Allrighty then... :D - it seems that stock cooler is useful afterall!

I also have a 120 mm on the back of the case, 140 at the top (PSU has 140 too/don`t know if it matters)

Just hope I don`t damage my new baby with this...

Thanks!

You`ve all been very helpful!

I lowered the ram divider and could then go to 3.6 GHz stable no prob.

Disabled Halt and other dynamic overclocking functions and set CPU voltage manually to 1.250 .

I also disabled all S.M.A.R.T functions so all the fans are running @ max speed (Intel stock heatsink @ 2150 RPM)

I am happy with that speed at the moment.

Speedfan reports 58C on load (Prime95) and around 38 idle.

I know I should upgrade the CPU cooling- and will in the near future.

I guess my only concern for the 2 months before the upgrade is : Are those temps already hurting my CPU, or should there be no problem..?

My guess is your Ram being the limmitation, try get a lower divider so you're underclocking your ram, then start raising the FSB without overvoltage anything at all. The E8500 really should not be limmited by the vcore at such low clocks.

I read that I could OC my CPU to a safe 3.6 GHz with my STOCK COOLER.

I tried easy tune pro , but can`t get past 3.3 GHz with just changing the FSB - Crashes.

Do I have to increase the CPU voltage manually to even begin overclocking/Do any changes need extra voltage?

Yeah,but see,it only has one Pci-e 2.0 slot ; while I was looking for CrosfireX. GA-X48-DS5 has got two of those plus they both run @ 16X ... P

P.S Yes money is always the main question

:) Then from my point of view I can say this: I was in the same situation about two weeks ago. Had a 1000 € set to be spent on the rig. Read at least 60 reviews. All components market individually. And after many eye sores and mugs of coffee I decided on a configuration seen in my -SIG-. Depends on what you will use it for: gaming/programs and also Duo/Quad-wise & budget.

Read lots of reviews!:)

X48 (not 43) IS a great semi-future proof MOBO (semi because S1366 is already here)!

The main thing here is the CrossfireX support with true 2x 16x PCI-E 2.0 bandwidth (GA-X48-DS5) (But you have Nvidia and I`m not sure there is a SLI ready x38/x48 MOBO, but maybe Nvidia fits perfectly too?Also,you can Install ANY Socket 775 proc (You could upgrade to Extreme, but since u already own a decent quad..?)

Future proof? Buy Nahelm (Socket 1366)

Other than that : check out my -SIG- ! I can/will upgrade to crossfire 2x 16x PCI-E 2.0 or any 775 processor.

IMHO the best components for the money.. (for users who intend to do gaming in crossfire and are not yet ready for i7,DDR3,new MOBOS prices)

PS:My Gigabyte GA-X48-DS5 costed 200 € (=cca 270$)

-Whole rig 1000 €

[QUOTE="cooks84"]

Just bought my -SIG- three days ago.It`ll do a nice gaming job before switching to Nahelm.

Got some upgrading headroom (CrossfireX,maybe Q Extreme proc..)

I also don`t give a rats a$$ about some +- 5FPS margin..

I know My Comp is "old" already and it won`t be GODLIKE, but then again you could upgrade every 2 months..

KurganUK23

Actually thats a pretty good machine u got there, if u got the money and can upgrade when quads are more heavily needed then its brilliant for now, nice job id say, yeah quads are the way to go now but thats because a lot of people prefer to future proof cos they cant upgrade that quick.

Anyway dont get ya back up there are some that would say whats the point etc but it all boils down to if your happy with it then there opinion dont matter