Best Core 2 Series Desktops-Results and Specs

[pathosfire]

I read somewhere that Pro Tools 7.0+ something was quad core optimized. Someone will probably be along shortly to confirm that, but if you're using the Q6600, you should probably upgrade your software.

Also, thanks for the heads up, Mykhal.

[Bud41]

Hay all.
Below is a system overview of my new built Pro tools rig.
I did go through the Bios settup on page one.
But I noticed the memory is running at 800 instead of 1066.
Might have missed something in setup ?
I have not made any software tweaks yet except for updating
drivers and critical windows updates.
Will be doing more tweaks, but I just wanted to let you take a look
at the overview at this stage.
***** Start of Report *****
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<<< Computer Overview >>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
< System >
Host Name: YOURSOUN-715AF1
User: Bud
Workgroup: STUDIO 1
< Processor >
Model: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @
2.40GHz
Speed: 2.40GHz
Cores per Processor: 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core: 1 Unit(s)
Type: Quad-Core
Internal Data Cache: 4x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64
byte line size
L2 On-board Cache: 2x 4MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 16-way, 64
byte line size, 2 threads sharing
< System >
System: System manufacturer P5K-E
Mainboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5K-E
Bus(es): ISA PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support: No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (:Yes
System BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 0906
Total Memory: 2GB DDR2
< Chipset >
Model: ASUS P35/G33/G31 Processor to I/O Controller
Front Side Bus Speed: 4x 267MHz (1.07GHz)
Total Memory: 1GB DDR2
Memory Bus Speed: 2x 401MHz (802MHz)
< Video System >
Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS (256MB DDR3,
PCIe 1.00 x16, PS 3.0, VS 3.0)
< Physical Storage Devices >
ST3160815AS 160GB (SATA150, NC:149GB (C:)
ST3120026A 120GB (FireWire/139:112GB (E:)
SONY DVD RW DRU-830A (ATAPI66,:N/A (D:)
< Logical Storage Devices >
Hard Disk (C:): 149GB (NTFS) @ ST3160815AS 160GB (SATA150,
NCQ, 8MB Cache)
Audio Drive (E:): 112GB (NTFS) @ ST3120026A 120GB (FireWire/
1394, NCQ)
CD-ROM/DVD (D:): N/A @ SONY DVD RW DRU-830A (ATAPI66, DVD+-RW,
CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
3.5" 1.44MB (A:): N/A
< Peripherals >
LPC Hub Controller 1: ASUS (ICH9) LPC Interface Controller
LPC Hub Controller 2: ASUS (ICH9) SMBus Controller
Serial Port(s): 1
USB Controller 1: ASUS (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 2: ASUS (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 3: ASUS (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 4: ASUS (ICH9) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 5: ASUS (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 6: ASUS (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 7: ASUS (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 8: ASUS (ICH9) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
FireWire/1394 Controller 1: ASUS FW322/323 IEEE1394 OHCI FireWire
Controller
System SMBus Controller 1: Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
< Network Services >
Network Adapter: Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet
Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport
< Power Management >
Mains (AC) Line Status: On-Line
< Operating System(s) >
Windows System: Microsoft Windows XP (2002) Professional
5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)
Platform Compliance: x86
< Performance Tips >
Tip 2546: Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2: Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip
is selected for more information about the
tip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***** End of Report *****

I have other options for audio drive and audio interface ( am using
M-Audio firewire 410 at this time.)
after tweaks then I will do a dverb test with this setup.
then make changes as needed and do test again.
Thank you all for all the help.
Rock on
"BUD"

[Bud41]

Sorry about the format above.
It didn't look that way on the original report
"BUD"

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by Bud41

Hay all.
Below is a system overview of my new built Pro tools rig.
I did go through the Bios settup on page one.
But I noticed the memory is running at 800 instead of 1066.
Might have missed something in setup ?

is this how you have it set up in your bios???? make sure you do not set it back to 'AUTO'. leave it on 'MANUAL'. if the system does not like the timings then it will not boot and you should get any OC'g error. but setting it to 'AUTO' will 'probably' make it boot at 800.

Dram Timing Control[1067]

Set the DRAM Timing control to Manual and verify that the following settings read

CAS# Latency [5 DRAM Clocks]
RAS# to CAS# Delay [5 DRAM Clocks]
RAS# Precharge [5 DRAM Clocks]
RAS# Active Time [15DRAM clocks]

[Teolin]

Originally Posted by mykhal c

i would leave it set to MANUAL. also what does CPU-Z show?? post a link to your mobo pls

Thanks, mykhal. Sorry it took me so long to post back.

I got CPU-Z and these are the readings:

Cpu speed: 2400.6
Multiplier: X9
Buss: 266
Rated FSB: 1066

Memory tab
DRAM Freq: 400mhz
FSB: 2:3
Timings: 5-5-5-18

Here is the P5k MB link: http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...37&modelmenu=1

Are you using the Asus AI Suite for doing your overclocking or going into the Bios. Are there setting in AI Suite that would trump (override) the Bios settings?

I tried setting my timings to 4-4-4-12 in Bios and leaving it on Manual, but when I re-boot and check (with CPUZ) it's running at 5-5-5-18.

Anyone using AI Suite to overclock? Would you recommended it?

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by Teolin

Thanks, mykhal. Sorry it took me so long to post back.

I got CPU-Z and these are the readings:

Cpu speed: 2400.6
Multiplier: X9
Buss: 266
Rated FSB: 1066

Memory tab
DRAM Freq: 400mhz
FSB: 2:3
Timings: 5-5-5-18

Here is the P5k MB link: http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...37&modelmenu=1

Are you using the Asus AI Suite for doing your overclocking or going into the Bios. Are there setting in AI Suite that would trump (override) the Bios settings?

I tried setting my timings to 4-4-4-12 in Bios and leaving it on Manual, but when I re-boot and check (with CPUZ) it's running at 5-5-5-18.

Anyone using AI Suite to overclock? Would you recommended it?

i don't use AI SUITE. everthin' should be done in the bios. what are the specs for your ram??? post a link pls. but i think you're missin' somethin' 'cause if you have your ram set to 'MANUAL' instead of 'AUTO' then you should NOT be able to boot if your timings are too tight. but the fact that you say you've got it set to manual and you are booting but your timings are somethin' other than what you've entered in the bios settings makes me think you are missin' somethin' here. not sure what tho. you ARE doin' an 'SAVE and EXIT' when leavin' the bios program, correct??? maybe you should describe the exact steps you are makin'. right now i'm confused...sorry

[Teolin]

Originally Posted by mykhal c

i don't use AI SUITE. everthin' should be done in the bios. what are the specs for your ram??? post a link pls. but i think you're missin' somethin' 'cause if you have your ram set to 'MANUAL' instead of 'AUTO' then you should NOT be able to boot if your timings are too tight. but the fact that you say you've got it set to manual and you are booting but your timings are somethin' other than what you've entered in the bios settings makes me think you are missin' somethin' here. not sure what tho. you ARE doin' an 'SAVE and EXIT' when leavin' the bios program, correct??? maybe you should describe the exact steps you are makin'. right now i'm confused...sorry

My RAM is the Corsair 800 that is recommended on page 1 of this thread. It's discontinued, I think.

Yes, I'm going into Bios and set the timings to MANUAL, then enter timings of 4-4-4-12, then save and exit. Start CPUZ and the timings say it is at 5-5-5-12. So I re-boot again, go into Bios, and timing function is "re-set" from Manual to AUTO

Again, I set the Bios timing settings to Manual, and when I reboot and go into Bios again the timing setting is on AUTO. ???? I'm confused too!

That's why I'm asking about the Suite, because there are OC settings in Suite, and I thought it might be overriding the Bios setting.

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by Teolin

My RAM is the Corsair 800 that is recommended on page 1 of this thread. It's discontinued, I think.

Yes, I'm going into Bios and set the timings to MANUAL, then enter timings of 4-4-4-12, then save and exit. Start CPUZ and the timings say it is at 5-5-5-12. So I re-boot again, go into Bios, and timing function is "re-set" from Manual to AUTO

Again, I set the Bios timing settings to Manual, and when I reboot and go into Bios again the timing setting is on AUTO. ???? I'm confused too!

That's why I'm asking about the Suite, because there are OC settings in Suite, and I thought it might be overriding the Bios setting.

yeah i think you are right. sounds like AI SUITE or somethin' is playin' with your bios settings. just the fact that it's changed back to 'AUTO' without your doing says, to me, AI SUITE might be the culprit. i would look at removin' that from the equation. cannot advise other than to remove usin' ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS under CONTROL PANEL.

[kkfaudio]

It's time to unload the old 2.4 P4...

How does this look for my Mbox2Pro? I've been running 7.3 but will probably move to 7.4 this time. Is the onboard firewire cool with this MB?

BX80562Q6600 Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 S775 2.4GHz 1066MHz FSB 2x4MB Cache [Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz Quad-Core (C2Q) LGA775 1066MHz FSB 2x4MB L2 Cache, Intel64, XD Bit, EIST, IVT, iAMT2, ITXT (95W)]

Asus P5K-E S775 DDR2 ATX A/L [Intel P35/ICH9R LGA775/1333FSB(C2D/C2Q) DDR2-800 PCIeX16(x2) PCIeX1(x2) PCI(x3) SATA300-RAID(0/1/5/10)/eSATA/ATA133 w/ USB2.0/IEEE1394 / 7.1 Audio / Gigabit LAN / ATX]

Kingston HyperX 2GB PC2-8500 Kit DDR2-1066 for SLI [2048MB Kit (2x1024MB) HyperX 240pin 128Mx64 Unbuffered Non-ECC DDR2-1066 Timing 5-5-5-15 (nVidia SLI Certified)]

2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA-II [320GB 7200RPM SATA-II-300 3.5" w/ 16MB Cache]

LG H22LS 22X SATA DVD+-RW Drive (Black) w/ LightScribe [SATA Dual-Layer 22X/22X LightScribe DVD+/-RW (Black) w/ Software]

Asus Radeon HD3650 Magic 512MB PCIe [ATI Radeon HD3650 512MB PCI-Express x16 w/ Dual-DVI-I / HDTV-Out / Silent Cooling

SONATA III Antec Sonata III 500W Black ATX [Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Tower (3x5.25"/2x3.5"V/4x3.5"H) USB eSATA Audio Ports on Front, 120mm Fan. 500W ATX2.0 12V 24pin Power ATX]

Microsoft Windows XP Home (OEM) [Windows XP Home (OEM) CD & License (Single Processor Systems)]

Did I miss anything?

Thanks!

[PTSWE]

Maybe a dumb question
can I put an seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0Gb/s 750-GB 16-MB cache Hard Drive in as my system drive or should only use 320 gb
as mention on the first page