Cooling question

[Vitter]

Ok, i just put in all my new cooling equipment. A thermalright SLK-947U CPU heatsink with a Vantec Tornado (toned down with a Nexus fan controller). Arctic Silver 5 is on the processor.

I downloaded Motherboard Monitor 5 and it is showing that my CPU and Case temperatures are staying at around 24-26 celcius.

After running CnC Generals at max settings for about a half hour the CPU went up to 35C and the case to 30C.

I'm wondering if this heat/cooling is optimal for OCing or if I should hook up another 80mm fan I have.

[EDIT] I'm also wondering if MM5 is a good program to use.

[EDIT2] One last thing. I'm looking for a good tester of my PC's stabability and power. Can anyone recomend some good programs? I've heard some good things about 3dMark03 and I was told I should get a "burn in" program, whatever that is. Any recomendations?

[Fragmatic]

Nice choice of cooling

You get some nice temps, and that should be no problem at all for overclocking, providing the rest of your system is up to scratch.

As a general rule, when overclocking, make sure your temps do no go over 55C under load (50 if you want to be perfectly safe)

Do you have any cooling in the case?
The best cooling setup is one that keeps a consistent airflow... to do this well, got to have the following -

Intake fan(s) at the front of the case
Exhaust fan(s) at the back of the case
Intake fan on the side of the case above CPU/Graphics Card area
Exhaust fan at the top of the case to stop trapped heat.

MBM5 is the best software solution to monitor temperatures for your computer, providing you got it set up correctly.

To stress test, download Prime95 (right click, save as) and use that to check for errors and stress test!

Hope that helps

[Vitter]

I have 2 80mm intake fans in the rear (not counting power fan). There is 1 80mm fan on the front and 1 80mm fan on the side doing intake duty. I have one additional 80mm fan that is not installed that I might put in the front for an additional intake if the temps rise too much.

The only thing I do not have that you suggested is an exhaust fan on the top. However, the case is a full tower so I feel it has good circulation abilities (especially with the 92mm Vantec Tornado over the processor) and can keep bottled up air pockets from forming.

Thanks for the suggestion on Prime95, i'll get it now.

[Fragmatic]

No probs, if you need anything, gimme a shout.

[Rbstr]

I say everythign he has said. Runing Prime 95, or 3dmark 03 in a loop is a good way to "burn" in your processor, it basicaly show weather your CPU can keep up thos speed under big load for an extended amount of time.

damn people are starting to do my job for me around here....

[Electrofreak]

Hamma should make us Tech support staff too!

[Rbstr]

i'm not staff, or tech support realy, just sombody that knows enough to moderate the forum titled tech