Optimizing my temporary ROG Rig

[Zka17]

Hello mates,

I’ve already presented my temporay system, based on an Asus ROG mobo: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread...fect-but-works I was thinking to open a new thread about optimizing/tweaking it...

I won't post pics about it as I didn't really changed much on it... but I'm posting the specs here too:

Mobo: Asus Rampage III Extreme
CPU: Intel Core i7-980X
CPU cooler: Corsair H100 with Cougar Vortex PWM CF-V12HP fans in push configuration
VGA: Asus ENGTX560 Ti DCII TOP/2DI/1GD5
Memory: Kingston HyperX T1 Black 24GB
Primary storage (OS + softwares only): Corsair Force GT 120GB
Secondary storage (everything else): WD Caviar Black 2TB 7200 rpm
PSU: Corsair AX1200
Case: slightly modded Thermaltake Dokker

As I said in my previous thread, it was built only temporarily for working purposes (mostly MS Office things and Photoshop) - hence the not too nice cable management... Did not have the time to set it up completely, the only objective was to have a working computer as fast as possible. Everything was running at stock settings and was able to finish my work on it. Then it was just sitting there...

Until couple days ago... when I turned it on for some files stored on it... While just looking around, waiting to finish downloading updates, start freezing - just for few seconds, then came back, then doing it again... in mean time got the message that the graphic driver successfully recovered (or something like that)... - immediately got my full attention!

So, I started with downloading CPU-Z and GPU-Z... while doing that, just double checked the driver - it was the newest, version 301.42... I clearly remembered that i installed a version 29x.xx... so, it turned out that Nvidia was on "auto" and updated itself...

As a fast assessment of the system, started the WEI and this is what I've got:

WEI running 07-11-2011.jpg

PCIe bus only at 8X, CPU at 3.47GHz, Memory at 1333MHz... - why only 8X?! Then I realized the obvious, the graphic card was in the second slot... why?... who knows, why I put it there...

So, last night I moved the card in the first slot, uninstalled the driver in safe mode, then reinstalled the same newest version. Working now at 16X and max rating in WEI:

WEI finished 07-12-2011.jpg

Then I got curious, and set the memory to their XMP profile. The WEI didn't changed, run 3DMark11 and PCMark7 for checking the stability:

3DMark11 07-12-2011.jpg

PCMark7 07-12-2011.jpg

Not my best values... but the CPU is almost at stock... I restarted to enter BIOS for some CPU tweaking - and I've got an "Oveclocking failed" message... it's hard to stabilize 24GB Kingston at 1600MHz...

So, I set it back to 1333MHz and increased the CPU's multiplier a little bit (at 29, with BCLK 133.5 got 3.8GHz)... and checked temps running AIDA64:

AIDA temps 07-12-2012.jpg

Pretty high temps for my taste... but I knew from the beginning that the airflow in my case is not the best...

But now, I got excited by this!

I think, there is more in this system... want to find out! Perhaps, will change the memory kit into a 12GB Corsair Dominator one (it was better overclocker on non-Asus mobos)... and definitely will play around with the fans to get better airflow...

[Arne Saknussemm]

That's pretty nice for a temporary set up! Give it more room to breathe and it will fly!

[Zka17]

Thanks, Arne! If I'm thinking better, very few of my builds lasts too long without changes... I think, it's a disease... - I enjoy more the process of building and tweaking, than the ready product itself...

I could not resist the temptations... had to do some more adjustments... - could not sleep well with the memory frequency at 1333MHz...

So, loaded the BIOS defaults and started over... this time I ended up with my Kingston kit running at 1603.6MHz and with the 980X at 4.4GHz on all cores

For a fast check I run 3DMark11:

3DMark11 07-13-2011.jpg

And also used a short AIDA64 test to see where my temps will end up:

AIDA temps 07-13-2012.jpg

It's hitting the 80s with ambient temp at 23C... So, I think that's the end until I do something to improve the airflow through the H100's radiator... - maybe I should crank up the H100's pump, as it's at low setting now... the Cougars are connected to it...

[HiVizMan]

LOL you have the bug all right. Need to find a doctor quick for a cure, or it will be too late.

Nice one mate.

[Zka17]

LOL you have the bug all right. Need to find a doctor quick for a cure, or it will be too late.

Nice one mate.

Thanks! Not sure that I want a cure for this one...

I feel that I'm getting competitive... would like to try my chances in grottslampan's Corsair H100 OC Competition...

[HiVizMan]

You are lost cause.

No cure for you - speak to your partner about this addiction it is a very expensive hobby when you start

I have to trade off, new toys for me and new boots for my wife.

[Zka17]

speak to your partner about this addiction it is a very expensive hobby when you start

Well, you're right! That's the reason why I have to focus now on tweaking and optimizing what I have... I'm banned for ordering more PC stuff for a while...

Unfortunately, cannot have similar tradeoffs with my wife... she wants to go fishing and in Disneyland... - no power outlets for my rigs...

[HiVizMan]

As long as it is not fishing in Disneyland

[chrsplmr]

Sweet review Z.
Welcome to the ROGaholics Ward Support Group.
We only have each other to hold onto until the next Fix.

Disney ? Florida ? Oh no Z. That pirate song will be stuck in
your head for weeks... If I just read the word Disney I hear
the ... thing. Yo-Ho Yo-Ho It's the Pirates life for meeeeeeeee..
Like right now ... gee thanks .. I almost forgot about it..hehee

The only thing Disney is missing is a ROGevent. Even if we
practice the safest of ROG'n there would be a ROGdemic.
If the ROGtent is a rock'n .. come on in a git ya some .. hahahha

Max V Extreme .... Baby get your sandals .. We're go'n to
Universal and MGM Studios too.... hahahhaa ..
Why you are a quick cruise away from twin 7990's my friend...haha.

Viz .. Now that's a boot closet !!! ... yikes.

[Zka17]

Thanks, Chris, it's good to be in the "ROGaholics Ward Support Group"!

Keep checking back - this is just the start of something...