AdrianPav

Hello everyone. First of all, I need to say that I've never before OC'ed any of my previous machines, so I'm very new at this. I'm getting this board and RAM because I'm looking into taking my first steps towards learning how to OC a machine. I have, however, been using PC's since the 8088 days, so I'm familliar with building a machine... Just not overclocking.

Next, the machine stated in my specs is not in my possesion as yet... It arrives next week, so I wait... Rather impatiently I might add. Right now I'm using a borrowed laptop to post this. I'll probably end up using this laptop as my connection to the internet while I tune up the new monster. I'm prepared to spend as many months as required overclocking the new rig, if need be.

Now, on to the questions, since you're probably tired of the " Hi I'm new here " statement.

First, since the chip I'm getting is a dual-core, I was wondering... When I overclock, is it a single setting in the BIOS to overclock BOTH cores, or do I do this individually for each core? Read a bit about the dual instance Prime95 torture test to check for stability in dual core chips, but I'm unware of what needs to be done in the BIOS prior to that. I've read there are built in tools in the BIOS for "automatic overclocking" on this motherboard, if there's really such a thing... I'd really appreciate any information about the reliability of the tools that ship with the board, or any suggestions from users who have already sucessfully overclocked it.

Next, the Corsair RAM... I'm getting the 2GB XMS3500LL Pro kit, as recommended by Asus. I've heard a bit about how certain Mobo's prefer certain RAM chips in certain slots. (DFI, which I almost got, but changed my mind at the last minute...) Does this apply to the Asus AN832-SLI Deluxe as well? Sorry, still not so sure about what the numbers mean in memory timings... (Rest assured, I will be reading the FAQ about memory timings several times.)

Each motherboard has its own little quirks, as I recently discovered when old reliable A-BIT IS-7 burnt itself out because of a fan faliure that I didn't notice. (Recently moved to the tropics, and I never switch of my machine, even when I'm at work. Plus, the NB temperature reading is off on that motherboard! Damn!) Is there anything about this motherboard that strikes you guys as quirky or beyond the norm? I have a copy of the AMD OC'ing FAQ from the site on notepad for reference... Are there any exceptions to the FAQ for this Motherboard/Processor/RAM combination?

Finally... Last question... Ambient temperature in this country ranges from 36-40 degrees celcius and humidity ranges around 75%-80% all year round... Hey, what can I say, its the tropics... At least Its not freezing, and coconuts are cheap. I was wondering, with ambient temperature being so high all the time, would I be alright with just the Thermalright SI-120 heatsink and a Delta fan (Noise is not a problem.) or would you suggest something else? Should I only go for a mild overclock, or go for broke and get a Peltier system so I can go a bit higher? (Bit iffy about that, since its so humid here... Condensation, you understand, happens very easily here because of the high temperature and high humidity.) Don't mind spending a bit...

Thanks in advance, and before I sign off, I have to say... This is a great looking page. Excellent resource. I look forward to my first adventures in overclocking... Of course, with your kind guidance. Hope I don't burn anything.

The Duke

Here is a great guide from ncsa
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/38169-...roduction.html

Dont take offence to the tytle
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/26706-...s-dummies.html

Also... http://www.overclock.net/faqs/
which is on the main page will offer many more great FAQ/Guides!
The link is actuall the tytle " Random Overclock.net FAQs."

Considering the temps... perhaps water may be your answer... Phase is great to but very perticular with temps in the -50c range.

Mnaual BIOS settings will get the best OC... just time consuming and always tst your results... it that FAQ by ncsa, there is a Memtest quick test method, very handy. Other progs like OCCT, Prime95, and Super PI will come in handy

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AdrianPav

Great stuff... Looks like I have a bit of reading to do. Thanks! Any suggestions about the ambient temperature in this country question? What do you think... Stick with air-cooling or get a water or peltier solution? Thanks for the speedy reply, btw.

The Duke

Pelts seem to have faded off due to the power consumption and the intro of Phase cooling... not to firmiliar with them but there is a cooling section with tons of info there too.
The thing to remember is
1. High case air flow is important... bottom or bottom and side in and top/rear out.
2. Keep the Athlon XP 939 @ very low 50c range under full load... some have a max temp of 63c - low 70c recommended by AMD where the will die !

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AdrianPav

Ah... Yes. Phase change cooling. I've heard of it. Something like an AC unit in your machine isn't it? Intriguing. I'm hoping this new case has good airflow. So far, I've seen 2 glowing reviews, and one not so great one. Pro's seem to outweigh the cons, but I guess I'll have to wait till next week to find out.
Keeping the processor on the low 50 mark during load might not be too hard to do I suppose. Got my tube of AS5 and my heatsink right here. Hopefully, that will be enough, or I might be shopping around for a water block soon. Heh.
For the quick response, and the great links, I've got to REP you. Just got to be done.

The Duke

Ncsa had an Opty 146 doing over 3.4 with a phase unit

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cyrixMII300

well mate why dont u read the following two FAQs about air cooling inside your casing and water cooling. and take it from some1 who knows, back home u better do water cooling if u want to really oc. you can do phase but as u very well admit the humidity will kill ur pc for u. if u get a water cooling, get it from frozenpc or dtek (online stores which ship to msia) instead of the bigwater that we get in msia. unless they have something else there in which case you can ask every1 here their opinion about it.

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/70838-...how-can-i.html

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/71307-...now-about.html

happy overclocking mate

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http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php

http://service.futuremark.com/home.a...D6925B6FDBAF27

Watercooling FAQ
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/70838-...m-how-can.html

Air Cooling & Casing Fan Arrangement
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/71307-...need-know.html

AdrianPav

Ahh, excellent links from my countryman! Good stuff. Good recommendation, too. Yeah, I'm definitely thinking about water cooling as a viable solution, since there's apparently room enough in my case to do it. I'm thinking perhaps a DIY solution might be a good idea, since I'm going to make 200% sure that I don't have any leaks by testing the thing for about a week after I build it. Then again... That's for the future. For now, I'll read the links, digest the info, and wait, as I said before... Rather impatiently, for the parts to arrive. Everything is here except for the Motherboard! Hehehehe.

The Duke

Good luck
BTW... you will find many people use heater cores from a large american car for the radiator.

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AdrianPav

American car? Not much chance of me finding one of those here, since they're not imported. Guess the chryslers are here, but they're a bit expensive. Not much need for a heater here, you understand. Well, I'm not so sure about the more extreme methods of cooling at the moment, since, as I mentioned, humidity here is so high that any change in temperature creates almost instant condensation. Guess I'll stick to water.