When testing underload which is a more realistic test Prime 95 or Orthos? When I run Prime 95 my temperatures in all 4 cores will stay under 70C. Yet if I try to run Orthos-small ffts-especially two processes and split the cores my temperatues will peg into the 80C range. So should one believe Orthos and lower the overclocking or stick with Prime 95 as a good enough stress test? It appears that Orthos is a good test of the stability of the sytem, yet is it to be considered too much of a load since the temperatues peg so high? Basically I'm want to determine where to leave my overclock yet not run risk of damage. Unloaded temperatures are fine as are when Prime 95 is run, it's just when Orthos runs that the temperatues go to the extreme.


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Asus Striker Extreme
Intel QX6700
Twin2X2048-8500C5D
Video Card # 1:
NVIDIA 8800 8800 GTX 768MB
Video Card # 2:
NVIDIA 8800 8800 GTX 768MB

150gb WD Raptor 10,000 rpm
Maxtor 320 GB
Optical Drive # 1:
Samsung 18X
Optical Drive # 2:
Samsung 18x
Thermaltake 850W
Coolermaster RC-830
Monitor:
Dell 20 LCD

both are commonly used by serious overclockers. but before anything else let me say, COOL THAT DAMN THING DOWN. cpu's should not exceed 60 degrees at load and DEFINITELY not at idle. what program do you use to monitor your temps?

At idle the cpu is at 48C-I monitor the temps. with core-temp and Everest. The problem is that Orthos causes the temperatures to spike while Prime 95 does not.

my cpu is only 35c at idle... and thats an AMD.

color-blind, those are some nice specs... how much did ur computer cost u?

Your CPU idle is way to hot, did you build this PC yourself?

From what I have read the idle temperatures are fine for a quad. The only problem I have is under load. I believe the Zalman cooler is not efficient enough for the quad. I am going to try either an Tuniq tower or the Scythe Infinity and see if things change.

I have the Tuniq Tower 120 and my stock idle was 18C & load 28C on an E6600, of corse that was before my overclock. The Tuniq Tower 120 is only second to the Thermalright Ultra 120 Exteme, don't get the Scythe Infinity you'll just be where you are now. Really pass on the Scythe Infinity.

Color blind there is no such thing as Too much load for a CPU....if ur CPU Cores are reaching more than 75C on Orthos..u must improve ur cooling or ur CPU wont last long...and if orthos make ur CPU go to 75C its more likely if u run intel TAT(desighned to push the CPU to its limit) it will reach the shutdown Temp (85C)...at any time ur Cores should not exceed 75C on what ever Stress test u do..and the Temp on the IHS should not exceed 60C period

Ok, I removed the Zalman and re-applied the thermal paste. I was able to get the temperatues down into the low seventies under load with a mild overclock. Basically proves to me that the Zalman is not up to par. I'll do a little more research and switch coolers soon. I'll report back my results, thanks for everyones help.

What method are you using to apply the Arctic Silver 5?