Post-upgrade thoughts

[486]

Got new CPU, RAM on P5Q-E (see sig).
Got it together, cursed OCZ for dumb fan hook up on Vendetta2.
Got it all at stock, on Auto. I was shocked as it was damn unstable (1 min of prime95 and memtest86+), BSODing as hell.

End up switching AI DRAM Frequency Tweaking from Auto to Light, upped NB Voltage to 1.20, manually setting DRAM to run at 5-5-5-18 2:3 at 1GHz with DRAM voltage at Auto (I assume it is 1.8V) and setting Performance Mode instead of Optimal. Now it passes prime95 selftest 1024K, 8K and on merily.

I am used to buying overclocking parts to set it run at all Auto (stock clocking and all) thinking that I have substantial stabilty "reserve" available. Safety margin.

Now, it looks like those overclocking parts are pushing themselves to the limit right at Auto, making it quite unstable without manual intevention.

I have got to rethink my purchasing strategy now. Good by Asus.

On the other note I have funny core temps:
At idle it is (core0, core1, core2, core3):
29, 23, 37, 25
At full load:
53, 48, 61, 50

So, cold core1 and core3, hot core0 and core2.
13-14 degree difference between core 1 (second) and 2 (third). Wow.
That difference noticed with stock cooler and vendetta 2 cooler, so I do not consider bad installation as the reason (mounting is rock solid, though quite difficult task to do, end up unscrewing MB for damn push pins).

Oh, well. Got enough juice for couple of years till affordable "tock" of i7.

[dadzilla]

Vendetta 2 does have weird fan hook up, but it works pretty well for a cheap cooler.

[Chilly]

Looks great!

As for the core to core temp difference, on quads its not unheard of them to be 5c-15c difference between them, I wouldn't let it worry you.

[486]

Thanks.
I have read up on core temps and find out that core sensors are calibrated at temps 80 to 120 degreeC (Tjmax +- 20%), so any low reading is somewhat unreliable. That makes sense as 23 degreeC at idle is defenetely lower than ambiant temperature in the case. I'd assume idle temps somwhere between 35 and 40, as that is ambiant temperature inside the not-overventilated case of idling quiet pc. Also the difference shrinks at load (temps closer to tjmax).
I am still kind of surprised that Asus P5Q board at default settings and Mushkin Redlines at JDEC settings are not stable together. That's a big no-no in my little book of no-nos :)