Athlon XP 2500+

[jrenna]

I just purchased a new Athlon XP 2500+ and an Abit NF7-S M/B. In the BIOS, is a section called "SoftMenu III Setup". When I hit enter on the CPU Operating Speed it gives me only three choices:
1. User Define
2. 2500+
3. 3200+

Right now I have selected #2. Does anyone know why 3200+ is my only other choice (besides User Define)?
What would happen if I chose option #3. Could this damage my CPU or is this a quick way to overclock my 2500+ to 3200+?

 

[myocardia]

That's just Abit's attempt to let even dummies overclock. You should definitely give it a shot!

 

[zodder]

I assume it just jacks up the FSB to 200. Give it a shot. If it doesn't boot, clear the cmos and see if there is a way to up the vcore. If there is, bump it up to around 1.7 and give it another shot.

 

[adams828]

interesting.. i'd say use the "user define" and work your way to whatever speed you can get.

i'm curious though.. with the abit softmenu, if he selected the 3200+ option, would it automatically jack up vcpu as well?

 

[jrenna]

I'll try it and post my reply later today or tomorrow.

 

[yelo333]

I think it's abit's fix for the later bioses incorrectly detecting 400 fsb processors...you need to tell it you have a 3200+ if you have one. see the bios updates page for the nf7-s rev. 2.0, and look at the change logs

 

[Gamingphreek]

Its for O/Cing it just boosts FSB doesn't mess with the VCORE or any voltages.

 

[adams828]

hm werid.. that seems kinda odd. i mean if it's supposed to be "newbie" OCing.. what if the chip needed some extra voltage (which many do)?

 

[jrenna]

Well, I installed the latest BIOS on my NF7-S V.2 BIOS 21, but I still get the option of selecting User Define, 2500+ or 3200+ even though BIOS 18 was supposed to fix that issue. (Fixed the problem that Barton 2500+ CPU is occasionally detected as Barton 3200+. If 400 FSB CPU is installed, users need to select correct CPU type in SoftMenuIII by themselves). I selected 3200+ and my system rebooted w/o any problem. I was able to run apps, etc. and even ran tests using PC Pitstop and it recognized my CPU as 3200+. The only issue I had was shutting down the system. It would not shut down properly, so I reset CPU to 2500+ for now. I will try again over the weekend and let you know what happens. If I am able to run ok with CPU set to 3200+, should I change the CPU Voltage anyway or leave it at 1.65?

 

[adams828]

if it runs fine a5 1.65V, leave it there. you might want to stress test your system using Prime95 however. sometimes running normal programs, etc. can "seem ok", but the processor might not necessarily be 100% stable.

 

[b3b0p]

Hi,

I too just got an athlon XP 2500+. What is a safe overclocking range for this processor. I have an Abit AN7 which has the same options as the original poster said. Is 3200+ overkill? Can/Should I shoot for something a little less?

Sorry for elementary questions. This is my first AMD and I am comparing it to my P4 2.4C for HTPC purposes.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Rukkian]

I have the 2500+ and can hit 190 on stock voltage, but not stable, 180 is max on stock voltage. There are some that do hit 200 on stock, so you can try it.

 

[Megatomic]

My 2500+ is SETI stable for 96 hours so far at 3200+ at stock voltage. Before that it was Prime stable for 2 weeks.

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: b3b0p
Hi,

I too just got an athlon XP 2500+. What is a safe overclocking range for this processor. I have an Abit AN7 which has the same options as the original poster said. Is 3200+ overkill? Can/Should I shoot for something a little less?

Sorry for elementary questions. This is my first AMD and I am comparing it to my P4 2.4C for HTPC purposes.

Thanks,
Chris

3200 isn't overkill at all. not every 2500+ will hit 3200+, but the majority will if you're willing to give them extra voltage. i had to bump mine up to 1.7V, but i'm running @3200+ on stock cooling, system stable for months, prime95 tested.

 

[b3b0p]

Well, I have tried it. Stock heatsink/fan @ 3200+. The temperture ranges from 41-46 C. But not sure how stable it is. When not overclocking the temperture never moves from 40 C.

If it is a little unstable should I up the voltage?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[gigantor]

what did you set your RAM timings at to hit 3200?

Just installed mine last night and messing around, wont hit 3200 on normal voltage. currently at 1.725 (i think) 185fsb and fails prime95 on 3rd test. Of course I have my ram set at optimal 2-3-3-6

any suggestions on what i should set ram to? 1 stick of ocz EL 3200 512mb 2-3-2

 

[b3b0p]

I have an Abit AN7. I have no idea what any of that stuff is. Just using the defaults. BTW, right after my above reply, BSOD!

Does anyone know where I change the CPU Voltage in the bios? I can only figure out how to change it in winders using that Abic OC something or other, but when I reboot it goes back to the bios settings.

I tried it setting to 1.719V @ 3200+ and it seemed much more stable. However to test it for HTPC purposes I was playing some of those Windows Media HD files and it got up to 51C. Is that too much heat?

 

[Voogun]

Text
I have a question,i`m planing to do a major upgrade on my pc with about $800.00 but i`m keeping my vid card for now.anyways i was wondering on the 2500Xp on the lifespand that i was after it`s overclocked,and do you keep it overclocked all the time?
I`m not sure on to what motherboard to go with (Epox,Asus,Shutel,MSI,Gigabite,ext.ext)
I was going to first go with the 2700Xp and keep it all simple,with no less than 512 of 3200,but i`m a gamer and i want the best configuration that i can get for the price.i have a new case with no less than 4 fans ,two sucking in from the front,one on the side glass panel,and two blowing out from the back,and it keeps my old Thunderbird 1400 very happy,
I just not sure if i should go with the ever so happy 2500Xp,and if i do what is the normal overclocking lifespand (if any) it has?

 

[Mik3y]

51 degrees is kinda high, but is not dangerous for the cpu. it'll be safe. the barton 2500 and hte 3200 are technically the same thing, just locked at different settings. it is perfectly safe for the 2500 to be clocked at 3200 permanently with stock everything, because like i said earlier, their the same thing.

if you want to upgrage your comp, i say go with the athlon 64 2800+ or 3000+ for gaming. its much better in performance. if you plan to stick with the 2500, go ahead. if you are going to overclock it, go ahead. its perfectly safe to keep it set at 3200+ like i said up top. its lifespan is as long as the stock 3200+ itself.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: b3b0p
Well, I have tried it. Stock heatsink/fan @ 3200+. The temperture ranges from 41-46 C. But not sure how stable it is. When not overclocking the temperture never moves from 40 C.

If it is a little unstable should I up the voltage?

Thanks,
Chris

Yes, that's the only way to make an unstable cpu more stable (when overclocking), is by giving it higher voltage. That's assuming you aren't overclocking you ram. If you are, guess what? More voltage.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: b3b0p
Well, I have tried it. Stock heatsink/fan @ 3200+. The temperture ranges from 41-46 C. But not sure how stable it is. When not overclocking the temperture never moves from 40 C.

If it is a little unstable should I up the voltage?

Thanks,
Chris

Are those temps with it under load (Prime95 torture test, etc) or idle temps? Idle, you know when the screensave has been on for awhile, and you come back and look at the temps, or even when you're just web surfing, etc. If they are idle, then you might possibly run into some awfully hot temps once you a)overclock it b)put the cpu under 100% load for awhile, but nothing that a fan wouldn't fix! Try it, and if it becomes unstable (usually with temps, you get an unexplained reboot), then come back and ask us what you should do to lower them.

 

[magratton]

Voogun, read thisas a decent "what to try first" type guide. I am not a long-time poster here, and others will have some suggestions beyond this, but it certainly got me off my feet in a hurry.