FX-53 OC using AI Booster

[imported_Iceberg]

My rig's hardware:
case: SilverStone Temjin 6 (with windtunnel)
AMD FX-53 (939 pin with stock retail fan/HS/thermal compound)
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
OCZ ModStream 520w PSU
eVGA 6800GT PCI-E (x1)
WD Raptor 74gb 10k rpm (SATA)

My temperature stats:
Current avg summer temp: 77-80F (~27C)
Ambient room temp: 74F (~23C)
CPU idle temp (as reported by AI Booster/ASUS PC Probe): 49-51C
MB idle temp: 38C

I have been fiddling with the AI Booster program that came with my mobo, which dynamically overclocks the processor while under load. I can choose between a 103%, 105%, 108% and 110% overclock. Running TrackMania Sunrise in a window while monitoring CPU temp yielded the following results:

Default clock speed (no overclock: 2411MHz): 68C, leveled off at 67C
105% (2521MHz): 66C, leveled off at 65C
108% (2592MHz): 69C, no stability issues
110% (2640MHz): Computer repeatedly hangs, could not start up game to see temp.

Here are my questions:
Which overclocking setting would you use (108%)?
Are temps around 70C normal for the FX-53 under load? I have heard the popular mantra that if it runs stable, then it's within temperature specs, but should I be concerned about long term effects of running at these temperatures?
Any ideas why 110% would cause lock ups?

Thanks for your input!

 

[ssvegeta1010]

I would say that 110% is overheating, 70C is very high.

What volts are going to that thing?

 

[imported_Iceberg]

Ai shows voltage between 1.6 and 1.62 while idle. This is ok, right?

 

[ssvegeta1010]

The voltage according to here: http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADAFX53DEP5AS is 1.5V.

I think the AI booster is pushing the voltage up. I think running the processor with a manually OC (at the lowest volts possible) would keep better temperatures.

Does the processor still get 1.6V when at stock? If so, then this can be changed in the BIOS to 1.5V to lower temps.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Also, is the heatsink making good contact with the processor?

Test this by putting the CPU under load, then having the case open and touching the heatsink. Is it warm, hot, or blisteringly hot?

If the heatsink is very hot, then you may need to upgrade your HSF to a 7700Cu or a XP-90/C/120 to control your temps.

 

[imported_Iceberg]

Wow, I used Ai Booster to manually set the CPU voltage to 1.5625, which dropped the voltage reading to 1.47-1.49 and in turn, the CPU is idling 5C cooler than before! I ran TrackMania again at stock speeds and the CPU temp didn't go over 58C. Amazing -- 10C cooler than before when the voltage was cranked up to 1.62! Also felt the heatsink - I'm pretty sure it's making good contact as it feels somewhere between warm and hot (definitely not very hot).

Should I try dropping the voltage below the 1.5v specification? Would the temperature continue to drop? I'm new to OCing, thanks for the help though! I'm going to go through Zebo's guide - looks quite informative.

 

[MADMAX23]

Overclock manually, don't use AI NOS or similars, they are crap.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Iceberg, the temp would continue to drop (not as drastically), but your stability would decrease. By all means, drop it as low as it will go, as long as it passes Prime95 for at least 8 hours

 

[MDme]

that's quite hot for an FX53. my system at 2.6 Ghz never reaches 60C even under load. actually i ran this baby fanless one time while testing the temps and it just around a little over 60+.