sorry for the delay guys, this was the first chance I had to get online for more than a few min.

i think i got it all updated but if i missed anything shoot me a pm and ill take care of it.

Yeah same on my end... at exact same setting, I actually got lower Vantage score when I went from 3.9 ghz to 4.05 ghz... lower by like 500 ffs? System was completely stable after 25k lynx tests and p95

Ok, so after sleeping on it here is my current choices for where to go next.

If it isn't obvious by my active posting in this thread, I love the hell out of benchmarking/overclocking just for the sake of doing it.  When I'm gaming everything is backed down to 4.2 ghz/2100 mhz ram and 745/1525/1225.  I'm mildly irritated that I can't seem to break that last score I posted despite 9 hours of work on the task and Bradnob, per your request, I did everything under the sun to get even 5 more clocks out of my 275's core clock.  It's just not going to happen and it isn't a heat issue, they never crest 55 degrees under load, I just don't think the chips have it in them to go any higher.  Hell even bumping to 761 results in a nvdklmmn crash 5 seconds out of the gate in Jane.  :(

So I'm faced with a dilemma - don't benchmark anymore (not an option, see above) or upgrade a component this weekend to unlock more headroom (now that's more like it).  The question I have for you guys is where should I go next to try to raise this score. 

1.  I can jump over to a p55 classified board in 3 days (paycheck arrival + shipping) and see if that doesn't free up more wiggle room by proxy of being more stable under overclocks.  The bonus to this option is that I unlock triple SLI ability for myself and that is a huge amount of head room.  3rd card would become by main vga card (275-co-op) and I'd push that sucker as far as I could.  The double gpu graphics cards make me nervous though because I'm not sure how well they overclock and by well I mean can they get their cores to 760 etc.

2.  Upgrade my i7 860 to an 870 and pray that the above results with higher cpu clocks don't hold true.  I'm partial to this if only for the instant gratification of running to microcenter and buying the chip to get started the moment my paycheck deposits to my account, yet I'm hesitant because I really don't know how much more performance the 870 gives...and it's a five hundred some odd dollar investment.

3.  Throw in the towel and order 1 GTX 285 Classified and just wait out SLI later while I push that card beyond where it's supposed to go.  This sounds fun just because I actually have the 1700 watts of power in my case to support this venture and the cards power hungry 3x6 pcie cable attachments.  This unlocks unhealthy tendencies in me though, since I become fascinated with "what if's."  (e.g. "If I give a 2 SLI 285 classified dedicated 1300 watts of power, I wonder if I can jump over the top of the 295 boys.")  :D

Anyone have some input here? 

I'm leaning toward the 285 classified solution, but that's partially because I'm being lazy and don't want to take Hatter apart again.  It's my first personally built computer and I just recently shifted cases, it's not easy doing cable management for 9 ultra kaze fans, dimm fans, my cooling tunnel (soon to be patended btw :D), and all the rest of the normal cable management.  Not to mention the Thermaltake Express VGA PSU has a god damn AC power cord running through one of my PCI slots on the back of the computer.

personally i would wait to see what the new series of cards brings most reviews i have seen on the classi cards say the are just fire back to the asus mars editions

well good luck on what ever you decide plus soon as i get my shadow im gunning 4 ur score as i was couldnt oc for **** with this v10

26,577-------Qx9650 @4.2Ghz ------(x2) (650/ 1420/ 1200)

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=1420117

ill start oc'n tomorrow i just picked up the pII 940 for a really good price so i thought i could see what i could do with it but i just have one problem. my current heatsink is not doing a very good job of cooling down the cpu(38 idle/58 load). does anyone have any recommendations for a good heatsink?

ya that cooler doesnt fit in my case :( im just going to look around newegg and ncix(im canadian) because they have some good deals there. also until then im going to try and re-apply the thermal paste. im just not sure which one to go with cause i really like the way my current one looks. its very silent thats pretty much the main reason i bought it.

well ive just got a standard mid-tower case nothing special. i have modified it a bit to get more airflow. and i think the corsair h50 might be a good idea. as for budget it doesnt really matter that much because i want to see how far i can push this without going with a full on water cooling system. thanks for the help.

true extreme 120 is a great cooler but also very big. Cools great, and if you get 2 great fans ( like the ebernax fabs *which can cost up to 30 bucks each but arguably best fans on market) You put a in and out fan and it cools like no other :p

please post your 3dmark link so i can update the list..
 
 
thanks

there ya go.  thanks

Feel like adding triple 275's to this thread? Over a month ago I asked Talonman if he could add them to his triple 260, 280, 285 thread, but nothing came of it...

Stray_Bullet

Can we get some Tri 275's in here?


Can I also be Big Dog for a bit?


Stray_Bullet ---------------------- Q9650@ 4.275GHz --- (3) 275 684/1512/1242 ----- P32,020

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=1737517

He replied this & nothing since...

Talonman

Pondering about it...

So what do you  think? Need to ponder about it also???

Awesome! You are the best!!!

greenhawk84

UPDATE: Higher score:  P27,192
http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=1861575

what settings did you change?

Stray_Bullet

Awesome! You are the best!!!

aww you flatter me .. lol