Some Advice Needed

[Sam Raven]

I recently bought a new computer, the entire detailed specs are shown below:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&lang=en&cc=us&product=1155961&dlc=en&docname=c00497090
I have a few things to clear up.

My card is an ATI Radeon x300 128MB that came with the computer. Architecture is 64 bit. The Intel P4 processor at 3.06 GHz is not HyperThreaded and the RAM size is 1GB. I am using ATI Tool to try overclock it as much as is safely possible without addition of any additional cooling systems apart from the current two fans.

From experience, can anyone here say what is the recommended Core Clock and Memory Clock speeds that can be done without causing any serious problems? Unfortunately ATI Tool only shows graphics card temperatures for selected ATI cards only and apparently the x300 is not one of them so I need to ask here from anyone who has had experience in these matters.

Another issue I have is when playing Source games, including HDR content maps all go pretty fine even when the ATI card is not overclocked. Yet after a while, maybe about 20 minutes, the HDR based maps freeze and I have no choice but to turn off the computer by switching off the power straight away which is no good for the computer. I follow all recommended video requirements in the game's options in the video tab (i.e. the asterisked ones, except the shadows and shader are set at low which is below recommended, so should improve the situation, but doesn't.)
Any advice on this?

Finally what ATI or Nvidia cards can I buy to replace the current x300 card I have? This one will be done at a later date once I have saved up enough to buy what is considered at the moment the latest video cards.

[EclipseSix]

The speeds depend on your system in most cases. I.E. I can tell you don't have liquid cooling without looking at the link, which would allow you to OC the card much more. However you say that te computer freezes during the HDR maps after awhile, this sounds like a overheating issue with the video card. If the card is overheating at its normal clock speeds, it means two things. You need to improve the cooling in your case somehow, and you shouldn't OC it, unless you are buying a new card very soon ;-)

As for new cards, don't expect a non-fanboy answer anytime soon. ATI makes decent cards, they're top of the line-line of cards is fantastic, their most expensive card overpowering the Nvidia flagship card in numerous tests on certain boards. However you can get more bang for the buck with Nvidia, who has had their powerful 7800GTX card out for a bit now. You'll still pay a premium for that though.

Depending on how much money you want to spend, I'd just get a Nvidia. Personally I went with ATI though, just because I like their setup.

[OWNAGE TIME]

Well first core clock and memory clock are both equally improtant. Try and find a program that will tell you the temp of the Graphics card. I myself started from a Pavillion a1130n and that case is very small and cramped. As for a new card go with the 7800GT. I highly recommend the 7800GT, both for Overclocking and stability, Also cranks out all major games like Hl2 and BF2 all on high with 110 average FPS. When I got it, it was on sale for 299.99 with COD2, hopefully that sale is still going on. Anyway, as for your problem with your computer freezing, you most likely have terrible airflow and your case is not well vented and your Graphics card is overheating. There are a multitude of other things that could be causing your computer to freeze but its most likely your card overheating.

~Ownage

[Sam Raven]

Well first core clock and memory clock are both equally improtant. Try and find a program that will tell you the temp of the Graphics card. I myself started from a Pavillion a1130n and that case is very small and cramped. As for a new card go with the 7800GT. I highly recommend the 7800GT, both for Overclocking and stability, Also cranks out all major games like Hl2 and BF2 all on high with 110 average FPS. When I got it, it was on sale for 299.99 with COD2, hopefully that sale is still going on. Anyway, as for your problem with your computer freezing, you most likely have terrible airflow and your case is not well vented and your Graphics card is overheating. There are a multitude of other things that could be causing your computer to freeze but its most likely your card overheating.

~OwnageThe speeds depend on your system in most cases. I.E. I can tell you don't have liquid cooling without looking at the link, which would allow you to OC the card much more. However you say that te computer freezes during the HDR maps after awhile, this sounds like a overheating issue with the video card. If the card is overheating at its normal clock speeds, it means two things. You need to improve the cooling in your case somehow, and you shouldn't OC it, unless you are buying a new card very soon ;-)

As for new cards, don't expect a non-fanboy answer anytime soon. ATI makes decent cards, they're top of the line-line of cards is fantastic, their most expensive card overpowering the Nvidia flagship card in numerous tests on certain boards. However you can get more bang for the buck with Nvidia, who has had their powerful 7800GTX card out for a bit now. You'll still pay a premium for that though.

Depending on how much money you want to spend, I'd just get a Nvidia. Personally I went with ATI though, just because I like their setup.
Well if you want to know how the air flow behaves around my comp, look no further than the Pavilion in your sig, the slots which allow air in are in the exact configuration.
I take it you do not know of any downloadable software that allows you to check GPU temps. I did a search in Google and apparently those that might point me were just mere advertisements or suggestions.

I looked up techPowerUp and this LM63 chip came up that monitors temperatures. Apparently it is only present in 9600, 9800 and x700 and above.Should I risk voiding my 1 year warranty and just open the case and run the computer, see if that improves airflow? The previous Compaq casing had line slots which I think was better in some ways than the current hole type.
The same forum says there is no independant software to monitor video card temperatures. Big let down there. You can only monitor if you have the right card.

EDIT: There is actually one called Speedfan according to another forum, but downloading that turned out it has only temp monitoring for CPU, not GPU, or I am missing something here.

[Celeron Gamer]

Well if you want to know how the air flow behaves around my comp, look no further than the Pavilion in your sig, the slots which allow air in are in the exact configuration.
I take it you do not know of any downloadable software that allows you to check GPU temps. I did a search in Google and apparently those that might point me were just mere advertisements or suggestions.

I looked up techPowerUp and this LM63 chip came up that monitors temperatures. Apparently it is only present in 9600, 9800 and x700 and above.Should I risk voiding my 1 year warranty and just open the case and run the computer, see if that improves airflow? The previous Compaq casing had line slots which I think was better in some ways than the current hole type.
The same forum says there is no independant software to monitor video card temperatures. Big let down there. You can only monitor if you have the right card.

No, only XT series for ATi cards have temp sensors. I see you shouldn't have a problem, as your case has thermally advantaged design on it.

I would rip out the 2 sticks of ram in there, and replace it with either 2X1GB, or 4X512MB ram. This is truly a spectacular sight to see they finally include 4 ram dimms on their computers.

Get a X800PRO/GTO or more, at least with a videocard upgrade.

Anyways enjoy your new PC:)

[Sam Raven]

No, only XT series for ATi cards have temp sensors. I see you shouldn't have a problem, as your case has thermally advantaged design on it.

I would rip out the 2 sticks of ram in there, and replace it with either 2X1GB, or 4X512MB ram. This is truly a spectacular sight to see they finally include 4 ram dimms on their computers.

Get a X800PRO/GTO or more, at least with a videocard upgrade.

Anyways enjoy your new PC:)Thermally advantaged casing eh? Well that doesn't seem to help here. This is the first time I have had overheating issues, so I am checking if removing the side casing will help. A bit dangerous considering the accidental touch will send you to your grave.

That is the kind of thing I would like to aim for with the RAM, but I asked around the people at the shop, and they said about compatibility issues with the rest of the components like the fact that this Pentium chip doesnt have HT technology although its 1Ghz faster. So I am going to have to thread lightly on that one. Although 4 GB RAM at the moment I would think is rather bordering on an upgrading psychotic.

At the moment its 3 sticks. 2x256MB was what was originally there, and 512 MB RAM stick was added on during purchase.

Yeah thanks man.

EDIT: By the way, I just opened the side casing. Big drop in temperature of the CPU and ambient temperatures as recorded by SpeedFan.

All values average

Before
CPU: 57 C (minimum was 51 C, max was as high as 67 C)
Ambient: 43 C

After
CPU: 49-50 C (max was as high as 58 C when chip was 100% busy acc to Windows Task Manager)
Ambient: 36 C

I am already living in a country that is just a degree or two north of the Equator. Current room temperature is 30 C. I am guessing most of you guys have the advantage of winter to help cool your PCs. I am guessing this may be the cause of my video card overheating.

UPDATE: Still not much help, even though opening the case made the temperature drop by 10 degrees C. I guess a replacement card is in order.

[OWNAGE TIME]

Thermally advantaged casing eh? Well that doesn't seem to help here. This is the first time I have had overheating issues, so I am checking if removing the side casing will help. A bit dangerous considering the accidental touch will send you to your grave.

That is the kind of thing I would like to aim for with the RAM, but I asked around the people at the shop, and they said about compatibility issues with the rest of the components like the fact that this Pentium chip doesnt have HT technology although its 1Ghz faster. So I am going to have to thread lightly on that one. Although 4 GB RAM at the moment I would think is rather bordering on an upgrading psychotic.

At the moment its 3 sticks. 2x256MB was what was originally there, and 512 MB RAM stick was added on during purchase.

Yeah thanks man.

EDIT: By the way, I just opened the side casing. Big drop in temperature of the CPU and ambient temperatures as recorded by SpeedFan.

All values average

Before
CPU: 57 C (minimum was 51 C, max was as high as 67 C)
Ambient: 43 C

After
CPU: 49-50 C (max was as high as 58 C when chip was 100% busy acc to Windows Task Manager)
Ambient: 36 C

I am already living in a country that is just a degree or two north of the Equator. Current room temperature is 30 C. I am guessing most of you guys have the advantage of winter to help cool your PCs. I am guessing this may be the cause of my video card overheating.

UPDATE: Still not much help, even though opening the case made the temperature drop by 10 degrees C. I guess a replacement card is in order.

In my cramped case, with the case door closed, I get idle at around 49C and at full load up into the 70's. That is overclocking it to a 7800GTX ;) HAven't had any problems with it yet so I guess my card doesn't care that it's hot enough to cook an egg ;)

~Ownage

[D3TON8R]

If it exceeds 73 I'd seriously think about turning it off.....GT heatsink is different to the GTX, therefore doesn't like running as hot as one....just a thought. :)

[noobman]

If you can't read the temperatures then I really can't recommend overclocking.

Besides, the X300SE isn't much of an overclocker. You can get the speeds up a little, but the difference is going to be almost un-noticeable. If you're getting like 26-28fps, an overclock might get you over the top at around 32 or so. So it's not really worth voiding your warranty for 4-8fps.

As for your heat... it's an HP system, so it's not going to have the best cooling. Opening the side of your case seems nice, but you get more dust in your case which clogs up fans, and will eventually make your components run hotter if you don't clean up regularly.

Also, different cards have different thermal capacities. 70C might be borderline for a 7800GTX, but that might be frying temperatures for a different card. As far as I know, the X300SE doesn't even have a fan on the heatsink!

X300 series graphics cards CAN play games, but they're not really made for it. The advantage of those cards is quicker windows performance,Windows Vista support, and smoother, cleaner video/DVD playback.

edit: You want a new graphics card?? Uhh... 7800GT comes to mind as one of the best, but if you're looking for something more "affordable" just state your price.

[Sam Raven]

If you can't read the temperatures then I really can't recommend overclocking.

Besides, the X300SE isn't much of an overclocker. You can get the speeds up a little, but the difference is going to be almost un-noticeable. If you're getting like 26-28fps, an overclock might get you over the top at around 32 or so. So it's not really worth voiding your warranty for 4-8fps.

As for your heat... it's an HP system, so it's not going to have the best cooling. Opening the side of your case seems nice, but you get more dust in your case which clogs up fans, and will eventually make your components run hotter if you don't clean up regularly.

Also, different cards have different thermal capacities. 70C might be borderline for a 7800GTX, but that might be frying temperatures for a different card. As far as I know, the X300SE doesn't even have a fan on the heatsink!

X300 series graphics cards CAN play games, but they're not really made for it. The advantage of those cards is quicker windows performance,Windows Vista support, and smoother, cleaner video/DVD playback.

edit: You want a new graphics card?? Uhh... 7800GT comes to mind as one of the best, but if you're looking for something more "affordable" just state your price.I found out the cooling systems of the x300 by opening up the case, just a mediocre black bumped heatsink.

I thought a heatsink was to get heat away from the card. If that is the case, why are heatsinks facing downwards when the best way to dissipate is to let it rise to where the fans are?

Anyway I realised it was the computer's location that caused the heating. I placed it on the floor and down there circulation was minimal. I placed it on the same table top as the monitor, temperatures stayed low even after I fixed back the case, because the wind from my standing fan can also keep the ambient air around the case cool.