Ok, so my old computer was:

Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Gigabyte GA-MA69G-S2H

Replaced the CPU and motherboard with:

Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16ghz)
Gigabyte GA-EP35C-DS3R

I have 4GB of 677mhz Corsair RAM - I'm going to get 800mhz sometime soon. Running Vista Ultimate x64

The problem is that when I boot the computer, the moboard posts the CPU as a Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 2.50ghz (333 x 7.5). Obviously I have something configured wrong in the BIOS. I've flashed to the latest BIOS off of gigabyte's site, and both gigabyte and intel claim to support the CPU/moboard combo.

Its not speed-step doing anything, is it? Since it posts as a lower clock speed CPU?

Do I need to force the multiplier to 9.5? I was hoping I could just plug the CPU in and let it chug away for now - I'm just getting into this whole overclocking and high-end computer world. I'm more of a software guy.

My temps are 45 - 50 C under normal load.

I don't think its my PSU - I have a 700 watt Coolmax PSU.

Complete specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R
4x 1GB 677mhz Corsair RAM
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB
2x 250GB Seagate 7200.10 SATA
Asus DVD+/-RW
Liteon BD-ROM
Coolmax CUG-700B 700W PSU, triple 12V rails



Thanks for the help

well 333x9.5 is the right fsb

You will have to disable Intels power management. Intel has what they call Enhanced EIST to lower the performance when the CPU is being under used. Its just Intel's way of doing Cool'n'Quiet.

hey guess what??

I'm an idiot.

I obviously messed up the settings in BIOS - when I told it to set to recommended defaults, my CPU is now posted at 3.16ghz (333 x 9.5).

CPU-Z sees it as 3.16ghz under load.

I still have a ton of questions... about all of this multiplier stuff... especially why everything is 333mhz times some magic number.

I guess I'll find something to read.

Any suggestions for good benchmark utilities?

That will make it run hotter, right?

Whats the max temps I'd want to run the E8500 at? its around 40 - 45 idle right now, running at 2 - 2.5 ghz.

Haven't run it much under load yet.

My E8400 @ 3.0 Ghz idles at 32 celcius. Should there be a 10+ celcius difference with only 0.16 GHz increase?

well. My e8500 idles in the 30-40 range and when I'm gaming it runs in the 50-58 range... While searching, I found all temps in the 60's and below should be safe.
I got my e8500 @ 4.27ghz with my Zalman 9700hsf

with the side case off, I'm idling at 34 Celsius.

I only have one front intake (small.... 70cm or so) and one exhaust. I need one other intake, I think, right beside the CPU fan on the side door, to cool the CPU and GPU.