Some Questions

[alexthager]

Hello everyone, I'm new, anyways here's my questions.

So my specifications are in my signature. I'm going to be running my processor at 100% all the time. I am OC'd to 4.4ghz from 3.4. My computer isn't staying cool, while only being on 30% cpu usage, I'm hitting 86 degrees Celsius. I am on a low budget, and need my computer to stay cool while getting the Maximum performance out of my CPU. I need all suggestions. Whether it's fans, cases, whatever. But try to keep the price low. BUT PLEASE, ANYTHING YOU HAVE IN MIND. I need my stuff cool badly, I've tried making my fans different directions, reapplying thermal compound, all that good stuff. Be sure to check out my sig for my computer info, thanks.

SPECS here actually

Intel i7-2600k Sandy Bridge @4.4ghz

Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz 16gb RAM

750W Zephyr PSU

3x Radeon HD 4350

Asus P8P67-M PRO M/B

NZXT Apollo Case

Corsair H70 Water Cooling

Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme Fan Controller

1TB Samsung 7200RPM HDD

 

[hunter315]

Lower your OC, its bad to be running that hot. I assume you are currently running the stock cooler. If you want to keep it cheap you may not be able to run at 4.4 GHz, you may have to step it down a bit so you can lower the voltage more. How much are you willing to spend on a good CPU cooler? A hyper 212+ is cheaper ($26 on newegg today) and fairly good, but there are much better coolers if you are willing to pay a bit extra. Given your current temps im not sure if the 212+ will be sufficient for your CPU @ 4.4 GHz.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065


Edit: Didn't see the H70 before i posted, changes things a bit, but you should still lower your OC before you burn something up.

 

[christop]

Get a rasa 750xspc water loop and sell the h70.

 

[inanition02]

What VCore are you running at? What configuration do you have the fans on the H70? What is the ambient temperature in the room? And what is the airflow situation around the case (is it enclosed, on the desk, on the floor (is it carpet? hardwood?))?

And why on earth would you run a proc at 100% all the time?

You may want to see this review: http://www.guru3d.com/article/corsair-h70-review/10

 

[alexthager]

Lower your OC, its bad to be running that hot. I assume you are currently running the stock cooler. If you want to keep it cheap you may not be able to run at 4.4 GHz, you may have to step it down a bit so you can lower the voltage more. How much are you willing to spend on a good CPU cooler? A hyper 212+ is cheaper ($26 on newegg today) and fairly good, but there are much better coolers if you are willing to pay a bit extra. Given your current temps im not sure if the 212+ will be sufficient for your CPU @ 4.4 GHz.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065


Edit: Didn't see the H70 before i posted, changes things a bit, but you should still lower your OC before you burn something up.

5 ghz is considered easy on a good air cooling system. Thanks for the input though.

 

[inanition02]

5 ghz is considered easy on a good air cooling system. Thanks for the input though.

Really? Easy?? You may want to read this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/264867-29-corsair-good-2600k-5ghz

Including this gem:

'A quote from an ASUS technical specialist regarding the K CPUs:
"1. Approximately 50% of CPUs can go up to 4.4~4.5 GHz
2. Approximately 40% of CPUs can go up to 4.6~4.7 GHz
3. Approximately 10% of CPUs can go up to 4.8~5 GHz (50+ multipliers are about 2% of this group)"'

So only about 2% of the procs get to 5.0. 50% can't even get to 4.4. That's why they don't sell them at 4+.

 

[inanition02]

And you still didn't answer why you'd need that, esp running 24x7

 

[IH8U]

I recommend getting a case without a goofy A$$ed door (impedes airflow, and dust/clog magnet), and/or some higher CFM fans. Also fans should be pull in from front, and side. Push out back, and top.


cases:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112323
$60 LIAN LI Lancool First Knight Series PC-K57W (20% off with code)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
$60 Cooler Master HAF 912 (add 2x 200mm fan for top, and front. 1x 140mm fan for the side)

Fans:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185058
$14 Scythe slipstream 68.54 CFM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226013
$22 SilenX Iextrema 90 CFM

If you decide to get the HAF case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835146004
$15 NZXT FS-200RB 200mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209051
$19 Antec TRUEQUIET 140 140mm


*EDIT* also why do you have 3x 4350's (assuming they are fanless?), when 2x 6570's will out perform them (most also have fans).

 

[alexthager]

What VCore are you running at? What configuration do you have the fans on the H70? What is the ambient temperature in the room? And what is the airflow situation around the case (is it enclosed, on the desk, on the floor (is it carpet? hardwood?))?

And why on earth would you run a proc at 100% all the time?

You may want to see this review: http://www.guru3d.com/article/corsair-h70-review/10

Well, there's a problem, whenever I look at OC tutorials, my BIOS always looks different then someone else's, even if we have identical MBs. So I can guarantee some BIOS settings need changing. My h70 fans take in air from my case and blow out air at the back. It's around 68 Degrees Fahrenheit in my room. My case is on a hardwood floor under my very large desk. Here's some CPU-Z Info: Core Voltage: 1.304v and well that's about it.

 

[alexthager]

Really? Easy?? You may want to read this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/264867-29-corsair-good-2600k-5ghz

Including this gem:

'A quote from an ASUS technical specialist regarding the K CPUs:
"1. Approximately 50% of CPUs can go up to 4.4~4.5 GHz
2. Approximately 40% of CPUs can go up to 4.6~4.7 GHz
3. Approximately 10% of CPUs can go up to 4.8~5 GHz (50+ multipliers are about 2% of this group)"'

So only about 2% of the procs get to 5.0. 50% can't even get to 4.4. That's why they don't sell them at 4+.

Yes only 2%, but the 2600k is regarded as one of the highest OC'ing processors, and fastest.
And I'm running multiple instances of an application.

 

[inanition02]

Well, there's a problem, whenever I look at OC tutorials, my BIOS always looks different then someone else's, even if we have identical MBs. So I can guarantee some BIOS settings need changing. My h70 fans take in air from my case and blow out air at the back. It's around 68 Degrees Fahrenheit in my room. My case is on a hardwood floor under my very large desk. Here's some CPU-Z Info: Core Voltage: 1.304v and well that's about it.

I would imagine the 3x 4350s heat up the case a TON and also block airflow. You'd get better performance out of most of the 6000 series - go for a 6850 or the like, and I bet case temps will drop a lot...

 

[alexthager]

I recommend getting a case without a goofy A$$ed door (impedes airflow, and dust/clog magnet), and/or some higher CFM fans. Also fans should be pull in from front, and side. Push out back, and top.


cases:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112323
$60 LIAN LI Lancool First Knight Series PC-K57W (20% off with code)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
$60 Cooler Master HAF 912 (add 2x 200mm fan for top, and front. 1x 140mm fan for the side)

Fans:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185058
$14 Scythe slipstream 68.54 CFM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226013
$22 SilenX Iextrema 90 CFM

If you decide to get the HAF case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835146004
$15 NZXT FS-200RB 200mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209051
$19 Antec TRUEQUIET 140 140mm


*EDIT* also why do you have 3x 4350's (assuming they are fanless?), when 2x 6570's will out perform them (most also have fans).

They aren't for gaming, I just have 6 monitors. Anyways, thanks for the cases, However, I'm not looking for dirt cheap cases, just under 300 dollars, and yesterday I ordered 3 Delta 240 CFM fans.

 

[alexthager]

I would imagine the 3x 4350s heat up the case a TON and also block airflow. You'd get better performance out of most of the 6000 series - go for a 6850 or the like, and I bet case temps will drop a lot...

Well they are pretty small but thanks, I'm getting the 5870 eyefinity 6. I need 6 monitor support, if you have a better GPU in mind for 6 monitors please tell me.

 

[inanition02]

Yes only 2%, but the 2600k is regarded as one of the highest OC'ing processors, and fastest.
And I'm running multiple instances of an application.

Yes - and you're running a 30% overclock! That's quite a bit. Even as the highest overclocking processor, still only 1 out of every 2 can hit 4.4. And only 1 out of 50(!!!) can hit 5.0ghz.

So you could keep buying 2600ks until you get one that can hit it, I guess.

Also, I will point out that technically speaking more ghz doesn't really help with multi-tasking. That has to do with RAM and cores (and maybe, sometimes, Hyperthreading). The idea is that each application has one or more threads which each are allocated "core" time by the queue handler in the OS. More cores = more resources to delegate so it can do more at the same time. More ghz, at that level esp, just means that each job finishes fractionally faster. If you really want ultimate performance, you'd have to look at what the app is and optimize it. Ideally in code, and as low level as possible (i.e., I have an app that used to be hugely memory intensive - I worked through the code and removed the memory bottleneck. Now it's proc limited. But it's already running in low level language near as possible to assembly. And the work it does isn't easily parallel-ized. That app could benefit from more speed, but another 1-200mhz won't make much difference in the end.)

Also, you can get Eyefinity edition 5000/6000 series that have 6 display outputs on one card - would greatly improve temps.

 

[inanition02]

5870 is a good choice for 6 displays - I will say though that you could do a single normal card (6570 or so) with three displays, then do USB/VGA converters for the other 3, if you're not gaming on those. That might save money and case heat.

 

[alexthager]

Yes - and you're running a 30% overclock! That's quite a bit. Even as the highest overclocking processor, still only 1 out of every 2 can hit 4.4. And only 1 out of 50(!!!) can hit 5.0ghz.

So you could keep buying 2600ks until you get one that can hit it, I guess.

Also, I will point out that technically speaking more ghz doesn't really help with multi-tasking. That has to do with RAM and cores (and maybe, sometimes, Hyperthreading). The idea is that each application has one or more threads which each are allocated "core" time by the queue handler in the OS. More cores = more resources to delegate so it can do more at the same time. More ghz, at that level esp, just means that each job finishes fractionally faster. If you really want ultimate performance, you'd have to look at what the app is and optimize it. Ideally in code, and as low level as possible (i.e., I have an app that used to be hugely memory intensive - I worked through the code and removed the memory bottleneck. Now it's proc limited. But it's already running in low level language near as possible to assembly. And the work it does isn't easily parallel-ized. That app could benefit from more speed, but another 1-200mhz won't make much difference in the end.)

Also, you can get Eyefinity edition 5000/6000 series that have 6 display outputs on one card - would greatly improve temps.

Well my friend, no him in real life, not making *** up, easily runs at 4.4, and has his fans on pretty low, has the same cooling and processor and he never exceeds 65 degrees

 

[alexthager]

5870 is a good choice for 6 displays - I will say though that you could do a single normal card (6570 or so) with three displays, then do USB/VGA converters for the other 3, if you're not gaming on those. That might save money and case heat.

And do you have any cases in mind? or things to change in the BIOS? Case modding? Thanks for helping man, I really appreciate it.

 

[hunter315]

Overclocking is very dependent on the chip, he might have a lower leakage chip, or might not have needed to up his voltage quite as much, both of which would result in significantly lower temperatures. To assume that your 2600k should be able to do 4.4 at the same temps as his because its the same model ignores the inherent variations in CPUs. Don't assume that you can do the same OC as someone else, you need to tweak your OC for what your CPU can do, and what your cooling system can do, obviously your cooling system isn't up to it at the moment.

 

[inanition02]

Well my friend, no him in real life, not making *** up, easily runs at 4.4, and has his fans on pretty low, has the same cooling and processor and he never exceeds 65 degrees

Well, they said 50% can hit at least 4.4ghz.

That's 1 in 2....he got the one, you got the other...

 

[inanition02]

And do you have any cases in mind? or things to change in the BIOS? Case modding? Thanks for helping man, I really appreciate it.

I would say think airflow - clear, clean lines. Front and side (intakes) to back and top (outputs). Bundle internal cables together with zip ties to clear airflow. Think about alternative mounts for the hdds (I mount my mechanical hdds in a 2x5.25" -> 3x3.5" HDD converter with an intake fan to clear the bottom of the case for airflow). Think about where the air goes, what it hits, and what speed (i.e., does anything cause turbulence or impede airflow?)

 

[Petrofsky]

Self-contained water coolers are a gimmick. They are not as good as air. That's why you're hot.

 

[alexthager]

Overclocking is very dependent on the chip, he might have a lower leakage chip, or might not have needed to up his voltage quite as much, both of which would result in significantly lower temperatures. To assume that your 2600k should be able to do 4.4 at the same temps as his because its the same model ignores the inherent variations in CPUs. Don't assume that you can do the same OC as someone else, you need to tweak your OC for what your CPU can do, and what your cooling system can do, obviously your cooling system isn't up to it at the moment.

We have the same chip and cooling.

 

[alexthager]

Well, they said 50% can hit at least 4.4ghz.

That's 1 in 2....he got the one, you got the other...

There's not only one K intel processor, I can think of two right now.We have the exact same chip, so the OC should be the EXACT same.

 

[alexthager]

Self-contained water coolers are a gimmick. They are not as good as air. That's why you're hot.

That's an opinion, it's a fact that my cooling should easily be capable of 4.4 look at youtube videos, the h70 has a good rep whether you like it or not

 

[hunter315]

There's not only one K intel processor, I can think of two right now.We have the exact same chip, so the OC should be the EXACT same.

False! The OC will NEVER be the SAME. The chips vary, quite significantly, from one unit to the next. There are some 2600k chips that can barely hit 4 GHz, there are others that will do 5 GHz on a simple air cooler. While technically "identical", the chips are far from identical if you look at it on a micro electronics level, tiny variations in the silicon can result in significant variations in overclocking potential. Why do you think they bin chips? All Sandy Bridge i5's are the same, all Sandy Bridge i3s are the same, they are just slight variations in the silicon that lead to different thermal profiles and overclocking potential which means some need to be clocked lower to stay in their thermal window.


Computer processors run on magic smoke and black magic, nothing in a computer system is ever exactly the same as another, even if they are consecutive serial numbers.