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Need overclocking help

Isopropyl rubbing alcohol like you get at Walgreens or any drug store....they usually have, what...81% or something? That works fine. You don't need to ask the pharmacists for 90% or anything (some people think you do).

I usually use q-tips also....dip a q-tip in the alcohol bottle, wipe off the gunk a bit, use the other side of the q-tip, dunk it, wipe, toss it in the trash...grab another q-tip, rinse and repeat, etc. For the bottom of heatsinks I usually use something larger like a piece of paper towel (won't hurt it)....larger area helps clear out the gunk faster. :D Take a piece, fold it a few times, hold it over the top of the bottle, tilt it over to wet it, wipe the heatsink, etc. You could use toilet paper also if you wanted (paper towels are less messy because they don't break down as much as TP when wet). Easier to use q-tips on the cpu though since it's a more compact area. ;)

Too much paste will act as an insulator; it doesn't sound like you put on too much but it never hurts to reapply if you have your doubts. :)
 
thanks. i don't think i put too much, so i'll leave it for now. but at least now i know what to do if i need to.

but it did crash again. after almost 30 mins of folding. i know it was too hot. i turned it down a little.

190 x 21, so 3.98 ghz or so. and i put the voltage down to 1.35. we'll see how it goes. so far it looks between 88-91C
 
zero2dash has it right. I use paper towels or cotton balls with isopropyl alcohol. Arctic Silver suggests using coffee filters, which also works.

Arctic Silver has a good guide with pictures for applying thermal paste. I used to try to spread out the paste, but I used their suggested "vertical line" method for my Xeons when debugging the SR-2, and after installing and removing the heatsinks multiple times, I found it gave nice even coverage as long as you make sure to center the heatsink properly when you install it.
 
well on another system i put on a liquid cooling system, and now my northbridge is overheating. what did i do wrong? it wasn't overheating before i put the liquid system in
 
well my i decided to close up the case of this computer, and i stood it up, and the temps went up! when i put it down, the temps go back down! here is a youtube video.

it must be the cooler isn't air tight against the cpu. that's the only thing i can think of
 
twoodcc said:
well my i decided to close up the case of this computer, and i stood it up, and the temps went up! when i put it down, the temps go back down! here is a youtube video.

it must be the cooler isn't air tight against the cpu. that's the only thing i can think of
Click to expand...

Could it be because your intake fan for your CPU cooler is bottom -> top running? It may be sucking up all the heat from the top of that GPU.
 
well i tightened the cooler as much as i could, but it still does it. btw, someone recommended that cooler on here, it's why i got it.

well i have another system that i'm having trouble with. it's an alienware with an i7 920, but my overclocking options are different.

basic overview settings:
- QPI frequency: auto, 4.800GT, 6.400GT
- memory ratio: 6 is the lowest
- cpu core ratio: 20 is the highest

overclock config:
- cpu bclk: 133 thru 300
- spread spectrum: disabled
- pci freq: auto, 37.3, 42
- pci-e freq: 100
- turbo mode: enabled, disabled

overvoltage config:
- dynamic CPU vcore offset: by cpu vid, +20mv thru +300mv in increments of 20mv
- ddr3 memory voltage: 1.5 v thru 1.85v
- IOH voltage: 1.1v thru 1.65 v
- QPI and uncore voltage: default, +040mv thru +440mv in increments of 40mv

so the goal is fast enough for bigadv units, while running 2 x 260s. at one point i had this working, but when i moved, i couldn't get it over 3.6 ghz.

please help on the voltage settings
 
the backplate is on the right side? Did they supply washers?

try this:
basic overview settings
memory ratio: 6
cpu core ratio: 20

overclock config:
cpu blck: 170

overvoltage config:
vcore: 1.3V
ddr3 memory voltage: max what your ram says (eg 1.65v)

Find the place to adjust timings and loose the timings of what your ram is rated.
If you ram is rated 9-9-9-23-1 put 11-11-11-25-2

Leave the rest on auto, this should give you a starting point, test this with linx. Check temps, you don't want higher than 80C.

if it's stable:
-then you can try pushing it more by rising BLCK (and vcore) and then try X8 memory ratio
-try slowly lowering the vcore.
 
ok well my home built system is starting to crash. i've lowered it to 3.79 ghz (it was 3.82 ghz) and that lasted awhile, but now it's crashing again.

i know it's b/c the cpu cooler isn't staying tight against the cpu. it came with washers, and i'm pretty sure i have it on correctly, but 1 screw won't stay on tight. any ideas?

if i can't get this fixed, i'll have to just get a different cooler. if it comes to this, what cooler would you recommend? what about the corsair H50?
 
even at stock speeds at full load, i would make sure your HSF is secured. Something is not right, i would probably get something different.
 
well i tried to tighten the cooler as tight as possible, but there is still a little wiggle room on one screw. i tried to capture it in this video. but it's hard to see.

so it looks like i need to just get a different cooler. any suggestions? what about the corsair H50 liquid cooling?
 
okay so does anyone here use the h50 or h70? what's the best cooler i can get?
 
There's probably some debate about "best" but a great value is the Cogage True Spirit. Performance is similar to the original TRUE for a lower price. The mounting system is not perfect but it's pretty good (assuming you get the bolt-thru kit as in the link).
 
thanks for the link. so would the H70 be worth it? is it better than air cooling?
 
now i know someone around here can point in the right direction. after searching, i've found a few coolers.

what about prolimatech megahalems rev b or cooler master v8 or thermalright ultra-120 extreme?

i realize that my mugen 2 is a very good cooler already, but for whatever reason i am having trouble with it. i might take it all the way off tomorrow and try it again. but in the meantime, what is the best alternative to this cooler for me hitting 4.0 ghz or higher?

thanks
 
thanks for the replies. right now my mugen is working after retightening the screws. but i think i need to take it off and put it back on. if it still gives me problems after that, then i'll really consider buying a new one.

zero: thanks for the offer. i'll keep that in mind as i figure this out in the next few days
 
twoodcc said:
thanks for the replies. right now my mugen is working after retightening the screws. but i think i need to take it off and put it back on. if it still gives me problems after that, then i'll really consider buying a new one.
Click to expand...
If you had repeatedly removed and reinstalled the HSF recently, you might be in need of TIM reapplication for optimal performance.
 
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