New P4 3.4GHz Rig

[3PointApex]

Hello everyone, I just put together my new computer after selling my SFF Shuttle (SB83G5). I'm considering an overclock and would like to hear your suggestions.

SPECS:
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 550, 3.4 GHz, 1MB L2, 800 MHz FSB, Socket LGA775, HT cooled with Zalman CNPS7700
MOBO: Asus P5GD1-VM
MEMORY: OCZ PC-3200 DDR400 Enhanced Latency Gold Edition 1GB (2x512MB) Dual Channel Kit CAS2
VIDEO: ATI Radeon X700 PRO 256MB cooled with Thermaltake CL-G0003 Fanless VGA Cooler
STORAGE: 36GB SCSI 10,000RPM Fujitsu Primary, 80GB 7,200RPM Western Digital
CASE: Antec Sonata II (duct removed)

TEMPS (idle):
CPU: 50C
Case: 36C

I don't know my temps at load, but after 4 hours of BF2 @ 3.6GHz & 850MHz FSB, CPU temp was 68C.

Thanks!

 

[o1die]

You'll need water cooling to go much higher. Frankly, I don't notice much difference in everyday tasks (overclocked versus default settings). Overclocking improves some benchmarks for gaming. What is your antec power supply specs? I recommend a 14cm power supply if you can afford it. The big side fan moves alot of warm air away from the cpu. Mine is a 450w ttgi (superflower) with the cable select feature. I found it for only $49.95 at Fry's.

 

[Valkerie]

yeah I'd seriously consider water cooling, or get a very nice zalman fan with artic silver thermal compound

4 GHz Intel systems are extremely hot. It's like trying to put out a fire everytime your CPU gets a lot of workload. don't fry your CPU, it is no fun.

 

[Soccerman06]

Buy a venice 3000+/3200+ and DFI ultra and you be set . P4s are too hot for to OC.

 

[Furen]

I think he already has the system, since he gives operating temps and all. Personally, I would have gotten a lower clocked cpu if I was going to overclock, as they would probably end up reaching the same speed, in the end.

 

[DBZ33]

I have the same 550 P4 and I have an ASUS P5GD1 board. I installed a Thermaltake CL-P0025 heatsink and it idles at low 40's and BF2 load for a few hours @52 to 54C. I have ran it to 4.0GHz and still had pritty good temps. Good Luck.

 

[Duvie]

At 50c idle you are already fvcked...If unlike DBZ33 yuo really loaded it, it likely would be in the mid to high 60's now,,,I doint see much room to OC now with current cooling solution unless you dont mind tyhrottling half the time....

I had a northwood that idled at 39c and it would still load to 62c, (2.4c@3.5ghz with only .055v above default vcore) and I had above average cooling...Northwoods ran cooler then their prescott brothers, and we all know the 5xx series ran the hottest....No way a prescott 5xx series only has a swing of <<at low 40's and BF2 load for a few hours @52 to 54C>> 12c or less....you are not really loading it or see the temps after you closed the game and they have already dropped a few degrees....I call BS, so provide some pics....

To OP....get the idle temps to low 40's or you wont go far....

 

[Acanthus]

Watercooling is nearly a must of P4 500 series overclocking.

I must say i do miss the multitasking performance of HT, i really did notice the difference when i jumped ship.

 

[3PointApex]

The PSU that came with the Sonata II is adequate for my needs; it's a very quiet SmartPower 2.0 450W ATX12V v2.01 power supply.

I really didn't want to go into watercooling since I already spent a pretty penny on the CPNS7700-Cu, but I guess it seems to be my only option now.

I've played with another 550 3.4 (same processor) before, and it ran REALLY hot (idled near 60ish) and loaded up into the 80's. In most cases, the CPU should have fried, but the guy I knew ran it like that for 9mos a year now, and the system still runs perfect, and he's never had any problems with the computer shutting down due to temps. I'm rather dissapointed with these temps, but I need the multitasking for work! ARGZ

 

[yourdeardaniel]

temp seems high
try using another heatsink and fan

 

[Duvie]

NOt really the prescotts were not labelled the preshots for nothing.....The 6xx series are much better for temps...I can definitely see the zalman not cutting it....How are your case temps...POor case cooling will only exasperate the cpu temp....

Get a 650 and you would be sitting much better.....

Your friend wouldn't have shutdown cause the Intel thermal throttling prevents that by slowing the system down...He probably didn't even realize it....If the temps were at all real he would have been throttling every time...If he had truly disabled throttling which may not even be possible with the P4 he would have killed it. 80c is way outside of operating spec....

 

[Markfw]

I'm curious, after reading on these forums, why did you choose the 550 ? Its the worst choice you could possibly make I would think, even for Intel, as Duvie pointed out.

 

[Leper Messiah]

I :heart: my zalman 7700. then again, I run a 3000+ A64. Even dell has to use heat piped based coolers on their procs, and those are at stock. 5XXs just run hot. Mebbe if you vapo chill it, you can get some good clocks.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: L3p3rM355i4h
I :heart: my zalman 7700. then again, I run a 3000+ A64. Even dell has to use heat piped based coolers on their procs, and those are at stock. 5XXs just run hot. Mebbe if you vapo chill it, you can get some good clocks.

Maybe?

 

[Capt Caveman]

If you decide you need to oc and don't want to go to watercooling, I would recommend selling off the 550 and getting a 640 or 650. I had a 640 oc'd to 4ghz and my temps at load were in the high 40s(using a XP-120 for heatsink).

 

[munchow2]

Holy moly that is HOT under load.
Well, if it is any consolation, HT is a great technology and kills single core AMDs in multi-tasking.

Anywho, yea I am not exactly sure why you bought the 550 when you could've went for a 6 series with 2mb cache and EM64T technology or better yet, the x2? There are actually other things you could've bought instead but that isn't your question so I will address that instead.

Watercooling is a possible solution although I doubt you'd get TOO much of a difference as compared the Zalman actually. Perhaps try some arctic silver and apply it onto the pentium chipset. That should help at least a little bit. If that doesn't work, just get more fans or open up the sides of your case to get better circulation.

 

[3PointApex]

I bought the CPU a little while ago - I didn't know it was a piece of crap at that time unfortunately. I'm planning on selling the 550 and grabbing an EM64T, or maybe even going AMD, but then I'd have to get another MOBO. If I actually have to go for watercooling just to keep my processor in check, I'd rather get another processor.