Overclock seems stable, but isnt?

[xerus`]

Lets get the specs out of the way first...
Athlon 64 3700+
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium (BIOS 1009)
Leadtek 7800GTX
OCZ Platinum 2gb PC3200
OCZ ModStream 520w

First I had a problem with my ocz ram, RMAed that, seems to be working. (Before I couldnt get it to do 1T command rate without blowing up) I tried 2-3-2-5 1T at stock, and super-pi got through its 32m calculation (Something it wouldnt do before.) So I tried OCZ's recommended settings for the 220 fsb, tested in super-pi, no errors.

So I kept pushing it, and I got the fsb up to 255 with no errors. 260 gives me a no exact in round error immediately.

My current bios settings are as follows:
Dram Configuration:

Timing Mode: Manual
Memclock index value: 400 mhz
Cas latency (TCL) : 2.5
Min ras active time (TRAS) : 7
Ras to Cas delay (TRCD) : 3
Row precharge time (TRP) : 3
Row Cycle time (TRC) : 16
Row refresh cycle time (TRFC) :22
Read-to-write time (TRWT) : 2
Write recovery time (TWR) : 2
1T/2T memory timing : 1
S/W Dram over 4gb remapping : Disabled
H/W Dram over 4gb remapping : Disabled

Hyper transport frequency : 3
Amd K8 Cool'nQuiet : Disabled

Jumperfree Configuration:

Overclock profile: Manual
CPU frequency : 255
PCI Express : 100mhz
DDR voltage : 2.8
Chipset voltage : 1.6
HT voltage : 1.25
CPU multiplier : 11
CPU voltage : 1.500
PCI clock syncronization mode : 33.33mhz

So, super-pi completing its 32m test, I thought everything was fine. The computer has been on with these settings for about 6 or 7 hours now. I've played numerous games.. Need for Speed Most Wanted, CS:S Stress Test numerous times, HL2:LC Stress Test numerous times, even some old school Opposing Force Deathmatch. Nothing appears to be acting up.

Before going to sleep however, I was going to run the prime95 torture test. But to my surprise, the test fails within 0-2 minutes. So I guess my overclock isnt really stable... argh. Super-Pi can still go through without errors, but I suppose that doesnt test as much as prime95 does.

So, with those settings listed above, what can I change to be able to run my system at 255fsb? The ram is still synced, so maybe I should bump it down to 333?

 

[Aaron_ATX]

If superpi runs 32m then your ram sounds mostly stable to me.

11x255 is 2800mhz....you are probably going to need more than 1.5vcore to go much faster...and dont expect a whole lot beyond 2900 or so unless your chip is a superstar.

If you want to try to go much faster with the ram you'll probably have to back down to at least a 10 multi.

And to do so will probably require some fine tuning with ALL your ram settings, not just what you have listed here.

 

[xerus`]

Well, I dont need to go much faster than 250, 255ish. I want to be able to get around 250 if possible.

I dont know if I want to push my vcore anymore though, my temps were around 29C idle and 40C max during the short time prime 95 was running.

And what do you mean by all of my ram settings? I think those are the only options I have in my BIOS...

 

[daven1986]

forget about prime stable. if it does all you want - play games etc. without breaking then it is stable.

 

[xerus`]

Heh, I could take that route. But I want it to be as stable as possible =)

 

[Aaron_ATX]

forget about prime stable. if it does all you want - play games etc. without breaking then it is stable.

If it crashes less than 2 minutes into priming, sooner or later it will crash while gaming.


My gut feeling is that for your system to be prime stable its going to take more voltage to the core.

 

[xerus`]

Like what, 1.550?

 

[Aaron_ATX]

Go up the smallest you can from 1.5 and try priming. If that doesnt work, then increase the voltage a little more and check again. Its all about trial and error. Make sure you watch your temperatures closely. If it gets over 50c you'll need better cooling.

When you prime, make sure you run either small ffts or large ffts. Dont waste time with the "blend" test.

 

[xerus`]

Okay. Right now I bumped it back down to 220, ran super-pi 32m and that worked. Im going to try prime95 later, and then Ill try going back to 250 with more voltage if I have the guts =)