2500+ Barton with ECS N2U400-A with PC3200 RAM not being able to reach 3200+ speeds/400FSB

[RMSistight]

Here is my setup:

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton core (333FSB)
ECS N2U400-A nForce 2 Ultra 400 motherboard
2 x 512MB PC3200 DDR400 Corsair ValueSelect memory

Some people have stated on the fourms that this setup can run stable at 3200+ speeds (2.2GHz, FSB 400Mhz) but I haven't been able to do that.

The board can't even handle 185MHz x 2. The computer won't POST when I set it that way. What am I doing wrong? Anyone else with this type of setup?

 

[Sid59]

disclaimer - OC'ing isn't guaranteed. For ever "my 2500+ hits 3200+ stable" there are slew of "my 2500+ sucks nuts"

there can be a few thinkgs you can try.

vcore bump
vdimm bump
chipset voltage bump
loosen timings

if those don't work then you might have a crappy cpu.

 

[CHarrington]

You did up the core voltage, didn't you?

What voltage are you running at?

 

[RMSistight]

The motherboard does not come with voltage/multiplier controls.

 

[CHarrington]

That explains a lot!

 

[RMSistight]

Yeah...sucks ass....but I've seen other people be able to achieve 3200+ speeds. Maybe I should just scrap the ECS board and get a different MB.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: RMSistight
Maybe I should just scrap the ECS board and get a different MB.

Indeed. You should never buy ECS motherboards unless you're a Shanty-Man.

 

[Sid59]

guess that ends this discussion.

 

[RMSistight]

Ok..I've ran some tests and came up with these conclusions:

1. I can overclock the professor CLOSE to 3200+ speeds (2.185MHz) at a FSB of 397.33Mhz (198 x 2) on ONE STICK of Corsair ValueSelect DDR400 PC3200 512MB of RAM.

2. When I put in 1GB (2 sticks of the same memory), the motherboard simply WILL not go over it's compabilities....meaning the 2500+ can only support a FSB of 333 so I have to clock the FSB speed in the BIOS at 166MHz. Any higher and the setup will simply NOT post.

3. Running dual-channel memory makes a hell of a difference when playing games and I saw a significant improved in overall application processing...however...I cannot overclock at all.....same conclusion as #2.

What do you think I should do? I want to overclock whlie maintaining the dual-channel speed.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I don't think I've ever seen an ECS board that had more than like 2 or 3 fsb/mult/voltage settings
they usually don't overclock very well and instead are aimed at budget oriented non-overclockers or mild-gamers imo

 

[selfbuilt]

If you can run stable at a FSB 198 with one mem stick but not two, then my guess is insufficient DIMM voltage. I run my 1GB Corsair TwinX-LL at 2.7V on my Asus A7N8X (dual channel is particularly voltage hungry). I don't suppose your ECS board has DIMM volt control? If not, and you don't want to upgrade your board, you will have to decide between running 512MB at 198 or 1GB at 166 ... bench it both ways on the games you play, and see what happens. Good luck!

 

[RMSistight]

Based on my results, here is what it comes down to:

FSB at 198 with 512MB of RAM

3DMark2001 score: 14697

*FSB at 166 with 1GB of RAM running at dual-channel

3DMark2001 score: 13006

*I would also like to note that gameplay with the 1GB at dual channel HELPS a lot. In Far Cry, with 512MB it would freeze at times when I move the crosshair 360 degrees. HOWEVER, with the dual channel 1GB, the game would run so smooth and no freezing whatsoever. The gameplay on dual channel is awesome. But what I really want is the FSB at 200MHz with dual channel speeds 1GB. Looks like my only chance of fixing this is obtaining either:

1. Get a new nForce 2 Ultra 400 motherboard...perferably Asus A7N8X Rev 2.0 and overclock the mother

2. Get an XP 3200+ processor to get the FSB 200 with the dual channel speeds. What do you think I should do?

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: RMSistight
Yeah...sucks ass....but I've seen other people be able to achieve 3200+ speeds. Maybe I should just scrap the ECS board and get a different MB.

You've seen many people achieve 3200+ speeds, but I have also seen a lot of other people that haven't been able to hit 3200+

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble

Originally posted by: RMSistight
Yeah...sucks ass....but I've seen other people be able to achieve 3200+ speeds. Maybe I should just scrap the ECS board and get a different MB.

You've seen many people achieve 3200+ speeds, but I have also seen a lot of other people that haven't been able to hit 3200+

with a decent mobo, EVERYONE should be able to hit 3200+ on a 2500+ mobile...I mean, what is a 3200+, like 2.2GHz? That's EASY with a mobile. But you need voltage, FSB and multiplier controls to do it.

 

[selfbuilt]

Originally posted by: RMSistight
1. Get a new nForce 2 Ultra 400 motherboard...perferably Asus A7N8X Rev 2.0 and overclock the mother

2. Get an XP 3200+ processor to get the FSB 200 with the dual channel speeds. What do you think I should do?

Definitely go for number 1 first! I would be worried your memory problems would persist on your current board, even with a FSB200 chip. And I agree, all mobiles should be able to hit 3200+ speeds (2.2GHz) without a problem ... not worth it to go to a locked 3200+. My mobile 2500+ will do 2.4Ghz stable at "stock" 1.65V (need to boost it beyond that, but does 2.5GHz at 1.7V). You just need a better mobo.

 

[RMSistight]

Hey selfbuilt, what Athlon XP motherboard do you recommend?

Also, what's this I heard about mobile Athlon XPs? These processors fit in regular motherboards?

 

[Anubis]

my 2400= does 200x11 2.2GHz at stock settings on a shuttle AN35N
it will do 215x12 at 1.85v

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: jagec
with a decent mobo, EVERYONE should be able to hit 3200+ on a 2500+ mobile...I mean, what is a 3200+, like 2.2GHz? That's EASY with a mobile. But you need voltage, FSB and multiplier controls to do it.

Where did the OP mention that it's a mobile XP2500+? Secondly, while chances are good that you'll hit 3200+ it by no means is guaranteed. I know that Bartons overclock well. Heck I even run my XP2500+ chip at 2.4GHz. But I think it's misleading when people say you'll definately hit 3200+ with a 2500+ chip. My guess is that many of those who are new to overclocking would take that as guaranteed overclock and get severely disappointed if it doesn't happen.

As others have recommended, a new motherboard would be good if you want to play with overclocking. My personal favourite is the Asus A7N8X-E but the Abit NF7-S or any other Abit nForce2 based board would be good as well. The DFIs and Shuttles are good boards as well.

And yes, mobile Athlon XPs fit in normal Athlon XP sockets. They're pretty much the same CPU designed to run at lower voltages giving them a better chance to overclock higher.

 

[RMSistight]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble

Originally posted by: jagec
with a decent mobo, EVERYONE should be able to hit 3200+ on a 2500+ mobile...I mean, what is a 3200+, like 2.2GHz? That's EASY with a mobile. But you need voltage, FSB and multiplier controls to do it.

Where did the OP mention that it's a mobile XP2500+? Secondly, while chances are good that you'll hit 3200+ it by no means is guaranteed. I know that Bartons overclock well. Heck I even run my XP2500+ chip at 2.4GHz. But I think it's misleading when people say you'll definately hit 3200+ with a 2500+ chip. My guess is that many of those who are new to overclocking would take that as guaranteed overclock and get severely disappointed if it doesn't happen.

As others have recommended, a new motherboard would be good if you want to play with overclocking. My personal favourite is the Asus A7N8X-E but the Abit NF7-S or any other Abit nForce2 based board would be good as well. The DFIs and Shuttles are good boards as well.

And yes, mobile Athlon XPs fit in normal Athlon XP sockets. They're pretty much the same CPU designed to run at lower voltages giving them a better chance to overclock higher.

Now the mobile 2500+ you have contains a FSB of 333MHz correct?

Well..considering I can't return my CPU/MB to Fry's Electronics because it's already 15 days for the CPU return, I'm going to probably get me an ASUS A7N8X Rev 2.0. But then the ECS N2U400-A will not be in use. I'll probably just sell the board too.

QUICK question:

I currently have 1GB (2 x 512MB) of Corsair ValueSelect RAM purchased at Fry's Electronics. The rebate limit is 2 per household so I'm good. With the rebates coming in, the total net cost for 1GB is $136.47. That comes to about $68.24 per stick of 512MB DDR400 PC3200. Is that a good price and should I keep the RAM or should I go look for other RAM like XMS/TWINX.

 

[MDE]

The mobile XP has a 266 MHz FSB. That's a decent price for the RAM, I'd hang onto it, and if you really want to overclock go for a DFI Infinity board. About the same price as the A7N8X Deluxe and has 4 SATA ports and a lot of people have hit 250MHz FSB (500 effective).

 

[gplracer]

If you want to overclock I would get a Abit NF7-S or a DFI Infinity. I have had both. Most of the newer Abit NF7-S boards top out at 215fsb. Most of the DFI Boards go higher. My moble 2600+ does 250x10=2500mhz in my DFI Infinity.

Note I think MDE meant to say the mobile xp does 166mhz fsb not 266mhz fsb.