after priming for a bit. mine was more like 70-71C. Plenty will disagree with me, but i would run up to 84C

edit: if this was crunching machine or something similar where you were running 100% load on all cores full-time, I would say stay at or around the 72.4C spec.

btw, what was your vcore in cpu-z idle @ 4350mhz? and what were load temps at 4350?

The settings below were with the previous bios which was version 0906.
4.35 ghz unstable:9x483 @1.45 - 1.46V


http://aycu22.webshots.com/ima...959240284082017_rs.jpg

http://aycu05.webshots.com/ima...935912256598990_rs.jpg

 

[Apocalypse23]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
did you check out the cooler comparison i linked in that post earlier? its possible to change coolers and run ~5C cooler, or lap the one you have and possibly drop temps again anywhere from 1C to 8C. People would call me crazy but i would run it priming at anything below 85C (and i don't recommend this). Just that Prochot would kick in and shut the cpu off at 105C or possibly 90C before you could even come close to damaging it by heat. I would worry more about volts. I wouldnt want it ilding with anything above 1.45v 24/7. Of course vcore will drop when cpu load kicks in... so i check the idle vcore and keep it below 1.45 in cpuz. You will more likely be limited heatwise before you can get to that idle 1.45 vcore limitation.

so my opinion is for two limitations, whichever comes first (assuming you have sub 50C idle temps):
1. 1.45volts Idle Vcore in cpu-z
2. <85C 2hour+ Prime95 load temps

With a good motherboard & ram, I could bench at 4500mhz and stay below that. my VID was .09735

Yup, i had a look at them before i had even bough the heatsink, i decided to go for bang for the buck and chose the vandetta instead, i know that the ultra 120 is the best but it's costly. My aim is to just play it safe at 4203 mhz, but i want to push the chip to its max stable setting as i figure these chips can withstand an hour or 30 min of priming at even 489 fsb...

 

[Apocalypse23]

Okay, I think i'm done for the day with my chip. I managed to push it to 489x9 @ 4401 Mhz, booted fine, found it boot at the following voltages but I couldn't get prime to skip to test 2 even on all three attempts, even lowered the ram timings at one point to 5-5-5-15 from 5-5-5-12 but still no luck. I did however find that the CPU voltage of 1.4875V - 1.500V was better without any blue screens. I'll second 1.500V from bios again. So once again, it booted to windows fine but when i tested prime, it failed. Load temps went to 77C for both cores at one point. Idle temps were in the 50s. Check the following pics:


PS- from the bios CPU voltage set at 1.4625, 1.475, 1.4875, 1.500V , I was able to boot to windows, i pushed it till 1.5 for stability and prime failed. now CPU Z will report the temp at a max of 1.46V i think which was when i set it to 1.500V. anyhow suggestions would be appreciated. I think i may have hit the limit. But there could be my ram playing a factor as it being pushed to the extreme 978 Mhz as well.....

I didnt have time to organise the pics but they were taken at different voltages.

http://aycu03.webshots.com/ima...486602277609041_rs.jpg

http://aycu26.webshots.com/ima...498598003570160_rs.jpg

http://aycu04.webshots.com/ima...417536992626164_rs.jpg

http://aycu24.webshots.com/ima...429870621449269_rs.jpg

http://aycu25.webshots.com/ima...463492287453721_rs.jpg

http://aycu01.webshots.com/ima...403647278841404_rs.jpg

http://aycu02.webshots.com/ima...491742271997261_rs.jpg

http://aycu36.webshots.com/ima...495683893096688_rs.jpg

http://aycu26.webshots.com/ima...490005742767241_rs.jpg

http://aycu13.webshots.com/ima...407150265669922_rs.jpg