Video Card Thread (Mostly Gecube x1950xt)

Yeah I dont plan on having it happen again... The cheap barb that ASUS supplied with their motherboard is getting replaced with a metal one... So I dont think it will happen again.

As for the 3Ghz, that's just what I keep it at 24/7... I dont really use all of the quad's power even at stock except for games like Supreme Commander.

I benched 3dmark06 at 4.05Ghz remember? I think that's my highest I can get to in my room. If I move my pc down to the basement where it's pretty cold then I could maybe reach 4.2Ghz (my goal). But in order to do that I need to add 1.8v, which I dont feel like doing at the moment.

I have everything under 1 loop, that includes the CPU, NB (gets the hottest out of everything) and 2x 3870s. The CPU's max was 61C at 4.05Ghz, but then again that's in my room which stays pretty warm all the time. The Quad idled around 40C



EDIT: Here are the pics: (the water leaked on the top card)

http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn1095bl8.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn1096yz0.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn1097gg3.jpg

 

What's the highest you can get with a sensible voltage? (1.8V is mad, your CPU probably wouldn't even last 24 hours like that)

 

I can only bench @ 4.05ghz @ 1.6v and above, 1.57v wont complete 3dmark06... It will freeze in the CPU tests.

I think I may have to add a bit more to get to 4.1, maybe 1.67v?

I saw a CPU-Z verification @ 4.5Ghz using water, and actually I believe that's where I saw the 1.8v... 1.8 for 4.2Ghz seems a little bit to much.

I only get to high clocks like that for quick 10 minute benches, usually i will have it running at the stock 2.4Ghz or 3ghz. I leave the voltage at "auto" in the BIOS when running the CPU at those lower speeds.

I will try and see what the highest I can get to with 1.6v when i get those metal barbs for the NB today or tomarrow.

 

1.6 still isn't a sensible voltage though, what's the highest you can get with say, 1.5?

 

im sure the water is distilled water, and therefore not conductive...

 

I am guessing around 3.8, plus or minus. I dont set specific voltages except for when overclocking to 4ghz. In conditions where the CPU is at 3.0Ghz, 3.2 etc, I leave the voltage to "auto", and if I remember correctly the voltage is at 1.38 when at 3.2Ghz I believe...

These are all guesses though, I cant do to much with the PC until I get that part and fill the loop back up with coolant.

 

It is indeed non-conductive, it's distilled water plus a number of other fluids that cause issues. I'm well aware the fluid doesn't cause any direct damage from water, but as I say, the compounds that prevent algae build up, corrosion and galvanisation leave a mess behind when they dry, and if they dry over conductive joints or in PCI express slots, it's game over.

 

If some spilled on to other components (by chance) do you think they would've evaporated 100% in a week?

 

Don't know if this is the best place to post this or not but I am looking to build a Compuer for my uncle who would use it for internet, word, excel and business stuff. Occasionally DVD burning. Right not he has a Dell 4600 2.4 P4, 256 RAM, 80GB ATA, XP HOME that works occasionally. I was planning on building the following for him to replace his dying 4600.
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147074

~120GB SATA (Only has 13GB Filled on his current 80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136225

~GIGABYTE MOTHERBOARD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128045

~Thermaltake 500w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

~A-DATA 2GB RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

~AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774

I was skeptical on the motherboard so I picked out this one instead, how is this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138103

I am looking for a basic build here. No overclocking or special features at all. I was also planning on using integrated video or adding in a 8400 or something that does HD. No games to be played on the computer. The most important thing for the computer is reliability here.

 

Ray and Sam, I can get 3.6 Ghz stable on 1.5v. Why don't you try what's the best you can do with 1.5v.

Core2Kid, this is the video card thread. You will probably get more answers in the PC building thread. But since you already posted, I would recommend you spend 20 bucks extra and get a Pentium dual core.

Why not overclock? It's amazingly easy with the Core 2 CPUs.

 

I need something cheap and reliable. My uncle is having a $$ problem. And are the Pentium Dual Cores (Not Pentium D right?) actually better than the AMD x2 4000? I also will post in the building section.

 

I suppose all CPUs are different. Just check out the QX9650 - they're getting to 4.5Ghz on 1.57v - thats insane! No wonder why those things run so cool... But then again the Q6600 aint a $1000 processor.

 

Ray, that's why I want you to see what you can do on your CPU. Just to get a general idea of comparable performance.

Core2Kid, they are about the same at stock speed. The thing is that the Pentium Dual Core(it's a variation of Core 2 Duo, not Pentium D) can overclock to 3Ghz without a problem and there won't be any stability issues. Then it gets MUCH faster.

 

Waymon: As I say, the chemicals in the water stick around after the water's evaporated, that's what you've got to be careful of. Your speedy cleanup may have helped you out, in my friend's case the stuff was left for a day before the proper cleaning operation began.
Abuzar: I need my CPU to last for quite a long time, I so stick with 1.4V as my limit. I figure that upping my 100mV isn't going to gain me much judging from what i've seen other people get E4300s to.
Core2kid: I agree with your apprehensions about that first board, but I wouldn't say the Biostar is much better. Sure, Russ had good runs with a particular Biostar board, but on the whole I don't think they're that wonderful. You'd be much better off as Abuzar suggests and getting a Pentium Dual Core, now they're so cheap. The E2160 is only $10 more than the 4000+, and faster stock to boot. Plus, as we say, overclock for easy win. The RAM looks mediocre but it will get the job done for a normal system. The hard disk is great, the PSu is fine, the case is ok too.
Go with a board like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128079
and a graphics card like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102103

At stock, the E2160 is about as fast as an X2 4200+ or a Pentium D overclocked to around 3.8Ghz.

 

So sam, do you think it will matter much when I fill the loop back up?

Does the stuff that's left behind turn to a solid or stay as a liquid? So far, from what I can see everything is still a liquid.

For cleaning, I have heard of people using viniger (I think that how you spell it lol) and distilled water. I have about 2 liters of distilled water left, but what else should I use if I were to clean it?

 

Ill look into the other processor and as for the video card, I think I'll just go with the integrated. How is overclocking on the board you sent me with teh processor you sent me with stock cooling?

 

Most coolants dry to leave a residue, this will always happen if there's anything but water in the solution, which there almost certainly will be!
It's Vinegar, by the way... I assume you've never used the stuff?
As for cleaning mobos with it, not sure whether I'd trust it, but hey. A thorough rinse-down and clean with distilled water should do the trick on its own. Use a non-lint, non-staticy cloth to help you out.
Core2kid: The overclocking on boards that low down in the spec is unfortunately poor. You'll need to spend a significant amount more on a board to get one that overclocks to a useful degree, and the only boards that overclock are ones without onboard video, because onboard video chips can't handle FSB increases. This is one of the cheapest good overclocking boards I know of:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128062R
Sadly it's no longer sold in the US new.

 

Sam, I was actually talking to Ray because we have the same CPU.

 

well I beg your pardon, but you know...

you did address both of us...

 

Thanks a lot Sam. I'll look into this and probably create a new thread in Building PCs if I have any more questions.