E2160 only 2.25Ghz?

[Sis0p]

Hey All,

It's been years since I've posted here and it looks like things are mostly the same. I am in a bit of a jam though and I thought you all might be able to help me out.

I just bought a new build.

MSI K945P Neo5
E2160 w/stock Intel fan
3GB Corsair ValueSelect 667
8600GT
500GB WD HDD
Case

(All for under $450 - Thanks to newegg)

It all runs well and good at stock settings but I try to OC and run into trouble far too early. Here is where I'm at.

This is stock, temps around ~30 give or take under normal conditions

FSB 200 (CPU locked at x9 for 1.8Ghz)
Memory 1 : 1.66 (333x2) for 667 Mhz RAM
Memory Timings are 5-5-5-15
CPU Vcore default
RAM 1.8

I can get this with good stability - Temps around ~40 under load

FSB 250 (CPU 2.25Ghz)
Memory 1:1.33 = 667
Same timings
Same Vcore
RAM automatically bumped to 2.1 and I can't change it

I run into trouble anything past this - No Post

FSB 251 2.26Ghz
Memory 1:1 452 Mhz
Same timings
Tried Vcore up to 10% boost on CPU
RAM still forced to 2.1V

D.O.T. (Dynamic Overclock Technology) is disabled, EIST is disabled, AGP/PCI frequency is unchangeable at 33.3, I have made sure PCIExpress stays at 100 (it keeps trying to bump it up automatically.) I've tried enabling and disabling the "Auto disable DIMM/PCI frequency" option. I've also disabled Spread Spectrum. The NB and FSB Voltage are options, but since this board is set to use 333Mhz FSB stock, I haven't changed those. It seems like it's the CPU or MB causing this because heat is relatively low and the Board and Memory are both rated for 333FSB.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

 

[Nessism]

My guess is that your memory is the hold up. Try setting the memory divider so that your memory stays under 333 (667 DDR).

 

[krnmastersgt]

What Nessism said, looks like you'll need new ram or you'll have to raise the divider.

 

[Sis0p]

Thanks for the responses guys, I have the memory tied to the MB's FSB ( in the setup that doesn't POST) running at 1:1. The ram is rated for 333Mhz x 2 = 667Mhz, The bus speed that doesn't work is only 251 or 502. This should be only 75% or so the rated speed or is there something I'm missing? I thought it might be the fact that the MB is forcing a 2.1V to the RAM but it works at 2.1V in my 2.25Ghz config. This one really has me stumped.

Thanks again guys.

 

[The-Noid]

MB uses the 945p chipset. You need to get a new board to overclock higher.

 

[Zap]

Welcome to the forums, Sis0p. If it's been years since you posted here, why did you have to register a new account? If you have an old one but can no longer log into it, let us know and maybe we can get it reinstated.

The motherboard is holding you back. Best bet would be to do a BSEL mod so your chip boots at 1066MHz FSB, for 2.4GHz total speed. Use that as a base for pushing the clock farther. Note that if this chipset works like the 945G/GC series chipsets, then the PCI-E lock is "broken" past a certain speed and thus you will have to increase it otherwise you'll run into problems. For instance, if you were able to push your CPU to a 1333MHz FSB (set BIOS to 333) then you'll have to set the PCI-E to 115MHz.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The Wolfdale1333 ASrock board that I have on order, mentions that the FSB1333 support also pushes the PCI-E bus to 115Mhz.
I'm hoping that I can just drop in an E2200, and dial the FSB up to about 280-300.

 

[Kroze]

I just built this system recently for less than $500. Running at 3.0ghz on stock everything.



Text
Running 3.0ghz (Slightly slower compare to the E6850) on stock cooler.
Text
eBay - ATI X1900 XTX 512mb $110
I'd say it's your ram & motherboard.

 

[Arkaign]

(1) - MSI Brand (good and stable, but not known for being particularly friendly to OC with)
(2) - 945 Chipset (good and stable, but not known for being particularly friendly to OC with)

Grab something like an Asus P5K-E, not very much $$$, and a million times more likely to OC well.

 

[Sis0p]

Thanks for all the responses. It all sounds bad but maybe I'm not totally stuck with this board.

I tried turning EIST on and now I can boot at 266FSB and it seems pretty stable (except I plugged in two usb printers and it rebooted out of nowhere, not sure whats up with that) other than that I am now at 2.4Ghz (266x9). Ram is 1:1 at 533

I looked on the MSI site and it says the board supports 800/1066/1333 FSB but it also has an icon that shows 1066 CPU. Maybe it's a limitation of the board to not push a CPU past 266 FSB? That seems ridiculous considering all of the OC options they claim it has. (Up to 400FSB and beyond according to the manual)

Does anyone know if there is a very cheap board that is better at OCing than this one? I usually stick with MSI as I have experienced them as being more reliable than ECS and Gigabyte boards I've had.

Thanks Zap for letting me know, I'll see if I can get my old acct back!

I don't think I'll be using the BSEL mod, it's too risky for me, I'd rather get another board for about the same cost as the processor I may damage which is a much safer bet I'll have healthy components that work.

Once again, thanks to all.

 

[Lozzo]

I would recommend trying the BSEL mod for that board.

I have a similar board (AsRock Conroe1333-667, 945 chipset), in which my L2 E2160 would only fire up at 233 or thereabouts. I knew it would go higher as it used to do 280+ stable from BIOS on my old Asrock Dual-VSTA board.

Anyway, one BSEL mod later and it'll do 333 (3Ghz) happily, however I have it dialled down to 300 (2.7) as temps start getting a little uncomfortable at 65 under full load with TAT. I know, not all bad but I'm fussy like that...

I really must get around to buying that Freezer Pro I've been promising myself...

 

[Sis0p]

After reading up on it a bit, I am considering the BSEL mod as it sounds like it has had great success. I'm not sure I understand how that bypasses the motherboard limitations. I am assuming that the board is limiting it to a 66MHz overclock and since it posts as a 266/300/333 Mhz processor that the board assumes this is the new stock speed and accepts it.

How were you able to bring it back down lozzo? Was it BSEL modded to 266 and in bios cranked up to 333, then brought back down in bios?

Also if I decide to try it, should I use the circuitwriter pen or rear window defrost repair kit? It seems some have opinions either way.

Thanks for your suggestions,

Rob

 

[Sis0p]

Update (Almost a month later).

I tried the BSEL mod with moderate success. It now boots up to 266MHz just fine and it is a much welcomed move. Only problem is now when I get past 285 MHz the locks break like they did at lower speeds before the mod. The PCIe bus and Memory voltage are forced up to 128(100Mhz standard) and 2.1(1.8v ram) at 333MHz. I know the CPU can handle this and more with temps at max reaching about 52C at 333MHz. I don't want to stress out my ram and cause any issues with the pcie bus/SATA drives. I'd love to get this up to 333MHz stock, maybe 350 or so without pushing the locks.

Anyone know the pins to mod for 1333 on a 2160? Lozzo?

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[betasub]

Thanks for the update. It's nice to know where this thread has taken you, and it might help out some other 965 OCers.