Thanks for the info. I'll drop the core voltage down below 1.5. DON'T want to fry this thing. Tried several times to get Prime95 running twice, with no success. Just click on "RUN", get one going on processor 0, then gain for processor 2? (or do I need to make it p1 and p2?) anyway, wouldn't start a 2nd time. Kept opening the same window I already had open. (sorry, as my IT friend tells me, "I don't speak geek" too well) I use the dammed thngs all the time, but tweaking a PC just never interested me...until now.
Yes, I know the memory thing isn't ideal. My last mobo only had 3 slots, so my wife threw a fit fot the unused DIMM I had laying around. Made her POS Dell perform much better...
I still suspect this "wonderful" Aspire 500 watt PSU. Came with the case, and I know they're not high quality units. Barely enough juice for things as it is, (12v=25a/34a peak) and with the X850XT/PE slightly overclocked, and now the processor too, I should have a more reliable PSU. It COULD be the mobo, but if so, it's only making a questionable situation worse.