A8N overclocking

[pinkfloydhomer]

I have an ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe and an A64 3000+ that I am trying to overclock. I am following the guide posted first in the quick and dirty A64 overclocking thread, but I have problems. It seems that whenever I try to push HTT (FSB), it also pushes my memory timings. My memory isn't very good so it can't be pushed very far. But maybe HTT (FSB) in itself can go a lot further. Do I have to disable some sort of lock between memory timings and HTT (FSB)? I do set the memory timings manually in the BIOS, but CPUZ still reports that the memory speed is equal to HTT (FSB) no matter what I do.

Help!

/David

 

[MADMAX23]

Hi!!
You must use a divider, try using the DDR333, it sohuld be enough.Tell me your memory timings, voltage, etc.. for further help.
Also Read the following:

Enter the Bios and FIRST go to ADVANCED > CPU CONFIGURATION > DRAM CONFIGURATION: Here the values you should not change or vary are these:
- Hyper Transport Frequency: 3x,4x (do not go over 1000 Mhz)
- Max MemClock : DDR333
- 1T/2T Memory Timing: 1T
The memory timings is a very particular matter: You should already know the capabilities of your Ram memory, if not, please, ask or get informed somehow.
I am telling you this because I do not recommend you to let the timings on AUTO mode since the motherboard sets very relaxed timings usually and that means lower performance, that?s why you should know the overclocking potential of your Ram modules as well as their aproppriate timings.
Entering the RAM timings in the Bios: For the rookies this may be tricky that?s why I am going to explain you the following: Imagine you have a DDR memory module with these timings printed on your ram 2´5-3-3-7 The first number (2´5) always represents CAS Latency (?Tcl? in Bios) as it's usually the most important. The second number (3) represents RAS-to-CAS Delay (?Trcd in Bios?), the third one (3) represents Row Precharge Time (?Trp? in Bios) and the last one (7) represents the Min RAS Active Time (?Tras? in Bios) (which is always the final, and largest number). So, be careful when setting the timings!!

3) Afterwards, go to ADVANCED > JUMPERFREE CONFIGURATION:
Set the Overclock profile to Manual
CPU Frequency: rise it to WHATEVER SPEED YOU WANT in Mhz (as desired, the one your ram and chipset supports)
PCI Express Clock: 100 Mhz (always)
DDR Voltage: depends on your RAM modules (Do not go over 2.85v if you are not sure of your Ram specs/capabilities)
CPU Multiplier: 7,8,9,10 (don't use half .5 multipliers for the CPU)
CPU Voltage: This depends on the actual Cpu speed, anyway;
References:
2´2 Ghz: 1´4v (tested)
2´4 Ghz: 1´4v (tested)
PCI Clock Synchronization mode: 33´33 Mhz (always)

Last but not least, Go to BOOT > BOOT SETTINGS CONFIGURATION: Here in OS Select DRAM > 64 Mb, select OS2 if you have more than 64 Mb of RAM memory installed on your computer.

EXIT AND SAVE CHANGES

 

[pinkfloydhomer]

My RAM is some crappy Elixir 3.0-3-3-8 PC3200 RAM (DDR400).
The processor is an A64 3000+ winchester.

But I'm thinking: Shouldn't I be able to overclock at least the processor to 2.2-2.4 GHz even if the RAM isn't overclocked because it sucks? Isn't that the point of having locks and different settings for these things? Can't I run my RAM at stock speeds and my processor at whatever it can run overclocked? Could it be that my processor is really crappy and can't run faster than 1800 MHz??

/David

 

[MADMAX23]

All you can do is use a divider man!Try the DDR333 first and rise your HTT to 215 - 220 Mhz,if your system is stable, then rise it a lil more till your system caps.
I fyou want more CPU speed rather than Ram memory performance/speed,then use the DDR266 divider which should allow you to rise your HTT higher 250 Mhz as a reference.
Go on and try!
To test your CPU stability use Prime95,the torture test that stresses the CPU,leave it at least 1 hour running,if no errors or warnings happen then that CPU speed is stable for you!
To test the Ram memory download Memtest86 v3.2, a DOS program that will tell you if your RAM running at the specified speed and timings is working properly or not!
Good luck!

 

[pinkfloydhomer]

I already tried that. It hangs at about HT 225 no matter what. Even with a low CPU multiplier. So the RAM is running slow, DDR266 or whatever, and the CPU is running 8x225 or so. It hangs...

So it seems like my CPU and my RAM might be able to go high, but my HT is not. What's that about? How can I affect this? Buy another motherboard?

/David