Overclock.net - Overclocking.net - Blogs - The Brown Blogger by BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/ An overclocking forum devoted to maximizing the performance of graphics cards, CPUs, motherboards, RAM and everything else found inside your computer case. en Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:50:41 GMT vBulletin 1 http://static.overclock.net/images/oc/misc/rss.jpg Overclock.net - Overclocking.net - Blogs - The Brown Blogger by BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/ A Benchmark Editor - Journal Entry 2 http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/1400-benchmark-editor-journal-entry-2.html Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:47:17 GMT Yesterday we started the discussion on what the next benchmark should be. We have a few ideas but nothing certain on what we will do so again we welcome ideas on what everyone would like to see. We also had some talk about smaller monthly competitions that would include a broader range of... Yesterday we started the discussion on what the next benchmark should be. We have a few ideas but nothing certain on what we will do so again we welcome ideas on what everyone would like to see.

We also had some talk about smaller monthly competitions that would include a broader range of participants. I think this would interest a lot of people, however since we would not be pushing our systems to the xtreme the prizes will obviously be smaller and these contests would more than likely not affect our HWBot.org standings in any way. It would just be all for fun.

There is also going to be an announcement coming soon regarding HWBot.org and the scoring threads on the forum. Keep an eye out for that.

I guess that is it for the day...Bench on :thumb: ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/1400-benchmark-editor-journal-entry-2.html Gaming http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/1390-gaming.html Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:13:23 GMT It all started late summer of 1999. I was playing online for the first time in a game called Motocross Madness. While playing I talked with a guy who invited me to play a new game called Counter-Strike. So I went to the store and purchased Hal-Life for 9.99 at Office Depot and installed it and... It all started late summer of 1999. I was playing online for the first time in a game called Motocross Madness. While playing I talked with a guy who invited me to play a new game called Counter-Strike. So I went to the store and purchased Hal-Life for 9.99 at Office Depot and installed it and downloaded CS for the first time (I think it was beta 5.5 at the time). At the time we only had dial-up so it took a while. Basically I had to download it overnight.

The next day I installed it and played my first FPS for the first time and online against real people none the less. Over the next two months my wife pleaded with me to get off the game and watch a movie with her (or do just about anything that did not involve that game). Soon she decided to try and play it so we could spend time together. She became addicted as well. Now mind you we had only been married about two years at this point.

Over the course of the next 5 years we played the game heavily. Both of us had our own computers and we would spend countless hours just playing CS together. We formed our own clan a couple different times an competed in CAL. In 2002 we even went to the CPL and competed, but got spanked in the process.

We eventually saw that we knew little about each other because even though we played games together we were still in our own separate little world. It was a tough time in our lives, but we eventually got through it and up until earlier this year still played occasionally. I have not played any game on my pc in about 3-4 months now and I must say I don't miss it much. I have not given up gaming, I just have other stuff that I enjoy more. Not to mention I play a few hours a week with my son on the Indiana Jones Legos game on our PS3 :)

I can say that in those five years I became really good at playing CS. I look back now and realize I wasted some good times in my life. So for those of you who play video games, don't let it steal your life away. I have come to realize that games are fun and sometimes help you take a break from a stressful day. It's when the games become your life that's where the regret will come later. Because honestly, most of us will never become professional gamers, and the skills you have learned in playing games will probably never be used in real life, so there is really nothing to show for all the time and effort that was put into it.

This post is not meant to bash people that game. This is just some wisdom and experience from my life that I felt like sharing with everyone. ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/1390-gaming.html A Benchmark Editor - Journal Entry 1 http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/1389-benchmark-editor-journal-entry-1.html Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:32:29 GMT I thought it would be a neat idea to blog about being an Editor here on OCN. Since I am a Benchmarking Editor I can only cover that, but I hope it will be interesting none the less. As most of you know I help run the Benchmarking contests. That usually involves a couple months of discussing... I thought it would be a neat idea to blog about being an Editor here on OCN. Since I am a Benchmarking Editor I can only cover that, but I hope it will be interesting none the less.

As most of you know I help run the Benchmarking contests. That usually involves a couple months of discussing different ideas for the contests long before it actually takes place. Then we have to get approval for the prizes for the contest (of which admin is VERY generous) and then setup the structure of how the contest is run according to the prizes given.

The second thing I do is to help keep all of the official benchmarking lists updated. I worked on getting them all moved over to Google Spreadsheets to help make it easier.

Next there are the benchmarking programs list I have been trying to keep up to date for all to see and use and I have worked along with the Downloads Editor ([PWN]Schubie) to get most of those files hosted here on OCN. He has done a great job of that btw. :thumb:

Then there are the guides that have been a work in process. I wanted to provide guides on how to run and tweak every benchmark that we can find. This is a daunting task and some members have stepped up and volunteered to help create a few guides and I am grateful for that. This will be a long and slow process and one that I hope most of you will bare with us as we venture on.

Alot my time is actually spent behind the scenes talking with other staff members. This is where the magic happens ;)

Being on the staff here requires work and some dedication and is not something to be taken lightly. This is just an FYI to any members aspiring to be part of the staff. Overall it is a great experience and one that I greatly enjoy. ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/1389-benchmark-editor-journal-entry-1.html My Spider Advernture - Part 4 - The Final Chapter http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/757-my-spider-advernture-part-4-final.html Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:15:29 GMT _*The Re-Birth*_ Since the last blog post about my system I have gone through alot of changes. First was the motherboard swap to the new ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe. I then added a fourth Sapphire Toxic 3870 and attempted to upgrade my PSU to a Corsair 1000W. However the PSU turned out to be... The Re-Birth

Since the last blog post about my system I have gone through alot of changes. First was the motherboard swap to the new ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe. I then added a fourth Sapphire Toxic 3870 and attempted to upgrade my PSU to a Corsair 1000W. However the PSU turned out to be incompatable with the board. So I ended up selling the Corsair and getting an Ultra X3 1000W PSU instead. At the same time I replaced all four of my Sapphire Toxic 3870's with three Visiontek 4870's and these things rock.

I am now able to overclock my Phenom 9850 BE to run at 3.2GHz 24/7 folding stable and bench at 3.4GHz. Seems the CPU is still holding back the power of the cards though.

I have also installed a CPU loop on my system to help keep everything cool, which is great, however it did not seem to help me overclock any higher than on air.

The Coming Death and Resurrection

Soon 'My Spider' will be just a memory to me when the new Dragon Platform fully takes over upon arrival of the Phenom II chips. Everything is currently in place for that to happen with the only remaining part being the Phenom II 940 BE. Once that is installed, the beloved 'My Spider' for the last 8-9 months will be dead and buried and arising out of the ashes will be my new friend - 'The Water Dragon'.

Read Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4:

My Spider Advernture - Part 1
My Spider Advernture - Part 2
My Spider Advernture - Part 3
My Spider Advernture - Part 4 ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/757-my-spider-advernture-part-4-final.html My Spider Advernture - Part 4 http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/522-my-spider-advernture-part-4.html Mon, 19 May 2008 15:18:23 GMT *_POWER, MORE POWER_* Well as it turns out the problem that I talked about in Part 3 was not specificly case related. It just so happens that it is Power Supply related. I guess in a sense it has to do with the case since there are more fans in the case and they are more powerful. So they are... POWER, MORE POWER

Well as it turns out the problem that I talked about in Part 3 was not specificly case related. It just so happens that it is Power Supply related. I guess in a sense it has to do with the case since there are more fans in the case and they are more powerful. So they are sucking just enough juice to deprive the CPU it's necessary diet. With that being said I decided to embark on trying the Dual Power Supply tactic.

The Hookup

Hooking up two power supply is relatively easy, especially if you read this forum post. It explains what needs to be done (for a temporary solution anyway) to try out two power supply's at once. Once you decide that this is a possible permanent solution you my want to either get a Dual Power Supply adapter or directly wire the two together. This will allow them to come on at the same time. The two PSUs that I have are the following:

450W Thermaltake
750W Thermaltake

The Results

I tried different combinations between the two power supplies. I tried running just the case fans on the 450W and the rest on the 750W. I tried running the case fans and one 3870 on the 450W and the rest on the 750W. I tried all kinds of different combinations and for the most part they all worked the same. I am not sure of the best way to leave it permanently, so comments are welcome.

I was able to overclock farther than before, but still without stability so that did not fix that problem. Must still be limited by the proc.

Read Parts 1, 2. & 3:

My Spider Advernture - Part 1
My Spider Advernture - Part 2
My Spider Advernture - Part 3 ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/522-my-spider-advernture-part-4.html My Spider Advernture - Part 3 http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/505-my-spider-advernture-part-3.html Wed, 14 May 2008 18:09:51 GMT Well now that I have gotten my new case and installed everything in there it is time to rant and rave again. *_The Case_* The case is a COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152) which comes with a drive cage pre-installed and a rear exhaust... Well now that I have gotten my new case and installed everything in there it is time to rant and rave again.

The Case

The case is a COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 which comes with a drive cage pre-installed and a rear exhaust fan. I installed the drive cage that I had in my previous case, but changed out the fan to one of the four Scythe 120mm "Slipstream" 110cfm case fans that I ordered for the case. Two of the other fans went in the top as exhaust fans and the 4th and final fan went on the side as an intake. There were two side intakes but the OCZ Vendetta 2 is too tall to allow the installation of the second side fan. Other than running the wires differently to make it actually look a little neater (still could do better, but I am lazy) nothing else has changed about the system.

The Differences

The first thing I noticed was that in my previous case (COOLER MASTER CAVALIER 3) everything ran fine with my overclocked 9850 to 2900MHz at stock volts (1.296). However now that it is in my new case it will BSOD on me at stock volts. So I had to up the voltage to 1.376 for it to run stable. Does that mean there is a sweet spot for the temps? Not sure.

As far as the video cards go I am not able to overclock them as far either. The highest I was able to get was 877/1297, however that was only once and most of my benches were at 864/1297. Now I am able to only get 850/1297 max. So I am unsure if there is a sweet spot there as far as temps are concerned.

Overall everything runs much cooler now and that is a good thing. I plan to do a review on the case once I have had it a little while.

Until then....

Read Parts 1 & 2:

My Spider Advernture - Part 1
My Spider Advernture - Part 2 ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/505-my-spider-advernture-part-3.html My Spider Advernture - Part 2 http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/485-my-spider-advernture-part-2.html Thu, 08 May 2008 18:39:59 GMT In Part 2 of My Spider Adventure I will be covering some of the changes I have made so far and the good and bad of each. *_Cooling:_* The main issue I have with my system is cooling. I believe this is more related to the case that anything else. So I decided to add some additional fans. ... In Part 2 of My Spider Adventure I will be covering some of the changes I have made so far and the good and bad of each.

Cooling:

The main issue I have with my system is cooling. I believe this is more related to the case that anything else. So I decided to add some additional fans.

I first started by ordering the following harddrive cage with a 120mm fan attached:

Cooler Master 4 in 3

I then pulled an old 80mm fan from the stock heatsink that came with a AMD 5600 X2 Windsor. I used the Zalman fan control to adjust it's speed because at full blast this thing is loud and can move some air around. I attached that to the side of my case.

Now with two of the four hard drives moved up above the video cards and spaced out so that the 120mm fan on the drive cage can push some air into the case temps dropped some while under load (about 4c). Not to mention that at least two of my hard drives were now running alot cooler away from those video cards. The additional fan on the side (blowing in) made little to no difference in temps, but I left it anyway for a peace of mind. I still thought the temps were a little high though.

Cooling Part 2

I finally received my additional cooling parts I needed:

OCZ Vendetta 2
OKGEAR 90mm PCI Slot System Blower
OCZ Freeze Extreme.

With the installation of the Vendetta 2 I had to remove the side case fan from it's original spot and I relocated it to the vent below it. Now the fan blows on the video cards and along with the PCI slot system coolers the graphics card's temps have been reduced by about 2c.

The OCZ Vendetta made a minor decrease in temps with the Spectra Cool paste, however the big jump came when I put on the OCZ Freeze. You can read a more indepth review with a comparison on my post "Spectra Cool Thermal Paste - My Review"

Now my system runs cooler and I have been able to push the system farther, for longer. I cannot wait until I get my new case (which will be discussed in Part 3).

I did add a couple more things:

XTRAC Ripper Optical Mouse pad
Microsoft Black 104 Ergonomics Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000
eDimensional Audio FX Force Feedback Gaming Headset
Logitech G5 Battlefield Edition (on sale from Wal-Mart for $15)

Stayed tuned for Part 3 where I install everything in my new case. ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/485-my-spider-advernture-part-2.html My Spider Advernture - Part 1 http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/484-my-spider-advernture-part-1.html Thu, 08 May 2008 17:42:14 GMT It has been several years since I have built a new pc from scratch. Even then I typically go for the pretty cheap stuff. However this time around I have gone for something a little more....well fun. *_The Spider - The Reason_* The reason I went with AMD and the Spider platform is because it... It has been several years since I have built a new pc from scratch. Even then I typically go for the pretty cheap stuff. However this time around I have gone for something a little more....well fun.

The Spider - The Reason

The reason I went with AMD and the Spider platform is because it sounded like it would be something cool to have and it looked like it would preform great. I am not against Intel by no means but after comparing the cost at the time I gathered the parts I wanted, the AMD was cheaper and performance was similar in most cases.

The Original Build

Case:Power Supply: Motherboard: Processor:Cooler:Thermal Paste:Memory:Graphics Card: Hard Drive(s): Optical Drive: Monitor:
As far as the mouse and keyboard, they were just some old stuff I had from previous pc's.

Spider Comments

The following comments are based on my experience using the above parts for a period of about 1 month.

The Case:
The case does not have that good of airflow for the amount of heat that the components produces. The front of the case has an 80mm fan in front that draws air from the bottom of the case in front (major drawback if you sit this on a carpeted floor) and blows it past the harddrives and into the typical dead space under the video card(s).

Also with the above mentioned cards they blow air to the front of the case and it just so happens that the way that everything is positioned that all of that hot air is blowing onto the harddrives increasing their temps. It seems that the 80mm fan in front blowing air over them is not enough to couteract the force and heat of the 2 Toxic 3870s.

I like the case overall and I am a fan of the tool less design, I just do not think that with the components that I have it provides adaquate airflow.

The Power Supply:

Seems to perform well and I have noticed no issues with needing more power at the current time.

The Motherboard:

Overall I like the board. There are some dislikes associated with the placement of the heat pipe for the chipsets that do indeed touch the video card in the first PCI-E slot and the positing of the SATA connections on the board when using crossfire.

The good points are that it supports SAS and a fairly decent BIOS for overclocking. It could use a couple more options, but I have yet to find the "perfect" bios.

The Processor:

What can I say, it is a Phenom 9850 BE with an unlocked Multiplier that will allow you to overclock easily (to a certain extent). Some defiantly seem to have better luck than others overclocking this chip, but I am not so sure we are not hampered by the aging SB600 southbridge on the motherboard. Only time will tell with the release of the new 750 southbridge chip on new motherboards.

The Cooler and Thermal Paste:

I wanted to cover these together since they are so closly related to the overal cooling of the processor.

First off I had some temp issues somewhere so I decided to reset the cooler multiple times with different paste applications (thin layer, small dot, small line, etc) and they all seemed to work great under idle. The lowest that I ever saw it was 22c and I am not sure of the room temp at the time but it was pretty cool as I had the windows open. Mostly the idle was around 28c with room temp about 24c. the problem came with the load temps. At one point, the highest I ever saw it was 67c for the CPU temp. That was just too high. I was not sure if it was the cooler or the paste, so I have ordered both new. More on that coming up in Part 2.

The Memory:

Other than the initial issue of getting the ram to run at 1066, there have been no others. I have not really tried to push the memory much beyond the stock speed, so there is really no other details. I do like the blue heatsinks though, looks cool.

The Graphics Cards:

These things rock. They run great. Temps are good. I am not even sure if an aftermarket cooler is even worth the extra money. Idle temps are typically 41c-43c with load temps about 57c at stock. Overclock these bad boys to 864/1297 and you can add about 5c to both idle and load. I think with a little better airflow in the case these temps would drop some. If they could come up with a way to implement this cooling system with a dual slot cooler to blow air outside the case, that would be awesome.

The Drives:

What can I say. The hard drives run great (especially the RAID 0 setup). The optical drive is well like any other I guess, it reads, it writes.

The Monitor:

This thing is awesome. I love the "Brightview" displays. They seem so much more vibrant than the traditional LCD displays. They do reflect alot with really dark scenes, but that is something I can overlook.

Conclusion

Well that is the build so far. Almost everything has been together for about a month now (except for a few changes I made which will be covered in Part 2) and it runs great. I have overclocked the Phenom to 2900MHz and is running stable. I have benn able overclocked it a great deal more and was able to obtain a pretty decent 3DMark score as far as these Phenoms are concerned, but nothing has really been stable.

All in all it was fun and I hope to continue to improve upon it.

Read Parts 2 & 3:

My Spider Advernture - Part 2
My Spider Advernture - Part 3 ]]> BenBrown http://www.overclock.net/blogs/benbrown/484-my-spider-advernture-part-1.html