Need a bit of help OC'ing 3800+

[infamousloL]

I plan on buying a new CPU cooler because the stock is TOO hot (50-70c), and I might as well OC it a little, How should I clean my current processor? And if I got water on the pin side, what would be the consequence?

When applying thermal paste, how MUCH is enough? a little dap that still leaves a few specks empty or a dap that would come off a little when I put the cooler on it? On my old P4 system, my HSF doesn't usually get hot, just warm.
Is the thermal paste supposed to transfer heat over to the HSF or reduce it?

One more thing, when OC'ing what should my ram settings be, AUTO, 333/400mhz?

 

[inplainview]

Do not use water!

Use alcohol. Denatured would be best. You only have to clean the old thermal paste off the back of the processor, there is no need to clean the pin side whatsoever.

Thermal paste transfers the heat to the heatsink.

Depending on your RAM's ability to OC and how high you're going to push your processor you may or may not want/have to run a divider.

 

[desolationw]

Depending on what type of ram you are using, your oc will be different. If you are usng value then this is prob your best choice:

current:
fsb: 200 x 12 = 2400mhz
ram: 200(400mhz)
HTT: 1000mhz/ x5

o'c:
fsb: 200-240 x 12 = 2400mhz - 2880mhz
ram: knock down to 166mhz(333mhz) + a 40mhz fsb o'c = 206mhz/412mhz
htt: down to 800mhz/4x with fsb at 240mhz = 960mhz (but is able to run to a max of 1200mhz usually)

only got a few min so i hope you understand me. if not, just post and i will explain more later.

 

[infamousloL]

Depending on what type of ram you are using, your oc will be different. If you are usng value then this is prob your best choice:

current:
fsb: 200 x 12 = 2400mhz
ram: 200(400mhz)
HTT: 1000mhz/ x5

o'c:
fsb: 200-240 x 12 = 2400mhz - 2880mhz
ram: knock down to 166mhz(333mhz) + a 40mhz fsb o'c = 206mhz/412mhz
htt: down to 800mhz/4x with fsb at 240mhz = 960mhz (but is able to run to a max of 1200mhz usually)

only got a few min so i hope you understand me. if not, just post and i will explain more later.

heh, i don't get all of it. But I atleast know things are. Thanks, and I hope you explain a bit more later

BTW, I'm on a budget right now so I'm only getting a new cooler+ram

here's the RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820141152
Cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835185037

BTW, could you tell me how much thermal paste i should apply? enough so it's all filled or just a bit so there's some specks left?

 

[AdamBomb42]

Use a very small amount and spread it around so that you end up with only a very thin layer across the CPU.

I would not expect much out of that RAM. What RAM do you currently have? I may be best to stick with what you've got until you can spend more on your RAM.

That is a very good heatsink although it seems very tough to install.

 

[infamousloL]

Use a very small amount and spread it around so that you end up with only a very thin layer across the CPU.

I would not expect much out of that RAM. What RAM do you currently have? I may be best to stick with what you've got until you can spend more on your RAM.

That is a very good heatsink although it seems very tough to install.

Currently using 512value ram right now, half of it is from this computer(parents new comp soon when i get the other up)

Isn't the PQI turbo decent? MAYBE I could get the Crucial ballistix
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148007

 

[AdamBomb42]

I would go with the Crucial.