Overclocking XP 3000+ 400MHz FSB.......

[thegrumps]

System Details: XP 3000+ FSB 400MHz, A7N8X, Kingston HyperX PC3200 2x512MB, Asus FX5900 Ultra 256MB, Aero 7 HSF, 3 Intake and 2 Exhause Fans, Antec TrueBlue 480W PSU. I was wondering if anybody could clock over 2200MHz on this setup? Also, what would you recommend? All I've done so far is change the multiplier from 10.5 to 11 to get 2.2ghz from 2.1ghz. I've tried multiplier at 11.5 and the system would boot up, but would crash after a few minutes. Tried adjusting vcore to 1.85V and that didn't help. Also tried 1.85V, 209x12, 1.7vdimm, 2.8v and that didn't work also. Somebody had that setup and it worked on theirs. Not sure if I was doing something wrong here. Any suggestions?

[Gautam]

Nice rig, and welcome to the forums! Initially, I would use the 10.5x multiplier, raise the core voltage to 1.85v, and work up from there. It seems as though your memory is holding you back. Try relaxing the timings a bit. If you cannot go past 200mhz without drastically loosening them, I'd remain at 200mhz only, and then increase the multiplier. But do not try to do both at the same time. Focus on the front side bus, without changing the multiplier first, and then try to get a higher CPU clock speed. 2.4ghz+ is just about definite with your setup, btw.

[Bengan]

Hey! another question... a friend to mine can't up his multiplier, if we change it from 12.5 to like 13-14, or anything... it changes to 1250 mhz from any fsb. why? :/ Thanks!

[Gautam]

If your friend has a Barton lower than a 3000+, or a T-Bred lower than a 2100+, and a 4th bit FID board, you will only be able to access multipliers from 5.0x-12.5x. If you go above what the board can access, it will default to fail-safe settings, ie a 100mhz front side bus with default multiplier.

[modenaf1]

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[thegrumps]

Gautum, I tried Vcore at 1.775V and VDimm to 1.7V. Changed memory timings to 6-3-3-2 from 6-2-2-2. FSB 200Mhz to 208MHz but it shows up @ 209MHz in Sandra. So 209x11 comes out to 2297mhz. Anything above that would cause errors on my screen. @ 1.85V, my system would boot up, but crashes at desktop. Do you think my system is capable of clocking at a higher speed? Or you think I should get PC3700 memory? Is the memory really holding me back at DDR400? Is the timing at 6-3-3-2 correct? Thanks for your help. I'm sorta new at this. My CPU temp in bios shows 49-50C and in Asus probe shows 42C. Is the temp too high? Also, in Sis Sandra, the performance utility shows my motherboard temp as a hazard at 197C and it says my case fan is malfunctioning. I checked everything fan and its spinning correctly. Temp in bios shows motherboard temp at 25C. Does sandra usually have errors? =)

[Mustanley]

If you'd like to find out where your memory poops out, download memtest86 and start testing different FSB settings.
Increasing the dimm voltage further may also gain you more FSB headroom if the memory is indeed holding you back.

[Gautam]

Thegrumps, like I said before, you need to isolate the problem. First, use the lowest multiplier available to you, should be 5.0x, and increase the front side bus from there. Then we can figure out which one is your limiting factor.