It appears to me you have the wrong RAM for that CPU. If the CPU is 800MHz bus (which it seems all P4 3.0GHz processors are, but I'm no expert on Intel CPU's), that's 200MHz quad pumped bus speed. You need PC3200 or higher (400MHz DDR) to run properly. This also would fit the problems you're describing. Are you still having problems since switching out the graphics card? If you're gonna replace the RAM, Corsair Value CAS2.5 is the best bang for the buck I've seen around right now. MCSE, MCSA Messaging, baby!

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Damn, I just bought PC2700 Ram for the computer off the internet, the 512 is working in the motherboard now, and it says its all at the correct MHZ, It has some auto sense feature, but if your correct then I will have problems down the road? cause right now the only thing that is wrong with the computer is the processor being 50 degrees Celcius, everything else worked when I changed the video card. Let me know

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Some RAM is better than what it is rated for. You may end up lucking out and the RAM can withstand 400MHz DDR. I would set the CAS to 3 to be as safe as possible. Also, some motherboards can run the RAM slower than the CPU. If that's what's happening, your computer is not running at its full potential. Regardless, understand that if the RAM IS in fact running 400MHz DDR, and you bought PC2700 RAM, that is in effect overclocking the RAM, and the vendor did not certify the RAM will run at that speed. You risk frying the RAM, and you would not be entitled to a warranty replacement. Back to the CPU temp reading... I will repeat that 50C is not too hot if that actually is the temperature of the processor. Temp sensors on motherboards are not very accurate. I would put the margin of error at + or - up to 5C. That would put the CPU at worst at 55C, which is still within operating limits, although there could be some overheating issues when the CPU is under heavy load (think playing a game or something). Also, where the temp probe is affects the temp reading. Some motherboards like mine have two temp sensors, plus a 3rd on the CPU die itself. If the temp reading says chassis or case, the CPU temp is much higher. If it just says CPU, it's probably about 5C higher than the reading. On die is the most accurate. You say the heatsink on the CPU is cool? If that's the case, I would think you're not getting good heat transfer from CPU to heatsink. What did you use between the CPU and the heatsink? Was it some type of tape on the bottom of the heatsink or pad? Did you use some type of grease? I'm assuming you used something or your CPU would be a crispy critter by now. If tape or pad, consider buying some actual grease to use instead, as it works much much better than thermaltape/pads do. Take some alcohol pads and wipe off the pad/tape until the bottom of the heatsink is clean. Then apply your "goop" as they call it. If you're gonna go to the trouble of doing this, I suggest getting some good quality goop. Arctic Silver 5 is the best of the best, but can damage your CPU if you apply too much. Arctic Silver Ceramique is a good bet since its non conductive and works almost as good as AS5. If you want something fast, Circuit City carries some Antec stuff that's half decent. Also check CompUSA. On the internet, newegg.com or sidewindercomputers. com is a good bet. MCSE, MCSA Messaging, baby!

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One last thing, and I don't mean this as a slam. Next time you upgrade, think about spreading your money around a bit better. I'm assuming you spent probably a bit over 200 on your CPU alone, and then you got a cheap motherboard and RAM. I'm guessing you paid around $325 if you bought that stuff new off the net? I spend less than $200 on my motherboard CPU, and fan combined. Now, even if I weren't overclocking my Athlon 2500 to would would be 3800 specs, I could have spent the money you spent to get the right RAM, or possibly even 1 gig of RAM. Or a better video card. This isn't anti-intel by any means. Take a couple of steps down next time on a CPU if it gets you more ram, or a better quality motherboard, or a better video card. 800MHz bus hyperthreaded P4's perform quite close to each other. You probably couldn't tell the difference between them in most applications. However, you could see a BIG difference in your games even with just an FX5200 AGP $60 video card over your PCI MX440. CPU doesn't mean everything! MCSE, MCSA Messaging, baby!

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