Should I even bother with GPU/CPU HSF?

[joecuddles]

GPU: I'm using CCC OD to overclock, stock HSF. Temps hit ~77c with fans on auto during load. If I up the memory to anything higher than 1020, even 1030, I get isnta-artifacts in ATI Tool. Same goes for the core, any jump of even 20 Mhz gives artifacts. I'm wondering if there's a way to tell if this is really the ceiling for my card or if I just need better cooling? I'd hate to spend $50 on a HSF and get no increase in mah megahurtz

CPU: Specs in sig, temps hit 64c-65c under load. I tried 17.5 multiplier and I get crashes pretty early on when Priming. Again, is there a way to tell if I'm hitting the ceiling or if a better cooling solution would improve my results? Can I up the voltage just to see if it can pass an hour or two of Prime at higher speeds? I don't want to damage anything, so if it's unsafe I'd rather not do it.

Just trying to decide if dropping ~$100 on CPU and GPU HSF's will actually be worth it or if I'm basically just burning my money since both components seem to be hitting walls.

 

[shadow_419]

At that temp your cpu is htiing a heat wall. More volts will just make it worse. More volts won't hurt the higher temps you'll get probably will make go into thermal throttling.

 

[Eureka!]

GPU: I'm using CCC OD to overclock, stock HSF. Temps hit ~77c with fans on auto during load. If I up the memory to anything higher than 1020, even 1030, I get isnta-artifacts in ATI Tool. Same goes for the core, any jump of even 20 Mhz gives artifacts. I'm wondering if there's a way to tell if this is really the ceiling for my card or if I just need better cooling? I'd hate to spend $50 on a HSF and get no increase in mah megahurtz

CPU: Specs in sig, temps hit 64c-65c under load. I tried 17.5 multiplier and I get crashes pretty early on when Priming. Again, is there a way to tell if I'm hitting the ceiling or if a better cooling solution would improve my results? Can I up the voltage just to see if it can pass an hour or two of Prime at higher speeds? I don't want to damage anything, so if it's unsafe I'd rather not do it.

Just trying to decide if dropping ~$100 on CPU and GPU HSF's will actually be worth it or if I'm basically just burning my money since both components seem to be hitting walls.

You can try upping the volts a bit to see if it helps, if it overheats your CPU will just shut itself down anyway.

 

[G0M3S]

I would probably just get a good HSF for the CPU. The little bit extra OC from the GPU with a different HSF will do little for performance. The CPU however, you could then up the voltage, get a bit more speed and stability.

I like my Xigmatek S1283, its worked extremely well especially when you consider it was only $40 CAD.

 

[joecuddles]

I would probably just get a good HSF for the CPU. The little bit extra OC from the GPU with a different HSF will do little for performance. The CPU however, you could then up the voltage, get a bit more speed and stability.

I like my Xigmatek S1283, its worked extremely well especially when you consider it was only $40 CAD.

Yeah it seems to be that the GPU is just simply at the most it'll give. Even when I put the fan to 100% and temps go down to like 68c I still get artifacts so I guess that's pretty much that. Which sucks... I wanted that 1Ghz/1.2Ghz that Anandtech hit, lol.

I've been trying to find a CPU HSF in the $40 range so I'll look into the Xigmatek. So far I was looking at the Dark Knight (I think it's too big for my case though) or a Zalman 9300. Now that I really think about it the fact that it did run, but then failed under load might mean that more volts will in fact take it higher. If I could hit 3.7 Ghz I'd probably spooge my pants. I mean I hit 3.4 Ghz with stock HSF and only a 0.25 volt increase... maybe I have a monster just waiting to be unleashed! Too bad I bought the wrong mobo and can't get the 4th core, woops =\

 

[Eureka!]

Yeah it seems to be that the GPU is just simply at the most it'll give. Even when I put the fan to 100% and temps go down to like 68c I still get artifacts so I guess that's pretty much that. Which sucks... I wanted that 1Ghz/1.2Ghz that Anandtech hit, lol.

I've been trying to find a CPU HSF in the $40 range so I'll look into the Xigmatek. So far I was looking at the Dark Knight (I think it's too big for my case though) or a Zalman 9300. Now that I really think about it the fact that it did run, but then failed under load might mean that more volts will in fact take it higher. If I could hit 3.7 Ghz I'd probably spooge my pants. I mean I hit 3.4 Ghz with stock HSF and only a 0.25 volt increase... maybe I have a monster just waiting to be unleashed! Too bad I bought the wrong mobo and can't get the 4th core, woops =\

A S1283 will do the job, but just barely. It keeps my 955 at 45/60 idle/load at 1.4-1.45v, and 3.8ghz, with a scythe 1900rpm fan. You might see a bit more improvement since its a triple-core, not sure.