What's holding my OC back?

H

Hiyoshi

n00b
Joined
Feb 5, 2004
Messages
6
Alright, this Christmas I built my first system. Got some PC3500 Corsair XMS DDR RAM, an Abit Ai7 and a P4 2.4c. I was running into all this without having any prior knowledge of overclocking, etc.

Anyways, cutting to the chase, something is holding me back from overclocking. The highest I could get my processor to go to stable was to 2.67 at a 1:1 divider with my RAM at 2-3-2-5 timings. This is using default voltage on CPU and 2.8v on RAM. Not bad, my RAM is running 7 mhz above rated speed and my temps are at 32*C idle.

However, no matter what combination I used I could not go above this and be stable, period. At some point I would get errors thrown left and right, programs would crash, etc. I tried a 5:4 divider, 6.5v on CPU, 2.9v on RAM, loosest timings possible, etc. No matter what combination I used of the above by lowering voltages, tightening timings, I couldn't acheive anything that could be classified as a "good" overclock. On the upside I learned a hell of a lot about OCing.

I understand that it's all a gamble with the gamble mainly being the processor. So I had some extra money to throw around and ordered another processor. The first one I had was made in Costa Rica with revision M0 and this one made in the Phillipines with revision D1. I threw the bad boy in, same issues.

Unless I'm a really unlucky person, we can pretty much throw out the idea that my processor is the problem. Cooling is good, I've got a Thermalright SLK-900U with a 92mm Panaflo M1A and Arctic Silver 5 on my processor. Apparently with the tight timings there's nothing wrong with my RAM. I've pretty much narrowed it down to this motherboard.

In lieu of this, is there anything you guys can suggest else before I fork out the extra money to get an IC7-G Max2?

Thanks a lot in advance.
 
yeah, tried swapping out RAM?

try it with 1 stick of RAM, then the next etc., see which one is bad (individually).

if one is holding you back (or even if you don't find anything the matter), run www.memtest86.com on the suckers;, if they fail, *RMA RAM*.
 
Nothing's wrong with my RAM, I'm positive of it. I've run memtest86 and Prime95 for well over 24 hours each without producing errors and this is even overclocked.
 
Make sure that the ram gets the full voltage, either 2.8V or 2.9V. Also slacken the timings up 2-3-3-5 or whatever you were running, they dont seem to like running 5, try a more conservative. 2.3.3.7. Also up the voltage of your cpu a few notches, try at least 1.6V and see how that gets you
 
Originally posted by c00z
Make sure that the ram gets the full voltage, either 2.8V or 2.9V. Also slacken the timings up 2-3-3-5 or whatever you were running, they dont seem to like running 5, try a more conservative. 2.3.3.7. Also up the voltage of your cpu a few notches, try at least 1.6V and see how that gets you
Click to expand...
I have done this. I've gone up to 1.65v on my CPU and 2.9v on my RAM. It doesn't make a difference. Even with timings at 3-4-4-8, 2-3-3-7 no luck.
 
Maybe your powersupply is too weak? Also, try using only one stick of RAM. Motherboards can operate at more agressive settings with only one stick of RAM.
 
this may sound pretty stupid but make sure you're flashed to the latest BIOS
 
My BIOS is up to date, and I have an Antec 430w Truepower so I'm pretty sure my powersupply isn't too weak. Although it could be as I'm running a 9800 Pro, 36gb WD Raptor, 250gb WD SE, Pioneer A06 DVD-Burner, Lite-On 52x CD Burner, and an Audigy 2 ZS. It should be able to handle all this.
 
Try putting memory ratio to 5:4 and see if that helps.

Go to advanced chipset features and last two options should be disabled in game accelerator. Rest of them are auto.

Tell me if that helps.
 
Originally posted by Slava
Try putting memory ratio to 5:4 and see if that helps.

Go to advanced chipset features and last two options should be disabled in game accelerator. Rest of them are auto.

Tell me if that helps.
Click to expand...
I understand ratios and stuff and I have put it into a 5:4 ratio and a 3:2. Doesn't make a difference.

My AGP/PCI ratios are locked so that's not an issue, nor is the game accelerator. I guess I'm just gonna go buy the IC7G-Max2 now. Not like it's a bad thing. Thanks for your help anyways :).
 
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