2500+ O/C stuff

[Wag]

Ok, got my new 2500+, been fooling around with it.

I'm using the cheapie Crucial 2100DDR on my 8RDA_ with it. I can't run it very agressively at 166 and it needs 2.90v to be stable. I know I need faster ram- in the meantime I noticed my 9700np doesn't overclock nearly as well @ 166 as it did at 150. What accounts for this?

Anything I can do to bump up my ram speed a little more? Right now I think I'm 8-4-4, 3.0, which seems about the best I can do. This is with both the FSB and memory at 166.

 

[Richdog]

Hiya, your radeon 9700 most likely wont overclock because your AGP/PCI isnt locked, which means when you overclock your FSB youre forcing your AGP/PCI to run at higher frequencies than they were meant to, resulting in instabilities. What you need is a motherboard that allows you to lock the AGP/PCI as well as some PC3200 RAM, its cheap enough nowadays and can be had for aorund $50 or less. The new NF7 2.0 is out, and while it lacks some of the features of its bigger brother the NF7-S, youre getting an Nforce2 Ultra 400, which means guaranteed good overclocking, and it can be had for a piddling $50 or less if you shop around. And as seeing as you can sell your old gear to make up the cost, youve now got a brilliant reason to upgrade your machine, and for less than $100! :beer:

 

[Wag]

I have the AGP frequency set at 66.

I just upgraded to the FIC AU11 (8RDA+) and don't plan on upgrading again- the leftover parts I have will go into building a HTPC. I definately will be replacing the RAM when I save up.

 

[Richdog]

Oh sorry I missed the bit where you said you had an 8RDA+. Hmm dont know then youre RAM seems like the only weak point in your system, dont know why youre 9700 wont overclock as well, good luck in finding out!

 

[Wag]

It must be the ram, because if I bump up the ram timing I start getting more artifacts on 3DMark.