Can't seem to overclock by more than 5mhz FSB...

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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
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I have an Abit IS7 with 2x512mb Samsung PC3200. My three cpu's are a P4-2.4b A0 (unlocked ES), P4-2.4c M0, and a P4-3.0c D1. (Others have had no issue seriously overclocking the latter two cpu's.)

I can run the ES at 2926mhz by adjusting the multiplier. But once I go over 138mhz FSB, it won't boot. Same thing happens with the other cpu's when I try to bump the FSB up by more than 5mhz.

I've tried running the RAM async and raising the voltage (both CPU and RAM), both to no avail. I don't believe my 300w PS is to blame, since it runs the ES at 2900mhz without issue, and the rails never seem to waver.


Any suggestions? :)
 
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Big Lar

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 1999
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I think you answered a third of your question, but I think the prob would lay with the board, from the sounds of things. Maybe a bios that is NOT 1 of the newest?
 
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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
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Originally posted by: Big Lar
I think you answered a third of your question, but I think the prob would lay with the board, from the sounds of things. Maybe a bios that is NOT 1 of the newest?
Click to expand...
Well... I have never updated the BIOS.
 
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charloscarlies

Golden Member
Feb 12, 2004
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I've tried running the RAM async and raising the voltage (both CPU and RAM), both to no avail. I don't believe my 300w PS is to blame, since it runs the ES at 2900mhz without issue, and the rails never seem to waver.
Click to expand...

The PSU could definitely be part of the problem. What else are you running on that thing? My 2.8C in my sig couldn't get much past 3 ghz with this dinky 400 watt no-name PSU I had lying around. I popped in my True 480 and it does 3.6 ghz without breaking a sweat. I would have never guessed PSU, but it does make a huge difference in overclocking and from now on I will never buy a cheap PSU again.

I would also try flashing the bios as well.
 
mechBgon

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Also set your RAM voltage to 2.7V and slacken the memory timings (3-3-3-8 perhaps) to see whether that has an effect on the scenario. I've seen a lot of situations where this is the cure for an unhappy i865/i875 system.
 
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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
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Maybe obvious, but PCI/AGP is locked @ 33/66?
Click to expand...
Yep.
Also set your RAM voltage to 2.7V and slacken the memory timings (3-3-3-8 perhaps) to see whether that has an effect on the scenario. I've seen a lot of situations where this is the cure for an unhappy i865/i875 system.
Click to expand...
Tried that, too. Even with my divider at 5:4, my luck is no better.
The PSU could definitely be part of the problem. What else are you running on that thing? My 2.8C in my sig couldn't get much past 3 ghz with this dinky 400 watt no-name PSU I had lying around. I popped in my True 480 and it does 3.6 ghz without breaking a sweat.
Click to expand...
I am going to get a new PS, just because I'm building a third PC... But since I can't even get my 2.4c up to 2.5ghz, and it'll run my 2.4b @2900mhz by only adjusting the multiplier, it's definitely a FSB issue. Another odd thing is that my 2.4b is 133mhz FSB and my other two cpu's are 200mhz FSB, yet I cannot get anything over an additional 5mhz out of either FSB.
Do you have GAT settings available in your current BIOS? If not, update to the Game Accelerator BIOS, and set the GAT settings to Auto, Auto, Disabled, Disabled. Then try to up the FSB....
Click to expand...
I'll definitely try that this weekend.



Keep the suggestions coming, guys... You have some great insight. :)
 
MegaWorks

MegaWorks

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
3,819
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get a better PSU, this might help you with more mhz

------------------------------------------------------
AMD Athlon XP T-Bred B DLT3C 1700+ @ 2.3GHZ (1.775v) 400FSB = 3200+
Abit NF7-S V.2 (nForce2-U400)
Corsair TwinX XMS 3200LL 512MB @ 2-3-2-6 (2.6v)
Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro 128MB
Antec TrueBlue 480W
Thermalright SLK-947U with 92mm Vantec Tornado @2800RPM
Antec PlusView 1000AMG
Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks THX 550 5.1
 
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MadTom

Senior member
Sep 4, 2002
208
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0
I guess you have a strange BIOS setting problem:

- go catch the latest IS7 BIOS (that's the one I'm using
- flash your mobo and clean your BIOS settings (by moving the CMOS jumper to the other pins while the PSU cable is unplugged for 5 mins)
- load default BIOS settings
- leave RAM settings at auto in the advanced part
- in Softmenu setup voltages to 1.575V for CPU, 2.7-2.8V for RAM; put the AGP/PCI lock to 66/33
- change CPU freqeuncy and just in case put memory divider to 5:4 or even 3:2

I have an IS7-E and have had an 1.6A @ 2.4GHz (150 FSB) and now I'm running a 2.8C @ 3.5GHz (made it up to 3.7 with stock voltages, though). See for yourself.

Still, I guess it's your Power Supply that makes problems; however that shouldn't limit you to a 5MHz FSB overclock.
 
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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
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Flashing the BIOS took care of my problem. I have it running at 220FSB right now (3.4ghz) and it is smooth as can be.

Thanks, guys! :)
 
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Zrl201

Member
Nov 12, 2003
47
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0
I had a similiar problem - and all I did was enable cpu interface in the bios - do you have a similar option?

In the bios - softmenu - there's an option to enable cpu interface for OCing.
 
O

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Flashing the BIOS took care of my problem. I have it running at 220FSB right now (3.4ghz) and it is smooth as can be.

Thanks, guys! :)
Click to expand...
Sweet!
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Good job on the BIOS upgrade and subsequent overclock.

I encountered something with my own IS7 board. I was not getting much of an overclock with my 2.4A Prescott - thing would not POST even with a mild overclock (using newest BIOS). I "fixed" this problem by playing around with the "Northbridge CPU Strapping" (I think that's what it's called, don't want to reboot to find out, heh). Possible settings are 400/533/667 ???/800. Just changing the "Strapping" allowed another 30MHz or so of FSB (about another 500MHz overclock).

Now my only problem is heat generation, LOL. At the same MHz, my Prescott runs about 10ºC hotter than my previous Northwood, both using a Zalman 7000AlCu. The Northwood even had the Zalman undervolted (mild, guestimate of about 10v). Prescott needs full speed on the Zalman unit. However, the Prescott gives me a potential 400MHz more than the Northwood. I say potential because it is stable but at over 3.3GHz the CPU is running over 70ºC. I know it supposedly can handle the heat...
 
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mitchafi

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2004
1,594
0
76
So updating to the latest bios would possibly help me overclock better? I can't even pass Prime95 at 215 fsb. I'd like to hit a stable 220 to run at AMD 3400+ speeds. Also, BIOS flashing seems confusing and I have heard it's highly dangerous. Is it worth it?
 
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imported_mystro

Member
May 6, 2004
157
0
76
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Flashing the BIOS took care of my problem. I have it running at 220FSB right now (3.4ghz) and it is smooth as can be.

Thanks, guys! :)
Click to expand...

I just noticed this thread,I'm sure gald you didn't follow the ol"you need a PSU" theory..that rarely the problem. I just checked our APC ES 500 Battery Backup which is very accurate on power useage and this system is using 278w at peak useage..such as rendering with adobe premire:

Asus Workstation P4P8X SE
cpu:3.06 oc'd slightly
PSU: Vantec 420a
Mem: 2 gig pc2100
HDD: 4 raided hitachi 120's sata on addon raid card,2 samsung sata raided on motherboard,2 wd 80's ide. This setup is for video editing
dvd burner
dvd player <-will remove
cd/rw burner
adaptec capture card
ati 9500pro
pci promise raid card

I'm prolly leaving something out but you get the picture..I could get by with my backup Seasonic 300 (which is slightly underrated) in an emergency and it was actually my primary PSU until I added the 4 extra raided drives. My APC backup has a history log and the highest ever was 278 watts..period. So don't be fooled by the wattage hyp..I got legit reliable info on this stuff and what I really needed reading PSU FAQ files on HardOCP.
 
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imported_mystro

Member
May 6, 2004
157
0
76
Originally posted by: Zap
Good job on the BIOS upgrade and subsequent overclock.

I know it supposedly can handle the heat...
Click to expand...

I almost purchased a prescott for my new build but chickened out when I read *rumors* of melting motherboards :) Actually..I have been reading some very positive OC successes with it he heat issues not really being much of a factor..let's face it,the prescott's are value priced for the most part and well worth a shot I think..still I went with a bargain boxed 2.8c for $144 axiontech was selling for a few hours but I was THIS close to getting the 2.8e. Pass the word on how your doing you preskie's :)
 
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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
0
Originally posted by: mystro
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Flashing the BIOS took care of my problem. I have it running at 220FSB right now (3.4ghz) and it is smooth as can be.

Thanks, guys! :)
Click to expand...

I just noticed this thread,I'm sure gald you didn't follow the ol"you need a PSU" theory.
Click to expand...
PSU's are the most overrated component on this board, imho. I've posted plenty of times here about how you don't need a 500w PSU and how quality is exponentially more important than quantity.
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Originally posted by: mystro
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Flashing the BIOS took care of my problem. I have it running at 220FSB right now (3.4ghz) and it is smooth as can be.

Thanks, guys! :)
Click to expand...

I just noticed this thread,I'm sure gald you didn't follow the ol"you need a PSU" theory.
Click to expand...
PSU's are the most overrated component on this board, imho. I've posted plenty of times here about how you don't need a 500w PSU and how quality is exponentially more important than quantity.
Click to expand...
Not the most overrated, just the most overhyped. People seem to think more wattage is better, kinda like megahurtz :p.
 
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