Hi all.
Im pondering trying to get a little more juice out of my computer. Two things that come to mind are my RAM and CPU cooling.

RAM wise, Im running Vista 64bit with 2GB
Im using this ram

I had to play around with the ram settings in the bios to get it to run stably, will have to edit the post later with the timings Im using. I think the main thing was I had to change the voltage.

Anyway, the RAM question is, will I be able to get away with mixing the ram? I was hoping to get 2 more sticks the same and up to 4gb (Which is ok on 64bit vista I gather). However theyre out of stock at the mo, and was wondering what would happen if I put 2 sticks in that are slightly different? Im guessing if I put slower stuff in, the existing stuff will run slower, or vice versa if I put faster RAM in.

The main differences are that the ram I have at the mo is 2v and CL5 ( 5-5-5-12 ). What Im looking at adding is 2.1v CL4 ( 4-4-4-15 ) ram ? Of course the other option is to wait around and see if I can just match what is already in the system?

The other question is regarding cooling. Im pretty sure I either didnt seat my heatsink properly or its just a bit crap really. Im currently using This And temps under full load get just over 60, which I gather is too hot. Even at half load it all creeps up.

Im looking for suggestions on tried and tested CPU heatsinks/coolers that are pretty quiet and are effective, as I might look into slightly overclocking my CPU over the summer (only slightly, Its an E6400) I was looking at this but any suggestions welcome.

Sorry for linking to a competitors website, but it was just easier to link the RAM as thats where I got the first lot from. And it was convenient whilst I was doing that to look at alternatives...

what cpu do you have ?


you wont really notice much of a difference going from 2gig of ram to 4gig unless you do a lot of photo editing etc...

RAM is that cheap now its well worth going to at least 3gb, Im on 2Gb and struggling

As soon as you open Photoshop on any computer, baby Jesus weeps for your memory.

do you have any more temps ?

could well be high case temps... which are normally quickly/easily/cheaply fixed :-)

and... do you have 4 slots for ram in the m/b.... not many do now !... but yeah as nige said (i forgot lol) prices are so low right now you might as well up it to 4 gig :-)

I cut bigger air holes into the side panel with a heated sculpting blade, no fan on at the moment as I knackered the pins taking it odd, but the comp now is idling at:

MOBO: 42
CPU: 44
GFX: 59
HDD: 35

So thats good. Ive ordered some ram and a few other bits and bobs, including a better side fan, hopefully thatll help lower things a little!

My E2180 gets to 38c on a stock fan going full out. so in most cases it depends on the CPU. An overclocked to 4ghz job would need some heavy cooling.

Fan blowing in at the front and one out the back. Cant control those. Can control the CPU fan though.

When my order comes through Ill set the 120mm fan on the side blowing in, it should help make a difference now Ive cut some bigger holes for it. Also got an 80mm one for underneath hehe.

Not sure how much itll help as the case is halfway to buried at the end of my bed. One of the factors causing it to heat maybe was that the back of the case was quite close to the wall before, so hot PSU air wasnt circulating and maybe warming the case. Other than that, its quite a warm room anyway

It is running cooler now that those holes were cut, I think before they were too small and the fan was just blowing air against the inside of the case hehe!

Even better use some flexible ducting pipe, the same as they use on the backs of washing machines and extractor fans. That will fit a 120mm extractor in the top of the case and keep the computer nice and cool. Clockd its also the issue of density, if you pump air out faster than it can get in you get a vacuum, that lowers air temperature in the case. Pumping more air in than can get out you end up with a pressurized container, it effectively becomes warmer.