e6400 Overclocking Problem with DS3

[eojinlim]

Hi, I have a current e6400 build:
- Gigabyte S3 mobo
- overclocked to 3.2Ghz
- Ram Voltage: 2.2v
- Orthos stable for 3 hours (and counting)
- TAT temp: 58 degrees C (Orthos Full Load)
- vCore: 1.328V
- MCH Voltage: normal (ie/ 1.45v)
- FSB Voltage: normal (ie/1.2v)
- pci-e voltage: locked at 100v

Although it seems like a solid overclock (please tell me if the temps are too high however), I am worried that I cannot set the memory multiplier to 2.00 for a 1:1 FSB:RAM operation. Currently, my Crucial 10th Anniversary ddr2-667 (rated 3-3-3-12 at 2.2v), is at 4-4-4-10 at 2.2v running at a ddr2-500mhz on a 4:5 ratio. When I try to set the memory multiplier from 2.5 to 2.00, my system fails to boot up. In fact, the system keeps rebooting until it doesn't boot up at all. When I restart my computer, the system has automatically changed everything to e6400's default 2.13Ghz settings.

I've read more than enough to drive a normal person insane, and it's driving me a little crazy. I know I should feel satisified but to see that my system will not run at a 1:1 ratio is driving me nuts.

Please help. Thanks.

 

[Conky]

My only guess would be to loosen the RAM timings to 5-5-5-15 and see how that works. It seems to me that you are trying to keep fairly tight timings. And at 1:1 timings with your goal of 3.2Ghz your RAM will be running at DDR2-800 speed. It might take more voltage on the RAM too.

Good luck and report back once you figure this out.

 

[eojinlim]

Could a power supply restrict your overclocking potential? I'm asking because I am currently running a Thermaltake trupower 430 psu and wondering if maybe that is what is restricting my OC and putting a severe strain on the system.

 

[myocardia]

The only thing you have to do is set your RAM to 533 Mhz, and 5-5-5-15-2T timings. If you want to see if you can get the timings tighter later, you can, but timings aren't a big deal with C2D's, like they were with Athlon 64's.

 

[eojinlim]

So what you're suggesting is to set the RAM to 533 Mhz and work my way to a higher FSB? I've tried it but the DS3 keeps rebooting. It's frustrating right now. It simply will not work at a 1:1 ratio.

 

[myocardia]

All motherboards will run RAM @ 1:1. There are some that won't run it at any other speed besides 1:1, but there are none that won't run @ 1:1. You're doing something else wrong. Your RAM will do 1,000 DDR, or 500 FSB @ a 1:1 ratio. The problem lies elsewhere.

edit: If you've already done all of the other things that are required for a successful overclock, then your processor needs more voltage.

 

[eojinlim]

Could a power supply only feeding 18a on the 12b rail be the culprit to my overclocking problems?

How much more voltage would you suggest? I've tried to have my e6400 run at 1.375V in BIOS, and the GA-965p-DS3 starts to reboot until it reaches default settings.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Put your memory voltage on 2.3 and try 1:1. Try your voltage on the CPU higher. Anything below 1.45v is safe.

 

[eojinlim]

I noticed you have the exact same memory as me. Do you mind me asking what your BIOS settings are in terms of voltages for various components such as the chipset, vcore, drimm, etc?

If setting my vcore at 1.45v doesn't work, would it be safe to assume that my power supply is the main reason why I cannot achieve a successful overclock with an overclocking mobo and one of the best overclocking ram on the market?

 

[DrMrLordX]

Yes, your PSU could be a problem. What brand is it?

 

[Conky]

Have you tried 5-5-5-15-2T timings yet?

 

[cmdrdredd]

I run my memory voltage on 2.4 (with the corsair cooling system), 1.45v on the NB, 1.3v on the FSB termination...make sure any options for spread spectrum are off too. This always has helped stability under overclocking for me on every board.

 

[eojinlim]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX
Yes, your PSU could be a problem. What brand is it?

It's a cheap Thermaltake TR2 430W Power Supply (W0070RU) with an 18a 12v single rail. My graphics card itself requires 20a on the 12v rail because its 7600gt but I am getting a much more powerful PSU in the upcoming week.

 

[eojinlim]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
I run my memory voltage on 2.4 (with the corsair cooling system), 1.45v on the NB, 1.3v on the FSB termination...make sure any options for spread spectrum are off too. This always has helped stability under overclocking for me on every board.

The option for spread spectrum on the DS3 appears to be missing or under another name. However, with that said, I have everything disabled. Well, at least all the things that would use the chipset anyways.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: eojinlim

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
I run my memory voltage on 2.4 (with the corsair cooling system), 1.45v on the NB, 1.3v on the FSB termination...make sure any options for spread spectrum are off too. This always has helped stability under overclocking for me on every board.

The option for spread spectrum on the DS3 appears to be missing or under another name. However, with that said, I have everything disabled. Well, at least all the things that would use the chipset anyways.

I don't have a DS3 to locate it or check, but my DFI Lanparty NF4 board (socket 939) had it as an option to enable or disable.

 

[eojinlim]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: eojinlim

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
I run my memory voltage on 2.4 (with the corsair cooling system), 1.45v on the NB, 1.3v on the FSB termination...make sure any options for spread spectrum are off too. This always has helped stability under overclocking for me on every board.

The option for spread spectrum on the DS3 appears to be missing or under another name. However, with that said, I have everything disabled. Well, at least all the things that would use the chipset anyways.

I don't have a DS3 to locate it or check, but my DFI Lanparty NF4 board (socket 939) had it as an option to enable or disable.

Does your Crucial 10th Anniversary feel very hot to the touch? I think I am also experiencing high temperatures for my e6400, chipset, and memory.

According to TAT, on idle, my overclocked 3.0ghz e6400 is 50degrees Celsius, while on load it is 55degrees Celsius.

My chipsets are so hot (esp. the northbridge) that I almost got myself burned.

 

[eojinlim]

Yup, I tried it without much luck. It seems like my system will not boot if I give it more than 1.4v for the vcore. I'm not exactly sure why it wouldn't accept higher cpu voltage but that seems to be the case.

I'm rock stable with a 3.0ghz overclock whether it is with 5-5-5-15 2t timings or 4-4-4-10 timings. Not only that, i can underclock the cpu and still maintain stability over Orthos.

These are frustrating series of days indeed.

 

[nyker96]

These crucial are D9s, old BIOS for DS/S3 has a inherent wall for those RAMs at about 460FSB. Have you updated BIOS on your DS3/S3? And also your 4-4-4 timing for these 667 RAMS too tight at 500FSB, probably 5-5-5 is more sensible for these.

 

[eojinlim]

Originally posted by: nyker96
These crucial are D9s, old BIOS for DS/S3 has a inherent wall for those RAMs at about 460FSB. Have you updated BIOS on your DS3/S3? And also your 4-4-4 timing for these 667 RAMS too tight at 500FSB, probably 5-5-5 is more sensible for these.

Well, I've experimented with 5-5-5-15 timings and I can't achieve a faster overclock than if I was to have used tighter timings. It appears that a change in cpu voltage results in a reboot of my system. Even if my system manages to enter Windows, the system hangs.

My BIOS version is updated to the current one. I'm getting the new power supply today or tomorrow so I'll let you guys know, what happens when I use that one.

Using the PSU calculator, it goes so far as to tell you me that the 430 PSU will not be enough if I was to overclock this system. Maybe the psu is the problem after all but I haven't heard of anyone having those issues before.

 

[o2brew]

Originally posted by: nyker96
These crucial are D9s, old BIOS for DS/S3 has a inherent wall for those RAMs at about 460FSB. Have you updated BIOS on your DS3/S3? And also your 4-4-4 timing for these 667 RAMS too tight at 500FSB, probably 5-5-5 is more sensible for these.

The RAM should be capable of doing 500FSB at 4-4-4-9. That is what I am running mine at, though that is with a 680i motherboard. But the RAM itself is capable of those settings. I think this is at 2.2v also, might be 2.3v.

I would agree with loosening the timings for testing though. Once you have the processor overclocked, then you can worry about tightening things up again.

 

[eojinlim]

I've loosened the timings and it simply wont go higher. In my overclocking endeavours, I've lifted the cpu voltage to 1.45v, upped the voltage for the ram to 2.5 (+0.6 from my BIOS), and ran the timings at 5-5-5-15.

Could this be attributed to bad ram?

 

[Duvie]

I have noticed this as well but for me it has to do with the board just will not set cas 3, period....have you tried cas 4-4-4-x at 2.0x and it still wont start?

Have you ran it at stock 266 with 2x multi and see if it runs cas3?

 

[eojinlim]

Yes, I have run it at stock 266x8 with 2x multi, at 3-3-3-12 rated settings. It works fine and it has passed Memtest86. 12 tests, 0 errors - for 2 and a half hours.

I have a lingering suspicion that the reason why my Gigabyte S3 board will continue to reboot for 3 consecutive times and then fail to boot at all on the 4th or 5th tries is directly due to the elevated voltage I am feeding the e6400.

Duvie, what power supply are you using and how many total amps on your 12v rail?

I can confidently say that my RAM is NOT the problem. Memtest has already been run twice in the past week with flying colours.

There always seems to be a problem when I try to run it at greater than 375x8. At greater than 375mhz, REGARDLESS of the timings (whether it is 5-5-5-5-15 or 4-4-4-10/12) it will NOT boot up successfully.

Gawd, Do I sometimes wish I could just get a massive hammer and........

 

[eojinlim]

I've had another thought: Should I take out my 7600GT card and test for the overclock? Has there been any issues as to overclocking with the 7600gt?

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: eojinlim
I've had another thought: Should I take out my 7600GT card and test for the overclock? Has there been any issues as to overclocking with the 7600gt?

Not that I am aware of but if power supply is in question taking that card out should reduce the load on the 12v rail....


I am using a 600watt OCZ powerstream...I believe it is listed as dual 12v rails at 20a each....also it has adjustable pots and max of 700watts...

My E6400 is running w/ a 6800GT Oc'd to ultra speeds....