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Rate/Opinions My New System...one month impressions (3.0E Prescott)

N

Neurorelay

Platinum Member
I purchased a new system one month ago from Fry's, video card from Comp USA and monitor from Circuit City...well I bought the parts and built it. After a month I think I have found the sweet spot in both overclocking and performance.

Stock
--P4 3.0E ghz (idle at 55c, load at 70c) (retail hs/fan)
--1 GB ram (2 x 512) Geil 3200 Value (2-8-4-4)
--PNY Geforce 6800GT 256 MB (idle 66c, load 72c)
--ABIT IC7-Max3
--Maxtor 80GB Sata 7200 RPM
--Audigy LS
--52x CDRW
--CoolerMaster Wavemaster (2 fans front, 1 rear) (ambient 35c)
--MadDog slot cooler (remove dead air around the bottom of the case, helps with ambient temp)
--500W Allied PSU (two fans)
--19" LCD (hp pavilion f1903/dvi connected)

Goals (system overclock)
I was able to OC the processor to 3.6, but the memory performance was only marginal over a 3.2 OC...plus alot less heat at 3.2 with no voltage increase. I was looking for best memory performance as the processor already performs well...in other words, looking for overall system overclock, then any one part). The 6800 GT as most of you know OC with no heat increase to 400/1.1 no problem.

Stats (after and before)
Sandra FPU is at around 9200 from 8400, mem is at 4500 from 3900, and 3D mark 03 at 11,975 from 10,900 with OC. 3D Mark 01 scores around 18,700 from 18,400.

Overclock
--P4 3.0E ghz at 3.2 (15 x 215) (idle at 55c, load at 70c)
--1 GB ram (2 x 512) Geil 3200 Value (2-8-4-4) (GAT at A-A-A-A-A)
--PNY Geforce 6800GT 256 MB (400/1.1 ghz, all settings application controlled) (idle 67c, load 75c)
--ABIT IC7-Max3 (voltage all stock, throttling disabled, no fan speed control set)
--CoolerMaster Wavemaster (2 fans front, 1 rear) (ambient 35c)

So there is my impression of my system build, I would like to hear what some of you have to say, any questions or tips appreciated. Long time reader, first time poster. I figure this overall impression will help some of you in building your prescott systems.
 
i would give your system a 9 out of 10. You don't have a dvd writer and i think you would do alot better with an amd 64
 
Since you live near Fry's, go back with $30 and buy a Zalman AlCu 7000 CPU cooler. Replace your stock heatsink.

Watch your temps drop by 10C; watch your overclock increase.
 
bigal40: Yeah, an AMD 64 would have been good, since this is my gaming computer. But I love the Abit Max 3 soooo much. 🙂 I am looking at DVD writers now, dual layer 16x or higher, I think in another 6 months to a year, faster and cheaper will be out.....I still have a 4x dvd burner on my server (P4 2.2 ghz).


Jpeyton: will a new cooler do so much better? Wow, because I know I have bundled all the wires in looms, slot cooler and case fans, and the temp still don't drop. One thing I found was there actually isn't enough clearance between the case wall and the top of the cpu cooler to let enough air pass, a nice ducting system would rock, but cutting into the aluminum sounds menacing.


The one big thing I have done in the last two months to improve the whole setup, is dual monitors, one 19" and 18" lcd......that is about the most friggin awesome thing you can do.

The rub is this: you spend so much time tweaking, you don't play any games. 😛
 
You know iwasthinking about gettin a dual layer to upgrade the dvd burner i have now but i think i am just going to wait until the bluerayor blue laser discs come out.
 
Originally posted by: bigal40
You know iwasthinking about gettin a dual layer to upgrade the dvd burner i have now but i think i am just going to wait until the bluerayor blue laser discs come out.
Click to expand...

When will those be out?

 
8.9/10.

I also agree A64 would have been better, being that you obviously are a gamer with a 6800GT. I think that case is nice, but its a little pricy for not even having a PSU!

And WOW are those some hot temps. My STOCK HS/F that came with my A64 gets around 30c idle, and 45c highest max ever load.
 
The case definitely was pricey, but oh so nice....thumb screws everywhere and sooooo light. A64 would have been nicer, insanely better performance with a 6800 GT. Ahhh well......its all about the games right. Plus, when you get into a place like Fry's, you almost will buy anything for the thrill, dang electronics stores. 😛

Yeah, the temps seems high, but the system is stable. I just tried bumping it up to 3.3 ghz today (from 3 ghz), and another 10mhz on the GT core (from 400)......it really gets addicting all the tweaking.

What is funny, is a system I built for a friend a year ago, Barton 2500 and 9800 pro, is still competitive....so AMD is definitely a gaming machine.
 
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