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General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Getback on October 26, 2008, 08:28:22 AM

Title: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on October 26, 2008, 08:28:22 AM
Just curious to see what you put together.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: wrag on October 26, 2008, 02:16:31 PM
His system?

Thought he was building mine  :O

So Skuzzy have you finished buidling MY system yet? :devil
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on October 27, 2008, 06:56:28 AM
Most of the parts are sitting here on the shelf.  With the convention and all, I have not had time to finish it.

It will be a pretty generic box.

ASUS P5Q motherboard
Intel E8500 CPU
2GB of GSkill RAM (DDR2-1066 so I can over clock some things a bit)
Dual 500GB Seagate NS drives
DVD-ROM and I have not decided on the burner(s) yet.  Blu-Ray and/or DVD?
PC Power & Cooling 750W power supply
Antec 1200 case
Windows XP Pro
Sapphire 4870 Toxic video card
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on October 27, 2008, 08:23:37 AM
I see 4 ghz in your future.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on October 27, 2008, 09:31:48 AM
:)
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: AirFlyer on October 27, 2008, 10:51:48 PM
Got an Antec 1200 myself when Newegg had a nice special going on for them. It's a rock solid case and I can promise it won't disappoint you.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BluTrain on October 28, 2008, 02:57:46 AM
hmmm - the wife wants a new machine...perhaps I could give her mine and build this for myself...my machine is current so she wouldn't be getting crap - actually, for her it'd be overkill.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: lowZX14 on October 28, 2008, 08:18:07 AM
And a round about cost on this would be??
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Denholm on October 28, 2008, 09:56:29 AM
You can always go to www.newegg.com and search for the products to get the estimate.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on October 28, 2008, 10:27:24 AM
Forgot to add, I would be transferring my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum sound card over to this system from my current rig.  I am still on the fence about the current generation of sound cards.

I desparately need a sound card with hardware Dolby encoding and decoding.

And a round about cost on this would be??

I have not broken out the costs of the hardware, as I am also buying some pretty high end software packages at the same time.  I would guess it is around $900 for the hardware.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: lowZX14 on October 28, 2008, 10:29:59 AM
 :aokThank you sir, I was just comparing all of the systems that I have seen on here.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: 1701E on October 28, 2008, 11:36:43 AM
Got an Antec 1200 myself when Newegg had a nice special going on for them. It's a rock solid case and I can promise it won't disappoint you.

Showoff. :P

Still using an old case; here I am upgrading/replacing my PC for the past two years, and still using my old E-machines T6528 case.  In this weather it works wonders for cooling with my modifications.  GeForce 7900GS is now staying 33C, both HDDs 23C, won't mention CPU since sensor is broken.  Hard to beat a $450 PC that runs all these games really well. :D

Now where can I find a foot warmer...thing is freezing my feet with this fan blowing on em in 35-40F weather. :(



 :salute
  X
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: TilDeath on October 28, 2008, 11:54:43 AM
Here are some great what I call entry level systems

System One:
Processor: E7200
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro
Power supply: Corsair 450VX
Memory: mushkin 2x2GB PC2-8000
Video: Gigabyte HD4850 
Hard disk: Samsung F1 1TB
Total $743 rough

Possible Upgrades
E7200 -> E8200
E7200 -> Q6600
HD4850 -> HD4870

System Two:
Processor: E8600           
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP45T-Extreme   
Power supply: Corsair 750TX
Memory: Mushkin 2x2gb PC3-12800
Video (Crossfire setup): Gigabyte HD4870 x2
Hard disk: Seagate 7200.11 1.5TB
Total $1660 rough

Possible Upgrades
HD4870x2 -> GTX280(saves $150)
E8600 -> Q9400

Total $1660

I LIVE EAT AND BREATH OCing
Here is a link to a slight OC on air http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=432597 (http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=432597)
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Fulmar on October 28, 2008, 12:17:06 PM
Nature is an excellent source of cooling.  Especially when you're in college and you stick your computer (p3 at the time) next to the slightly opened window in 20F Wisconsin.  Cooled that baby right down to 45F.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: TilDeath on October 29, 2008, 09:24:07 AM
Nature is an excellent source of cooling.  Especially when you're in college and you stick your computer (p3 at the time) next to the slightly opened window in 20F Wisconsin.  Cooled that baby right down to 45F.
ROFLMAO
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 01, 2008, 05:08:14 PM
Well dang, after working flawlessly for 2 or so weeks, my old mobo/cpu REALLY died last night...wont even go into bios now. Was looking at a P5Q series with INTEL cpu this time, but I really didn't wanna have to splurge for new video card right now. (I have an AGP fx5700 card) Is AGP a thing of the past in the gaming world? Don't wanna spend money to accommodate a type of card that is otw out....
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BaldEagl on November 01, 2008, 05:14:02 PM
Is AGP a thing of the past in the gaming world?

In and out of the gaming world.  Go with a PCIe X16 2.0 DDR3 (or higher) card.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 01, 2008, 05:17:05 PM
Lol that pretty much covers it :lol
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Masherbrum on November 01, 2008, 05:55:46 PM
Lol that pretty much covers it :lol

BJ, I can RMA this 7900GT and have the RAM replaced, then give you the new one outright?   You want it?   It should run AH without a hitch and it'd save you some scratch.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 01, 2008, 09:45:30 PM
BJ, I can RMA this 7900GT and have the RAM replaced, then give you the new one outright?   You want it?   It should run AH without a hitch and it'd save you some scratch.
ding ding ding! I believe we have a winner Jay! I think I've picked out mobo/cpu (P5Q-E/Q6700.....400$ on Tiger) I THINK my 400 watt power supply can stay...it IS fairly new, though on the light side. Only have DDR1 on current box, so THAT has to go...Gotta approach the Shrew with all this in the AM (early Christmas present?? :D)
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Masherbrum on November 01, 2008, 09:47:00 PM
ding ding ding! I believe we have a winner Jay! I think I've picked out mobo/cpu (P5Q-E/Q6700.....400$ on Tiger) I THINK my 400 watt power supply can stay...it IS fairly new, though on the light side. Only have DDR1 on current box, so THAT has to go...Gotta approach the Shrew with all this in the AM (early Christmas present?? :D)

cc that, I'll start the RMA process with eVga.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 01, 2008, 09:48:54 PM
Lol the Shrew hasn't spoken yet :eek:
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 02, 2008, 04:42:31 AM
ding ding ding! I believe we have a winner Jay! I think I've picked out mobo/cpu (P5Q-E/Q6700.....400$ on Tiger) I THINK my 400 watt power supply can stay...it IS fairly new, though on the light side. Only have DDR1 on current box, so THAT has to go...Gotta approach the Shrew with all this in the AM (early Christmas present?? :D)

BJ229, you don't need a quad core. Go dual core. My Humblest advice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296 147.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036 190.00

                                                                                                  337.00

If I quote Skuzzy correctly quad cores can't be used to their full potential because of hardware limitations and because of software limitations too.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on November 02, 2008, 05:39:59 AM
There is more bang for the buck with a dual core CPU versus a quad core CPU, unless you are a professional video/audio editor.

Even I use video and audio tools quite a bit, but still went with the dual core CPU as it simply runs the applications faster than a quad core will.

Yes, there are benchmarks showing how wonderful quad core CPU's are, but that is just marketing noise.  The lower cost E8500 will eat the Q6700 alive, in virtually every real world application.  It also overclocks better.  :)  Better yes, if you are into overclocking, then grab the E8200 for even less money and overclock it to blow away the Q6700.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 02, 2008, 09:37:03 AM
There is more bang for the buck with a dual core CPU versus a quad core CPU, unless you are a professional video/audio editor.

Even I use video and audio tools quite a bit, but still went with the dual core CPU as it simply runs the applications faster than a quad core will.

Yes, there are benchmarks showing how wonderful quad core CPU's are, but that is just marketing noise.  The lower cost E8500 will eat the Q6700 alive, in virtually every real world application.  It also overclocks better.  :)  Better yes, if you are into overclocking, then grab the E8200 for even less money and overclock it to blow away the Q6700.

see "What speed does your cpu run" thread :D
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 02, 2008, 09:51:06 AM
Yah, I wasn't looking for a quad core, Tiger just happened to have a 400$ package with a P5Q-E.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 02, 2008, 10:01:33 AM
BJ229, you don't need a quad core. Go dual core. My Humblest advice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296 147.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036 190.00

                                                                                                  337.00

If I quote Skuzzy correctly quad cores can't be used to their full potential because of hardware limitations and because of software limitations too.
Hmm...hadn't looked at Newegg, very nice deal there--thanks Getback :aok
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: TilDeath on November 05, 2008, 10:30:33 PM
This is going t be my new rig  final parts should be here on Friday.  I have some screen shots of what I had and assembled on air.  This will be an H2O rig

You can see it http://wings-of-terror.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=104 (http://wings-of-terror.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=104)

Parts List

    * NZXT Khaos case
    * eVGA 790i FTW Digital
    * eVGA 280 GTX (3 in Tri Sli)
    * Intel Q9650
    * OCZ DDR3 1800 FSB 2 x 2gb
    * Thermaltake Toughpower 1200 watt ps
    * Tagan 900 watt ps (for cooling systems)
    * LG 6x SATA Blu-Ray burners (2)
    * Western Digital Raptor 300gb (2 raid)
    * Western Digital 1tb SATA drives (2 raid)


Cooling system parts

    * Swiftech MCP350 Pump (Mosfet, NB, SB loop)
    * Swiftech MCP655 Pump (CPU, GPU's loop)
    * Swiftech MCR120 QP Radiator
    * Swiftech MCR220 QP Radiator
    * Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev-2 Reservoir
    * Danger Den Single 5 1/4 Bay Reservoir
    * Koolance CPU-340 CPU Waterblock
    * Koolance MVR-40 Voltage Regulator Waterblock (Mosfet)
    * Koolance CHC-125 Northbridge Waterblock
    * Koolnace CHC-125 Southbridge Waterblock
    * 2 Enermax Everest Intake fans in front (12db max)(12db + second fan at 3db additional sound 15db total)
    * 2 Enermax Everest fans on Swiftech MCR220 QP (radiator cooling)(12db + second fan at 3db additional sound 15db total)
    * 1 NZXT 120mm fan on Swiftech MCR120 QP (radiator cooling)(18db)
    * 1 NZXT 160mm Fan on top blowhole (18db)


Plumbing

    * Feser 1/2 id 3/4 od tubing (CPU, GPUs) (about 10ft)
    * Feser 3/8 in 5/8 od tubing (Mosfet, NB, SB)


Fittings

    * 13 streight compression fittings
    * 3 45s compression fittings
    * 8 90s compression fittings
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BoilerDown on November 06, 2008, 09:49:58 AM
There is more bang for the buck with a dual core CPU versus a quad core CPU, unless you are a professional video/audio editor.

Even I use video and audio tools quite a bit, but still went with the dual core CPU as it simply runs the applications faster than a quad core will.

Yes, there are benchmarks showing how wonderful quad core CPU's are, but that is just marketing noise.  The lower cost E8500 will eat the Q6700 alive, in virtually every real world application.  It also overclocks better.  :)  Better yes, if you are into overclocking, then grab the E8200 for even less money and overclock it to blow away the Q6700.

Just did this myself, last night actually, even though I'm in the middle of editing a WoW video (before I quit that game for good, I want to finish my long-time project of making my video).  My motherboard supports the new 45nm CPUs, so I just flashed the latest bios, popped my old E4300 out and swapped it with an E8500.  No reason to pay the same or more for a quad when the only thing I do regularly that stresses my computer is play these games.

I bought a nice cheap motherboard as well:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138075 for my old E4300 to go into, along with 4 gigs of DDR2, to replace my current secondary computer, which is right now a P4 2.8, and is very much showing its age.  My secondary computer never gets OC'd, its just there to be reliable for when I push the main a bit too far.  Also Sony Vegas supposedly can off-load work to a second computer, and I'm gunna see how well that works  :aok .

By the way, even running XP-32bit, I don't see a good reason NOT to get 4 gigs of DDR2 (even if only 3gigs can be used), the stuff is so dang cheap right now.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 06, 2008, 04:23:04 PM
All looks good to me Boiler.  :salute
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: bj229r on November 07, 2008, 06:21:12 AM
Ordered it! Thanks for pointing out Newegg Getback. (Shrew is getting an SLR Nikon, a compromise was worked out :))

Order Summary
Qty    Product Description    Price

1   ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
    Item #: N82E16813131296
    $146.99

1   Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
    Item #: N82E16819115036
    $189.99

1   Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS22G9600ELKN - Retail
    Item #: N82E16820220348
    $78.99

1    ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
    Item #: N82E16835186134
    $36.99
    $26.99

Subtotal    $442.96
Tax    $0.00
UPS Ground    $12.79
Order Total    $455.75
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 07, 2008, 06:38:57 AM
You are of course more than welcome.

Good to see a compromise.  :rofl
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: eagl on November 08, 2008, 09:15:44 PM
I just bought the parts for my latest system refresh.  I'm upgrading from an Athlon 64 X2 (socket 939, AMD can bite me) with an AGP 6800GT.  The computer is still fast enough, but it's started to become unstable and I suspect that the drive controller is failing since when it crashes, it tends to not see the hard drive on reboot.  I've gotten it up and running by re-seating all cables and removing the side of the case to ensure it runs cool, but I'm sick of babying it along so it's time to upgrade.

The parts I just bought are:

Asus P5Q Pro
Intel E8400 (buying this mobo and cpu at newegg on a combo deal, saved me $30).
Nvidia 260GTX vid card (MSI, $199 after all rebates)
2x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 1066 ($78ish after all rebates, comes with a 3-fan ram cooler)

I figure it'll be really fast stock, and with the good RAM I got it should overclock pretty nicely if I choose to do so.

Among the other parts I still have are a soundblaster audigy2 ZS, although I have one of those Razer sound cards on the shelf that I might try out.  I also have a 500gb SATA HD that will remain in use.

The main thing I still *should* buy is a larger LCD to match the monitor.  Right now I'm using dual LCDs but each display is only 1280x1024.  That 260GTX should push nearly double the pixels at higher framerates, with better image quality.  With a 1280x1024 monitor, I'll  pretty much be pegged at 60hz with all the eye candy and antialiasing turned on...

Total cost before mail in rebates including shipping is about $630.  There are $95 in rebates though, bringing this refresh down to about $535ish.

And yes, I could have waited a month and gotten the new Intel i7 and all that, but then I'd be buying DDR3 and the early mobos would cost around $300, so the cost would have just about doubled.  This ought to work just fine and if I run out of cpu power in the next year or so, I can pick up a quad core cpu when the prices drop as the i7 cpus become mainstream.

Oh yea, I'm running winXP but got 4GB of ram anyhow since I sometimes use linux and hate running out of ram.  DDR2 is so cheap, I almost bought 8GB of DDR2 800 instead of 4GB of DDR2 1066 (pretty much the same price) but I figured that would be overkill.  I can always add more memory later but I expect 4GB to be enough for another couple of years.




Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on November 09, 2008, 06:59:11 AM
I am not worried about the i7 CPU's.  I have always been a 'best-bang-for-the-buck' system builder and the P5Q family + E8x00 CPU is a pretty sweet package to build a computer around.

Maybe in a year, when the motherboards and i7 prices drop, they will be more competitive.  The motherboard prices are stupid high right now.  Considering they do not have a memory controller any more, they should be cheaper than the current generation of motherboard chipsets.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on November 22, 2008, 06:00:39 AM
It begins......

tick-tock-tick-tock
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 22, 2008, 08:30:38 AM
It begins......

tick-tock-tick-tock

Is she up and running captain?
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BaldEagl on November 22, 2008, 08:53:31 AM
It begins......

tick-tock-tick-tock

Quick!  Everyone post outrageous accusations on the BBs while he's busy.

 ;)
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BaldEagl on November 22, 2008, 08:56:23 AM
Double post... Skuzzy... when do we get a delete button?
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on November 22, 2008, 09:21:25 PM
Is she up and running captain?

Oh yeah.  Going to be a long time installing software though. The hardest part of building a new computer.  OY!  I have to say.  She is a snappy beast.  Details to follow once I get everything installed.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 23, 2008, 02:18:10 AM
Oh yeah.  Going to be a long time installing software though. The hardest part of building a new computer.  OY!  I have to say.  She is a snappy beast.  Details to follow once I get everything installed.

Took a while to install my software and I kept mine skimpy. Only one game on it and no suites. Have had it running better than 4 ghz for 2 months now and not one issue. (Counts Blessings).

The thing is though, now when I work on my mom's computer, which runs at 2.2 ghz and is a duo core, it seems so slow. Amazing what you get use to.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on November 23, 2008, 05:52:49 AM
I only installed what I actually use, but I do quite a bit.  All the video and editing software and then all the data I had compiled over the years.  Finally finished around 11pm last night.

Today will be about tweaking.

I have the memory bus up from 534Mhz to 571Mhz so far.  That is at 5-5-5-15 timings.  Taking it a little at a time.  The P5Q motherboard did a nice job setting up the inital stock timings.

After I get the RAM where I want it, then I will go to work on the CPU.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BaldEagl on November 23, 2008, 10:33:33 AM
It took me about five hours to transfer over and install a shade over 60 Gb of programs and data when I built mine.  That also included the OS install, updates and tweaking afterward.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 23, 2008, 11:16:21 AM
It took me about five hours to transfer over and install a shade over 60 Gb of programs and data when I built mine.  That also included the OS install, updates and tweaking afterward.

I think it took me longer than that. Especially drivers.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: eagl on November 24, 2008, 12:20:11 AM
Skuzzy,

What bios settings are you starting with?  I have a brand new P5Q Pro and E8400, and I'd like to stretch it's legs a bit.  I matched it to corsair dominator pc2-8500, and it all works great straight out of the box.  I'd like to get a little OC boost though, so any hints on where to start would be appreciated.  I didn't think I *needed* it, but I installed the ram cooler that came with the memory.  3 fans clipped on top of the ram heatsinks.  I can't hear it running, so it will remain installed except when I move the computer because I don't trust the mounting clips.

I'm stuck using the stock cooler for the moment however, because newegg didn't have the thermalright cooler I wanted or the socket 775 adaptor that would let me re-use my old thermalright cooler in stock.  Even if I do get a better cooler, I'll have to pretty much take everything out to get the usual mounting plate installed behind the socket on the mobo.

In the meantime, temps are reasonable and the stock cooler is pretty quiet.  I loaded the cpu and vid card up for about 24 hrs and it didn't crash, so it's time to OC a bit :)
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on November 24, 2008, 01:44:11 AM
Skuzzy,

What bios settings are you starting with?  I have a brand new P5Q Pro and E8400, and I'd like to stretch it's legs a bit.  I matched it to corsair dominator pc2-8500, and it all works great straight out of the box.  I'd like to get a little OC boost though, so any hints on where to start would be appreciated.  I didn't think I *needed* it, but I installed the ram cooler that came with the memory.  3 fans clipped on top of the ram heatsinks.  I can't hear it running, so it will remain installed except when I move the computer because I don't trust the mounting clips.

I'm stuck using the stock cooler for the moment however, because newegg didn't have the thermalright cooler I wanted or the socket 775 adaptor that would let me re-use my old thermalright cooler in stock.  Even if I do get a better cooler, I'll have to pretty much take everything out to get the usual mounting plate installed behind the socket on the mobo.

In the meantime, temps are reasonable and the stock cooler is pretty quiet.  I loaded the cpu and vid card up for about 24 hrs and it didn't crash, so it's time to OC a bit :)

You greedy rascal!  :rofl :rofl Take your FSB up a hair and adjust your vcore a little. If it's unstable adjust the vcore voltage a tad more. BTW I'm no expert on this. Seemed to work for me. You should be able to get to 3.6 ghz and more easily.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on November 24, 2008, 06:02:30 AM
Actually, I would not bump the vcore and have never bumped the vcore voltage.  I am at 3.6Ghz right now and it is stable without touching the vcore.  As long as the under load temperatures stay below 45C it seems the E8xxx series of CPU's will just overclock to whatever you like.

eagl, I ordered DDR2-1200 memory to start with, and started with the memory clock set to at 533 Mhz (534 according to CPU-Z, which is DDR2-1066 speeds).  With DDR2 RAM, the clock rate is not always the best indicator for performance.  You also have to weigh it against the other settings.  Sometimes you can get better performance by underclocking the RAM and tweaking the various other timing parameters.

This is what I am working on right now.  I am on vacation this week, so I will have time to get through the testing and tweaks.  Once I get settled in and happy with it, I will post my configuration eagl.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: mipoikel on November 24, 2008, 07:02:31 AM
  I am on vacation this week,

ok, stay out from the boards.  :D
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: TilDeath on November 24, 2008, 07:19:44 AM
As Skuzzy stated you start OCing by pushing your memory up, then check it to see if its stable (memory testing software http://overclocksource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65:memtest86&catid=21:benchmarkingsoftware&Itemid=11 (http://overclocksource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65:memtest86&catid=21:benchmarkingsoftware&Itemid=11), then push it a little more, check for stability, repeat, repeat until unstable, then drop to your last stable settings.  If you really want to push your memory do what Skuzzy is doing and start play with the actually memory settings, again as he stated you may get better performance with a slower speed but tighter timings.  Once you have your memory stable you can then start with your processor.

Also what no one mentioned is in the BIOS anything referring to Enhanced should be disabled.  When competing for an OC score I turn the Thermal Control off but I do not recommend this to the inexperienced.  If your seeking a 24/7 OC you pretty much have to replace that stock cooler.  OCing a rig adds voltage even if your not doing it manually there are some settings that will add it, voltage = heat.  The Overclocksource site has some resources there for your review and information.  BTW if your click the graphic in my signature it shows my 2.66 OCed 24/7 to 3.899 so I am running at about 150% of the stock speed.  Want to see how well your done after, benchmark it with 3DMARK06 its free.  Here is the score of my mid level gaming machine.  If you hit the mid to upper teens then your doing good.
(http://www.overclocksource.com/3DmarkScore.jpg)
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: eagl on November 24, 2008, 08:35:31 AM
I get 13937 without rebooting or killing off background processes.

I heard that OCing these isn't quite as simple as upping the FSB, due to the mem and cpu bus not being sync.  Something about a NB strap setting the multiplier for the cpu/memory bus...  I'll need to find a good bios guide for this thing before I do too much.  I think I can push the memory some but I'd really just like to bump the cpu clock up some without accidentally upping NB or SB clocks or voltages.

I don't think I'll touch voltages...  I have good cooling except for the cpu itself but a high OC isn't my goal and burning something out would totally defeat the purpose of the OC (getting more performance without paying for a faster cpu or faster memory).
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: eagl on November 24, 2008, 08:39:50 AM
Anyone know what the current equivalent of the coolbits registry hack is?  I applied the "coolbits 2.0a" registry patch and it didn't do anything.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: TilDeath on November 24, 2008, 01:53:52 PM
Anyone know what the current equivalent of the coolbits registry hack is?  I applied the "coolbits 2.0a" registry patch and it didn't do anything.

What are you trying to open on your Video card... what settings then I can send you in a direction.  Seems like there is no "all in one" tweeker.  I have some listed on my site.  www.overclocksource.com (http://www.overclocksource.com)  if there is something in particular your seeking let me know I probably have it just not up on the site as of yet.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: eagl on November 24, 2008, 07:55:19 PM
What are you trying to open on your Video card... what settings then I can send you in a direction.  Seems like there is no "all in one" tweeker.  I have some listed on my site.  www.overclocksource.com (http://www.overclocksource.com)  if there is something in particular your seeking let me know I probably have it just not up on the site as of yet.

The coolbits hack opened up access to a tab with the card temperatures, and another tab with overclocking settings.  I'd like to at least get the overclocking stuff exposed, and I thought those settings were still in the driver control panel and just had to be unlocked.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: TilDeath on November 24, 2008, 08:25:31 PM
The coolbits hack opened up access to a tab with the card temperatures, and another tab with overclocking settings.  I'd like to at least get the overclocking stuff exposed, and I thought those settings were still in the driver control panel and just had to be unlocked.
What Video card ATI or nVidia
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: BaldEagl on November 25, 2008, 09:23:42 AM
Actually, I would not bump the vcore and have never bumped the vcore voltage. 

When I had my E6750 (2.66 Gb) OC'd to 3.2 Gb I first left the cpu voltage set to auto.  It pushed the voltage to ~1.4 or 1.5 V IIRC.  This was much higher than at stock settings.  I manually turned the vcore down and was stable at 1.3625 V but that was still slightly higher than at stock bus speeds on auto.

eagl, if you're trying to OC your GPU try Riva Tuner.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: eagl on November 25, 2008, 08:28:56 PM
I have an nvidia gtx 260.  I'll give rivatuner a shot.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: AirFlyer on November 25, 2008, 10:30:00 PM
Jeez 20811, blows my score out of the water. Only scored a 13688 myself.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Mugzeee on August 04, 2009, 11:59:09 AM

This is what I am working on right now.  I am on vacation this week, so I will have time to get through the testing and tweaks.  Once I get settled in and happy with it, I will post my configuration eagl.
VAcation is over now....What the latest update on what you have done and how it has faired?  :D
Thanks
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on August 04, 2009, 01:20:17 PM
I keep forgetting to write down the BIOS settings I ended up with.  Not that it would do anyone any good.  Every computer overclock is a bit different.  I ended up with a 571Mhz FSB and a multiplier of 7 putting the CPU right at 4Ghz.  The RAM is also at 571Mhz.  So, it runs a 1:1 ratio.

Time from the start of the Windows XP boot screen to my login is just under 4 seconds.  Yep, she is a quick one.  Part of the boot speed is from not using the onboard sound chip in favor of my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum.  Onboard sound chips add a lot ot time to the boot process.  I hate slow boot times.

Been running with this configuration since I built it and it has been rock solid stable.  No volt changes from stock either.  It posts up frame rates consistently above 200FPS (disabled vsync for frame rate testing) in the current release of Aces High (V2.14.3) with all the advanced options on.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Dragon on August 04, 2009, 01:34:18 PM
VAcation is over now....What the latest update on what you have done and how it has faired?  :D
Thanks

I assume this has bugging you for 8 months?   :uhoh
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Mugzeee on August 15, 2009, 09:37:49 PM
I assume this has bugging you for 8 months?   :uhoh
LOL...well Skuzzy would deserve an 8 month vacation if anyone would.

AKA... I was considering that enough time has passed for Skuzzy to get a solid feel for the rig, and hoped he would disclose his final result. Thanks Skuzzy
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Kermit de frog on August 18, 2009, 01:18:59 AM
I keep forgetting to write down the BIOS settings I ended up with.  Not that it would do anyone any good.  Every computer overclock is a bit different.  I ended up with a 571Mhz FSB and a multiplier of 7 putting the CPU right at 4Ghz.  The RAM is also at 571Mhz.  So, it runs a 1:1 ratio.

Time from the start of the Windows XP boot screen to my login is just under 4 seconds.  Yep, she is a quick one.  Part of the boot speed is from not using the onboard sound chip in favor of my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum.  Onboard sound chips add a lot ot time to the boot process.  I hate slow boot times.

Been running with this configuration since I built it and it has been rock solid stable.  No volt changes from stock either.  It posts up frame rates consistently above 200FPS (disabled vsync for frame rate testing) in the current release of Aces High (V2.14.3) with all the advanced options on.

Holy cow, how did you get a 4 second boot time from logo to login?
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on August 18, 2009, 06:18:56 AM
A lot of it had to do with not using an onboard sound chip.  Those freaking Realtek drivers add approximately 15 seconds to your boot time.

Another part of it is running a really lean system.

The rest is just good old fashion speed.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Max on August 18, 2009, 07:08:35 AM
A lot of it had to do with not using an onboard sound chip.  Those freaking Realtek drivers add approximately 15 seconds to your boot time.


So is it OK to trash the Realtek drivers if you're using a sound card?
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on August 18, 2009, 07:19:44 AM
Trash them and disable the onboard sound, if you have an add-in sound card.

Oh, and I never load the Creative utilities.  Just drivers.  Your computer will be a much happier camper without those Creative nightmares.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Max on August 18, 2009, 08:02:25 AM
 :aok
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Getback on August 18, 2009, 10:01:55 PM
Creative utilities, uhg! Had to restore may system because of them.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on August 19, 2009, 06:35:43 AM
Oh yeah, Creative utilities put them in the same league as Roxio.  Ever messed with a computer which had both installed?  I was ready to get the old bulk eraser out of the dust bin.

I have to figure these companies are simply fortunate most computer users are ignorant about how things should work, or said companies would have been litigated out of existance by now.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Max on August 19, 2009, 09:56:40 AM
Skuzzy -

After deleting the two Creative programs that appeared under CP > Add/Delete software, I still find a Creative program folder in the Program section of my hard drive. Tried to delete THAT only to get a "no access allowed..."
screen message.

So how do you banish the Creative stuff into cyberspace?
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Ghastly on August 21, 2009, 04:49:06 PM
Honestly Max?  I don't think you can, at least not easily.  If you've installed the utilities, in my experience they generally leave pretty significant pieces of themselves behind even when you de-install them.

After deinstalling everything that I could from Creative, I'd boot up in safe mode and clear the folder, and then everything I could see that was from Creative in the registry, then reinstall just the drivers - but I'm not going to suggest that someone else do so.

<S>

Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Skuzzy on August 21, 2009, 04:58:03 PM
Sorry Max, I completely missed this post.

Max, if you made the mistake of installing Creative's utilities, then be prepared to re-install the OS to get rid of them.  They do manage to mangle a computer pretty well.
Title: Re: Skuzzy, Have you built your new system?
Post by: Max on August 21, 2009, 08:57:10 PM
So what you guys are saying..."it's like Norton...once you install them; they're buried until your HD fries".  :cry