Overclocking Question regarding to the PSU

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shaggy77

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Hi,

Here are the specs on the machine.

Gigabyte P35-DS3R
E6420 Currently 3.2GHz with 1.29V
Crucial Ballistix PC6400
Nvidia 7800 GTX PCI E
Seagate 250GB SATA
X-FI Gamer sound
2 Optical Drives

PSU is a Antec Earthwatts 430 WATT 29A on (2) 12V rails. The CPU is currently running at 3.2 GHz. The video card is stock clock.

I believe my PSU is holding back the overclock. I can get the system stable at 3.45GHz using 1.46 volts before load and 1.43 during load using Orthos. However, I can inch that OC up further but not as stable over time. So I am attempting to run 3.6 GHz. The machine will boot with no problems. I can get into XP, no problems. My V core is around 1.48 before load. The problem I have is when I go into a load like Orthos it will run for several minutes and the system will automatically reboot.

From the information I have seen on this site and others, leads me to think the PSU is getting hammered too much. I am thinking from the generic wattage calculators the PSU is pushed right to the 80% mark. What should the true head room for OCing be?

I know how to overclock. However, I am trying to determine if the PSU might be holding the CPU back or the CPU does not clock as high as I thought.

Later,
shaggy
 
What are your temps on the proc?

A trick you could do is maybe put in a card that doesn't take any extra power, say a pci card. If you can overclock further, then I'd say yes it's your PSU.
 
Hi,

The temps are cool right now. 25 idle and 40 load In the Summer, around the mid 50s for the load.

I have tried with a non powered card like a 7600GT PCI-E. Same results. When you say PCI card you mean something like an old school Voodoo 4500?

The thing that gets me thinking is the PSU. I am thinking there is not enough amps in the system to run it well enough at the higher clocks. 430 watt/ 29A PSU has about 348 max watts available. Factor in the 80% for conversion. From the calculators which I have seen, my wattage use was really close to the limits. If upping the volts means more watts. If there are no watts available it would not work. I am wondering if I need to up the Vcore a bit more as well.

Let me know what you may think. I seriously thinking towards the PSU.

shaggy
 
You're going the wrong way with the 80% efficiency rating. A 400w PSU rated for 80% efficiency can (theoretically) supply 400w to the Computer, but it will draw 480w from the wall to do so.

1.3v is comparatively low for a 3.6ghz overclock. Try 1.5v.

What's your RAM speed. What's the Vdimm?
 
Hi,

V Dimm is set at 2.2 Volt spec as per Crucial. Current RAM Speed is 400 MHz. When pushing for higher numbers I am using the FSB. I am at an 8 multiplier.

The current OC on the CPU is at 1.3V for 3.2GHz stable according to an 18 hr run with Orthros.

As for the PSU I would think the max watt off the 12 volt line(s) would be the determining factor on overclocking. As for the 80% spec. I did not properly word the reply. I am using the 80% as the efficiency spec. When I reread the reply I can see how that might be misleading into thinking 80% of 348 watts. Thank you for the correction.

shaggy
 
Hi,

Played around with the Vcore some more looks like that might be the issue but heat is more of the issue. So I am going to keep it at the 3.2 GHz for now until I can find a better coller solution. Water here I come?

shaggy
 
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