overclocking...

[Rod911]

Originally posted by blockers
Im very interested in that Volcano11.

Well you should lose interest in getting a Volcano 11/+ quite quickly. TT's manufacturing process of this heatsink can be a mixed bag. The reason for this is that the Volcano 11/+ was the first time TT went away from a skived fin style (ala Volcano 7+) to soldering the fins onto the base (SLK series). However, they have not perfected this process and as a result performance of V11 can vary greatly among users. You'll find users having great results, yet also you'll find equally the same amount of people that'll regard this heatsink as crap.

Therefore, if you're planning on overclocking with air, I'd recommend Thermalright's SLK-800/900/947 or MCX-462 series from SwiftTech. If, however, you are on a budget, then ThermalTake's Volcano 12 (once it's available) is an option. You can get the Aero 7+, but from the reviews I've read, the base tends to be rough out of the box and you'd need to lap it to get max performance.

[blockers]

Lots to consider then....i am using a volcano7+ atm. Ally and copper. I got annoyed with the loudness of the self adjusting fan, so i whacked an evercool on there. Which it is using at the moment, with a less overall temperature And its quiter.

[Austin]

Stick to what you've got then. Volcano11 isn't significantly superior to the Volcano7+, even the Volcano9 was a step down in some ways vs the Volcano7+. The best part of the Vol9-11 is the fan more than anything, and you can buy them seperately (TT SmatFan II). I thought the Vol7+ had a manual mode though, low medium and high speeds rather than just a temp monitored auto? The Vol7 (non +) was the auto one, unless things were very cool it would always run at full (loud) speed.

The Vol11 is a very good choice because of a good HS combined with the good intelligent fan for a low cost. There's little doubt that the likes of the SLK and MCX are superior but then they cost a fair bit more, are harder to fit, can weigh in heavy (on Skt design) and are often less compatible with mobos. Anyway I see no reason for you to need to upgrade the HSF, see how far you can get. If you need/want more then you could look to the Vol11, if it isn't good enough then use its fan on the Vol7+ (even if you need to glue).

[Rod911]

Originally posted by blockers
Lots to consider then....i am using a volcano7+ atm. Ally and copper

Aluminium and copper? If so, then you've got the Volcano 7, whereas the 7+ was an all copper solution with features Austin mentioned.

You will be better off with the heatsinks that I've mentioned earlier if you can afford it. They're all compatible with your motherboard and you shouldn't worry about the weight that much. Just remember to be more careful if you're moving your case about often. Having a heatsink that weighs 700grams+ and utilising the socket lugs can result in a lug or two to come off, so the screw in varieties using the 4 mounting holes are much better options.

[blockers]

Well maybe it is a Volcano 7 then.....hehe Its at about 44 degrees (CPU) in a lian-li PC-60. even if that is +10 degrees (as it was read from the BIOS) 54 isnt too bad on quite air @ 1.825v

Thanks for the help. More fun ocing coming tonight...

Will

[blockers]

Just done a little bit of gf4 ocing....broke 13k 13062 to be precise. 100marks more that getting the processer running lots faster...hehe Its currently at 303/567. am gonna try some more on the core, but the memory doesnt like more that 567, and as in riva tuner u can only go to 567 then 594 which is artifact heaven...lol

Will

[blockers]

Ok, here it is. First thanks to Austin and everyone else who posted. Have just completed benchmarking my system as far as it will go.
Spec:
Abit NF7-S (v2.0)
2x256mb pc2700 samsung (in dual channel)
xp1700 tbred B (1.6v)
Gainward Geforce 4 ti4200

Overclocking:
11x193fsb (RAM = 386) = 2.123mhz
CPU = 1.825v
RAM = 2.7v @ 7-3-3-2.5
GF4 = 306/594 @ 1.7v (this produces artifacts so i will put this to 567 and 1.6v for normal use)

This system gets - 13254 3dmarks

Think i need to get a Albatron GF4 and get the memory at 600

Thanks once again
Will

[Austin]

Very nice. IMHO 1.8v is a little too over-volted for my liking but hey I'm boring like that and if it breaks it's cheap to replace (sould even gte Barton).

4200 really rock, don't they? Just rem for your CPU, gfx and RAM don't run them too near their mosts stable limits, much better to back of 1 more notch. Your PC will play everything currently available awesomely well, games that REQUIRE DX9 are still soem way off so keep hold of that 4200 for at least 6 months. Gains from 300/550 to 300/600 are less than 10% ... if you upgrade definitely get some DX9 and AA+AF loving ... but 9700 would be the least I'd rec over a 4200.

[blockers]

backing off now..... I think my brother is gonna get one of those 9800SE AIW cards. as they are about £100 can apparently u can reenble the 4 disabled pipelines some how

that would really rock....how much are 9800 AIW's? about £300?

thanks again austin.

[Austin]

You're probably as likely to find a 9800SE that can have all 8 pipes successfully enabled (hence = 9800PRO nonSE) as you have of being sent one by mistake or finding one lying on the street. 9800SE are not horrible, 128bit a little slower than 9600PRO and 256bit version a little faster than 9600PRO (but no o/c'ing). If you can get any 9800SE AIW for around £100 that does sound too sweet to pass up.