8KHA+/AthyXP - CPU or RAM restricting OC?

[LocutusX]

Interesting situation I have here... basically I'm trying to achieve 100% stability at 146mhz FSB. And I'm not sure if its the CPU or RAM that's restricting the overclock. Here are my relevant specs:

CPU: AthlonXP 1600+, week 32
Speed: 10.5 x 146 = ~1535mhz
Voltage: tried 1.75v, 1.7725, 1.80, 1.85
Heatsink: Thermalright SK6 + ArcticSilver2 with TT 31cfm 60mm fan

RAM: 256mb PC2100 CL2.5 Azenram DDR0120 --> uses Samsung -TCB0 chips
RAM settings: 133mhz, "Turbo" preset, 4-bank interleave, CL 2.5
RAM voltage: +0.1v over default = 2.6

Mobo: 8KHA+ rev 2.0 with "N+" BIOS chip and 11/02 BIOS flashed

MBM CPU Temp: 46 to 48 under Prime95 load (at 153x mhz)
MBM System Temp: 25
Room Temp: 19 degrees C (best guess)
MBM latest version
OS: Win2K SP2, 4-in-1 4.35 + USB filter on mobo CD installed.

Here's what's going on. At above settings I'm getting stability in SiSoft Sandra latest version (001b) so I can run the 3 relevant benchmarks there (CPU arithmetic, CPU multimedia, Memory b/w) without it crashing. Prime95 is a whole other story.

Depending on what my CPU voltage is set to, I get different errors in Prime. At 1.85v I seem to get windows program errors which closes the program. At 1.7725 I got ILLEGAL SUMOUT errors. At 1.75 (default) I got ROUNDING ERROR. Weird ain't it? I don't have the guts to try more than 1.85v with air cooling... so I assumed my memory was the culprit.

So I tried to REALLY relax my memory settings... i.e. set to "Normal" preset. Same behaviour in Prime! Then I tried running memory at 100mhz (which actually puts it at 115mhz due to FSB increase) and tried Prime. Same behaviour! Hmmm...

It can't be the memory can it? Am I to conclude that I have a "bad 1600+ XP" and I should instead try to unlock it so I can come up with an optimal multiplier + FSB combination?

I know my RAM isn't great, but it's not bad. For example, at 144 FSB with all memory timings at the MOST AGGRESSIVE my system appears to be stable... at the very least, more stable than 146 FSB with fully relaxed memory timings. And it wouldn't make sense for my RAM to run 144mhz perfectly with everything maxed out, but not 115mhz with everything relaxed.

Or maybe my CPU is overheating, and the silly socket thermistor on the 8KHA+ isn't picking it up?

 

[Wind]

Wht PSU u r using? & Wht the voltage on the 12v, 5v & 3.3v rail like?

 

[LocutusX]

<< Wht PSU u r using? & Wht the voltage on the 12v, 5v & 3.3v rail like? >>



Enermax EG465P-VE (FC)

lowest 5v I have *ever* gotten is 4.89... that was at 146FSB, CPU Vcore set to 1.85.

At default everything, 5v is around 4.99 - 5.01. Hits 4.95 under load.

Normally, I'd accuse my power supply of causing these problems, but my 5v rail readings are too HIGH to be causing any such problems. Unless my BIOS and MBM are somehow lying to me! Or overreporting voltages...

I have the Rev 2.0 board

 

[chizow]

I can see a few red flags from what you posted:

1) Your CPU seems a bit on the hot side, especially with an AXP, SK-6 and your very nice and cool system temps. I'm running at 40C under load at 1.725gigs. Maybe try running with the case off to see if your temps drop, or blow a spare 60mm or 80mm to try and cool your CPU down some and see if you can get better results. If you do, you might have to upgrade your fan (I know, a loud screamer ) or go with an Alpha 8045 if you are sensitive to noise.

2) What reporting interval do you have MBM 5 set to? I set mine to 1 second reporting intervals while overclocking so that I can check for *fluctuations* as well as readings. Heavy power fluctuations will cause system instability just as easily as below spec rails.

3) This may or may not affect you, but when I reinstalled my Lite-On CDRW, I moved some of my PCI cards around. I couldn't get into Windows at anything other than default FSB! Thought it was my power being taxed, as I added a CDRW, re-attached my 2 80mm blowholes that I had left off while tweaking, a new Vantec 5 1/4 bay cooler, and an Enermax slot cooler all at the same time. Swapped the PCI's to their originals and I was back at 150 FSB with no problems. You might try removing some cards to start, then try and populate the slots starting with slot 1 and working up as the lower slots have priority on IRQ's. I also hate how this BIOS auto-assigns the system devices to IRQ's. You can set your PCI IRQ's, but 4 of the 6 slots share IRQ's no matter what you do....sux :|

4) I'm not real familiar with Azenram/Samsung chips, but maybe try turning off 4-way interleave. See if it will at least run at that FSB w/out the bells and whistles. Looks like you already backed down to Cas 2.5, so thats not the problem.

5) I would keep your Vcore at 1.85 and then mess with the Vdimm. Since you aren't unlocked, your CPU is at stock multiplier, so its gonna think it needs as much juice as it did at default, not considering the extra juice it will need to run at the higher clock.

6) Unlocking is always a good idea as it gives you more tools to find your "sweet spot" for OCing. Also puts less stress on your PSU b/c of less Vcore needed. If your RAM is any good, it should overclock a good bit w/out having to touch your Vdimm.

7) 144-146 fsb is actually a pretty common "dead zone" with overclocking. Seems like a lot of components give up around there. Again, you can try removing components.

8) Which IDE Bus driver are you using? I'm not 100% sure, but I think I got a few more mhz on my FSB by switching to the Via Mini Driver's for "Preformance". Also, when I used the USB filter drivers, my USB devices didn't work. Switched back and all was good. Maybe revert to the USB controller drivers from the 4-in-1 disk?

I have no idea if this will help you or not. Its a lot harder to trouble-shoot for people who know what they're doing, b/c the obvious has probably been tested, and there are sooo many things you can tweak to get stable, so I'm not sure. Maybe one of the above suggestions might help. Good luck.

Chiz

 

[LocutusX]

Thanx chiz... I'll look into your suggestions more in detail when I'm at home in front of my computer... but also I wanted to ask your opinion about the "ram speed" option.

In the DRAM advanced options menu, you can choose: (1) 100mhz (2) 133mhz (3) BY SPD. Even when i changed my ram speed to 100mhz (from 133) I'd get the same sort of Prime95 errors.

Since this implies that my RAM is running at 115mhz or so (do the math...) is it safe to assume that my RAM is *NOT* the cause of my "wall" at 146?

I want to rule out ram as quickly as possible (insofar as reaching 146mhz...) because the due date for exchanging it is coming up soon.

If it's the CPU or PSU that's causing the "wall", I can live with it...

 

[Wind]

Try POST w/ bare bone. PSU, mobo, CPU + HSF, VGA card & RAM only.

This can:-
1. Eliminate PSU issue (which i think very unlikely).
2. RAM issue (when u still stay at 146 FSB)
3. Other components (If u pass 146 FSB)

There is not guarantee in O/Cing. Sometimes things just won't go little more than the rated spec. Frustrations can be high, hope can be shattered, t/shooting can be pain in the neck.

 

[Kcucumber]

Sometimes, the CPU tends to set a limit by itself. Also consider in getting pc2700 as they o/c extremely well. Most epox 8kha+ users get 170fsb and some get over 180fsb and all depends on luck. The cpu and ram is the most impotant to check. Sometimes, usb devices, powersupply, sound cards, and video cards can restrict you from increasing any more fsb. Try taking everything out, then test 1 pci/agp at a time. If you have the pc2100 cl2.5, you can change it to cl2.0 but definitely turn off Bank-Interleave or set it to 2-bank interleave. If you can't get any higher in o/c, just live with what you have otherwise the system can't handle the pressure and die on you. Safety first. I got 100mhz over my normal speed and i'm satisfied. Any more will make the cpu hotter and life expectancy will deteriorate.