New X2 4600+ won't overclock

H

HeXeD

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 1, 2001
Messages
286
Getting a very weird issue..and I don't think it is the processor that is having issues with the overclock... here it goes:

My specs:
AMD X2 4600+
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
2G (1G x 2) Patriot PC4000 (capable of running 2-3-2-6 in PC3200, and 3-3-3-8 in PC4000)
EVGA 7900GT 256M
320G Seagate SATA
Sound Blaster 2 Audigy
etc..etc..

I used to have the exact same setup as above, but had a AMD 64 3000+. The processor before was overclocked from 1.8 to 2.3 stable in the setup above. I had to lower the memory speed to 166 in order to up the FSB enough to get the overclock I had.

So once I purchased my X2, I decided to flash the bios because it wouldn't post with the X2 in the mobo even after I cleared the CMOS settings. I updated the bios to the 1.6 version for my mobo. then I could get it booted up with the X2 in the mobo. I finally got everything refomatted (my favorit ehting to do when I get a new serious upgrade) and decided that it was time to overclock. This is where it gets weird..

I bumped the FSB to 210, and it posted and got into Windows. I then rebootd and bumped it up to 220. Now it won't post. I ddecided that either I have gone too high for my memory, or the cpu, so I then brought the memory divider to 166. I kept the 220 setting, but the computer still wouldn't boot. This confused me because now, if my math serves me correctly, my ram iss only running at 183 FSB because of the 166 divider. I even tried to set some very loose timings in the bios under the DRAM settings. They are currently set as follows:

Note: If not mentioned, each setting is currently set right now..with my computer running a small overclock at 215FSB. My memory divider is at 200 and not 16 currently as well.
Cell Menu

High Performance Mode......................... Manual
Aggressive Timing............................. Disabled
Dynamic Overclocking.......................... Disabled
Adjust CPU FSB Frequency...................... 200 currently (220 is what trying to achieve)
HT Frequency.................................. 5x currently (5x and 4x when trying 220FSB)
HT Width...................................... 16 16
CPU Spread Spectrum .......................... Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum.......................... Disabled
PCI-E Spread Spectrum......................... Disabled
PCI-E Clock................................... 100 MHz
SSE/SSE2 Instructions......................... enabled
Cool 'N' Quiet................................ Disabled
Adjust CPU Ratio.............................. By CPU ID
Adjust CPU Vid................................ 1.350V
Extra CPU Voltage............................. By CPU VID currently (trying 13.3% increase when at 220)
Memory Voltage................................ 2.75V
NF4 Voltage................................... 1.60V

DRAM Configuration

Timing Mode................................... Manual
Memclock Index Value (MHz).................... 200
CAS Latency (Tcl)............................. 2.5T
Min RAS# active time (Tras)................... 8T
RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd)..................... 3T
Row precharge time (Trp)...................... 2T
Row to Row delay (Trrd)....................... 3T
Row Cycle time (Trc).......................... 12T (tried 10)
Row refresh cyc time (Trfc)................... 24T (tried 16)
Read to Write delay (Trwt).................... 3T
Write recovery time (Twr)..................... 3T (which apparently give you 2)
Write to Read delay (Twtr).................... Auto
Refresh Period (Tref)......................... Auto (tried 1x3120 Cycles)
User Config Mode.............................. Manual
Bottom of 32-Bit[31:24] IO.................... D0
1T/2T Memory Timing........................... 1T (tried 2t when overclocked)
Read Preamble Value........................... 8ns when at 1T (6ns at 2T)
Async Latency Value........................... 8ns when at 1T (6ns at 2T)
S/W Memory Hole Remapping..................... Disabled
H/W Memory Hole Remapping..................... Disabled
MTRR Mapping Mode............................. Continuous


So I figured... DAMNIT.. My luck is no good with this chip cause it can't overclock over 215FSB, which is only a modest 150-200MHz overclock. Then I decided to test that theory..

I went back into the bios and set the CPU multiplier to 9 instead of 12. At 220 this underclocks the CPU BIGTIME to ~2GHz.. a 400MHz underclock, added with the 166MHz divider on the memory, and the memory is underclocked to 183MHz. The computer would not post AGAIN! So what the hell? My CPU can definitely run it's stock speed at 2.4.. and my memory can definitely run it's stock speed of 200..and it can run 200 at MUCH faster timings.. So I figured the bios could be causing this phenomenon (-sp?)

I then upgraded the bios to the 1.9 version listed on the download center and still had the same issue. I'm kinda stuck right now as it appears my mobo does not want to go over 215FSB.. but when I had 1G of Patriot PC4800 (PC3200 that can do 300FSB with some loose timings), my computer was able to run 300FSB with this same motherboard. so I know PHYSICALLY my mobo is more than capable of running a very high FSB. I have been through 2 bioses, and even with the ram and cpu underclocked, I am having some serious problems getting over 215. When I go to 220, my monitor does not get a signal, no post beep...nothing. I have to reset my cmos settings in order to post again.

If anyone has any good ideas, please let me know. thanks in advance.
 
As much as the PCIe setting doesn't make sense..I will try it. This setting was not necessary before, when I was getting 300FSB... but I will try..

As for the 2t comment..what 2t setting? if you are talking about the 1T/2T Memory Timing, this is what I posted in my setting:

1T/2T Memory Timing........................... 1T (tried 2t when overclocked)
Read Preamble Value........................... 8ns when at 1T (6ns at 2T)
Async Latency Value........................... 8ns when at 1T (6ns at 2T)

I always try 2T when overclocking, and once I get to the right place, then I start attempting to tighten the timings...

Any other suggestions? I really don't think the PCIe is going to give me the ability to run another 40-60 FSB just because of a 1MHz increase on the PCIe clock...
 
Smoove910 said:
Have you installed the x2 fix?
Click to expand...

Now how would installing the X2 hotfix for Windows help him get it to post?


If it were me, at this point I would stick back in your old chip and see if the motherboard can still get past 215. If I read correctly, you updated the BIOS after you switch CPU's right? Maybe the new BIOS is the problem with your high FSB.
 
I was just about to say that if he responded back to me.. a XP hotfix won't may a difference i the world for a post.. I could be running windows 3.1, OS/2 Warp...or a distro of linux and nothing would help me get past a post. didn't want to start telling him what's what cause my luck he would tell me about a X2 bios fix that I need to apply to help out...

The 3000+ went in another computer I have moved to a colo... but my Media box has a 3000+ in it as well..so I can probably pull that proc out and try to give it a go.. Thanks for the idea.. I've been thinking about that, but wanted to see if anyone had some ideas that may have experienced the same thing... I'll let everyone know, but please keep the ideas coming!
 
It does not need to be BELOW 1000/2000. That, I am positive about. I should be AT 1000... (5HTx200FSB)

ok.. sorry to get snippy but I've posted this issue on several forums and people keep giving me advice that makes me 100% positive that they are not really reading my post... I know it's long, but if you really want to help figure this out, please read what I have posted.

I specifically posted this:

Adjust CPU FSB Frequency...................... 200 currently (220 is what trying to achieve)
HT Frequency.................................. 5x currently (5x and 4x when trying 220FSB)

200x5 is 1000. I also listed 4x HT frequency when trying 200... so 4x220 is certainly below 1000.

Does anyone have some valuable information?
 
HeXeD said:
It does not need to be BELOW 1000/2000. That, I am positive about. I should be AT 1000... (5HTx200FSB)
Click to expand...

You are right, but it does help ensure stability if you manage to keep your HTT below 1000. I try to keep mine between 800 and 1000. There is not any performance difference.
 
yeah.. I can understand that idea. But I did say I was using 4x when I tried 220... so that is in that range.

But I have 2 Neo4 Platinum and 1 Neo2 Platinum and all 3 are completely stable at 1000... and the Neo2 and 1 of the Neo4's have been slightly over 1000 (260x4) and they have been fully prime95/memtest/game stable.

But yeah.. you are right that when troubleshooting something like this..I should definitely set the HTT to 4..or even 3 if I start going over 250...
 
This might be worth a try...

How high does the "Dynamic overclocking" option go? Does it have a setting that's higher than your current overclock?

Can you raise the FSB IN windows with clockgen?


And about the PCIe thing. I know, it's super wierd, but for one, the p5B-VM Conroe board requires a PCIe speed of 110 in order to pass 285fsb (before it hits another wall at 310)...
 
My .02

Since the memory controller is on-die with the CPU, different AMD CPUs may not like different memory settings. My guess is that you’re hitting a FSB limit, and the CPU doesn’t like the divider you’re giving it. Maybe that CPU just doesn’t like to run a divider at certain FSB speeds. Otherwise, try giving some voltage bumps to the CPU and see if that helps. Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding what settings the CPU likes to run at and then she’ll go for gold.
 
Thanks for the last two posts.. this is the type of information I like to take into concideration. Thanks for fully reading my posts as well! I'l play around with it. But I am still trying to find the time to put the 3000+ back in with this new bios to see if I can go higher than 215. I think you are right about the CPU though.

Maybe someone could answer this questions.. how could raising the FSB cause problems if I have the memory divider set to 166 or 150? If the FSB goes to 220, it should still be lower than 200 according to the CPU right?

Just confused..trying to piece it all together.
 
Put the 3000+ into the mobo and now it can go past 215. So that means the 4600+ specifically does not like a FSB over 215. So am I just out of luck? Or could this still be a bios issue that for whatever reason doesn't allow a high FSB on a X2 4600+..
 
What happens if you drop your HT width down to 8. When I set mine to 16 it won't boot at all and I end up having to clear the CMOS. Also, in your original post I saw these two setting mentioned:

Adjust CPU FSB Frequency (200mhz)

&

Memclock Index Value (200mhz) this was listed under your ram settings.

What happens if you raise it in your Memclock instead of the CPU/FSB Frequency?

Just throwing out some suggestions since I am not that familiar with your BIOS.

Good Luck!
 
Try lowering your HT link to 3. I had issues with running my Neo4-F board at a 4. Also try some different CPU multipliers. Or as mentioned set the HTT to something that will boot and try to OC with Clockgen past your 215 sticking point. Check your Temps too....
 
thanks everyone. I am going to give these ideas a go.

What is the suggestion about the HT Width? Has anyone else ever seen this problem? If I drop it to 8, is that going to limit the performance or cause any drop in performance? I was about to say fug it and just leave it stock, but I got the 8800GTS now and I know my cpu is the bottleneck. If I can get a 300-500MHz overclock I would probably see some better performance.


As far as raising it in my memclock, I have never noticed a way to go over 200.. but then again.. I haven't really been looking I guess. I will see if the memclock has a 220 option or something like that.

I've tried the HT to 3 before, but I dunno what multiplier I was trying at the time. It just doesn't make any sense. A 3000+ A64 was running at 290FSB on 1 gig of ram, and on 2G of ram it is able to go very high if I set a memory divider to 180 or 166. But once you put the X2 4600+ in I am in stock city.

I will report back, thanks for the info!
 
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