New (Partial) Build...What Now?

[jfitz90]

Just got finished installing an ASRock 870 Extreme, 955 BE, and 4Gb of G.Skill Ripjaw DDR3. Windows 7 x64 Ultimate is up and running and all drivers are good to go.

So...what should I do now? Any suggestions to test the system out?

I already know I have to overclock the RAM so I have the full 1600MHz.

I have plenty of cooling in my Antec 900 (For Stock at least). 2 Front 120mm Intake fans, 1 side panel 120mm Fan (cant remember whether its exhaust or intake), 1 rear 120mm exhaust, stock CPU cooler, top 200mm exhaust.

I plan to try my various games out now and see if they run any smoother/better. (Crysis, MW2, Far Cry2, etc.)

Any other suggestions?

 

[dndhatcher]

Download PRIME95.
Check the idle CPU and mobo temps
Crank all the cores up to 100% for at least 10 minutes for a stability test
Watch the temps while the cores are still at 100% until the temps stabilize and see what they end up at under full load.

Do this check every time you increase the overclock.

 

[jfitz90]

Download PRIME95.
Check the idle CPU and mobo temps
Crank all the cores up to 100% for at least 10 minutes for a stability test
Watch the temps while the cores are still at 100% until the temps stabilize and see what they end up at under full load.

Do this check every time you increase the overclock.

Ok will do that. Does Prime95 show mobo and CPU Core temps or will another program need to be utilized?

 

[dndhatcher]

It just shows cores, %s and any errors. Speedfan or coretemp for temperature monitoring.

Your graphics card should have some overlcocking software (based on Riva tuner) that handles the fan speed and temp monitoring also.

 

[jfitz90]

Ok, thanks for the help. I'm hoping to see an all around performance boost in Photoshop, games and general usage. I will probably do the Prime95 and temp check tonight when I get home from work.

 

[jfitz90]

Best answer selected by jfitz90.