A64 3500+ Venice Overclock - In Progress

S

spono

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 26, 2006
Messages
89
I'm posting my current attempt at overclocking this aging cpu in order to get any kind of feedback or advice you guys have to offer.

I am using the machine in my sig (if you want any more detailed information about it, just ask), Prime 95 with "In-Place Large FFT" torture test, CPUZ, Speedfan 4.28 to read temperatures, and Clockgen 1.0.4.6 to change FSB in WindowsXP.

1:
Bios:
Vcore=1.450V
Vram=2.75V
HT Freq=800MHz
Ram Timings=2.5-4-4-8-2T
CPU Multiplier=11

CPUZ reads Vcore=1.464

Max Stable Clocks:
Fsb=218
Ram=218
CPU=2397.6

Temps:
Idle=36
Load=51

Analysis: Loosening the ram timings has given me a small increase of 197.6MHz at reasonable temperatures.

2:
Bios:
No changes, except Ram:CPU ratio set to 166:200

CPUZ reads Vcore=1.464

Max Stable Clocks:
FSB=218
Ram=171.26
CPU=2397.6

Temps:
Idle=36
Load=50

Analysis: Lowering the ram speed has no effect on max overclock, therefore, the CPU is limiting the max overclock, not the ram.

3:
Bios:
No changes, except Vcore=1.475

CPUZ reads Vcore=1.488

Max Stable Clocks:
FSB=218.7
Ram=171.86
CPU=2406

Temps:
Idle=36
Load=54

Analysis: Increasing the Vcore gave a small boost in CPU max overclock, 8.4MHz difference. Load temperatures may be getting too high.


I'm not sure how much farther I should safely go. I am using the stock cooler, but I'm having trouble finding the optimal/max temperatures and voltages for this chip.

Should I try upping the chipset voltage?

I am open to the option of buying an aftermarket CPU cooler.

Any suggestions, comments or words of advice are welcome.
 
Could you post more details? How about a screenie of the main page of cpuz (you have 1.39?)

Here's what you need to do to overclock venices.

In the bios, you should have an ht multiplier. Default, it's probably x4. Drop it down to x3. I'm assuming you've done this already by choosing 800mhz ht freq.

Let's try seeing how fsb scales first, so drop the cpu multiplier (fid or whatever) down from the stock x11. Try x8 for now. Again, with ht of 800, set fsb to 266. This should net you 2.13ghz. Also, you need to set down your memclock. From the sounds of your post, it looks like you have a dynamic changing number in the bios for ram, based on your fsb. But for the sake of testing at first, set it to the lowest value.

See if it'll boot to windows. If so, snap some more cpuz shots. Main page and memory please.

edit: also do you have an e3 stepping or e6? cpuz main page will show this
 
Thanks for the response, ziddey. I've been on spring break for the last few days, away from this computer, so I wasn't able to continue until now.

Here's a shot of CPUZ with everything in the bios set to default:

CPUZ_Defaults.jpg


And here's one after the changes you instructed:

HT=800MHz (EDIT: In my bios, it reads 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000, not 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x.)
CPU Multiplier=x8
FSB=266MHz
Memory:FSB= 1:2 --> Memory=133MHz

CPUZ_1.jpg


It appears I have an E3 stepping, if I'm reading CPUZ correctly.

Everything booted up fine with these new settings, so let me know what you think I should do next.
 
Hmm, I just tried that, and while I was able to get to windows, the computer restarted itself a few minutes later.

Was that at stock voltage (1.4) for you?
 
nice, it looks like your system is handling 1066ht well. I fubared a little and meant for you to try 3x (600ht) so it wouldn't be overclocking (3x266=800). I guess for reasons of better safe than sorry, if you want to keep experimenting,

drop ht to 800.

Keep the ram down there for now, so that we can focus on the cpu. At 266, you should be able to try to increase multiplier (fid or whatever it's called) one at a time (don't worry about half multis).

Try 9, test it for stability, then 10. Don't be afraid to give 1.5v right off the bat if your load coretemps are staying under 60'c. E3's seemed to like overclocks better than E6's. Might be something to do with reduced lead in E6's. Hopefully, you'll be able to hit 2.6-2.7ghz relatively easily.

edit: 8x266=2133 that you're at now. 9x266=2400. 10x266=2666 (rather self explanatory :))

once you've found a stable cpu overclock, you can try to pull up the ram divider bit by bit again and see what happens
 
As per your instructions, here's what I set in my bios:

HT=800
CPU Multiplier=9x
FSB=266
Ram:FSB = 1:2 --> Ram=133
Vcore=1.5

Here's a pic:
CPUZ_2.jpg


After 15 minutes of prime95's "in place large FFTs" torture test", all was fine, with:
Load Temp=57
Idle Temp=39

Then, I tried to boot using CPU Multiplier=10x. It POSTed, but would not boot into Windows. I would try a 9.5 multiplier, but there are only whole numbers in my bios.

I imagine the CPU is getting too hot when it tries to start loading Windows, and just shuts down. My bet is I'll have to buy myself a better CPU heatsink, or maybe I can solve this problem by giving it more juice (voltage).

Either way, I'm going to bed for now. I don't know what time it is where you are, ziddey, but it's 2am here. Sleepy time.
 
OK, I just ordered an Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro to help keep this chip cool.

Any ideas for things to try while I wait for it to come?
 
If I may...
set the HT lower, so when you boot up, it doesn't go over 1000. I see in one screen a 1066 HT- that may be crashing your sys. There's a setting in BIOS to lower the HT link- if it currently says 800, or something like that, try to lower it one notch, and see what overclock you get.
In other words, try to keep the final HT number, as reported in CPUZ, below 1000.


Also, you can download and try Clockgen, a windows-based overclock app. What I did was go into BIOS, set vcore where I wanted it, and overclocked from Windows via Clockgen. I use Superpi and Orthos to get an idea if it's stable, and when I find the 'sweet spot', go to BIOS and make the changes there. This way, if you go too far, or something is holding you back, windows will either lock or reboot, so you know pretty much where to stop.

HTH
 
Well, my Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro came in the mail yesterday (woo $15 at ewiz) and I've had my computer on for about 24 hours, letting the thermal paste settle.

I'm a little worried about my temperatures, and I'm starting to think the HSF isn't seated properly. At stock voltages/speeds on the cpu/ram, I'm getting 37C idle and 48C load -- almost the exact same as the stock AMD heatsink/fan.

Also, I can't figure out how to get the fan to run at full speed. It stays between 900 and 1200 RPM (no load, full load on cpu), but never goes above that. The rated max speed (according to the box it came in) is 2200 RPM.

The plug on the fan has 4 holes, but my motherboard only has 3 pin connectors. I think the 4th pin is for PWM fan control, so I guess I could just splice it out to a knob, but I'm not exactly sure how to do that or what part to buy.

Anybody have any knowledge on these problems?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top