Stability questions - Reboot, BSOD, etc

[d33pblue]

I recently upgraded my computer with the following components:

E4500
DFI Blood Iron T2RL P35 mobo
3 x 1GB Gskill CL4 DDR2 800
ATI HD2600 Pro video
Antec True Power 2.0 550W (came out of my previous system)

Currently I have the processor at 2.92Ghz (11x266) on stock voltage. Its stable for everything I do, except for computationally long tasks (100% CPU for over an hour) - in which case the computer reboots.

Some general observations:
1. Pushing the RAM any higher gives me BSOD during stress testing. Because of this, I'm thinking the reboot issue is more because of the CPU or mobo.
2. CPU runs unusually hot for an E4500 - 37C idle, 58C full load (92mm copper Zalman 7700 HSF, fan on low. Raising fan speed drops temps a few degrees, but no effect on stability).
3. Upping CPU voltage doesnt allow me any more overclocking headroom - odd seeing that I'm only at stock voltage.
4. RAM is at stock timings, currently running a little below DDR800.

Now my questions:
1. My PSU only has a 4 pin, 12V mobo power connector. The connector on the motherboard is 8pin and the manual says that 4 pin can be used, but 8 pin is preferable. Could this be the cause of my stability issue? Limited overclocking issue?

2. My ram configuration is a bit odd. Are there any performance or stability issues with running 3 sticks of RAM?

3. Any idea why the CPU is so hot with such a solid HSF? Its mounted firmly.

Any hints on whats going on would be appreciated. I would prefer not to buy any new components, but would consider it if there is a high probability of it fixing the stability issues.

Thanks

 

[Nedder]

3 sticks of ram "breaks" dual channel, so not a great idea there. That shouldn't affect stability though.

I would pull the heatsink off and look at how good your contact patch is. I always do that to see if the grease spread properly/evenly.

Do you have good airflow in and out of the case?

 

[d33pblue]

Airflow through the case is sufficient. There are two 120mm fans - one blowing in and one blowing out. I havent checked the contact patch, but it should be good.

Any other opinions?

 

[d33pblue]

So does no one have any idea whether a 4 pin (instead of an 8 pin) CPU power connector is causing stability issues?

Can an E4500 at 2.9Ghz really be using that much power? Its not even overvolted. Any ideas? Anyone tried something similar?

 

[GundamF91]

I have E4500, I've tested the E4500 overclock up and down all over, and first you need to know what's your "default" vCore. When you run 2.2Ghz on default, what does CPUz tell you that you're drawing? ie. 1.288v? or 1.3v? etc? Also if you can set it in BIOS, what is vCore set as?

My E4500 defaults to 1.30v, and I know of a E4500 that defaults to 1.325v, and it does not overclock as well my 1.30v. With my 1.30v, it gets to 3.0Ghz without any problem, either as 275x11 or 335x9. I tested ORTHOS for 2 hours and it ran fine, but for extra protection, I usually set it as 1.32v to give it some cushion. If I up the vCore to 1.42v, I can get to 3.3Ghz stable, but I'm being bottlenecked by graphics card, so I don't crank CPU that high unless I need to at some point in the future.

The Intel recommendation is that anything below 1.35v is fine. I would say definitely up your vCore if you cannot get it stable after 1 hour. If it fails after 1hr, it's not stable enough for you to run it as is, it'll shutdown just when you need it the most, like finish up a paper, playing a game, or encoding a video. You never know and it's not worth it. Also your temp is pretty high, I'm idling around 20c right now (since it's not stressed, I'm only surfing internet), and loads to 46c or so, but that's with liquid cooling. With air, I used to get around 25c idle and 53 load at max.

Your Antec PSU should be able to take it, and 4pin v. 8pin is not an issue. I have 8pin, but I've been reading up and a modern board should work just fine with 4pin. You temp could be a problem, I'd say up check up interface between cooler and CPU, and then up vCore to 1.35 and retest at your setting, also take out the 3rd Ram stick, you want to test right now. Unless you really have a dud E4500 (which can be seen by knowing what its default vCore is), it should hit 3.0 without a sweat!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Actual voltage applied to the CPU is always lower than value set in BIOS due to Vdrop and Vdroop...about 0.04V for dual and 0.09 for quad. VID plus 10% is a safe value if you have good cooling.

Plot core speed vs Vcore on linear graph paper. When the slope is no longer straight (linear), then you're close to the design limit of the CPU.

 

[d33pblue]

Alright, an update. For some reason I wasnt upping the core voltage in the BIOS correctly. Once I got this fixed, it gave the CPU a boost in OC, and made it stable.

Right now I'm running at 3.1Ghz, 1.3v, prime stable, but temps are high. I'm using this heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835118112 (with the proper socket 775 adapter), and arctic silver 5 thermal grease.

Idle is 40C and full load is 65C. Its stable, but that seems too high for me. I checked the contact patch, and it is making full coverage with the CPU.System temp is under control, but to play it safe ive ordered some new, high performance (120mm) case fans to replace the low speed fans I currently have.