Hi,
recently i bought a E2160 and a GA-P35-DS3R. im using CM2X1024-6400C4






Do you think i should go for 3.4ghz? what temps should i trust? (note: im using asus silent square with MX-2 thermal grease)

why is that when i do other stuff with the computer and i run 3d mark my cpu score lowers from 2752 to 2600..? i had a similar problem with my 4200+(note: im using XFX8600gt 700/900)

thanks in advance

Make sure that it's 100% stable now, stress test it for 6-12 hours, if it overheats/crashes then you won't be able to OC it some more. Although 61 Celsius is kinda hot...so I would be be careful. So I would think that you either need to downclock it down or just stay at this overclock.

I've got a similar setup I recently bought for a customer:

• GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R 775
• INTEL|PDC E2160 1.8G 775 1M
• 1Gx2|GSkill F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ

The settings I used to get it overclocked to 3.2 Ghz were:

• Bus - 356 Mhz * 9
• Memory timing - 3.0
• CPU core voltage - 4.625v

The temps were pretty high (150-160 F), and CPUZ showed incorrect information:



Overclocked to 3.0 Ghz:

• Bus - 333 Mhz * 9
• Memory timing - 3.0
• CPU core voltage - 4.625v

The temps were still too high for my liking (140 - 150 F):



Overclocked to 2.8, stable with good temps (stock HSF).

• Bus - 312 Mhz * 9
• Memory timing - 3.0
• CPU core voltage - 3.625v

The temps were stable, though still on the high side (130 - 140 F):



I realize that in order to crank it up to 3.2 Ghz, I will need a better cooling solution. Looking at the Zalman 9700 LED, since the core CPU voltage needs to be cranked close to 1.5v in order to run stable. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 835118019.

I guess the question remains, which temperatures are correct? Easy Tune or Intel?

I run an E2160 on the following settings: 366mhz FSB x9 (3.3ghz) 1.50v on the core. CoreTemp reports 32'C idle and 65'C under load. That is prime95 after about 1 hour of torture! If I reduce the O.C to 333mhz FSB (3.0ghz) and 1.325v core my temps drop to 30'C idle and 55'C load. The performance increase from 3.0 to 3.3 is really noticable and I'm comfortable with the temps as it is. These little wonders can safely run up into the 70's. So I would suggest just keep it below 70'C and you should be fine.

Thanks for that info, I've always been a little leery of running at those temps, but if 70 won't burn it up, I guess I'm OK with that. Since it's not my system, I may hold off, and recommend a Zalman 9700.

I would not use Intels Thermal tool for temps, I would use CoreTemp/SpeedFan, in the article about OC he mentioned Intel tool is inaccurate. Also what is your voltage setting in the BIOS? CPU-Z can be a little funky with real-world voltage and actual applied voltage in the BIOS. Also if this is on SHSF I wouldnt push it any higher, but dont let that get you down, my E2180 couldnt even push 3.33Ghz, The only way to even get 3.2Ghz to boot was by upping the Vcore to 1.525V! So I setteled for 3Ghz at 1.406V. All voltages I'm stating are in-BIOS settings.

If using coretemp ensure that the T-juunction value is correct (problem might only be with thw quad cores though)

if you;re looking for a new cooler take a look at thermalright's offerigns (ultra 120 etc), scythe infinity, or the sunbeam tuniq 120

They're all mighty good, massive coolers

Thanks for the input! All the voltages mentioned in my setup are BIOS set voltages. I was able to achieve 3.2 Ghz stable at 1.5 volt, but again, I wasn't happy with the temps running a SHSF. I'll check out CoreTemp/SpeedFan, thanks for the tip.